A Study in Purple

Purple is my second favorite color.  It's rich, it's bold, it says "look at me I'm the shit."  Purple is also one of these shades that can look great on anyone depending on the shade.  So for today's post I have three different purples wore in different styles.  Purple is the color of royalty so always feel like a queen when you wear it.

I'm wearing Sephora Collection Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color in Deep Plum, and yes it wears long.  It's also a really nourishing matte because of the Rose Hip oil they've included in this formula.  I've gone with no lip liner today because it's bright out today and I wanted to maintain that brightness.

Steph (my absolute fave) kicked her purple into high gear with MAC Viva Glam Nicki 2 with MAC lip pencil in Beet.  Using a dark perimeter outside a lighter inside lip creates depth and fullness and makes your lips really pop.

If you enjoy a bright purple with some flash, try what Alex is wearing, COVERGIRL Flipstick in Flashy.

Keiha (my dear heart!) is wearing a deep shade which was great for an evening affair, she has on Wet n Wild Mega Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum Fairy, which she pulls off in a purple dress.

Finally, layering isn't just for your clothes.  If you enjoy a multidimensional look to your lips, try layering colors.  Aieshya (here with her mom) has on MAC Rebel mixed with MAC Asian Flower lined with MAC Nightmoth (sensing a theme??).  Nightmoth is a really great liner for purples.  It's a blackened plum which gives your lips definition but also makes it blend in real nicely with purple.  It's excellent for creating an ombre effect.

What are some of your favorite purples?

First things first...

Black women wear makeup.  I know, shocker.  I say this because you might not know that we do, since all of your best fashion mags and makeup brands prefer a white canvas to display their product.  No big, we live in a world of default white but hopefully one day we'll move away from that.  In any event, I think it's important for women of all shades to be able to see what their makeup looks like on models that look them before they go into their favorite makeup shop, pick up that tube they've been lusting after and then realize it makes them look like ghost.  Women should also be free to wear whatever shades they like as long as you look and feel good so I present to you: Black Gurlz Bold Lips!

Today's lipstick is MAKEUP FOREVER Rouge Artist Intense Number 46 with MAC Currant Lip Liner.  I like the layer of a dark red liner over a red lip because it brings the brightness down while still maintaining intensity.