The Power of Red Lipstick
Red lips are a classic makeup look that a lot of women revert to when they need a pick me up, but do you know why it’s so popular?
The colour can split gals into two categories; those who save it for a special occasion, and those who love it so much, their lips are constantly crimson – we’re looking at you, Taylor Swift.
But there is now scientific proof that red is the best colour to wear on your lips daily, as researchers have found that it makes you seem more confident, sexy and youthful to those around you.
A study by CHANEL’s Research and development department and scientists at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, found that wearing red lips can make the wearer look younger and more attractive over time due to a thing called ‘facial contrast.’
As we age our eyes, lips, and eyebrows become paler, so by balancing this out with a striking red lip, we flatter the overall complexion and reintroduce a healthy tint to our pout.
This study has been backed up by Evolutionary psychologist Nancy Etcoff, who found that red lips are a biological ‘sex signal.’
To get into the nitty gritty of it, when we’re feeling turned on, blood will rush to our lips and give them a rosy hue, which signals our youth, fertility and general good health to potential ‘mates.’
And while it’s been quite a few years since we all lived in caves, it seems our instinctive nature is still there to an extent, because that artfully applied rosy red lip will cause the same reaction in the opposite sex all these centuries later.
If that wasn’t enough reason to wear red lipstick, perhaps this final scientific fact will convince you: it also makes to look more competent at your job.
A study at Harvard University found that out of the 100 people they asked, the majority found that women who wear bolder makeup in the workplace seem more confident in their job role compared to those who wear minimalist makeup.
So there you have it, science says a red lipstick is a good idea all day, every day… except when you’re eating. Or drinking. Or kissing. Hmm.
