Guest Author - Robin Rounds Whittemore
Do you ever choose to wear a fragrance based on color? Was it the color you were wearing, or the color that you “felt” with the scent that helped you make the choice? The real question is; was it the scent itself or the packaging that the product came in that made you decide on that particular fragrance?
The advertising world has always known about the power of packaging. Consumers are well aware that packaging can sometimes help one product gain over its’ competition. We are all advertisers in a sense. When you dress, you are packaging yourself.
How do you feel when you wear red, be it clothing, nail polish or lipstick? Are your accessories in red? Do you feel sexy, naughty, or playful? Possibly it makes you feel powerful, superior or determined.
Red is a very attention grabbing color. Stop signs and fire engines which need high visibility are mainly red. It also evokes the feeling of power and authority. When you see a red car, doesn’t it grab your attention? Even though it may be going the speed limit, do you ever feel that it is really going faster?
Some words and phrases the color red brings to mind are: danger, energy, passion, blood, love, and desire. Passion, love, and desire bring to mind, the ever famous “lady in red”. Dragon’s blood incense is usually a red color. Red candles are burned by some people in hopes of attracting love.
Sometimes the insides of restaurants are painted red in order to increase traffic flow. Studies have shown that people tend to eat faster in restaurants with red as an accent. More customers in and out mean more profit for the establishment.
Warmth and brightness are also feelings associated with the color red. Which words describe Santa Claus, a person known for wearing red? He could encompass both playful and powerful, as well as warmth. He was even guided one night by the brightness of Rudolph’s red nose.
Here are some ideas about color and fragrance. Not everyone will agree with the choices I have made, and that is understandable, as we are not all the same. Feel free to let me know if you agree or disagree with the color and fragrance choices in this article. I will admit, packaging and names played a very big part in the fragrances I chose.
Some fragrances that come to mind when thinking “red” are:
Magnifique by Lancôme
Rouge by Christian LaCroix, AVON
Absolutely Irresistible by Givenchy
Red Door by Elizabeth Arden
Red Delicious by DKNY (fragrance for men)
