One of my favorite fashion pick-me-ups has nothing to do with clothing or accessories — it’s all about the lip. When I’m having a dreary week, a new tube of lipstick can pick me right up and make my boring old outfit seem fresh. If you’ve never worn a bold lip color, don’t sweat. It took me like 64 years to work up the nerve. But one Friday, Mr. Magpie took me out to dinner and I decided to just go for a red lip. And he liked it, and I liked it, and I’ve never looked back.
So fun to play around with. Just make sure to keep the rest of your makeup look pretty simple and classic. A few of my favorites:
+Mac’s Ruby Woo ($17) is favored by so many bloggers and makeup artists. It is stunning in-person — a rich, glam red. It goes on really smoothly, but beware: it is very richly pigmented and it’s not the kind of thing you can just swipe on without a mirror. It takes a little art. I use Mac’s Prep and Prime ($16) first — a makeup artist described it as “velcro” for your lipstick. Then, I apply the lipstick and use a little lipstick brush to even things out and fill in. Last, I use a lip pencil (Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Red Cardinal, $24)to really define the whole thing.
+I love a bright pink lip, too. I have worn YSL’s Rouge Pur Couture in Fuchsia ($36) for years. It goes on with a satin, smooth finish and it’s not super pigmented, so you can swipe this on like a dream (doesn’t require the precision of Mac). It gives a bright color but it kind of has a gloss finish to it. Love. When I want an even bolder, more defined pink lip, I wear Nars’ Funny Face ($27) and the bright pink Costa Smerelda Nars lipliner ($24) and often layer them with YSL. I JUST snagged Nars’ Schiap ($26). I can’t believe I’ve never owned it — people rave about it! So fun.
+I discovered this gorgeous matte flamingo pink color ($28) via J. Crew. It’s by the renowned makeup artist Troi Ollivierre and all the J. Crew models wear his lip colors — you are probably most familiar with his famous red-orange color, “George.” It plays heavily in most of J. Crew’s catalogs. I love the colors, but I find the formula a bit drying/flakey. But MAN does it stick on! I’ll put it on in the morning and will still have it on at the end of the day. That’s not something I say often — I don’t think any other lipstick lasts that long! At least, not on me. I have to constantly reapply.
+For everyday wear, I D.I.E. over Nars’ Brigitte ($32), described as a “nude rose.” A makeup artist used it on me a year or two ago for an event and I was hooked. It’s a super matte color, and it stays in place for.ev.er. It looks really natural, too, just a nice little oomph to complete your look. I love this so much I bought it for my mom — I just had to share its goodness with someone else!
+I also like Nars’ Roman Holiday ($26, sheer pale pink) and Barbarella ($26, sheer peach) for everyday wear. It’s sort of like lipstick with training wheels — you can put it on without a mirror, it’s super light, and it’s just plain pretty. Also kind of moisturizing — it never leaves your lips dry.
So, I guess what I’m saying is that I’m kinda obsessed with Nars. Woops, didn’t realize how much of a one-trick pony I am! I also love the Nars lip pencils. I love the Isola Bella ($26, peach-beige) neutral for everyday.
I just ordered a few newbies for fun:
+Nars’ Angela (fun darker orchid color).
+Nars’ Heat Wave (great orange-y red color that people go nuts over).
+I read that the blogger behind LoveTaza, Naomi, swears by Maybelline’s Pink Me Up ($7) for her everyday lipstick fix. So I went ahead and snagged that one! Will let you know what I think!
I’m also intrigued by doing a little bit of a moodier red at some point. I just received the Nars lip pencil in the garnet color, and I may have to take that out for a tour soon.
What colors do you swear by?
P.S. I would be lying if I didn’t same I am intrigued by Kylie Jenner’s LipKit by Kylie, which has apparently sold out within hours every time it’s launched. Is that embarrassing?