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Saved 7/04/11 to Beauty Product Junkies

The Age-Old "What Lip Color Do Men Prefer?" Debate...


I had a nice eye-roll moment the other day when a friend informed me Cosmo had an article claiming men only like baby pink or nude lipsticks on women. It seems like every day someone or another is insisting men prefer one lip shade or another. Of course as 21st century women, we wear the shades WE like, not what we think might help us "trap a man," in the words of Cosmo, and I for one can say my husband doesn't care one way or another. But I can't be the only one that finds this debate interesting, so a quick Google search brought some interesting results...
Is it red?
According to Allure, men spend an average of 7.3 seconds admiring the lips of a red-lipstick wearer, a longer period of time than for any other color.
Sigmund Freud claimed red lips were seen as subconscious symbols of sensuality and seduction, in a way no other color is seen.
Biologists believe red-colored lips signify good circulation and health and enhance one's reproductive potential and attractiveness.
Many poets refer to "lips of red," and "lips as red as cherries."
In the modern-day version of a poem (a song,) R&B star/sex symbol Trey Songz sings about how much he loves his lady's "Red Lipstick."
 
Or is it pink?
Revlon (although well known for red lipsticks like Fire & Ice and Certainly Red) has a shade called "Gentlemen Prefer Pink."
In Allure's article, pink was the runner-up for longest amount of time men look at women's lips.
Or another shade?
So ladies, what do you think about this debate? Is it just plain ridiculous, or in your experience do men prefer one shade over another? Does your boyfriend/husband have a shade he likes on you, or is he indifferent like mine? Just wondering. Happy 4th.
 

Sherrilee Sherrilee
My husband prefers red or chocolate lipstick really However lately he has come over to fushia. I just wear what mood I'm in.
Pazuzu Pazuzu
I think every guy has their own preferances, you cant make a blanket statement about all men. That being said, red is a sexualized color. There are many studies showing that men found women wearing red,either lipstick,dress,etc, to be more attractive than those not.its consider a strong color demonstrating high self esteem. But I think the overall makeup look is more important, if your red lipstick clashes with your eye makeup or skintone you wont look good. But I think women dress and do their makeup for themselves, not to impress men.
Mizzbehavin13 Mizzbehavin13
I think it's the woman wearing the lipstick, not what color lipstick is on the woman. thank you very much.
Dravaina Dravaina
My hubby prefers no makeup at all, but when I do wear lipstick, he seems to like me in lighter pinks for everyday, but LOVES when I do a sexy red lip for a special occasion.
Bettye Wayne Bettye Wayne
It's silly to think that one color would universally make all skin-tones of women more attractive to men. I think men are most attracted to a makeup style that accents a woman's features without looking fake. But if I had to choose one, red for sure. Maybe the Cosmo writers are single and hoping to knock out some of the competition by tricking us into tossing our sexy reds.