Did you know that nearly twice as many women (57%)
consider happiness as more important than health (30%) or attractiveness
(13%), according to a new Self Magazine poll. Why not brighten both your
face and your outlook-- SELF's colour experts outline how the hues of your
cosmetics can enhance your mood, whether you want to feel energetic,
confident, sensual or joyful. I knew that buying makeup made me happy but I didn't realize that wearing it also affected my (and others around me) moods!
Try blue to feel lively! No one loves having the blues, but wearing a flash
of the colour may stir the opposite emotion. (Findings suggest that viewing
the shade is apt to elicit positive feelings.) "We associate blue with
tropical seas and the sky, so it can be uplifting," says Leatrice Eiseman,
director of the Pantone Color Institute in Carlstadt, New Jersey. Swipe blue
on eyes, the face's focal point, to prompt a smile from everyone you meet.
Some blues to try: 1. Maybelline New York Eye Studio in Navy Narcissist, $7 2. Shiseido Makeup Luminizing Satin Eye Color in Fresco, $25. 3. Napoleon Perdis Prismatic Eye Shadow Quad in Earth, $35. 4. Physicians Formula Custom Eye Enhancing Mascara Duo for Blue Eyes, $11.
Wear plum to be bold! "Berry shades make a statement," says Troy Surratt, a
makeup artist in New York City. "And compared with stop-sign red, plum is
subdued, so it's more wearable." Another reason to give plain Jane nudes a
break: If you convey self-assurance with your makeup, you'll feel that way,
too. "Try on stronger shades at home first," says Poppy King, founder of
Lipstick Queen makeup in NYC. "If you vacuum with plum lips, wearing the
colour out will be less daunting."
Pretty Plums: 1. N.Y.C. New York Color Extreme Lip Glider Lip Gloss in Riverside Rouge, $4. 2. Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Crème Lip Colour in Rouge Noir, $30. 3. Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Plum, $9. 4. Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupté in Glazed Blackcurrant, $30.
Play with gray to feel sexy! Studies show that humans are drawn to a direct,
steady gaze. Smoky eyes "make it seem as if you're focusing intently on
someone," says Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., author of Survival of the Prettiest: The
Science of Beauty (Anchor Books). Gray may also heighten your sex appeal:
Research indicates that women whose eyes appear darker than their
surrounding skin are seen as more feminine. Channel your inner femme fatale.
Sulty grays: 1. Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow in Moon Spoon, $20. 2. Avon Glimmersticks Diamonds Eye Liner in Smokey Diamond, $6. 3. Christian Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Dentelle Eyeshadow in Pearl Glow, $57. 4. Shu Uemura Eye Shimmer Duo in Starry Violet, $42.
Think pink to be happy! A gorgeous, luminous complexion is a sure sign that
you're in a joyful place: When you're elated (or amorous, for that matter),
blood vessels near the skin's surface become dilated, increasing your
natural rosiness; imagine how healthy and vibrant you are after a romp
between the sheets or a laugh with pals. Get a glow anytime by applying one
of the pretty pinks below. We predict you'll not only look happy but also
give off happy vibes.
Pretty in pink: 1. The Body Shop Kiss of Color Cheek Blush in Vibrant Rose, $14. 2. Estée Lauder Michael Kors Very Hollywood Blush in Sunset Pink, $26. 3. Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights Blush in Baked Starlight, $30. 4. Lancôme Pop'n Cheeks Gentle and Lasting Blush in Coral Flirt, $29.
So try a little colour to change your mood - seems like it would be more fun than taking an anti-depressant!
- Lisamarie -