simplysarah

Yes, wearing lipstick can be a pain. All of the meticulous applying and reapplying, plus all of the prep work that comes beforehand (please tell me you're exfoliating your lips). But when it comes down to it, stepping out in a bright shade of lipstick is 100 percent worth the minor trouble. What's a little cosmetic upkeep when you reap such psychological benefits?

Trust me, it's not about looking good for other people -- there are plenty of reasons why wearing lipstick can make you feel great.

Lipstick can give you a boost in the most adverse situations.

When "Today Show" style editor Bobbie Thomas began working in a rape crisis facility, she noticed how lipstick could lift a woman's spirits, as she watched a survivor testing out a new tube of lip color. "I realized the power of lipstick," Thomas said. "It validated her -- I could see the spark in her face. She felt worthy of self care."

Similarly, Piper Kerman, whose prison memoir inspired the Netflix series, "Orange Is The New Black," recalled how cosmetics allowed her to not only bond with fellow inmates but also feel attractive and unique in such a dark, scary setting. "When I was dressed in shapeless men's clothing and steel-toed shoes, some mascara and lip gloss went a long way toward making me feel like perhaps I still had something to offer my fiancé," she wrote in Allure in 2010.

Plus, nothing lifts you up during an economic hardship like lipstick can.

Have you ever impulse-purchased a tube of designer lipstick when money was tight? Turns out, you're not alone. The aptly-titled "Lipstick Effect" can be traced all the way back to the Great Depression. Essentially, during times of economic hardship, sales of cosmetics increase. Back in the early 1930s, while industrial production was cut in half, makeup sales were on the rise. Today, we see the same pattern of consumers turning to cheap thrills, like lipstick, during economic hardships -- not a bad way to increase morale, if you ask me. 

When wearing lipstick, you'll appear more competent in a professional setting...

I can certainly say that I get a jolt of confidence each time I slick on a bright lippie, but that self-assurance is not just in our heads. In a 2011 study by Procter & Gamble, researchers from Harvard and Boston University found that women felt more confident while wearing makeup, which included lipstick. What's more, they found that people wearing color cosmetics were perceived as more competent and reliable. "There are times when you want to give a powerful 'I'm in charge here' kind of impression, and women shouldn't be afraid to do that," said Sarah Vickery, an author of the study. (Though it's worth noting that participants wearing heavy makeup experienced a "lowering of trust.")

But we're really wearing lipstick for ourselves.

The most important part of wearing lipstick, however, is how you feel when you wear it. A recent poll by the British Heart Foundation found that 26 percent of women reported feeling more confident while wearing red lipstick, and it's not hard to see why. A friend of mine, who in three years of friendship I've never seen without perfectly applied matte red lipstick, recently told me, "It's more about having a signature and feeling comfortable and identifiable than an aesthetic choice." When you pick a shade that you feel great in, it can become what differentiates you from your peers -- it can help you find what makes you you.

Sure, it might seem vain, but sometimes a little vanity can help us find self-worth. And that's OK.

When it comes to Christmas baking, it doesn't get more festive than gingerbread! I wanted to try out gingerbread cupcakes this year, and was so pleased with how they turned out! I decorated mine with big piped swirls so I doubled the original frosting recipe, as I always like to make sure I have plenty! They turned out beautifully, and are such soft, springy and delicious cupcakes!

YOU WILL NEED...

Cupcakes:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup molasses

2 eggs

2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

3/4 cup water

Frosting:

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups (1 lb) powdered sugar

1 to 2 teaspoons milk

Directions

1 Heat oven to 375°F. Place Reynolds Baking Cups in each of 18 regular-size muffin cups.

2 In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, 1/2 cup butter, the molasses and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the allspice and water. Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup.

3 Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.

4 Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, the lemon peel, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and the vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until smooth. Beat in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until spreadable.

5 Spoon the buttercream into a large piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle. I piped mine from the outside in, finishing in a point to create a swirl. I then topped the cupcakes with mini gingerbread sprinkles! Store covered in refrigerator.

It is officially the new year, which means the new trends of 2016 are pushing 2015 styles out the window. We had a glimpse inside what the new year’s trends might entail with Fashion Week, but now that it is finally here, we have a better idea as to what is going to hit the stores and what is not. Although we are used to welcoming new styles with open arms, these trends seem to get more outlandish year after year, making 2016’s trends bold, daring, and statement-worthy.

Although trends tend to come and go, one thing is for sure: They define the season. From soft fabrics, to shimmering eye shadows, and even to retro styles, the following fashion and beauty trends are sure to be the biggest of 2016. So, take a look and be the first to embrace the trends that will define 2016 fashion!

1. Tie-Dye

The 70′s are here to stay. Tie-dye is making a comeback this new year in the form of dresses, shirts, pants, and more.

2. Blue Accents

Spruce up your look with stunning blues, as seen on the runways of Diane Von Furstenberg, Karen Walker, Marc Jacobs, Hugo Boss, and Jill Stuart.

3. Pleats

Who says pleats have to be preppy? This trend will make an appearance in 2016 to add movement, style, and class.

4. Lace

Lace is soft, classic, and can turn any look into a chic ensemble.

5. Metallic Eyes

A new type of highlighter is making an appearance: shimmering shadows.