Seeing red. Feeling blue. Green with envy. There’s no denying that colors are inextricably linked with mood. Slip on a tailored LBD and you instantly feel chic and sexy or pop open a sunny yellow umbrella on a gloomy day and some of that sunniness will undoubtedly rub off on you.
There are several reasons why colors are able to influence how we feel. “We react on multiple levels of association with colors—there are social or culture levels as well as personal relationships with particular colors,” explains Leslie Harrington, executive director of The Color Association of The United States, which forecasts color trends.
“You also have an innate reaction to color. For example, when you look at red, it does increase your heart rate. It is a stimulating color. This goes back to caveman days of fire and danger and alarm.”
To help make this year better and brighter, try out these fun style tips from our friends at Daily Makeover.
1Add Some Tangerine To Your Makeup
Fashion forecasters have declare Tangerine Tango to be the “it” color of 2012, so start infusing the hue into your beauty routine. Try Le Métier de Beauté Sheer Brilliance Gloss in Orange Juiced ($32, Bergdorfgoodman.com), available Jan. 15! “¨
2Brighten Your Eyes
Apply a light eyeliner to your waterline (the line just above your lower lashes) to make eyes look bigger and brighter. You can use white, silver, or a more natural color, like Paula Dorf’s Enhancer Baby Eyes ($20, Pauladorf.com).
3Give Nails A Burst Of Color
Keep nails looking trendy with a bright shade of polish. Brights by OPI is a collection with tons of great colors, including this bottle of Teal The Cows Come Home.
4Acquire Bright Accessories
Having a brighter 2012 isn’t just about what you wear! You can incorporate trendy tones into your everyday accessories, too, like this planner by Smythson ($265, Smythson.com).
5Brighten Your Complexion
The most important kind of brightening is for your complexion. Through a good exfoliant and a moisturizing serum, like Dr. Dennis Gross’s Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil ($65, Sephora.com), you’re skin will be glowing in no time.
6Lighten Your Locks
There’s nothing like a bad hair day to dull your outlook on life. Cheer yourself up with some balayage highlights. Unlike foils, balayage uses a painting technique that results in more natural looking color. Celebs like Drew Barrymore, Rachel Bilson, and Jessica Biel are all familiar with the popular salon treatment.
7Kissable Color
A bright lipstick is the easiest way to wear 2012’s trendy colors. A bright pop of pink can go a long way. Try Maybelline’s 24 Hour Super Stay Lip Color in Keep Up the Flame ($9.99, Maybelline.com) for long-lasting color.
8Better And Brighter Wardrobe
It’s hard not to feel happy in citrus-colored clothing. J. Brand is just one of many denim brands that has extended their array of jeans to more than just the basic blue.
9Line Your Lids In Color
Colorful eyeliner is a fun way to change up your look. Urban Decay offers their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($18, Urbandecay.com) in an assortment of neon colors.
10A Cheeky Start To 2012
A vibrant swipe of blush will have heads everywhere turning. Put some bright pink on your apples with Bobbi Brown’s blush ($24, Bobbibrown.com) in Peony.
