The Power of Lipstick (Yes, lipstick)

Give a woman the right lipstick and she can conquer the world.

~Poppy King

When I was young, using crayons along with my imagination made me happy. I would pour my Crayola crayons out of the box and just look at the colors for a while before deciding what colors I would use. There was silver and gold and copper and peach and lime and all the rest, but the blue shades were my favorite. The names were fun too - like Fuzzy Wuzzy Brown or Razzle Dazzle Rose. I didn't just have a little box of 8, instead a box of 64, with the sharpener built right in. 

Today, I get just as much joy testing out a new tube of lip color. Recently I went wandering the cosmetic counters looking for a lipstick hue that is understated and elegant and has a bit of punch, but not too much. 

Found it. Not too brown, not too pink, not too red, not too shimmery. Just perfect. (Chanel 434 Mademoiselle, for those curious.)

When you choose a shade that you look and feel great in, it becomes more than just an aesthetic choice. It becomes a signature affirmation to help you find what makes you you.

Have you ever impulse purchased a tube of designer lipstick when money was tight? Turns out, you're not alone, especially now with the shadow of a recession hanging over us. *The Lipstick Effect* can be traced back to the Great Depression. Basically, during times of economic hardship sales of cosmetics go up, especially lipstick. During stressful times women will indulge in discretionary purchases that provide an emotional lift without breaking the budget.

A study in 2011 by Proctor and Gamble, researchers from Harvard and Boston University found that women felt more confident and self-assured while wearing make-up. What's more, by enhancing their lips with color they were perceived as more competent and reliable - and more appealing to a sexual partner.

Sure, it might seem vain but sometimes a little vanity can help us find self-worth. And that's okay. Lipstick is transformational. It can make instantly make your day better.

And you don't need 64 colors. Imagine your cosmetic drawer with 8 or less shades that are right for you. That's all you need.

Copyright: Helene Oseen 2022