Having a photographic memory is rare—the ability to recall a scene from the past with great detail, just like a photo, even more so. The colour-changing doll gifted by my uncle when I was a child remains with me till date for its impact worthiness. Her long, shiny hair would turn a poppy orange at times and a stunning fuschia when it came in contact with ice. It never failed to fascinate me or bring a smile to my face. A similar feeling arises every time I doodle on my nails (bright blue clouds for a gloomy day, or a colourful twist to the classic French mani), pick a purple over my go-to black to draw wings on my eyes, or get my hair coloured—like the time I decided to go magenta and revelled in my bright pink hair for four months. Makeup, or any form of self-expression through beauty, I’ve come to subconsciously realise, is the most personal form of self-care, a unique experience for every individual based on their perception. Lately, there’s a name for this happiness-inducing feeling through makeup. It’s called dopamine beauty, and it’s the most joyful trend everyone, everywhere, can follow. 

The happiness chemical

Simply put, dopamine beauty is the process of wearing bright, happy colours to activate the physical release of the feel-good chemical naturally produced in our brain.  

Dopamine, explains Shaifila Ladhani, the in-house psychologist for mental wellness platform Now&Me, is a neurotransmitter and one of the rewarding chemicals of the brain, “It’s the feel good release in the brain that interacts with other similar chemicals like serotonin and endorphin, playing a vital role in how we feel.” 

Healthy levels of dopamine helps us stay motivated and productive, and also makes us more expressive, enthusiastic, and empathetic. Its greater psychological impact helps in better levels of attention, focus, and in stimulating creativity. Lower levels of dopamine, says Ladhani, may often be the reason we feel fatigued, uninterested, and restless. 

When you wear makeup the way you like it, try something new, or experiment with colour combinations, there’s a feeling of confidence, self-assurance and acceptance, “It is associated highly with colour therapy,” explains Ladhani, “Bright shades and hues of lemon yellow, light green, orange and pink are scientifically proven to increase one’s dopamine levels and lead to a happy high.” 

The anti-trend trend

You don’t always have to get out of your comfort zone, stick to classified colours, or indulge in extremely experimental ways to boost your mood, which can be quite intimidating and counteractive. The good news is, all bright colours combined with other hues can lead to a good dopamine release. According to Ladhani, it’s a neurological phenomenon that depends on the likes and preferences of the subject. If that means painting flowers on your face, swiping on a dark bricky brown or a shocking red on the lips, or for that matter, a simple touch of blush on the apples of your cheeks—colour away—because the whole point of dopamine beauty is to do what makes you feel good. 

If you’ve always stuck to the basics, makeup artist, Marianna Mukuchyan recommends easy, subtle twists, or a ‘special touch to make you feel special’. She says, “Pick a coloured liner or draw a different shape of liner, add a little crystal dot to adorn your eyes wherever you please: on the inner corners, outer corners or right in the middle of your lid.” 

For designer and entrepreneur Masaba Gupta, who recently launched ‘playful and embracive cosmo-wellness brand’, Lovechild, she too resonates with this philosophy as mood plays an important role in how she uses ‘beauty’ to enhance it. She says, “When I'm feeling inspired, or I’m stuck in a rut, or when I feel happy, sad—whatever it is—I always change my nail colour, it’s a thing”. Scents too, have a similar effect on her, a floral one when she’s feeling hopeful or anticipating a big day, or a typical caramel vanilla one to feel sexy. 

Regardless of how you do it, dipping your toes (or makeup brushes) every once in a while in happy hues is guaranteed to boost your mood—try it. 

Lead photo: rowisingh / Instagram