I have always been fascinated with red, its power and energy that exudes. Red is the color of love and passion, life and death, joy and desire, innocence and experience.

It symbolizes strength and courage, increases appetite, accelerates breathing, it is dramatic, vulnerable and eternal. It is a symbol of happiness in China, while in India, they believe that red is a sign of female creative power. Female power and emotional readiness for the challenges of everyday life is most clearly expressed visually just by wearing red make-up. Glamorous symbol of confidence that we love the most. In addition of using it in the right way, make up reflects ones’ character and highlights what's on the inside. Red make-up is ultimate cosmetic symbol of feminine power. I believe that every woman should have at least one red make-up product to use it occasionally to demonstrate her power and self-confidence.

Red lipstick and nail polish have a superior status for lips and nails. If you ask any woman what she thought of red lipstick, the answer has less to do with the tones and shades, and more with ideas and feelings. Red lipstick is a source of strength - when applied, feelings of safety and comfort come in mind as well as more opportunistic point of view. Even just applying red lipstick and nail polish is an act of empowerment. Red lips attract attention to the mouth but also words that come out.

Ever since Hollywood turned to color film, seductive power of red roses has never gone out of style. Let us remember some of the fantastic red lipsticks - Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's”, Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" and Uma Thurman in "Pulp Fiction." Also, looking at the portraits of women arose from ancient China to the 19th century, we will notice that red nail polish was commonplace, and red color has always been appreciated. Thanks to its amazing capacity of irresistible attraction, red nail polish has always been the undisputed symbol of woman glamour, courage and not being ashamed of being the center of attention. For these reasons red lacquer is a natural fit. It is a perfect display of red blood flowing under the skin.

In addition to the lips, red as the most challenging color, is rarely used on the other parts of the face. However, make-up is to be played and experiment with, especially if we want to express our true diva side. This is causing red eye make-up slowly entering mainstream, and thanks to this little make-up revolution, red subtone dominates latest make-up collections. Shades of red undertone of warm brown, orange and caramel are in a beautiful harmony and easy to combine. Therefore, if you do not have the ideal shape to wear red lipstick or simply prefer to emphasize your eyes, be brave and apply red shades in the form of a "smoky eye". It is important to choose the ideal shade. The good way to properly determine your red lipstick or eyeshadow color is the undertone of your skin. It can be light, dark, medium, cooler - with pink, red or bluish undertones, warm - yellow, peachy or golden undertones and neutral - consisting of a mix of warm and cool undertones. You can determinate your undertone further by defining color of veins on your wrist, where blue veins belong to the cold undertone and green to neutral undertones.

Silver jewelry fits you better if you have a cool undertone, and gold if you have a warm. Of course, needless to say, you don’t have to be limited to a shade of red, because if you have enough self-confidence, regardless of the tone of your complexion, so you can wear any shade.

The point is to play with your make-up and to awaken emotions, take your imagination to unexpected places – like eyes or cheeks. That is true power of makeup. Regardless of skin tones and the differences in people’s personalities, it's okay to be imperfect.  It is OK if your beautifully done eyes are not noticed at first sight, and it is OK even if your nail polish worn off. You can still think and love and live your life and wear your perfect red lipstick.

Recommended red products:

CHANEL LE ROUGE COLLECTION No. 1 - collection of super smooth lipsticks who look stunningly sensual – form classic red to hardcore, warrior red colors

CHANEL JOUES CONTRASTE #ROUGE PROFOND - like you're naturally flushed, this pink, fragrant blush refreshes the face with more discrete application 

CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES #CANDEUR ET EXPERIENCE - warm brown shades trio for day and night with a little extra drama.

MAKE UP FOREVER AQUA LINER #10 IRIDESCENT RED - metallic red eyeliner that dries quickly will make your eyes discreetly seductive

MAC HELMUT NEWTON RETRO MATTE LIQUID LIPCOLOURR #HIGHHEELS - lipsticks from limited editions dedicated to the great fashion photographs come in sexy red shades and matte textures.

BOBBI BROWN HOLIDAY #WINE - nail polish from the exclusive line of home, saturated color is red wine, high-gloss

DIOR DIORIFIC MATTE FLUID LIP & CHEEK VELVET COLOUR HOLIDAY 2016 #004 LUXURY - multifunctional lip gloss in a fantastic package can be applied to the lips and face

The column was published in the winter issue of  storybook magazine.