When Someone Makes You Smile

When someone puts a smile on your face, it's amazing.  I'm sure there's science out there about serotonin and synapses and alladat on how being complimented or some ish makes your brain feel good.  Whatever, when someone makes you smile it's because they noticed something in you and wanted to bring it out.  Audrey Hepburn says "happy girls are the prettiest" and I really believe that to be true.  And I'll say my happiest smiles come from small acts of kindness, whether from a friend, a stranger, or someone unexpected.  Black women are BEAUTIFUL when we smile, so I hope someone takes the time out to make you turn that frown upside down.

Smiling in the sun in Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Raisin Rage

I told Tiffany to smile and she did! She's wearing MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger

Favorites week is nigh! What are some of your favorite lipsticks?? Send them to me and a description why it's your favorite at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

I Can't Do Lunch I'm Going to the Dry Cleaners

Chuckle chuckle laugh laugh.  This was something I actually said last night.  It's a shame when you have to start being a jerkface but such is life.  In any event, the sun is back out today before it rains tomorrow and I have new lipstick to show you all.  Because it's such a sunny day I wanted to pick a lipstick and makeup look that was light but also cheery.  Perfect for not going to lunch and heading to the dry cleaners.   

I finally had time to take a picture with this shade on.  Today I have on MAC Matte Lipstick in Damn Glamorous with MAC Lip Pencil in Nightingale.

Why I like it: 

I really like this pink like shade because as you all know I have warm undertones.  As such, pinks that has red in them go really well with my undertone. Combined with my sun-kissed caramel color skin tone it works really well together.  I used a liner because it is kind of bright for the office.  Honestly it is. But Nightingale is still bright enough to keep the color bright and not bring it down too much. 

Face Fancy

It's safe to say that I wear makeup every day.  And I'm sure I've said it lots of times but I don't do it because I'm afraid of my actually face.  Aside the paleness when I wake up I'm quite alright with my natural face.  I wear makeup cause I like to be face fancy.  Makeup is the necklace, the earrings, the blazer, the shoes that set off your outfit.  For me, it lets me let the world know "I'm here."  Embrace your natural beauty,  but take time once in a while to be face fancy. 

This is a new lipstick I bought on while on a date because I'm ludicrous but he supported me :) It's Clinique Pop Lipstick in Berry Pop.

Nadine is killing it in this wrap tho like for real and in NYX Cosmetics Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in Chic Red

Nadine also shared her thoughts on her lipstick choices (which is definitely an appreciated idea for the blog)  "I like it because of the bold color that I can wear for a special occasion or to jazz up a casual look. This lippie also has a creamy texture and moisturizing effect on my lips. Lipstick was also really inexpensive."

Black Gurl Fabulous

I'm sure you all have figured out by now that I love makeup.  However, what grinds my gears is that Black women, essentially all women of color, are left out.  We're left out of magazines, we're left off of the store shelves, some brands only offer hi-yella, mulatto, and Sudanese as color options and it really pisses me off.  It almost says to me "we're not interested in your money or making you look good."  And if we are going to sip the real T it says "I don't understand Black skin and I'm not going to try to." Honestly, some lines have 8 different versions of ginger and can't give me a decent sun-kissed caramel.  Anyway I say this to say despite being marginalized, ignored, whitewashed, pigeon-holed, and pretty much told our colors are too complicated to be dealt with, Black gurl you are beautiful.  You're not just the sassy friend, or the "assertive" co-worker, or the nagging gf, or the loud customer on the phone.  You are bold, you are strong, you are important, you are everything.  So continue to be Black Gurl Fabulous!  

Did a little bit of layering today with MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Fusion Pink lined with MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth

Kat elicited a YASSSSSS from me in MAC Heroine Matte Lipstick and MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth

Danielle was a peach for posing for me in Flat Out Fabulous by MAC lined with what I suspect is MAC Currant or MAC Vino

Barbara somehow managed to be both incognito and eye-catching at the same time in MAC Pro Wear LipGlass in Ready or Not and Black Opal Precision Lip Definer in French Roast

 

Renee was dressed up for the ball with Bite Beauty Cashmere Lip Cream in Burgundy

Ashley is serving it up in Brilliant Fuschia by Nicka K New York Lipstick

 

Thank you to the wonderful ladies that have sent in photos! Please send me your favorite lipstick looks at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com! 

Spoke Too Soon

I missed yesterday. Why did I miss yesterday? Doing m-fing work.  Here I thought I had been freed from the the chains of bondage and the cat o' nine-tails that is work and responsibility came back to catch me right in the back. Jerkface.  Can I just give it up one time for the weekend? I am waiting on it so bad.  But let me just saw shoutout to selfies.  They're the perfect way to kill time when you're running dummy missions, buckling up, or riding round gettin' it.  Thanks for the patience this week y'all.  If you have ideas for blog posts, products, or themes, please let me know at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com. 

The ambient lighting in Pret a Manger had me feeling myself in my Ellarie lippie by ColourPop

 

Alison is making sacrifices for the blog and I appreciate her for it.  She has on MAC Satin Lipstick in Brave with MAC Pink Lemonade LipGlass

 

Kat decided to bring together 2 reds and make them one with MAC RiRi Woo and Heat Wave by Black Opal

Life Scressful

I'm back guys! I wish I could say I was on hiatus but I wasn't.  Life just simply got the best of me and I didn't have the time to put together thoughtful posts.  Not even info posts.  Y'all are probably just out here flying blind hoping to Christ your lipstick looks good.  My bad y'all.   The only way I can make it up to myself is buying new lipstick so let's hope I can make that happen for myself.  Spring if you could just keep up the nice weather and slowly parlay us into sundress season we would be forever grateful.  Amen.  

Today I have on Catfight Revolution Lipstick by Urban Decay praise be to Moses I don't look like a bum today.

Alison's mommy happily graced us with a smile with Wet n Wild Lip Color in Salsa Lessons

 

Katherine is completely unbothered in MAC Viva Glam by Miley Cyrus and MAC Vino Lip Liner

I Should've Taken the Day Off

As one of my favorite people likes to say, "You know you done f*cked up right?" That's exactly what my body said to me this morning as I woke up at 6:05 to pick up my precious pooch before heading into work. The thing about vacays is you should always give yourself that extra day of rest for when you come back. But because I'm a jerk off who doesn't know any better, I came in with 4 hours of sleep under my belt and a depleted reservoir of fux to give. Mary, please let my lipstick see me through. Amen.

Today I used 2 lipsticks.  I used Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon, Aubergine on the perimeter and Milani Lipstick in Uptown Mauve to fill it in

Send me, Send me, Send me, I know you guys have got to be inspired by this blog by now right? Yes, of course I'm right I'm 100% right 87% of the time.  Send me your favorite Spring looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

Wedding Face!!

I'm on location in sunny Florida, I can only hope that my setting spray is working because I've melted at least 4 times in the hot sun. Super sunny locales call for even sunnier lipsticks :)

Today I have on MAC Girl About Town with MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry

Chadra has on NYC Cosmetics Lipstick in The Pleasant Plums 

Natia, the happy bride has on Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense Number 43 

Down to the Last Drop - Info Post #10

So I just got down to one of my very first lipsticks I bought nearly 2 years ago. It was sad because I didn't want to let it go because I love the color and there's still lipstick in the bottom so I wanted to get every last bit of it before I chucked it. After researching online for the easiest and quickest way to de-pot my lipstick I found this. Now admittedly it does make you feel a lil like a heroin fiend but you're in your house so you'll be alright.

What you Need

-Lipstick on its last legs
-Lighter
-Small pot (like the ones you get samples of makeup product)
-Spoon
-Makeup spatula or something you can use to dig the lipstick out
-(Optional) Lip Brush

*now some versions of this I saw recommended mixing it with lip balm. I didn't partake in that step cause I felt it unnecessary*

1. Using a makeup spatula or whatever you've resourced, dig out the remaining lipstick onto a spoon.
2. Next, with all the lipstick on the spoon, take your lighter heat the spoon and melt it down. It will happen quickly.
3. Pour the lipstick into the pot.
4. Let cool, it will happen relatively quickly.
5. For best and most mess-free application use a lip brush.

This method is excellent for mixing lip colors if you have a few that are nearly out and would like to experiment with colors.

Ok, so Scratch That

The weather has been poop, just straight up shite.  My hair looks slightly better today only because I put some heat on it last night.  I had a tube I still haven't worn yet so I figured casual Friday, casual face.  So I slather it, it does the job, I make sure my eye make-up is where it needs to be and I'm out the door.  Sitting at my desk, I remember I gotta make a trip to Walmart (aka Wally World for you Southerners and Mid-westerners) and I'm in the make up aisle, cause it's me.  And wouldn't you know, the finally refilled the Maybelline.  Cause y'all know how particular I am about my lipstick but Maybelline might be the drugstore GOAT right now.  Picked up a tube and thought so yeah this color I have on now scratch that.  And this Maybelline is everything right now.  I feel like life is kind of like that.  You're going with something cause it works for you it's giving you what you want but not what you need and then BAM comes a fine PYT sashaying its sweet self into your hand and into the checkout line.  Maybe next time you see yourself about to do the regular or maybe even see yourself doing something you really don't want--scratch that and do something else.

This little beauty is Maybelline ColorSensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Craving Coral

Send me, Send me, Send me, I know you guys have got to be inspired by this blog by now right? Yes, of course I'm right I'm 100% right 87% of the time.  Send me your favorite Spring looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

Nature, Like For Real?

It is 48 degrees outside right now, rainy nstuff, my hair is frizzing, Nature, like for real? Did you somehow hear about my Sunny Indoors posts and go "oh you want some sun indoors do you? Eff that! Here's some rain for your azz?" Whatdidido Nature whatdidido?  I'm just trying to bring some life and color to the people because you won't get your shit (hard T) together.  I don't go for that April showers bring May flowers bullyang.  Winter was balls and long AF we deserve a lil bit of sun and warmth.  Until then I guess I'll just keep being sunny indoors.

Send me, Send me, Send me, I know you guys have got to be inspired by this blog by now right? Yes, of course I'm right I'm 100% right 87% of the time.  Send me your favorite Spring looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

Today this is MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Fusion Pink, you can't see it here but it has a bit of a purple metallic undertone which is kind of funky.  I'm always up for new things and if not lip liner is out here saving lives.

StanChelle lives in the South, clearly can't you tell? She's out here with Spicy by Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

We Got Played Y'all aka Sunny Indoors Part 2

It was too good to be true y'all.  If I had known we'd be back to this rain bull shanny I would've rolled in the grass with my dog.  She loves rolling in the grass on warm days.  Even tho the sky is gray and it's kind of warm (which IRL is hella disrespectful, how you gonna be gray and warm,  Nature?) you can still bring a Spring feeling indoors with your makeup.  Pinks, oranges, fuschias, pastels, all scream Spring so even when it's gray you can be your own garden of color indoors.

Send me, Send me, Send me, I know you guys have got to be inspired by this blog by now right? Yes, of course I'm right I'm 100% right 87% of the time.  Send me your favorite Spring looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com

My camera be doing amazing things even without beauty face on, today I have on Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Forever Fuschia and I created an ombre look with MAC Lip Pencil in Vino

StanChelle embracing her internal sunlight in NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Morocco

Amanda finding the sun in what I can only assume is the law school library in Bite Beauty High Pigment Lip Pencil in Quince

Sunny Indoors

It's been in the 70s 2 days in a row so you know I don't know how to act. At. All. It's so hard to sit at a desk all day when the sun is out and y'all know I don't have a direct window.  The closest thing I can get to being in the sun and enjoying the Spring air is my makeup.  I went bright today, you can't really tell cause of the angles but it's bright.  Don't worry I blended the hell out of my eyeshadow cause it was just a little too bright for work and borderlined on trampy.  I can't wait for my bright colors this Spring and Summer!

What Spring Looks Are You Guys Going to Be Wearing? Send your Pics to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!!

Today I went bright with Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Lipstick in Vibrant Mandarin and MAC Lip Pencil (you should figure out by now that I only use MAC Lip Pencils in Cherry

Alison was breaking hearts (literally) in NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Addis Ababa and MAC Lip Pencil in Nightingale

Fix it, Jesus - Info Post #9

You're really excited about this new lipstick that you've purchased. You're so excited that after 4 swipes you look like a clown, or like you rode in the car over a bumpy road while applying, or you've glossed it to hell and have fried chicken mouth. Now you can just take it all off or you can try your best to fix it. Here are a few ways you can fix your lipstick when it's gone awry.

Blotting

In general I don't blot, and it usually works for me. However, if there is just too much color, too much gloss, or just too much too much, blotting picks up the excess.

Q-tips

I always keep q-tips in the bathroom because they have tons of uses. Using a q-tip to clean up corners and my Cupid's bow keeps me from looking skid marked. If your lipstick is especially budge-proof, dip the q-tip in makeup remover to get super clean edges.   You can also use q-tips in combination with concealer to clean up edges.

Keep It on Your Lips Not Your Cup

So I read this tip a while ago and thought it sounded ridiculous until I tried it.  It actually does work.  To keep your lipstick on your mouth instead of your wine glass lick the rim (no not the tip, nasty) the rim of the glass.  Your saliva will create a barrier and help keep your lipstick from transferring

Lips Should be Red, Teeth Should be White

To keep your lipstick off of your teeth, make your mouth into an O put your index finger in and pull it out.  Any excess lipstick will be on your finger and not on your teeth.

SPRING IS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE ITSELF AND I'M HERE FOR IT! PLEASE SEND SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SPRING LOOKS TO BLACKGURLZBOLDLIPS@GMAIL.COM

Nearly Naked

So before I got all nude, I would just get semi-naked.  This was of course in the days when I didn't know how to find the right nude and would just pick up a brown for me to wear.  I wanted to bring this back for Friday, cause we going to happy hour, I got my contacts in and I'm going to drink reasonably priced drinks Lord.  Thankfully the nudes I picked were hits and not misses b/c they would've gone right back to the store.  Although I did pick up one that didn't work but I gave it away so it doesn't count.  Doing something different can be refreshing but it's also a good feeling going back to the tried and true methods that held u down.   S/O to my first "nude" when I decided nearly naked was good enough for me.

All Chestnut everything.  Today I have on Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Chestnut and MAC Lip Pencil in Chestnut

Do you still have questions about nude lipstick, or have you found the perfect one and I want to share your favorite look for the Spring? Send them to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com 

The Good Kind of Pink

There was literally no other way for me to write pink and nudes and it not sound dirty.  Sorry guys *shrug* but yes today's nude is all about the pink (again sorry).  This might be my favorite way of wearing it honestly.  I know peach is supposed to brighten up our face, whatever that means white America, but a light pink really works for me.  My theory is a soft pink, my warm tones and the general red and yellow in my skin (again, thank you colonialism) all work together to bring up the natural flush color in my lips.  Not to mention I put a liner on this bih to create a smooth transition and avoid crazy chalk mouth.  I'm just gonna let the light reflect off my face today and take a long walk on my lunch break.

Are you still not sure about the kind of nudes you should wear, or do you have the perfect one and you'd like to share? please send either to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com. 

Today I have on the nude of my dreams Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Pinkalicious and MAC Lip Pencil in Cork

Ashley is all smiles in NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien

Au Naturel

So last night I was in the company of this broad who was wearing a nude lipstick.  Aside from having a terrible attitude, or at least to me, she would not tell me where she got it from.  I should've given her the website because she had anus face.  Her lipstick blended in with her face and she did not use a liner.  It was just a wash of lite brown.  When you opt for the beige, brown, caramels, and the like you have to make sure to create some kind of depth and dimension otherwise you look like an African-American smudge out in these streets.  Some may prefer that look, I do not.  I always feel like makeup should be that italic or underline that gives your face emphasis not drags it down but to each their own, just don't say I didn't warn you.

You know what's coming next right? Send me your nude lips at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com.  Don't forget to follow me on the Twitters: @Bgurlzboldlips and on the Instagrams: blackgurlzboldlips   

I took a Lyft to work today trying to not be late. Fail. But I was wearing Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Warm Me Up and MAC Lip Pencil in Cork

Danielle knows how to pull off a nude lip.  She has on Wet N Wild Mega Last Lip Color in Bare It All
 and MAC Lip Pencil in Chesnut