How Do You Dopamine?
Cosmetics are no longer a way to just cover up blemishes, but a means to lift one’s mood and illuminate your outfit.
Away with nudes and muted tones. After 3 years of tumultuous global events such as lockdown, it’s about time our glam reflects the vibrancy of our current world. How better to do it than with disco ball silver eyeliner or Snow-White red lips! It’s officially the age of dopamine makeup.
In simple terms, Dopamine is a chemical in our bodies that allows us to feel pleasure and have an interest in things; It delves beyond surface level joy and considers true contentment. After lockdown where Gen Z and Millennials took to TikTok to express their attitudes towards self- acceptance using fashion and cosmetics, dopamine beauty was warmly welcomed to the post pandemic society.
The term dopamine was first attached to clothing by Fashion Psychologist Dr Dawnn Karen, also known as The Dress Doctor and Fashion Psychologist Shakaila Forbes Bell who followed up with her own book Big Dress Energy which took the psychological approach of using fashion as a means of uplifting our mental well-being in a way that is still authentic to our personal style. When asked about the influence of makeup on her daily life, Bell admitted that even the process of applying coloured makeup puts her in a “mindful trance” and that “more creativity is good for wellbeing”.
S/S23 collections continued to predict the potency of dopamine dressing with Cult Gaia’s line being infiltrated with citrus tones of light limes and sun scorched oranges, as well as the well- known shade of barbie pink, made iconic since Valentino’s campaign with actress and model, Zendaya. Emilio Pucci took a step further in focusing on not just vibrant colours, but also psychedelic prints that take our eyes on a rollercoaster ride.
From clothing, the dopamine concept has worked its way into the beauty industry. Lucy Reber, Freelance Stylist and former Fashion Editor of Stylist Magazine agreed that it has a “top to toe influence”. This includes not just eye and lip makeup, but you can use everything in-between from nail varnish to hair dyes. Founder of PR Agency Fabric PR, Khabi Mirza, recognizes that we are “not afraid of colours anymore” but instead use it to “express our cultural mood”.
Current trends seem to be increasingly influenced by past trends, so let's flashback to one of the most influential women in the music industry, Nicki Minaj. In the early 2000s Nicki was known for her extravagant looks in her music videos such as the iconic Superbase where she sports not just pastel coloured hair, but also a combination of fluorescent yellow eyeshadow and icy pink lips.
If we look back to fashion icon Zendaya, we can continue taking notes from her Vogue Italia cover where she dons a full face of metallic pink from eyeshadow to lips with tear shaped drooping eyeliner. With ease, this fashion moment ushers in the trend of the season. This especially works for those who prefer monotone whilst still wanting to explore a hint of colour; Makeup offers an alternative to bright clothes to add colour. Malin Coleman, a Freelance Makeup Artist who worked for the likes of Max Factor and Revlon, favors a bright coloured lipstick which she described as a “mood upper” that instantly “makes you go boom”. She calculated that for most people “if you don’t have money, you can always afford a lipstick”.
Similarly, Celebrity Stylist Denise Brown who is known for bright dressing and a coloured lip varying from pink to purple, reveals that it “makes me feel happy, sexy and alive and brings out my confidence”. It is also an integral part of her work when planning a look for her clients who she believes currently favor “greens, blues, pinks and purple eyeshadow with nude on the lips”. Across social media platforms such as TikTok, the makeup sectors are flooded with tutorials on elevating a look with unconventional colours and even pushing further with creative artsy designs.
According to the Micro Biz Mag report, a third of those over 16 suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and those living in London are 11% more likely than the rest of the UK to be affected by this. However according to Very Well Mind, chromotherapy (healing with colour) can help with mental wellbeing and is considered as an alternative to medicinal treatment. But it could be said that the influence of flamboyant makeup transcends the expiration date of seasonal trends because of its focus in inclusivity and positive mental health. As a chilly winter approaches, the disregard of the usual fall neutrals can be seen as an attempt to extend the summery good vibes into the breezy season.
According to the Micro Biz Mag report, a third of those over 16 suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and those living in London are 11% more likely than the rest of the UK to be affected by this. However according to Very Well Mind, chromotherapy (healing with colour) can help with mental wellbeing and is considered as an alternative to medicinal treatment. But it could be said that the influence of flamboyant makeup transcends the expiration date of seasonal trends because of its focus in inclusivity and positive mental health. As a chilly winter approaches, the disregard of the usual fall neutrals can be seen as an attempt to extend the summery good vibes into the breezy season.
So, whether you dopamine with orange vests and pink hair or green eyeshadow and black dresses, dopamine is really for all. It’s a one stop shop to reflect your mood through your personal style.
