Lipstick isn't just a pop of color, it can be much more powerful.
Bobbie Rimel, M.D., a gynecologist and oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles says for cancer patients, lipstick often serves as a symbol of health and vibrancy. Rimel adds, "Lipstick helps restore a normal sense of self that a patient can lose during incredibly difficult cancer treatments and help them feel like themselves."
Another recent study found lipstick helped recent mothers reconnect with their femininity, and a Women's Health Twitter poll found 80 percent of respondents said the right lipstick can positively impact their mood. Victoria Fraser, Ph.D., director of scientific communication and consumer beauty at CoverGirl says different hues of lipstick emit specific emotional responses that are well documented.
Nudes and muted neutrals channel warmth and calm; reds symbolize power; brights, like orange or fuchsia, convey daring; and anything in the plum family is associated with being refined and professional.