Seeing Red (White and Blue)

I am not much of a TV watcher, but occasionally when I am in a hotel room, the television pulls me in. I cannot remember the particular show I was watching or the overall theme, but what caught my attention was a woman in a red dress. Let me back up here: At some point in the show the subject turned to color and how we perceive it and are affected by it. They dressed a woman in a white dress first and asked her to walk around a busy street. A hidden camera then recorded how many looks she received from men passing her. For the most part, she went unnoticed. Then the same woman put on the exact same dress—only this time it was red. Immediately, she was noticed repeatedly. Then she asked random men for a dollar to see what they would do or say. Not only were her wishes granted, but some men gave her more than a dollar without hesitation. Finally, the woman in the red dress asked to be carried across the street, and surprisingly she had takers (more than once)!

What does this prove? According to research, men are more attracted to women wearing red, and not only does red imply desirability, but also prestige and power.

There is even one study that shows athletes wearing red win more times than those wearing blue.

So in honor of our country's birthday this week, I thought I would encourage you to try a little red. Not only will you stand out in the crowd, but it may increase your chances of getting what you want!

This J. Crew Tee Shirt Dress is what I sported on the Fourth, and it easily took me from beach to fireworks. But if you're still a little hesitant about that red dress, you could add a little crimson to your lips or hands. 

Here are some of my favorite reds:

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Best intense matte red lip color
Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl
This formula is fantastic. It's matte and long lasting, but not drying. In fact, it's super lightweight and feels incredibly good on the lips. My favorite part—the color. It’s incredibly vibrant. Definitely a color that will get you noticed. And it's all in the easy-to-use and convenient-to-carry pencil form.

Best sheer red lip color
CoverGirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm in Peony
This lip gloss/balm has the perfect combination of color and transparency, so it looks great on everyone. SPF 15 gives you protection and shea butter leaves your lips feeling better after each application. It's the perfect daytime red.

Best bright saturated red orange
MAC Hey Sailor! Pro Long Wear pencil in Throw Me a Line and lipstick in Sail La Vie.
Intense saturated shades are perfect for summer and beyond. This is limited edition, so get it while it's hot.

Best red nail polish
Essie Russian Roulette
It's a classic red with a touch of orange to increase the intensity. It's really beautiful and defiantly eye catching.