My Day in Hot Pink Lipstick and 10 Ideas to Spice Up Your Outlook

I spent a lot of time with a color psychology infographic, yesterday.

I read through each color’s associated moods with diligence. I also considered which colors I could smear on my face.

I did this for two reasons:

1. You chose today’s broken fashion rule! Per a survey on Instagram Stories, you (overwhelmingly) voted that I should break the rule, “Hold your horses on all of that makeup!” or, no loud makeup during the day.

2. I’ve been feeling blank. It’s the end of January, and that New Years magic is wearing away. It’s back to routines, back to daily life, back to productivity, and I’m feeling uninspired. I’m not sad, just blank.

So, to pump up the jam, I looked to color psychology. Perhaps, I thought, picking a specific color could shake up my outlook and get the magic back.

I chose hot pink. (No one’s more shocked than me!) Per this infographic, hot pink inspires feelings that are, “exciting, theatrical, playful, hot, attention-getting, high-energy, sensual, wild, tropical, festive, vibrant, stimulating, flirtatious.”

Doesn’t that sound like the very best vacation?

So, I pulled out the one hot pink lip product that I have and wore it all day, through breakfast, working alone in my sweats, walking the dog, some very hot soup, and a project planning meeting.

And, it worked.

I woke up this morning with an extra jiggle in my step. I had ideas, excitement, and a literal hunger in my belly.

I suspect that I am not alone in my late-January-blankness. If you’re feeling bland or bored, but hot pink lipstick is a hard pass, I’ve gathered up 10 hot pink links. They run the gamut from silly to thought provoking, from high art to low. I hope they get you back in the magic, and back in the groove!

10 hot pink links to get your magic back

1. A photo of Dolly Parton in a sequined, hot pink dress, hot pink earrings, and hot pink makeup against a hot pink backdrop.

2. Ooh la la! A scoop back sweater from And Other Stories.

3. This Fast Company article entitled “The Surpisingly Dark History of the Color Pink”.

4. Kate Spade has changed its signature logo from green to pink. (I liked the green better.)

5. This New York Times article - “Why Covering Nancy Pelosi’s Hot Pink Dress Isn’t Sexist”.

6. If high art is your jam, this Degas painting might do the trick.

7. A corner of Barcelona architect, Guillermo Santoma’s, home. It’s both wildly impractical and lovely to look at.

8. I need this pink slogan T.

9. Perhaps what we really need is a trip to this naturally pink lagoon in Mexico.

10. What about a bright pink accent wall? (This one covered in dog art is really nice, too!)

(This post also has a corresponding Pinterest board! See all of these links together, plus even more hot pink ideas.)

Poof! Magic Month comes to a close. As always, I’ll back on Sunday with a new post (and a new monthly theme!). If you can’t handle the anticipation, I’ll be announcing every monthly theme on the 1st of the month on Instagram. Come say hello, and be the first to know!