The Power of Red

Lately I’m really into the color red.

Take, for example, two recent acquisitions from my shopping go-to, Anthropologie www.anthropologie.com : a cherry red sweater that's every inch as cozy as it looks, and an oversized coral red scarf that I scored on sale. In a pinch, it could easily double as a sofa throw. This foray into the quintessentially most bold of colors is new for me, and I like it!

Chromatic Confidence

They say red has more emotional connections than any other color. It’s the color of passion, energy and exuberance. It is unabashed, unapologetic and self-assured. It doesn’t quietly relegate itself to the sidelines while others take the spotlight: Red is incapable of hiding.

No address needed.

Red doesn’t fret the passage of time, or wait to be noticed until it loses 'those last 10 pounds'. Red doesn’t doubt itself or compromise. It is everything it needs to be, right now. Perhaps that’s why I’ve grown to appreciate it so much!

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Rock some Red and see what happens...

Walk into a room rocking a red dress and stilettos, and you’ve made a statement without uttering a word. (I scored this one for less than $100 from www.vicicollection.com). A crimson ensemble compels others to pause - if just for a beat - and take in the person bold enough to wear it. Christian Louboutin understood the psychological power of red and famously colored the soles of his iconic shoe empire in it.

Christian Louboutin Crossfliketa pump available at Nordstrom  www.shop.nordstrom.com/s/christian-louboutin-crossfliketa-pump-women

Many colors say, “Look at me”.  Red says, “Remember me”.

Red Jumpsuit from Lulus.com

Photo credit - Ray Hennessey

I find this all pretty interesting because I’m not a particularly “red” person. While I love meeting people and being social, introversion/extroversion can be defined as how you get your energy. I recharge my internal battery via solitary pursuits, like writing, photography, or going for a run. When I spend time with others, I'm perfectly happy letting them do the talking. This may be why I enjoyed being a TV news journalist so much. Every day, I got to hunt down great stories and tell them through the perspective of others.  I didn't actually having to be the story.

So, the high-powered extroversion of red doesn’t exactly match my personality, but it does nicely complement it. I can walk into a room as my rather low-key self and let a sexy red lip or a sleek pair of scarlet heels do all the talking. That suits me just fine!

Here are a few tips and suggestions for my fav red Finds:

Nails

• OPI Cajun Shrimp - This one is my "hands down" favorite:  a clear, bright coral red that looks great on just about any skin tone, year-round

• Malaga wine - a darker, richer red with more blue undertones- sophisticated

If you're feeling sad, add more lipstick and attack

Coco Chanel

Lips

• Mac Ruby Woo - a creamy formula that flatters a wide range of skin tones
• Dior Rouge lipstick in Plaza - a serious, no-holds-barred red when you're just feeling that bold   
• Rimmel Moisture Renew in color 250- Pink Dazzler - Not a true red at all, but a rosy red/pink, and one of my favorite colors
• HINT: Red lipstick with more blue undertones will make teeth seem whiter. Reds with orangey undertones can bring out the yellow in teeth

Wine

I don't pretend to be anything close to a wine snob, so if you are a connoisseur, feel free to skip this paragraph!  I just like what I like. Apothic Crush red blend is a fav, as is Gypsy Chariot, available periodically at Trader Joe’s.