So…remember a while back I wrote a post basically complaining about how horrible I looked in red lipstick and despite what is said, there isn’t a red lipstick for everywoman! To refresh your memory or if you haven’t read it, here’s the post: Not All Women Over a Certain Age Can Wear Red Lipstick….
And boy, I’ve been avoiding red lipstick like the plague. My go-to lips are either a nude color or a nice light pink but red….nuh unh.
A light pinky-nude is what I’m usually wearing. Until it wears off.
But something happened. I’m on a three-month auto-delivery for my favorite eye-brightening powder/concealer however you want to categorize it. bareMinerals Well-Rested. I can’t live without it. And with every delivery comes a free sample of one of the brand’s products.
An old Well-Rested. I sweat the 3-month timing on the auto-delivery is perfect because just as I’m running out…a new one pops up at the door!
This time it was a sample of Statement Matte Liquid Lipstick in the shade VIP. And after looking at it I threw it in a pile to be thrown out with the trash. But something happened. Last night as I was tidying up, I had a change of heart and decided to at least try it on before saying bye-bye to it.
My little sample lipstick. This packs a punch of red for sure!
I didn’t even prep my lips with moisturizer or concealer to tone down my natural pigment. I applied it straight to my naked mouth. And when I looked in the mirror, I did a double-take. It looked good.
Who’d a thunk I would find a red lipstick that worked for me?
Actually, it looked great. I was shook! And pleasantly surprised.
This little sample really made a big impact!
But today I decided to take it a step further.
Kept it simple to focus on the lips!
Since I’m not wearing foundation or concealer on my face during the summer, I decided to even tread lightly with the eye makeup today and concentrate on the lips. I did the brows, added my Well-Rested for some brightening (I didn’t even care about diminishing the “hood” on my hooded eyes), added mascara and tight lined my eyes.
There was a bit of prep work…
Then I prepped my lips. I did apply a touch of liquid concealer to tone down my natural pigmentation and did outline my lips in NYX’ Wonder Pencil.
NYX Wonder Pencil. This is GREAT for protecting lips against bleeding lipstick!
I’ve been using this pencil for years and find it really does help to stop lipstick from bleeding.
I sorta like less makeup on the eyes with a red lip too!
Then I carefully applied the liquid lipstick. I did take my time simply because I was wearing it to the office and didn’t want to overdo it.
Surprisingly, the lipstick stayed put all day. It faded a bit but the stain was still put. I drank four cans of La Croix water and when I arrived home, I was shocked that there was a still a good amount of lipstick on me!
This photo was taken shortly after dinner this evening. I got hair mail today. Do you like it? Anyway, as you can see, the lipstick is still on. Faded but still stained. This is after 12 hours and after dinner!!!!!! And I NEVER reapply. I’m lazy!!!
Now…I wouldn’t wear a red lip every day. I’m simply too lazy with the preparation—especially since my lips have a tendency to chap. Red lipstick on chapped lips isn’t the greatest look.
But…bareMinerals states that this lipstick is hydrating. It’s weird because matte lipsticks aren’t known for being hydrating but…my mouth never felt dry during the day. So, I’m thinking there’s something to this.
Overall, a great, great red lipstick!
Will I purchase this after the sample is gone? No. I’m heading to the mall later this week to the bareMinerals store to purchase it before the sample is gone!
For special occasions, this is fabulous. I’m taking it with me for Oona’s wedding. She’s going to have a makeup artist to do our makeup and I’m thinking for photographs; this may be a decent shade—but I’ll leave that up to the bride and the makeup artist!
OVERALL FOR A RED LIPSTICK—I give it an A+. It’s cool-toned skin friendly, mature woman friendly and stays on all day, albeit fades it still stays!
Now for some randomness.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see that I post photos of my outfits of the day. Lately, I’m getting into what inspires my ensembles.
Two that were fun are from this week! With one of my childhood schoolmates visiting Paris and other parts of France, I thought it would be fun to be inspired by the striped columns at the Palais Royal. I wore a black and white jumpsuit purchased last summer at Marshalls for $19.99!
Inspiration in the form of the columns at the Palais Royal in Paris! I’m wearing my black Rondini sandals that were purchased in St. Tropez. Very French-inspired!
I wore my Estetica Designs Alden wig pulled in a side ponytail and wore very neutral lipstick. In hindsight, I shoulda worn the red lipstick.
The Alden wig looks great in a side ponytail but I could’ve used a bit more lip color. I kept it too neutral. Oh well!
Today my inspiration was from the newspaper. Black, white and “read” all over. But in my case, it was black, white and “red” all over! Red shoes. Red lips and my skin are a bit red from the sun!
My inspiration for today! Black. White and Read/Red all over!
I love my red shoes and Chippy loves the fake tanner on my legs. My toe is still not healed so I had to take the shoes off at work!
Overall, I’m so happy with today’s look! Gray and red look great together!
Another bit of randomness. Last night an old dance mom friend sent me a message with a photo of engraving detail. It’s from a perpetual trophy her daughter received. From Oona’s old Irish Dance School. It was given to her as an exemplary student of the school who personified hard work, a positive attitude and good sportsmanship. And she showed me who’s name was on it from years past.
Oona is at the top and it’s so nice to see familiar names!!!
My daughter received in back in 2002 when she was 13 and I remember how proud of her I was. It was such a wonderful memory. And it was great to know that one of my old dance moms friends daughter received it!
I’m off to ponder what to make for dinner this weekend. Yeah. I realize it’s Tuesday but Roman will be spending the weekend with is so I’m in “mom” mode right now!
Thumbs up for red lips and randomness!!!
Did you ever change your mind about something? Like a hair style or makeup or anything? I’m kind of happy that I changed my mind about trashing that sample lippie!!!
The red lipstick is fabulous with the silver hair! Love!!!!!!!
Thanks Deb!!! I am quite happily surprised at the outcome!!! XOXOXOXO
Can I just say that you are so awesome? And the red color looks great on you.
Thank you so much Natalie!!! XOXOXOXO
You’re welcome, beautiful!
That is one if the vest red lipsticks I have seen lately!
That looks so good on you!
Hi Debe. Right?? It has a softness to it that makes it incredibly flattering! XXXOXOXO
I love your red lipstick! Would love to know what your other readers think about red lips on someone with very fair skin and silver hair.
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Hey Mary Ellen. Thank you!!!I think the overall thoughts are very positive!!!!! XOXOXOXO
I never wore blue or grey, and thought I couldn’t wear silver jewellery. Over the last year I’ve started breaking those ‘rules’ – and am having fun doing it.
Hi KB. I’m glad you have been breaking old rules! I’m getting into the silver jewelry too this year. It’s supposed to be a good match for cool toned skin! XOXOXOXO
OMG you look FANTASTIC in the grey wig and red lipstick! Everything pops! Your glasses, the lips your skin look awesome. Of course the beauty of wigs is you can be dark one day, blonde the next and grey for the weekend. I have been tossing around the idea of transitioning to grey but still not sure if it’s my jam. ( kudos to those who make the plunge) I am unwilling to cut my hair to get through the growing out phase and not sure if I can live with the two tone look for months…my hair stylist says he’ll get me through it though sans head shave….I just have to decide when. My coloured hair is the texture and style of your grey wig but my grey hair probably colour and texture of steel wool…
That jumpsuit is a knockout!!!
Hey Momcat! If your stylist can get you through it–head to him!! Honestly, if I had all my hair, I would run to Adam and ask him to get my hair all gray/white. The hair I have left is white and black and not a good looking way either. But I refuse to shave my head. I’ll probably cut it to chin length next winter but…my hair isn’t growing back!!
Glad you like the jumpsuit. I’m starting to really love that red lippie. I plan on hitting the mall and purchasing this weekend!!! XOXOXOXO
I must keep that in mind when my hair starts to turn grey. Red and grey, you’re a knockout, if I may say so. You should wear that combo more often. Brown and red looks good too. Makes your face look vibrant.
Thanks B!!! I’m diggin the gray hair with the red lips!!! XOXOXOXO
I don t know why you ever thought red lipstick wouldn t look good on you! You just have to find the perfect shade! You look fabulous! I see a fantastic jumpsuit! Why don t you us is this Saturday on the blog featuring jumpsuits on our blogs! Just send is a photo of you in your jumpsuit with a few sentences why it is a good buy!
Hi Nancy! I just never found that elusive red…until now. Many reds look very harsh on me. This one is a keeper! OK. I’ll send you a photo if I get the time from work!!! XOXOXOXO
The link above is a old one. The blog is:https://www.nancysfashionstyle.com
Oh yes – we people with white hair really own a red lipstick, I normally break mine out for special occasions but otherwise I quite like a red stain or something similar – as long as it is a rosy red it works really well. You look totally ace in that colour – there is something very french about wearing a red lippy and toning everything else down to make it pop, it REALLY suits you
Hi Juliet! I’m learning the power of a red lip! It’s very empowering and French!! It’s also fun to tone everything down too! Thanks so much! XOXOXOXO
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Can you give the information on the gray wig, please? I have white hair, but would love be to have a gray wig.
Jeannette! It’s Jameson by Estetica Designs in the shade ChromeRT1B. It’s a great great color and the wig is the perfect bob! XOXOXO
That red lip looks great on you and I love it with your paired down make up. Fabulous from head to toe. I need to check it out!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks Kellyann! Oh. You would look beautiful in this lipstick. I’m still shocked that I found the perfect shade of red in a sample that I almost trashed!!! XOXOXOXO
I absolutely adore red lipstick and silver hair! You look fantastic!! Red always bleeds on me but now that I’ve seen how great it looks I will try some of your ideas to stop the bleed.
I tried something fun this spring and ordered a used copy of this book. Brenda Kinsel’s Fashion Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style! Paperback – September 27, 2007
by Brenda Kinsel (Author), Monica Lind (Illustrator) It was really fun to sort of follow her 30 day makeover. I shop mostly at 2nd hand stores and consignment shops and I was still able to have fun with it although it seems to be directed at a more wealthy group. I would be happy to order you a copy but I think asking for an address is too intrusive.
Thank you for the great ideas today!
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for thinking of me with this book. It’s weird because Kinsel gets a lot of love from the mature demographic but I find her to be a bit on the condescending side and you’re correct–she seems to be more directed at a wealthier group than the average woman. Either way, it’s great that we do have someone who offers advice!!! And that wonderstick is fantastic!!! XOXOXOXO
The lipstick is great. Has a bit of an “American Beauty Rose” cast to it that softens it….just lovely on you!
Thanks Denise! That’s what the quality of this red lippie is. It’s softer than others and boy…red can look very harsh!! XOXOXOXO
Lovely photos! Such a helpful post
Thank you Antonia!!! XOXOXOXO
I think you look absolutely dee-voon (as Jayne Mansfield says) in the “Palais Royale” jumpsuit…the red lips really jump. I also think the silver wig is extremely flattering…both style and color…I would also like to know more about it…my hair is sooo white – it might be nice to have a salt and pepper alternative…
Hey Liz. The wig is Jamison in the shade ChromeRT1B. It’s the greatest shade of gray ever!! Very flattering. I love it. Bonaparte hates it. I don’t care because I wear it anyway! It’s definitely deevoon!!! XOXOXO
You look great in the red lipstick…..and the outfits! I’m thinking I might give red lipstick a try…..
Free sample with every delivery. Just a perfect offer for me!! How I wish I could order things like that. Surprises every time!!
Bit late on this one, but was just wondering about your initial comment about throwing the sample in the trash. I apologise if I’ve taken that too literally, but If you don’t already, would you consider giving unwanted stuff to a charity, like a women’s refuge? I know some of the British bloggers like Caroline Hirons do that. You were right to keep it though, it looks great on you, My search continues…….
Beautiful
This lipstick color is great. Red lipstick always makes us more beautiful. Such a nice article.