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.

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.