Get Naked!

It's sunny today, and I'm here for it! So the nude isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  It actually looks really great reflecting in the sunlight.  I've picked up 3 nudes and 2 nearly nudes so I think I'm going to be good there. The name of the blog is bold lips not bare lips.  Another important note to mention is blending.  Whether you use a lip brush or your finger tip you want to get that lip liner and your lipstick to be ace-boon-coons on your mouth, otherwise you're going to look crazy in the streets, and no you will not be able to blame me.

I know you've gotten this once or twice but SEND ME YOUR NUDES to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!! Yes I will be sharing them b/c everyone should know how to rock a nude lip.

Today I have on MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Half n Half with MAC Lip Pencil in Chestnut doing the dirty work

Keena was passenger-side flossin in Skyline Pink Super Lustrous Lipstick by Revlon

C'mon Baby Send Me Some Nudes - Info Post #8

Let me just say that nude lipsticks really don't do it for me and they're like having a plain burger. That being said, I do know how important it is to have at least one or two in your arsenal. Nude lips are great for playing up drama in your eyes, they're great for work, and days when u want a barely there makeup look. The conundrum however, is finding the right nude for your shade. "Nude" in the makeup and fashion world really means white (I'm just keeping it 1-0-0) which means peach or beige. There aren't many makeup lines that recognize that black women exist in more than just two shades. (S/O to Covergirl Queen, Iman Cosmetics, Black Opal, Black Radiance, Fashion Fair, Sacha Cosmetics, and Bobbi Brown just to name a few). So when finding a nude keep the following things in mind:

1) Draw the Line

Regardless of what shades apply to you, you have to use a lip liner. It's non-negotiable. You can be in your feelings all you want about it but that's just the world we live in. A liner close to your color will create a smooth transition between your face and your lipstick. It will also create definition. A nude lip without definition will look like an anus on your face. Sorry not sorry.

2) Be True to Your Shade

Consider the undertones in your skin when looking at nudes, and not just warm or cool but the actual color.  

Rosy beiges and warm pinks work well on fair skin

Warm pinks and warm beiges work for light skin with slightly olive undertones

Caramel tones darker than your skin work well for olive complexions with warm undertones

Dark or light nudes can work for olive complexions with cool undertones

Pink tones darker than your actual skin work for medium skin tones

Beige caramels tones work well for caramel colored girls 

Warm peach tones work well for medium dark to dark complexions**

**Now let me just get on my soapbox for a minute.  In nearly every article I read on this topic (trust me, when I say this white America doesn't know anything about us) the suggestion was that peach lipstick brings brightness to our faces.  America, our faces are fine, please know that ignoring us does not make us shadows, black women are very much here and do not require brightening in order for you to see us.  Thanks!

3) Give A Lot of Lip

Even when considering your shades still look at the color of your lip.  If your lips are two-toned like mine, chances are you have a hard time deciding on a shade because you want them to both work.  This is when your liner is going to come in handy because it will help you adjust the amount of color and help you rein it in when it feels like your bottom lip is taking all of the attention from your top.  

4) You Gotta Finish!

Finish is important.  If you aren't heavy into lipstick a sheer formula is an excellent choice.  It'll give you that slight bit of color with that little bit of shine so it looks like something's on your mouth.  A glossy finish works really well for a nighttime nude when you've got your updo going and your smoky eye smoldering.  Finally, a matte nude lip can be a hit or a miss honestly.  You really have to use your lip liner with a matte nude lip to avoid anus mouth.  So really think about and play around with it.

I've included a link to a makeup artist I really enjoy and she has some recommendations for actual nude lipsticks you all may want to try! Jackie O/makeupgameonpoint (Top NUDE Lips for WOC//DO's & DON'Ts! )

Bruh.....

Like I can't even. I am legit dead on my feet today and thank you Lord for making it Friday. I had to wake up at 4:30 this morning only to have have my dog wake me up out of my sleep 3 times cause she wanted to be rude.  When my alarm went off and I hit the snooze for the 3 time I just stared at the ceiling like, bruh...this can't be my life.  If I seem like this week has been poop, I've just been tired y'all.  Finally being able to do my makeup in 2-3 days has given me so much life! Hit y'all with another ombre lip cause I like it.  Anyhoo, with this rain that even Bella wasn't effing with, Spring please get some ackrite, we would like to get back to having brunch outside.

Th flash is being a hater but I promise you it's ombre.  I have on Sephora Collection Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color in Mulberry with MAC Lip Pencil in Vino

SPRING COLORS ARE HERE Y'ALL.  SEND ME YOUR FAVORITE LOOKS OR EVEN SUGGESTIONS YOU'D LIKE ME TO TRY!!

BLACKGURLZBOLDLIPS@GMAIL.COM

Why Am I Awake Right Now????

Jesus be a Friday, this post is going to be so short I'm ashamed of it LOL.  But I am so exhausted.  I've really been doing the most and paying for it each morning when I wake up at 7:30, contemplate my life choices, and wonder how long my dog is going to let me lay there before she decides to pee on the floor.  (She hasn't yet so that's exciting).  This is my second day not wearing makeup (let me be clear, not wearing makeup means at the minimum I have on foundation and mascara) cause I just don't have the energy or the time to go through it all.  Anyhoo I'm hoping to find the time to sleep, get my reserves going, and return to my normal self.

Today I used MAC Lip Pencil in Burgundy on the entire lip and applied COVERGIRL lipstick 305

SPRING COLORS ARE HERE Y'ALL.  SEND ME YOUR FAVORITE LOOKS OR EVEN SUGGESTIONS YOU'D LIKE ME TO TRY!!

BLACKGURLZBOLDLIPS@GMAIL.COM

The Morning After....

I went to an auction last night at my alma mater, the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.  If you didn't know, this school is the shit and if you ever wanted to make a poor life choice and go to law school (--seriously I feel like everyone should be a veterinary dentist--they make guap) UDC would probably be the best place for you to do it.  If there's anything I learned in law school it's how to drink like we're about to have a drought.  In addition to the hangover that I am keeping in abeyance, I also have the morning after to think about the conversations with old classmates, teachers, and new students.  Believe me, I legit never tell anyone to go to law school unless they hate themselves and everything they stand for.  But something about being there I really found my stride talking with students and their future plans.  I even gave out a card or 2 to offer help.  Maybe that's my something different I'm looking for.  Something to think about the morning after....

I've been told about this line so I tried it.  This is Uptown Mauve Color Statement Lipstick by Milani. 

SPRING COLORS ARE HERE Y'ALL.  SEND ME YOUR FAVORITE LOOKS OR EVEN SUGGESTIONS YOU'D LIKE ME TO TRY!!

BLACKGURLZBOLDLIPS@GMAIL.COM

24/7/52

I think I'm in a rut.  It might be PMS it might be seasonal depression, but I seriously think I'm in a rut.  Don't get me wrong I live for routine.  I am a creature of habit and would probably be easy as hell to stalk cause I do the same thing everyday.  However, what do you do when the same ol' same has become tired? I switched up the lipstick game today and went for ombre (See yesterday's info post).  I'm digging it, only took me 4 color combos to find one that I liked.  Did my makeup in a different room of the house than I normally do, and I added a makeup routine playlist.  Mixing it up helped a little, but what else can I do to get some necessary pizzazz in my life???? 

Today's ombre look was achieved using Lady Danger by MAC and Currant Lip Pencil by MAC

Todos mis ombre(s) - Info Post #7

Hey y'all it's finally starting to look like Spring, Praise Jebus! The color combos are endless and like my ninja Spongebob says: I'm ready.  Today's info post is on achieving the ombre look in lipstick.  Ombre is legit everywhere, hair, clothes, bag, stationary, everywhere.  Ombre uses shades or colors that shade into each other from light to dark.  Ombre lipstick is a really great look because it adds depth and dimension, which is especially great for women with less than full lips, it creates drama, and it just looks effing beautiful.  So here are steps in achieving an ombre look.

**Note: I wanted to put a video up so you all could see it, but honestly, there wasn't a video that really captured ombre in a way that didn't look clowny (no shade to the women who put them up) that's just not the way I would wear ombre but to each her own**

**Note 2: Some of the tips I saw included using concealer around your mouth to make your lips pop and to clean up the lines.  I don't use concealer around my lips I understand that folks do but I like my makeup to look like it's a part of skin not caked onto it.  But again to each her own.**

Step 1

Using a dark[er] lipstick or liner line the perimeter of your lips.  Making sure that you blend it towards the center of your lips with a lip brush.  Yep you need a lip brush.  And yes I'm looking for the perfect makeup brush tutorial to share with you all.

Step 2

Next take a lighter shade and focus on the center of your lips and making sure to get that blend between the liner and your lipstick.  You may want to put your lips together a few times to make sure the colors blend into each other gradually.

Step 3

If necessary, which it probably will be, take your liner just to emphasize the perimeter of your lips.  USE your brush.  It will help with the blending between the colors.

Optional Step 4

You could use a highlighter in the very center of your lips to add even more depth and dimension to your lips.  Or you could add a gloss to give extra shine to emphasis the effect.

Go Home Spring, You're Drunk

Remember when I was hype as hell about Spring coming? Whomp whomp joke's on us. Regardless of the weather playing with our emotions, I'm still excited for the warmer days, pastel colors, and Easter dinner.  It's easy to shy away from a new opportunity when it looks exactly like an old aka snow in a new season. However, realizing it's a new day and acting like it goes a long way into making new experiences better. Even though it's snowy and cold outside, it's still Spring so I'm going to act like it is--at least in my lipstick and wear the fudge outta this pink.  Today I have on MAC Girl About Town Lipstick and MAC Nightingale Lip Liner.

Spring colors abound! Send them to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

Work, Please Let Me Be Great!!

Y'all, work really been hating on blogging flourish. Like I legit remember a time I could dedicate my time to this and too work and now it's Thursday and this is my first opportunity to get this blog down.  I'm over it (peep) the face.  Anyhoo my dog has been showing her ass, and so is my life.  Please Lord, let Spring bring in something better so I can be great.  The first day of Spring is tomorrow and it's supposed to snow, let's hope the weatherman is wrong.  Let's close out the winter with some winter shades and the mantra work, please let me be great!!

Today I made it through with Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Deepest Cherry

Back when a bish could flourish, Stanchelle has on Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipstick in Vintage

Alison had no fux to give in Wet n wild 525d with Sinful Colors lip gloss 2297

Chadra wears MAC Heroine with MK liner in Dark Orchard better than me, I'm jelly

And Kirsten pretty much thought she was the shit in MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick with MAC Heroine Lip Liner and MAC Funtabulous Dazzleglass

Doing it Differently

Admittedly my lipstick is kind of dark for the kind of day it is.  Eff it, I wanted to wear it so I decided to do it.  Doing something different today and I'm wit it.  I kept the momentum going and had breakfast in CB instead of to go.  I sat down watched some Netflix (praise God for free wi-fi) , eavesdropped, stared out the window, and thought about what would've happened if I hadn't gotten off the bus and kept going.  Doing things differently always feel super daunting.  What-ifs are one of the ultimate dream killers.  Instead of living in fear or regret, or towing the line until you die consider what it would be like if you did it differently. 

Feeling deep in NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Trainbleu

Officially 1 week to go until Spring! Send in your final winter shades to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

Here Comes the Sun

You know it's been a cold winter when you're hype over 58 degrees. Despite the still slightly cold temps, the sun is out. Gotta take it as a metaphor for life no? Even when ish is chilly and gray and dull, the sun will come. We had to wait a couple days this week, but it eventually came out. The sun came out and it's warm, and blinding, and it makes me not wanna go to work tbh. But I'm glad it's out. When you're having a cloudy day in your life or maybe even a cloudy season, just prepare yourself cause here comes the sun. 

The sun was bouncing hard off my face but not my lipstick, Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipstick in Heathers

8 more days till Spring, winter shades send them to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

Deuced-Faced

Let me start off by saying this rain two days in a row thing? Nah. That ish has to be gone.  It's amazing how the weather can have one face in the morning and another one at night.  The dichotomy (oh yeah, I be knowing college words) that exists in something as simple as the weather is interesting.  An "entity" that we know is constant but can be inconsistent is worth noting because of the impact that inconsistency can have on us.  I like to think of makeup in that same way.  Makeup is art and as with most art it's all about perception.  Makeup viewed in artificial light looks incredibly different when viewed in natural light.  If you've ever put foundation on in a poorly lit place only to go outside and look like a tangerine you know the struggle.  Now let me step back and say I am not a vain person (not in the traditional sense at least) but I wanted to put two different lights on my lipstick today so you can see the difference perception makes.  I often look through my makeup for the differences no matter how slight.  This purple is amazing but this purple that's the lady killer kind of stuff.  With nine more days until Spring I hope it brings the opportunity to see things in a different light. 

Today I have on ColourPop Lipstick in Creature and yes it's new!

Accentuate the Positive

After cleaning my apartment the last snow day, it's back to being a complete mess (thanks Bella).  My ankle is still acting funny and wrestling with a dog to get her eye drops in is more than my ankle can handle.  HOWEVER, my relaxer is still holding up, my new lipsticks came in (and I'm in love) and the sun is finally coming out.  I get the blues just like everyone else, and it's hard sometimes to pull yourself out the funk.  Thinking about weekend shenanigans with my LSes, puppy hugs, unconditional love, and coercing a few people into the dark side of makeup, are all positive things in my life that I throw my attention to when I'm feeling down.  If you're feeling blue today do two things, throw on your favorite winter shade and accentuate the positive in your life!

New lippie on deck! This is Flawless by ColourPop, a new favorite company, and MAC Lip Pencil in Vino to give my lips some structure

Natia's one of those people I've brought over to the makeup side of life.  She's wearing Cargo Cosmetics Essential Lip Color in Napa

Spring is 10 days away, send in your winter shades before the Spring hits! 

blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

Please Sir, I Want Some More [Lips]-Info Post #6

*Full disclosure I have not tried some of the following tips*

So the genetics tree was supposed to give black women all the full lips and booty for days. I can tell you that one of those dreams is definitely deferred but I certainly got the lips. If you have thin lips and want to get that full pout there's a couple of ways to do it without elective surgery.

Lip Plumper

There are several lipsticks on the market that provide lip plumping qualities.  Buxom has a very good line of plumping lipsticks and glosses.  If you would like to go the DIY route, cinnamon oil can act as a natural lip plumper.  Instructions here. 

Lip Liner

Using liner two ways can add depth to your lip.  First way is to line just along the outer ridge of your lips with your lip liner. Doing this, instead of putting liner on the line helps to make your lips look naturally bigger.The second way is to use a darker colored lip liner and blend it into your lipstick.  The ombre effect will create depth and fullness.

Highlighting

Using a highlighter on your Cupid's bow is another great way to fake it till you make it. Blending into your lips with added dab of lip gloss in the middle and lower lip will give you something to pout about.

 

Dark Side of the Mood

I may take casual Friday a little too literally, but eh what are you going to do?  Today's lip color was totally inspired by the winter snow.  When the sun hits it, it's blinding and I just need some dark shades to protect myself from the glare.  Hopefully the lipstick will do it, but it's unlikely.  Anyway I still believe that spring is on it's way, I'm just going to hold onto that hope.

Winter lips are still here, send in your favorite looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

I'm wearing MAC Matte Lipstick in Sin with MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth.  It's probably a little too dark for work but it's snowing in March, they have bigger problems than my lipstick

Purple People Eater 2.0 aka Snow Day

There's snow on the ground so naturally that means D.C. is coming to a crashing halt and I have to make this half bottle of wine last. However, the lipstick I ordered finally came in and I'm excited to wear it. And yes I did put on makeup to spend the day in my house. For all I know today is the day Idris gets caught in the snow and he needs me to help him out (but without being a psychopath).  It's white outside but I'll enjoy this pop of color inside.

This is Sad Girl, a new line of Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick. U can't tell but it has sparkles, yay! 

Purple People Eater

Today I was feelin' myself.  And for a few reasons.  I was finally able to pull all my energy together to relax my hair for this cycle and it came out bomb as hell.  I legit had to pat myself on the back for that one.  Got all of the edges.  Second my eye makeup was ev-ry-thing.  It wasn't over the top but it had all the flecks of gold and copper I was looking for.  But the thing that made me take a step back and say "bitch u doin' this today" (and yes I talk to myself in the mirror) was my lipstick.

I feared it might be a little dark for work but whatever, I have a bunch of purples that need to be worn before the seasons change and I'm gonna do it.  I put a liner on that bih and I damn near asked myself to be my bae.  Though winter can continue to EAD, I will enjoy the lip shades it brings.

Today I have on Sephora Collection Luster Matte Long Wear Lip Color in Deep Plum and MAC Lip Pencil in Vino

A Little Bit of Color in the Dreary Winter

Snow is still in the forecast for the rest of the week, so the only way to beat the cold is looking and feeling good.  I fell last week so that feeling good shit is out the window BUT I'm wearing a lip I haven't had a chance to wear in a while.  And it's got me smiling.  Anyway with a gray sky bring a bit of color to your day. 

Today's color is not red (JK).  I have on Aubergine Matte Creme Lip Crayon by Bite Beauty

Steph is driving round gettin' "it" in MAC Diva with MAC Wine Lip Pencil

Kirsten is giving us winter goodness in MAC Rebel

Iana is embracing the cool in Graylite by Ruby Kisses Matte Lipstick

Enjoying the winter? Send your favorite winter shades to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!!

The (Lip) Colors of the Wind - Info Post #5

And yes I definitely sung Colors of the Wind in 5th grade dressed like Pocahontas with Deidra and Martina (S/O to them).  It's finally March but Spring is dragging its ass.  Anyhoo how do you prepare for that seasonal change when it finally decides to show up?  Knowing your colors.  As the seasons lighten up so should your makeup overall.  You want the sunlight to bounce off your skin and bathe you in its natural sparkle.  Get inspiration from pretty pink tulips, and hot summer days, and pumpkin spice lattes, and soft snowflakes.  Fall easily leads into winter and the spring into the summer so don't be afraid to extend some of your shades or experiment with them.  Looking for your favorite winter shades!! Send them here.  

Winter
Dark reds, brown nudes, warm nudes, plums, brick reds, violets, and jewel tones.

Spring
Pastels (lilac, soft pink etc.)  peachy nudes, subtle corals, fuschias, true reds, and orange-reds.

Summer 
Hot pink, electric corals, peachy nudes, true reds, golds, and orange-reds.

Fall
Berry, burgundy, wine, brown-reds, brick reds, dark purple, brown, taupes, warm nudes and plums.