COLOUR THERAPY

After several seasons of safe, neutral makeup palettes, vivid, happy hues are back. Find out how a swipe of cheery colour, from cobalt to peach to lilac to cherry, can perk up your face—and your mood

As many of us have sought out small daily sources of joy to counteract the stresses of the past few years, colour therapy has garnered renewed attention. The idea of using colour to evoke feelings of optimism, to feel more energetic—or even to quell anxiety—is appealing in its accessibility. “Studies have shown that lavender can have a soothing effect, while a soft daffodil yellow can make the brain feel happy,” says New York psychologist Sanam Hafeez. Light blue has also been demonstrated to have a calming quality, green can help you reset, and red may be invigorating. While colour’s influence on mood is temporary, even a quick dopamine hit can help change your mindset, making a swipe of bright makeup not just trendy but therapeutic.