While I like the visual impact of red lipstick, I'm not the huge proponent of it that Dain and Dorothy are. With the pink in my constantly aggravated skin, red is just not a great option for me. However, I loved the carroty red lipstick Prada sent down her spring catwalk, with its undertone being orange rather than the typical coral. The color was both bright enough to brighten the models' skin and unique enough to stand out against all the other bright lip shades we've seen the past couple of years. It is not, though, the all-inclusive shade beauty writers would have you believe, nor is it appropriate for all venues. Instead, I've chosen to showcase this muted, bold, warm red worn by Amber Valletta in Allure's March edition as a more wearable, flattering option. Should it interest you, the original Prada red was created by Pat McGrath, with the more wearable version created by Dick Page.
I almost never pay attention to cosmetics ads, but I love everything about the Rouge Coco campaign. I love the expertly inexpert lipline, with the emphasis on the line and shape in and of themselves, with complete disregard for the natural lipline. I love how the matte texture and lip shape look like they've been smacked down on top of Vanessa Paradis's own lips with no nod to naturalism or reality. I love how the entire face is matte, the face as an image is completely flat, and yet the eyes and lips still manage to stand out. But most of all, I love that eyeshadow. That is the perfect taupe, so perfect that it inspired a minor taupe shopping spree, ending in the purchases of NYX's True Taupe and MAC's Patina before realizing that Dorothy's months-old gift of MAC Era was actually the perfect taupe for me.
I very, very rarely find spring makeup interesting. It's all so very flushed, bronzey, and beautiful, flipside being it's all so very flushed, bronzey, and beautiful. The lack of variation bores me, so when I started this video, I didn't expect much. I wasn't really interested in this look until Sam pulled out Too Faced's Pink Leopard, at which point my ears perked right up and I was enthralled. This is the perfect flush for fair skin, accurately mimicking the pink tone of a fair-skinned tan. I've never seen makeup give such a naturalistic, healthy glow before. I can't tell whether this is due to Sam's skill or the product itself, but if Pink Leopard turns out this well on everyone, I'm sold.
I love Era. I've been tempted to purchase it myself, and I can't go near browns. There's more beige or rose tones than normal, that meld it better to the skin.
ReplyDeleteI love all your choices, the first two in particular: the first one anticipates brash summer, and the second two are more thematically related, though they occupy two opposite ends of the same spectrum. They're all themes I might like to try myself, except I have nowhere to wear red lips to, in conservative Korea.
ReplyDeleteThat's a gorgeous red from Dick Page. I need to take a look at McGrath's carroty red. But similar to Anne, sadly even the muted red version is too strong to easily wear in Tokyo. I have a cheerful sparkly red on the sheer side and even that doesn't see much use. Still, I think I'll revive my search for a wearable strong red lipstick. It would just be great fun to have in my stash.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying the pixiwoo videos. That natural healthy look is fantastic.
Dain - I love Era because it shows up and adds definition to light skin without overwhelming it. It's so hard to find shadow that does that, especially shadows in the brown category.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Wear red lips to bed. ;) I'm quoting someone there, but I can't remember who.
kuri - I love red sparkly lips! They're my favorite. And depending on your colorings, you and Anne could try out reds that sheer down to more pink and coral tones.
sparkly red lips are fun! But not really good for work. A moderate coral might be nice. For some reason I just shy away from pinks.
ReplyDeleteI am most comfortable in red lipstick, but I seem to have the coloring, the features (especially the size and shape of my lips), and the confidence in it. It just doesn't flatter everyone. I also get the feeling, the way that most reds wear on Asian women, they feel like it makes them look like prostitutes, or those (many men drinking for cheap). A Laura Mercier SA pushed Cherrywood, a not-too-pigmented red berry brown, on me (which I shrugged at as insubstantial), extorting it as a "wearable red for women who don't want to look like they're drinking women". Yeah... conservative.
ReplyDeleteAnother good one is Shiseido Perfect Rouge in RD305 Salon (I think, I'll have to check these names). It's tempered by a little pink, so, while it's not muted, it's a gentler red. Or, Shu Uemura Supreme Shine in 185, which has sparkle and a semi-gloss finish, to break up the intensity.
I don't dabble in sheers (they won't show up on me), so I can't recommend any good ones. Nor can I recommend reds that sheer down to corals.
I like red, but I feel it's often a bit strong for work. Depends on the makeup, of course, but still. Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check them out!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't hurt that she is absolutely gorgeous!
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