Looking alluring
What is alluring?
Is it sexy? It can be, but interestingly the word can be used to describe inanimate objects as well as humans.
Here are some similar words to alluring:
enticing
tempting
attractive
appealing
inviting
captivating
seductive
enchanting
charming
fascinating
intriguing
tantalising
magnetic
irresistible
Delightful as these descriptors are, it’s important to note that alluring is subtle, NOT flashy. Alluring has a slight mystery rather than being obvious.
Suffice to say, being described as alluring is a compliment, but it is one for your personal life. You don’t want someone in your workplace to describe you as alluring. That would be creepy, unless of course you find them alluring too, but even then, these things are generally best expressed outside of the workplace.
Innate alluring colours
A sure fire way to appear alluring is to use your innate colouring (because, yes, it’s subtle yet guaranteed to work if you use the right hues).
Working with eye colour is highly effective. As they are said to be the windows to our soul, they draw us in therefore drawing attention to your eyes can indeed ‘lure’. Focusing on someone’s eyes suggests intimacy but, if not welcome, can convey aggression; so much so that in some cultures eye contact is avoided out of respect. Using your eye colour in your outfit will ensure your eyes are noticed in a way that is alluring.
Another way to appear alluring is to work with the colours in your complexion. If you’ve ever painted, you’ll know there are myriad colours in our skin that are generally shades of red. Depending on your colouring, your ‘red’ could be more pink, violet or deep brown, or golden, vermillion or peach.
Working harmoniously with the colours in your complexion will make you appear healthy and radiant, and that’s always going to be attractive.
Why is red considered to be alluring?
If you think about the majority of makeup on offer, it is mostly red based. True, there is a recent trend for less natural looks such as blue or green lipstick but it is far less common and we are yet to see whether this is a short lived fad or an enduring look. The family of reds is far more common in cosmetics.
A UK study by Daniel Re, Ross Whitehead, Dengke Xiao and David Perrett from the University of St Andrews* found that people who have slightly red faces are considered more attractive as they are perceived as being healthier.
Higher blood oxygenation adds a red or pink glow to the complexion. That this glow occurs after vigorous exercise, demonstrating good cardiovascular fitness, is the basis for the attractiveness rating, the study argues.
Biology babe
The above observation aligns with the theory that we are subconsciously attracted to people whose physical features indicate good health (to give any resulting offspring an increased chance of survival). Yes, it’s that survival of the fittest thing.
In the same study, the authors point out that higher oestrogen levels in women are associated with increased dilation of skin blood vessels. This means that women have slightly redder skin when they are most fertile. The increased redness (or pinkness) may not be consciously detected by potential mates, but apparently triggers physical attraction regardless.
Physical attractiveness is based on biology after all and even if we are way beyond our breeding years, glowing good health is still incredibly attractive.
Not just any red
An earlier study (Elliot and Niesta 2008) suggesting men found photos of women dressed in red more attractive than they did photos of the same women dressed in softer colours is now in doubt. This is because subsequent studies conducted with both men and women have been less conclusive.
As a colour analyst, I know cool reds, like raspberry, look beautiful on cooler toned people and warmer fiery reds are fabulous on warmer toned people. But a cool red on a warm complexion can make them look ashy and warm reds on cool complexions can have them looking blotchy. This is one of the most telling moments of the Colour Analysis process. It’s all about harmony; some hues harmonise and others clash.
So my question about any of these subsequent studies is, were the subjects dressed in reds appropriate to their colouring? If they were not, there’s no reason they would have appeared more attractive or alluring, thus negating the studies.
If we flush or blush naturally, whether due to hormones or exercise, our faces reflect one of ‘our’ reds, a red that is natural to us. It will be a red that is alluring for us. However choosing a red garment, hair colour or makeup requires careful consideration.
Making it easy
With this in mind, I have created digital colour schemes to draw alluring outfit inspiration from.
They consist of 6 sets of harmonious core, supporting and accent colours designed to be alluring. The colour schemes include those attractive red hues plus colours to draw attention to the windows to your soul.
The colour schemes are available for immediate download. Find yours here.
Ps: did you realise pink is just red with white added to it? It’s the only colour we rename in the English language once we’ve lightened it.
