I don't wear bold makeup--never have. My confidence in leadership comes from 15 years of being first to understand formats before the market does, like when I helped shape how people understood streaming before it killed cable, or VR storytelling when everyone thought it was just gaming. What actually shifted my presence was leaning into my Colombian-American identity and my weird background. I've DJed, curated galleries, directed radio, rapped on NBA2K9, and spoken at Harvard--that eclectic mix makes me unafraid to walk into rooms where I'm explaining AI-powered sports content to executives or defending why a Tribeca Festival campaign needs more edge. I'm not performing authority; I'm just the person who's already done the unexpected work. The real game-changer was founding Big Smile Co. as a woman-founded, BIPOC-led firm and *owning* that we're "hype machines with heart." That positioning turned what could be seen as disadvantages in tech and entertainment PR into our competitive advantage. When you're representing innovators and iconoclasts, being one yourself isn't a liability--it's the entire pitch.
Executive & Leadership Coach | Team Facilitator | Speaker at Dana Zellers
Answered 2 months ago
I almost never wear red lipstick. I'm always convinced it will end up on my teeth or smudged across my face like a toddler with a popsicle. But here is what I will say: being confident in your choices makes you feel more grounded and more in command, no matter what you are wearing. For me, confidence comes from alignment. If I feel good about how I am showing up, whether that is a bold lip, a bare lip, or anything in between, I lead better. I am clearer. I am steadier. I am not wasting energy second guessing myself. It is never really about the lipstick. It is about choosing something on purpose and standing in it. That is what actually shifts your presence as a leader.
When I started wearing red lipstick, everything changed. As someone who rarely wore lipstick or any bold makeup, I decided to add red lipstick as part of my professional look about a year ago. After that decision, if I was leaving the house for work, I would have my lipstick on. I was applying what looked like red paint to my lips every morning, in essence, a tiny art project. The red is so bold that the attention to detail is key. I watched YouTube videos and talked to friends about tips and tricks for applying a liquid red lip. My friends and colleagues took notice. They liked it and wanted to talk about it. In the first weeks, I felt a bit funny about it, like I was asking the world for more attention. I felt more like a clown than an executive. It also took some adjusting in a practical sense. Having a lunch meeting with my red lips meant choosing food that can be eaten in small bites with a fork. Eating a massive burger is a sure-fire way to get red lipstick all over my face. It also meant choosing beverages with a straw, again to maintain the integrity of the crisp red lines. My confidence didn't grow until a few months into the red-lip journey. I noticed people treated me differently when I had my lipstick on. Store attendants were more likely to see if I'm finding what I need, random strangers said "hello" at increasing rates, and frankly, I felt more like a boss. Fellow lipstick-wearing ladies were quick to share their favorites and welcome me to their unofficial club. In the months since this, I've added other bold colors to my lipstick inventory, and I love all of them. I feel more confident in my application skills, and feel more like a boss when I've got my lips on. If you're looking to make a change to your look, try adding lipstick to your routine, then pay attention to how the people around you show up.
Putting on bright red lipstick is my pre-lecture ritual. It's not about vanity, it's about getting my head in the game. I notice the difference right away. People listen more closely, and I feel more grounded. At international conferences, it's become my armor. It's a small thing, but it helps me stand taller and be myself, especially when I'm in a room full of important people.
Bold makeup, like red lipstick, does the same thing to me as a great outfit. It makes me feel more put together. I'm generally fine most days with tinted chapstick or a little concealer and light eyeshadow. But when I want a little extra confidence, I'll do a full face. It adds a little polish and a little sense of self, and I feel better going out the door. It makes me feel prepared for the day and whatever comes with it. But I'm also totally okay without it. It's just one of those things that gives me a little lift when I need it.
Wearing bold makeup — especially red lipstick — has always been part of my power. It's not just a look, it's a mindset. The moment I put it on, I feel more present, more in control, and more ready to lead. It reminds people that I'm here to be seen and heard, and it reminds me to stand in that energy. As a leader, confidence is contagious. When I show up bold, my team feels that. Red lipstick is my version of stepping into "Diva mode" — focused, fearless, and unapologetic. It's amazing how something so small can shift how you show up in every room you walk into.
I mastered "bold" corporate makeup during my time as a promotional model for corporate events and trade shows. What did I realize? When I felt great about my appearance, I was a much better leader. Not only was I more decisive and confident in myself, but I was also more empathetic. Presenting yourself in a way that makes you feel great is a surefire way to silence the naysayer in your head.
I lead a mental health team, which can be heavy. I started wearing bright lipstick, a small thing that helps me feel grounded and confident for the day. It's my five-minute act of self-care. Clients and colleagues often comment, and it seems to make me more approachable. If you're looking for a little mood boost, I'd say give it a try.
Wearing bold makeup, like red lipstick, has profoundly impacted my confidence by enforcing a structural standard for my personal presence. The conflict is the trade-off: traditional industry attire risks allowing abstract, casual behavior, which creates a massive structural failure in professional demeanor; a deliberate, bold appearance guarantees focused, non-negotiable attention. The lipstick acts as a non-negotiable hands-on structural signal. It is a deliberate commitment to professionalism that matches the heavy duty competence of the work we perform. It forces me to maintain a higher internal standard—I cannot look sharp and act weak. This trades the abstract comfort of blending in for the disciplined structural certainty of standing out. This external structural focus mirrors the precision and maintenance required on a complex structural flashing detail. The impact is that this external commitment to structural detail instantly elevates the verifiable competence projected to clients and crew. It proves that if I enforce that level of detail on my own image, I will enforce that level of detail on their roof. The best way to lead is to be a person who is committed to a simple, hands-on solution that prioritizes external structural discipline to reinforce internal operational confidence.
I started wearing red lipstick before big meetings, and it actually helps. Before investor pitches, that quick swipe of red lipstick feels like suiting up for battle. I'm usually the only woman in these tech rooms, and somehow that bold color makes it easier to speak up and keep everyone's attention. If you're curious about trying it, pick a day when you need that extra push. It's wild how something so simple can make you feel different.
I personally don't need make-up to make me feel more confident in a leadership role, but I do believe looking your best impacts your confidence; it could be having nice bold make-up, or nice attire, or beautifully styled hair.
I discovered the power of red lipstick by accident when I was running late one morning and it surprisingly boosted my confidence. Since then, it has become a key part of my routine on busy workdays to help me look and feel polished. The simple act of wearing red lipstick helps me show up authentically and confidently in my leadership role.
There is just something about donning bold makeup, such as red lipstick, that feels extra empowering in a leadership position. It's not just a beauty decision, it's an assertion of self-assurance and power. There's nothing like a bold makeup look to make you feel polished, pretty and ready to conquer the world. It's one that commands attention, compelling you to embrace the spotlight and your being. It reminds many of their power and uniqueness, allowing them to assert authority or confidence. RED is key in leadership and if a bold red lip can be the link to push you that little bit towards your full capability then why not?