WOMEN become more dependent on cosmetics as they grow older, according to a survey by two Dundalk schoolgirls entitled "Not Just a Pretty Face".
Alex Doherty and Shauna Campbell, from Dun Lughaidh secondary school in Dundalk, Co Louth, surveyed about 250 people in three age groups: 12-15 years, 16-18 years and over 25s.
According to Ms Doherty, 45 per cent of the respondents in the older age group saw cosmetics as "essential" and used them daily. They spent between £50 and £70 on them per year.
The survey also found that television or magazine advertisements were not as effective in promoting a product as word of mouth.
Most respondents listened to the opinions of their peers before deciding which cosmetics to buy.
More expensive cosmetics tended to be advertised during programmes aimed at an adult audience, while the cheaper alternatives were advertised during soap operas or other programmes likely to draw teenagers.