MOOD BOOSTING BEAUTY
Our self-confessed ‘ beauty junkie ’ looks into the psychological benefits of getting glam
For some , make-up is a daily necessity ; something they never fail to apply before leaving the house . For others , make-up is something for special occasions , when only the best version of themselves will do . However you wear make-up , we all have that one product or a small edit of favourites that we rely on to boost our mood . When I think of mood-elevating beauty products , three instantly come to mind : concealer , bronzer and mascara . As someone who grew up dealing with frequent angry breakouts , concealer has always been my shortcut to complexion confidence . Having fair yet long eyelashes meant mascara was , and always will be , my favourite make-up product , as it instantly made me look more awake and feel prettier . A well-defined flutter will do that for a girl . And what would life be without bronzer ? Yes , it warms and sculpts the face , but I don ’ t love it for that . I love it for how healthy it makes my skin look in a matter of seconds , like I ’ m a committed devotee of regular juice cleansing and I holiday frequently in the South of France . Dr Kirren Schnack , a principle clinical psychologist and member of the Counselling Directory , agrees that make-up can be a powerful mood-booster : “ Wearing makeup can significantly alter our self-perception , our self-confidence , and , as shown in some studies , our emotional stability . Evening out our skin tone using foundation or putting on mascara for longer lashes doesn ’ t just help change how we feel about how we look , it can also have positive mood-boosting benefits , changing how we feel emotionally .”
THE LIPSTICK EFFECT
But what about the other products in your make-up bag ? Let ’ s not downplay their mood-boosting abilities . Red lipstick is the most often cited beauty product that empowers the wearer , but a reliable , pout-enhancing nude lipstick is just as good if you need an endorphin boost . Melanie Jones , a PR consultant from London , agrees : “ Red lipstick always makes you look vibrant and fresher . It brings colour to your face , making you look less tired .” There ’ s a reason lipstick sales never dip , even during world wars and economic uncertainty ; in fact , the ‘ Lipstick Effect ’ – when sales of cosmetics increase during times of hardship – can be traced as far back as the Great Depression in the 1930s . Nowadays , we are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding our perfect lip shade , so you are guaranteed to find one that puts a spring in your step . Yen Swan , a blogger from Birmingham , always turns to lipstick when she ’ s having a bad day , “ Lipstick has always been one of the things I put on when I ’ m feeling particularly low . It makes me feel ready to tackle the day ahead .”
ISSUE # 06 | 2018 | SkinHealthMagazine . com 30
Sources : The Independent