Rather than try to put author Jessica B. Matlin's words into my own, I'd rather quote them here verbatim for those of you who don't read Allure. (And I suppose I'm also feeling a little lazy, given it's late on a Sunday evening and I just want to go to bed!)
Put on a Happy Face
As if you needed an excuse to buy a new lipstick - according to experts, cosmetics can actually make you happier. Seeing yourself in a new shade or patting on a luxurious product can give more payoff than even the most lavish gift with purchase.
IT'S UPBEAT
"Applying makeup is a fundamentally optimistic act," says Michael Cunningham, a professor of psychology and communication at the University of Louisville. "It shows that you are ready to go out into society and want to be looked at in a positive light. When people become depressed, they stop caring about their appearance. They get into sweats and sleep."
IT'S COLORFUL
"The shades you choose can affect how you feel," Cunningham says. "Warmer hues, especially rose, produce feelings of hope, while cooler ones, such as light blue or dark green, induce feelings of calm." Select your lipstick, blush, and eye-shadow colors accordingly.
IT'S CONTAGIOUS
"Cosmetics send signals to other people," says Helen Fisher, a professor of anthropology at Rutgers University. "And happiness breeds happiness. People actually feel better when they're around others who radiate positivity, and that's the purpose makeup aims to serve. Rosy-colored cheeks and large, bright eyes connote youth, vitality, and happiness."
IT'S EXCITING
"Novelty is a natural stimulant," Fisher says. "It drives up dopamine in the brain. That feeling you get when you find that perfect lipstick is your reaction to its newness."
IT'S CALMING
"The whole ritual of putting on cosmetics is soothing," Cunningham says. "Performing small actions deliberately and carefully can be tranquil. And spending time focusing on yourself can be very restorative."
I couldn't agree more.
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