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By now we all know how to master a bold, red lip, but did you know there’s a proven science behind sporting the rich and bright shade? It’s true, ladies. Red lipstick is more than just a pop of instant glamour. It’s a beauty product that’s as much a state of mind as it is a cosmetic accent.
We all love a classic and fearless red lip seen on the puckers of Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift, or Angelina Jolie who exude a beaming confidence and attitude every time they hit the red carpet. As a color emerging more and more in our daily lives, red lipstick isn’t a new trend at all. In fact, it has a rather lavish history dating back to the Golden Islamic Age.
With rediscovery and an increasing popularity, studies prove wearing red lipstick actually makes a huge statement on your overall well-being. To make this season truly yours and squeeze spring for every ounce of your personal effort and passion, we share four very scientific reasons why wearing red lipstick is über important to your lifestyle.
You’ll look younger:
Since our facial features become noticeably paler as we age and our complexion becomes somewhat lackluster, researchers discovered red lipstick can actually make us look younger. First reported in the journal PLOS ONE, Professor Richard Russell of Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania suggests red lipstick (along with rosy cheeks) increases facial contrast between facial features and surrounding skin, therefore making you look younger.
When women are young, their lips appear much redder than their skin, producing a look that is both youthful and healthy. However, when older women wear red lipstick, they create the same sort of effect by simulating that vivacious appearance through a strong contrast. As Professor Russell suggests in the study, since the skin surrounding our lips becomes redder as we age, the natural color is easily manipulated through makeup to create a contrast between the lips and the rest of your face.
More competent at work:
In a 2011 study from The New York Times, beauty and health giant Proctor & Gamble in collaboration with Harvard University discovered women who wear bold makeup were seemingly more likeable, reliable, and competent in the workplace. One of the authors of the study, Sarah Vickery states, “There are times when you want to give a powerful, ‘I’m in charge here’ kind of impression and women shouldn’t be afraid to do that.”
A source of strength:
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Red lipstick is more than just the color of confidence and sex appeal—it’s a genuine source of strength. Giving you a necessary boost in the most adverse situations, red lipstick creates an unparalleled inner poise stemming to self-care.
Not only is applying red lipstick empowering, but it draws people’s attention to you—particularly your mouth and successively, what you have to say. Making your mouth a focal point, red works best if you really want to be listened to. Unlike other colors, red is one that asserts value for an impactful statement. Creator of Lipstick Queen, Poppy King affirms this power as a symbol of prowess. “You put it on and suddenly you feel more capable than you did without it,” she says.
More confidence, more selfies:
Even though they can be hard to take sometimes and we often take more than just one, we all really love selfies. But when you wear red lipstick, you end up taking more of them. Cosmetic titan CoverGirl teamed up with Harvard University for a survey on women’s lipstick habits. The reports suggested women who rock red lipstick on a daily basis (as opposed to those who go au naturel) take an average of three selfies a week. Moreover, when we post more often to our social media feeds, it’s because we’re more confident.
The study also went on to report that those who wear red lipstick more than four times a week were significantly more confident than those who wore it less. As evidence of a more daring and creative self, red lipstick gives us reason to keep our confidence levels up and continue taking selfies. If anything, it’s a color that magnifies your inner confidence, unleashes your bravery, and exudes such sureness to those around you.
Do you love wearing red lipstick? How does it make you feel? Let us know in the comments below.
The Hudsucker 
There is something about red lipstick that makes many women feel suddenly sexier….
I love red lipstick.. I don’t care if it matches with my outfit. I always wear red. Lighter shade, darker shade depending on the occasion. I have heard quite a lot of times that red lipstick is sexy. Indeed it is. There is something sensual about it. But, there is something more. I feel confident and bold with the red lipstick. I mean, it keeps me positive. I put it for myself. But it can’t be helped if people like it.. ;)
Red lipstick is love..