What does your lipstick say about you?

When Coco Chanel mused that ‘the best colour in the world is the one that looks good on you’, she spoke a lot of truth, but what she failed to mention is that first impressions count – and this is true of lipstick shades.

‘Colours communicate the mood you are in,’ explains Mac Global senior artist Vimi Joshi. ‘Red is about being confident and daring, orange is fun. Pink represents brightness and playfulness, and nudes are more natural and calming.’ She adds: ‘People will notice the colour you are wearing and will inevitably form an opinion.’

Career girls, take note – making a statement with your lips can have a real impact in the corporate world. Stride into a boardroom wearing a pillar-box red pout and those around the table will know you mean business, but make the same entrance in a shade of bubblegum pink and you may not seal the deal.

Research agrees. A few years ago, global cosmetic company CoverGirl conducted a study with Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital Research Partners, which revealed how make-up overall can alter how trustworthy, likeable and competent other people perceive us to be.

Before you delve into your make-up bag in the hope of that promotion, however, it seems that not just any lipstick shade will do. CoverGirl expanded the study for 2015 to take into account particular shades of lipstick and how onlookers perceive us when we are wearing them. They showed 2,375 images of women wearing six different shades of lip colour and asked people to make spot evaluations of the women’s personalities, rating attributes like how creative, reliable, and professional they seemed.

‘In general, the bolder, more glamorous lipstick colours tended to be associated with powerful traits, while more natural hues were associated with warmer personality traits,’ says Sarah Vickery, PhD principal scientist for research and development at CoverGirl, and lead researcher of the study.

Given the evidence, it seems matching our lipstick to our Zara shift or Sophie Hulme tote simply isn’t enough. We need to consider the impact on those we meet in the course of our day. With a bit of thought, our choice of colour could work in our favour, such as swinging an important meeting with clients or creating the perfect impression on a first date.

Bright reds

It was the colour choice of silver screen starlets Marilyn Monroe and Liz Taylor, but what does bright red lipstick say about the woman who paints it on her pout? The CoverGirl study labels those wearing the hue as ‘creative and daring, ambitious and driven’.

Make-up artist Dahlia Haleem recommends it as a colour for the office, saying, ‘Reds can often look more serious and straight-to-business than their other bright friends.’ A word of warning though. You need to be prepared to be noticed. As make-up artist Chase Aston puts it, ‘Bright red screams “Notice Me”. It is the most powerful shade in the colour palette and those brave enough to wear it will turn every head in the room.’

Tip: Worried about your power pout fading? Make-up artist Lynn Taylor advises: ‘Keep red lipstick vivid and long-lasting by blotting lips with a tissue after the first application, then reapplying.’

Try: Make like Mad Men’s Betty with Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Le Rouge (Dh186, Paris Gallery). Glamorous, long-lasting, and beautifully packaged.

Nudes

It doesn’t have a place on a rainbow, but don’t discount it. The CoverGirl study says nude hues on your lips suggest you are ‘warm and caring, dependable and reliable, sweet and nice, attractive and pretty’.

‘Wearing nude lipstick tells the world that you are a natural beauty who has a minimal, low-maintenance approach to make-up,’ says Carolyn Ryan of 2True Lipstick. ‘You are happy with your looks and don’t need to make a statement to get noticed.’

Elias Srour, Paris Gallery Regional make-up artist, adds, ‘Contrary to what most people think, nude lips are not boring. People who wear nude shades are simple, down-to-earth and very confident. These hues are perfect in natural classy matte or satin finish when you want to draw attention to your eyes, or for a daytime look. They tend to go with everything and look great on all lips no matter what your age is.’

Tip: Mac Global senior artist Vimi Joshi says, ‘The best way to wear a nude lipstick without making you look tired or washed out is to find a colour that is slightly darker than your own natural skin tone. This will add brightness to your look and strength to your face.’

Try: A hybrid between a lipstick and lip balm, Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector is a great choice for natural lips. The silky smooth texture melts into lips, leaving pouts plumped, smooth and luscious. Pick Rosewood (Dh96).

From Rihanna and Megan Fox to Amanda Seyfried, dark berry shades on lips are enjoying a surge in popularity.

The study by CoverGirl indicates that berry babes are perceived as ‘independent, dependable and reliable, ambitious and driven, cultured and refined, attractive and pretty’.

‘Plum shades of lipstick portray confidence without making you appear inaccessible – a unique combination of power and warmth,’ says CoverGirl’s Sarah Vickery.

Lipstick Queen’s founder Poppy King adds: ‘Wearing dark berry shades implies you are a sensual person, with a deep sense of self. You’re revealing that you have a great sense of inner power.’

Tip: ‘Beware messy eaters and those who touch their lips a lot!’ make-up artist Dahlia Haleem says. ‘Dark hues of plum are dramatic and daring, but unless it’s applied – and remains – perfectly on your lips, it can quickly look quite messy. Stick with matte, long-wear lipsticks designed to stay put, and try putting a colour-lock product over the top.’

Try: For rich pigment and colour that sticks around, stock your make-up bag with Mac Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Media (Dh95). The earthy plum shade compliments most complexions and glides on exceptionally smoothly.

Bright pink

Some girls just want to have fun – and those girls are probably wearing bright pink on their lips. The results of the CoverGirl study reveal that a pink pout will communicate that you are ‘sociable and fun-loving, attractive and pretty’.

Lipstick Queen’s Poppy King adds, ‘Bright lip shades tell the world you’re fun, daring and ready for a challenge. They’re great for a first date, as they’re disarming and intriguing in equal measure.’

You might want to avoid it in the office, though. Mac’s Vimi Joshi suggests saving the shade for a night out, as ‘it’s the ultimate colour of femininity and playfulness’.

Tip: Lynne Sanders, co-founder of Cosmetics à la Carte, says, ‘Pink lipstick is a great way to accentuate a summer glow – but if you are feeling shy, pick sheer tones of coral or bubblegum pink.’

Try: If you are heading out to play, you don’t want to spend all your time perfecting your lips, so the fact that Nars Audacious Lipstick Collection offers one-stroke, full-coverage makes it the perfect choice for a night out. Pick Sunny Guava for unstoppable impact (Dh160, Sephora).