The Red Spread - Day #15

February came and went, I swear. I wanted to close it out with favorite reds since I did so many this month. I have to admit there was a time I was afraid of red lipstick, hell there was a time I was afraid of lipstick. There's been something illuminating about my makeup journey and not just because my mother was a makeup goddess in her own right and passed it along to my sisters and I, but because there's something so empowering in an eyeliner, in a blush, in a lipstick. Every time I put on makeup it feels like the final rose on a cake, the last brush stroke on a painting, the flourish at the end of your signature. Believe me when I say don't need makeup to feel good about myself, I looked like a mess all through college and held a steady relationship (S/O to cute and natural girls) but I do know that makeup adds that extra spice. That when my mascara is on 10, my lips are poppin, and my eyes are smoldering I'm ready to take no prisoners. Red lips are just another arrow in my quiver on the ready when it's time to attack. The Red Spread has been great and I so look forward to March, thanks to all the ladies who submitted.

I have so many favorites it was hard to choose but I went with Bite Beauty Rouge Crème Lipstick in Tannin

StanChelle is wearing Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll 

The Red Spread - Day #14 (Product Highlight)

Hey y'all, it's clear y'all love some MAC Ruby Woo so I had to do a product highlight before The Red Spread was over.  Here are some interesting facts about Ruby Woo:

-Ruby Woo was the country’s best-selling shade of 2013. 

-Ruby Woo first launched in 1999 as part of collection with a new formula called Retro Matte. It is considered a matte version of MAC's  Russian Red.

-Ruby Woo is an blue-red which means it's great for cool tones, but somehow it also looks great on everyone.  

-It can be drying like most matte lipsticks so preparation is a must! That includes exfoliation and priming  

Finally,  if you want that Ruby Woo look without paying the Ruby Woo price, a dupe (makeup speak for duplicate) is Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipstick in Siren in Scarlet. Can you tell which is which?

On the left: MAC Ruby Woo ($16.00); On the right Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick Siren in Scarlet ($7.49).  I lined with MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry for good measure.

Never mind the ash I'm out of lotion.  I swatched both colors on my hand so you can see it.  On the left is Ruby Woo and on the right is Siren in Scarlet 

Some great Ruby Woo looks from this month's Red Spread:

Rockin' Ruby Woo solo-dolo

Added touch of shine with lipgloss and Ruby Woo

Keeping Ruby Woo in Line with dark liners

Tomorrow is the last day of the Red Spread!!! A final recap on red lipstick and things you need to know tomorrow.  If you any questions that need answer please send them here.

The Red Spread - Day #13

Slipped and fell on the ice today thank goodness I had on makeup to make me feel better about it.  We are 3 days out from the end of February and I'm pretty sure I'm going to put on black lipstick just because (jk I don't own black lipstick).  So colored gloss is something that I very recently began exploring.  The thing that has always given me hesitation is the high sometimes shimmery gloss and the color.  I was always concerned that I would end up looking crazy in the face.  However, I've learned that colored gloss can be your friend, especially if you don't want to super-commit to lipstick, colored gloss can give you that color with that fun shine that's perfect for casual Saturdays, brunches, or later-night activities.

That's my baby girl Bella, she wanted to play catch and has no respect for personal space.  Today I have on SEPHORA Collection Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Cherry Red.  No liner needed, prepped my lips with Majestic Roots Naturals Lip Balm. 

The Red Spread - Day 12

It was sunny today so that can only mean Spring starts tomorrow (let me dream!) . One of my favorite things about lip stains is the intense color. That being said, you have to be deliberate with your application. For mistakes I like to keep a q-tip handy and use makeup remover or coconut oil (if you're not up on the 101 uses for coconut oil get on it) to clean up. I'm convinced one side of my lips is crooked or something because my first applications always look a bit imbalanced but I'm also a stickler for details, so it could just be my OCD.  I also make sure to leave a bit of time between my lip balm or primer before my lipstick/lip stain to make sure it doesn't slide off, and the result is this:

It was sunny out so I was lightweight feeling myself but it's still cold.  Today I have on Soft Matte Lip Cream in Monte Carlo by NYX Cosmetics.  I also lined my lips with SEPHORA Collection Lip Liner in Pleasant Plum (it's been discontinued I think)  I'm getting so good at picking up the deals y'all!

As always I'm looking for your favorite red lip stain and lip gloss looks for the final week of the Red Spread,  Send me your best looks at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!  

This Ain't Lipstick! - Info Post #4

By now I have faith that y'all are scouring your nearest Sephora, Ulta, Blue Mercury, MAC and drugstores for lipstick. I believe it's happening so don't fight me on this.  While you're clearing the counters for the perfect shades, consider 2 lipstick alternatives: lip stains and colored glosses.

Lip stain

As the name suggests, lip stains are much more concentrated in color than lipstick and leave the color on your lips. If you've ever woken up from a night of wine drinking (cause wine is still on sale at Walmart, thank you Heavenly Father) and your lips were purple that's essentially the effect of a lip stain. Lip stains are often matte, I haven't seen one that had significant shine, and so they can also be drying on the lips.  However, proper preparation will promote perfect performance and prevents a parched pucker.  Info Tip #2 has all the info you need on prepping your lips.  Also because of their staying power a little goes a long way.

Colored Lip Gloss

Lip gloss has been with us forever, from the rollerball in the tube to LipSmackers to NARS.  Lip gloss has come a long way and it's most recent innovation: decentcolor is keeping lip gloss present.  Colored lipgloss gives you the high shine with the color.  It can also be a bit more sheer for those who want the look but don't want the heavy color.  With lip glosses I find comparing formulas to be helpful because some lip glosses can be heavy.  Lipgloss can also be messy when it smudges so invest in a you-colored lip liner to line the perimeter of your lips and keep that gloss where it belongs.  As with lip stains, lip prep is important and should be followed.

What are some of your favorite red lip glosses and lip stains? Send them to blackgurlboldlips@gmail.com    

 

The Red Spread - Day 11

Self-love is the most important and yet probably the most difficult for people to master. Oh yeah I be deep sometimes y'all.  V-Day is about showing that special someone or someones how much you care, but what about showing yourself some love? I spent V-Day shopping for a coat and while I didn't find what I wanted I was happy to have the chance to look good doing it. Remember in all things you do to love yourself first! 

Today I'm showing myself some love with Hourglass Opaque Rouge in Icon lined with MAC Lip Pencil in Burgundy

Cecilia was riding my wave and has on the same only she lined hers with MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth

Sharonda is giving us face with MAC Ruby Woo with MAC Prr Lip Glass

Des is fresh-faced and full-lipped sporting Ruby Woo with MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry

The Red Spread - Day 10 "Boogie Nights"

Now red lips were made for the night. Every time I put on a real good shade I feel like I'm in Moulin Rouge and I have to dance for diamonds.  With evening makeup you can be a lot more uninhibited.  As I've said in previous posts, you want to balance your eye makeup with your lips. You can certainly do drama in both but if you want to look like a real person and not a cartoon you should really try to be purposeful with your color choices and finishes. For evening wear, high-intensity color with a high shine work perfectly to bring attention to your lips! 

Because a winged liner always needs a red lip I have MAKEUP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense Number 46 with MAC Lip Pencil in Currant with one of Victoria's Secret old lip glosses (I haven't purchased one in 3 years)

Chadra is looking exactly that, Fiery, by Stila  All Day Liquid Lipstick

I promise you Sin by MAC never looks as good on me as it does on Ashley.  She added a gloss on top to give it some shine since Sin is a matte color.

I'm still looking for V-Day pics! Send them if you got them to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

The Red Spread - Day 9 "Remains of the Day"

Wearing red to work can be risky. Red is such a bold and sassy color you don't want to look like you're trying to hussy your way to the top.  You also don't want to look like the consummate party girl who doesn't understand that a blazer on top of a club dress doesn't make it business casual (No Shade Tho). So how do you wear red lips to work? Well in my research (yes I do research for y'all, that's the kind of mensch I am) I find two ways were consistent across the board:

1) Satin or Sheer Lipstick

Yesterday's post on finishes detailed the various ways in which lipstick comes. Satin or sheer finishes offer you the color without that disco ball shine that's best left for Park or some other dark club when you're looking to get chose by that billionaire who's going to pay all your student loans off (One day Lord, please. Amen).  A matte red can also be really good here but consider how opaque and how strong it will be when you put it on.

2) Light Makeup 

Remember that day I had to detail the makeup choices I made when wearing MAC Lady Danger.  Well it's important to note that while your lipstick can draw people in, it's your entire face that keeps them there.  When wearing a bold lip you want to keep the rest of your makeup more or less minimal or at the very least subdued.  Your eyes and your lips should not be having a shouting match on your face, at least not at work.  A dramatic eye and a bold lip when your billionaire-hunting is totally acceptable.

**Now Tip 3) isn't really so much an "official" as it something that I just tried and happen to work**

3) Use Your Liner

I picked up this tube of lipstick, mostly because the case was pretty, but when I put it on it was really loud.  I checked it in all the lights of my apt, I tried my room, the bathroom, natural light, kitchen light--the color was deafening.  I didn't want to take it back so I thought about how I could tone this color down.  And that's when I realized I could use liner.  Using MAC Lip Pencil in Burgundy I colored in my lips almost entirely leaving the area where my lips touch bare.  THEN I applied my lipstick.  That brought the color down from the rafters completely.  Using a darker or neutral color lip liner as a base can help bring some of the color as well as some of the shine/shimmer down in your lipstick and make it more day-friendly.

Do you have pics from V-day weekend with bae? Or were you killin it Sunday night cause you had to let bae go?  Send me your evening and V-day red lip looks at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com. 

Today I put on Covergirl Colourlicious Lipstick in Hot 305 and I used MAC Lip Pencil Burgundy on my entire lip as a base

Leda really emphasizes her MAC Ruby Woo with MAC Nightmoth Lip Pencil with a sleek updo and barely there makeup

Keelyn keeps it clean with a little eyeliner and Wet n' Wild Matte Lipstick in Sugar Plum Fairy. And yes Sugar Plum Fairy is a deep berry but it looks red and can go in either direction depending on how it's worn, so there.

Quick to the (Lipstick) Finish - Info Post # 3

So you know how you're looking at lipsticks and you're at like yay, but then you get lost in words like matte, sheen, satin, etc. so then you just walk out the store, with no lipstick in hand?  I'm going to decode some of these words for y'all so the next time you can walk in confidently, grab that tube, and walk out of that store like the bad ass you are.

**Note glosses and colored lip balms were not included in this list**

Matte

Matte is the new hot shit right now people are losing their minds for.  Matte is a highly pigmented (which means the color is really strong) which can last a long time.  Matte doesn't have a high glossy sheen and has more of an opaque look to it.  Matte lipstick can be very drying over time, as the color tends to last a long time so proTip: 1) exfoliate, because your lips will look crazy if it looks like you rolled them in crackers and 2) use primer or lip balm before you let loose on your lipstick.  My favorite lip exfoliator is Majestic Roots Naturals Lip Scrub.

Satin

Satin lipstick gives you strong color but unlike matte it has a some shine to it.  Not diamond or mirrored effect but a bit more to give you a lil somethin.' Satin lipsticks are probably best suited for work, giving you a some color and some shine to let your coworkers know that you can do your job well AND looking like THEE shit when you do it.   Satin lipsticks are also known as creamy lipsticks and it's important to note that because the formula is smoother you may want to use a lip liner to prevent lipstick from bleeding.

Frost
Frost as the name suggests, gives you a frosted look.  Think of Vivica Fox in Batman Forever with Mr. Freeze.  Frosted lipsticks tend to have a heavy feeling on the lips and can be drying over time, so it's important to moisturize the lips.

Now I know what you're thinking, where is Amplified Crème, where's Retro Matte?  If you're a MAC girl you're probably very familiar with these terms and you may not know what they all mean, well I'm going to divide them into groups based on their color opacity and their sheen.

Heavy Shine with Strong Colors, Listed from Shiniest to Least
Frost
Cremesheen
Amplified Crème
Amplified
Satin

High Shine with Sheer Look
Glaze
Lustre

Strong Color with no Shine
Matte
Retro Matte

It's still February, which means it's still Red Spread.  Send me your favorite DAY and EVENING red lips at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

The Red Spread - Day 8

Dark Reds were pretty much made for any lady who isn't afraid to put their boot in someone's ass.  Don't let the smiles fool you (except for me b/c I'm a gentle flower floating in still water), women in dark reds are out here kickin' ass and takin' names.  Great for day or night, dark reds are great to wear on their own.  If you're worried that one might be TOO dark for you consider the finish of the lipstick.  A lipstick with a sheer or satin finish might be more comfortable for you because the color will be less intense and still give you a bit of that reflection you're looking for.  I never met a gloss that couldn't fix anything.  I'm official y'all, send me your V-day looks at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com and next week I'll be talking about day reds and evening reds.

I'm getting better with the drugstore brands guys, I promise you I'm not bougie or rich.  Today I have on MAC Currant Lip Liner and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry 

StanChelle got her hands on Anastasia Beverly Hills' new line of Liquid Lipsticks in Sad Girl

Christina was ridin' round gettin' it in Crush by Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick

Lauren is anything but cruel in NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella with MAC Bespoken For Lip Liner

Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Tannin has Shannon looking ready for the night!

Chadra found the perfect specs for MAC Cremesheen in Hang-Up with MAC Nightmoth Lip Pencil

The Red Spread - Day 7

True Reds are mothertruckin awesome! Neither orange nor pink nor blue, true-reds are the essence of red.  Something about them picks up the life in your cheeks, the twinkle in your eye, and the switch in your walk.  True reds never look out of place.  If you're interested in toning it down you can always use a darker liner like I did, so I look like I at least give one f*ck while I'm at work. It's V-Day weekend y'all!.  Send me your dark red lips--berry, burgundy, vampy, sultry reds, that mmmmmm good red for tomorrow.  You know you want to! 

Today I have on L'Oreal Colour Riche (I'm not bougie y'all I promise) Lipstick in True Red.  I lined it with MAC Burgundy Lip Pencil to tone it down for work. Technically it's listed as Coral Red but nah it's not.

Alaina's watching you and being cool about it in NYX Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Pure Red (Another one that's technically orange red but nah I'm not seeing it)

Bridget is all smiles in Cherry Picked #202 Lipstick by ULTA

  

Seoul sista Angela was out here trappin in Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon

The Red Spread - Day 6 (6 is an excellent number btw!)

I am really counting the days until Spring returns.  Winter can EAD.  But I still enjoy a winter lipstick.  Like last week's post I had to think about ways to turn down the brightness in my orange-red, while still getting the full effect.  What I did differently this time was mix lipsticks and forgo liner.  I use a pink-red to "line" my lips and used my orange-red in the center part of my lips creating a pseudo-ombre effect.  I also blotted, which I don't normally do, but these lipsticks have different finishes (one has a sheen, the other is matte) and they were fighting for dominance on my lips which I could not allow.  Tomorrow is clearly y'all second favorite days TRUE REDS.  Send your submissions here!

Hit y'all with the MAC Lady Danger again, but I also used Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in Hot Tango as well.  Orange-Red meet Pink-Red

The Red Spread - Day 5

Hey y'all it's Day 5 of the Red Spread (yes day 5 cause I don't work weekends and y'all need tips on Mondays) and there's a lot of Ruby Woo today.  I'll say the great thing about blue-reds is their versatility.  Because of the blue shade in them, they can stand up against most skin tones and even new specs (yaaaaassss honey new specs on deck, thanks America's Best).  They're also really great to wear in the fall/winter months because they pair well with darker clothes.  Tomorrow is orange-reds/pink-reds.  Please send me your best looks here!  

Today I have on MAC Ruby Woo lined with Sephora Collection Nano Liner in Pleasant Plum (they don't make it anymore)

StanChelle, though a novice in the lipstick game, pulled off Monte Carlo by NYX Cosmetics

Shalon is all smiles in MAC Ruby Woo

It's amazing how you can change your lipstick around, Kirsten has on MAC Ruby Woo with MAC Russian Red Lipglass

Give it up one more time for MAC Ruby Woo, Chadra lined it with Kleancolor Lip Liner in Deep Red

Started from the Bottom (Lip) Now We Here - Info Tip #2

What it do y'all?  Thanks so much for submitting your favorite shades of red this month it's been awesome being able to share my love of makeup with you guys.  Today's info tip is on prep.  You wouldn't iron dirty clothes (unless it's laundry day hunny, then no judgments) so you shouldn't put on lipstick without getting your pucker perfect. Taking steps to take care of the skin on your lips is incredibly important (especially in extreme weather conditions), so here are a few things that I do:

~Exfoliate

There are two ways that I exfoliate my lips.  My favorite go-to lip scrub is Majestic Roots Naturals Lip Scrub.  If the ingredients in this lip scrub weren't all-natural I'd feel bad for eating, but they are so I don't.  Brown sugar, honey, and essential oils come together to slough off dead skin and moisturize lips, creating a pristine canvas for your artwork.  I also use run a wet toothbrush over my lips when I don't want to do a full lip scrub.

**If you love a matte lip like I do, exfoliating is a necessary step.  Nothing looks worse than matte lipstick on cracked and crazy lips**

~Hydrate 

I can always tell when I've had the bomb time at brunch when I wake up slightly hungover and my lips are dry as hell.  It's important to make sure you're guzzling the good stuff (agua) regularly because it hydrates and brightens your skin, including the skin on your lips.  If your lips are ever dry it's for no reason it seems, check your water intake, you might be low.

~Prime

Now there are some lipsticks out there that are incredibly moisturizing and I don't always prime with them.  But if I'm wearing a matte lip I'm definitely using a primer.  Using a primer prevents tug and pull on your lipstick application, which can lead to lipstick all over your mouth.  It also prevents your lipstick from settling into the lines of your lips, but if you exfoliate and hydrate you won't have those problems, right? Right.  Majestic Roots Naturals has a lip balm that glides on really smooth, moisturizes, and gives your lipstick something to dance on without looking like chicken fried grease.  I also use MAC Prep + Prime Lip as a base coat for my lipstick or lipgloss. 

Taking these steps ensures that when you slide on that Hourglass, or MAC, or Revlon, or Smashbox, that people are looking at your lips for the right reason.  Tomorrow we're back to The Red Spread.  Please send me your best blue-reds, true-reds, deep reds, and orange reds!

The Red Spread - Day 4

Get 'em girl! But how you gonna get 'em? With a come hither stare and a bountiful pucker draped in a deep red.  I love a true red lip color, it's got that Jessica Rabbit, Marilyn Monroe, Dorothy Dandridge thing about it. BUT, there's something about your deep reds, that says this ride is not for the faint of heart, this is a grown ass woman you're dealing with it so come correctly or leave quickly.  And I love it for that.

We made it to Friday y'all thanks to all the lovely ladies that submitted photos.  Next week we get to do it all over again so send me your favorite blue-reds, orange-reds, pink-reds, true reds and deep reds!

Deep reds

Burgundy, Brick-Reds, Plums, Wine, Berry, Caramel-Reds

I can't do a sexy face to save my life guys, I've tried and failed but at least the lipstick looks good.  It's Plum Scene by Smashbox lined with MAC Lip Pencil in Vino.

Layers, layers, layers.  You can get the look you want using multiple lipsticks.  LaToshia has on Mochalicious on top of Cherry Bomb both by Wet n' Wild.

Liesel decided to turn heads using Buxom Full-Bodied Lipstick in Menace.

Just cause you're kickin it doesn't mean you can't be cute.  Brandy has on Burgundy from Wet n' Wild.

I love how the internet keeps high school friends close even when they're far away (thug tear).  Cecilia has on NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella.

I'm trying to coerce people into the lipstick game, get them while they're young[er] than me. Britnee has on Black Opal Violine lined with Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner in Plum.

The Red Spread - Day 3

Spring is coming y'all I can feel it.  That's what I told myself while the wind was kicking up in my face this morning.  Day 3 of The Red Spread and we're doing true reds, bold reds, neutral reds.  These are the reds that look amazing on everyone because they are in fact just red.  The key, in my novice opinion, to pulling off true reds is to bring the attention to your lips.  One way to do that is through subtle eye makeup.  Today I opted for more brown and slight gold BUT I made sure that my eyelashes were on fleek (I think that's how you use it?) because a bold lip needs a counterbalance and the best one is in the eyes.

Today I have on one of my top 5 favorite lipsticks NARS Pure Matte in Mascate

Dena, of Code Red Flag fame, has on Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red.  Another one of my personal favorites, it looks great on everyone like a True Red should.

Stephanie took a break from giving her baby boy all the kisses  to throw on Venetian Red Rich Formula Lipstick by Motives.

Tomorrow is vampy reds, think blood red, dark reds, man-eater reds.  If you'd like to submit please email me here.

The Red Spread - Day 2

I wish it was summer y'all.  Orange-reds were made for summer.  They pick up all the of the sun's rays and the gleam from the ice in your margaritas.  It's day 2 of  "The Red Spread" and as I promised orange-reds are today's focused.  Orange-reds, as the name suggests, have more of an orange undertone in them.  They work well for warm undertones because they pick up more of the gold, yellow, and orange in the skin.  So here is today's look:  

Today I have on MAC Lady Danger lined with Burgundy also from MAC

 PLEASE NOTE***

Though I have warm undertones, I have a lot of red and yellow in my skin (thanks colonialism), which means wearing an orange-red can result in me looking like a traffic cone.  So I had to take very deliberate steps to pull this look off:

1) I had to get a dark red lip liner.  This was the only orange-red shade at MAC (though I could've tried elsewhere) that was remotely close to what I wanted.  But I needed to subdue the color and make a distinction between the lipstick and my face so I went with Burgundy which picks up more of the red.

2) I had to make sure that the clothes I wore didn't amplify the yellow and red in my skin. I chose a complimentary color.  I tend to look really good in yellows and oranges but I could not wear any of those today for fear people would think they were going to run into me.  So again I had to wear something that was going to break up the coloring.

3) Finally my makeup had to compliment.  Blue-reds, you can wear nearly anything with because they are also going to give you the contrast.  Orange-reds have a bit more sass and like to be in the spotlight.  So what I did was work a lot of golds onto my lids.  I have a gold eyeshadow on my lid from Too Faced the Return of Sexy, and then a darker gold called Hammered from ColourPop, and then to add some depth and give a slot nod to the orange I have an orange shade on the curve of my eyelid from Sephora Collection Smoky Studio 2 Palette.  I didn't use any eyeliner as that would be too severe a look.  I also added some bronzer because it's the winter and I get pale, so pale that I look like a ghost haunting my apartment. 

Lipstick for Warm Undertones

Orange-Red--this also includes warm reds, tomato reds, brown based reds, golden reds, and tawny reds

Now Amelia is an example of warm undertones and dark skin, which gives her more versatility in her color choices.  Here she has on MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense in Number 43.

Alison is an example of warm undertones and light skin, which means unlike me, she doesn't have to worry about blending in with the orange, the yellow in her skin is much more pronounced giving the red and the orange some backdrop.  Here she has on NARS Semi- Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave.

Tomorrow is True RED day, these will be your neutral reds, your bold reds, your hot-damn-I-need-to-kiss-her-in-the-mouth-reds.  Please send your pictures and products!.

 

The Red Spread: Day 1

It's February y'all which means two things: 1) Soul food Black History Month dinners at PWIs to make us feel like we're apart of the school (thanks Pitt) and Valentine's Day.  V-day wouldn't be complete without a pair of come-hither-you-better-buy-me-this-dinner lips.  How do you choose the right color?  You don't want to look like the undead but you don't want to look like Homey the Clown.  It's about knowing your skin tone and which reds are best (See yesterday's post on finding out your undertones) 

Reds essentially come in three shades: blue-red (which have blue in them); orange-red (which are brighter); and true reds/neutral (they work on everyone).  Here's the catch 22 with black women.  While you may be cool or warm you also have to consider your skin color.  If you are a cool undertone but wear a blue-red while having fair skin your lip color may have the effect of washing you out.  Using a deeper lip liner can help blend the color so it warms into your skin instead of looking harsh.  

Lipstick for Cool Undertones

Blue-Red--pink tones of red, berry reds, blackberry reds, and brick reds

(*Disclaimer, all of us here do not have cool undertones, these are examples of blue-red lipsticks)

This is a lipstick I've been pining over forever and Sephora finally had it in a mini, Hourglass Indestructible Matte in Icon.  I paired with MAC Lip Pencil in Vino to add a little definition.

Iana, much like me has warm undertones but medium skin so we can walk the line of blue-reds without looking ghostly.  Here she has on Maybelline Colorsensational Matte #690 Siren in Scarlet.

Work is always the appropriate place for a red lip.  Ashley (one of my several partners in crime) is wearing Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick in 552A Garnet Pink.  This is a lighter blue-red.

 

Steph being the good sport as always has on MAC Red with MAC Lip Pencil in Brick.

Nykia is looking awesome and lite brite in MAC Russian Red.

Denyta looking ravishing and caramelly in MAC Russian Red.

Aieshya mixed it up using MAC Ruby Woo with MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth.

So I accosted April at dinner because her MAC Ruby Woo looked great on her and somehow different than what I've usually seen.  Even with her fair skin and a cool tone, Ruby Woo still looked great on her and didn't wash her out.

Layering lipsticks is a great way to achieve the look you want. Jo has on NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl with COVERGIRL Eternal Ruby around the edges to tone down the brightness.

Tomorrow will be Orange-Reds, so look for your warm reds, tomato reds, brown based reds, golden reds, and tawny reds


TO SUBMIT YOUR FAVORITE REDS FOR THE RED SPREAD ALL MONTH LONG PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH A PHOTO AND PRODUCT INFORMATION.