A few thoughts on lipstick

First, let me say that I have a million different shades so I am never without lipstick or lip gloss, purely for the fact that I work in the industry and it is the first thing given away at a counter and I happen to be a beneficiary when events are over and there is extra product.  I also do a lot of Back to Mac - so I get to pick my shades for turning in my used up, or old mac products and brush cleaner bottles.  

She's got it all going on!  Great Red Lipstick

My number one thing about lipstick is taste.  If it tastes like Revlon or reminds you of grandma... either toss it or just don't buy it.  You probably won't end up using it and who wants to kiss stinky lips?

In your lip arsenal every woman should have:

• A good red - either a blue based or orange based, depending on your skin's undertone
• A soft pink
• A brighter pink - your version of brighter pink will probably differ from mine, but you need a brighter pink than the soft pink
• A nude 
• A neutral - neither too pink, but a substantial color that has some pigment to it.
• Neutral gloss that is not tacky - if it is... you won't wear it. 

Nude Lip with Gloss

Back to Rule No 1: No Taste

When buying lipstick at a makeup counter, never try on more than 2-3 colors at a time - I have found it distorts the actual color of the lipstick, despite the customer wanting to continue until she finds "the perfect shade." 

Rule No 2: No Taste - if your lipstick starts to smell... throw it out! 

Lipstick like paint:
Play around with the lipsticks - mix the bright pink with the soft pink... you get a medium pink.  Add a gloss over the red and you'll immediately soften it.  Wear a nude with a soft or soft pink gloss - it is a fresh look and you'll want to be kissed. I also find that when I mix colors they tend to stay on longer.

Gloss is an easy thing to stick in your purse that will always brighten up your face after a long day, despite what your makeup looks like.  Always keep one in your purse.

If you find a color you like... stock up.  This may seem odd coming from someone who gets to see the latest and greatest, but I will tell you... I found the PERFECT soft pink that I can mix with ANY lip color about 2 years back.  I found as many as I could find and bought them all... kinda crazy, but I brought them out one at a time and still use it every day and always get compliments.  They will also count toward my Back To MAC.

Back to Rule No 1: No Taste: the only time something on your lips should have a taste is if it involves food or bubble gum lip balm:) 


Happy lipsticking friends! 

What's your makeup number?

• What is your makeup routine?  
• How much time do you spend putting your makeup on - on the typical morning?  

I just went through a survey that asked those questions in a way I have not looked at before.  Here is the question:  how many items are in your makeup bag that you use on a daily basis?  I thought this was a fair question, as I have never actually counted before.  If any of you have seen my  train case where I keep my "daily" makeup, you will know - it is quite large and extensive.  I like variety and honestly have gotten many cosmetics at a fraction of the retail cost and/or been given them via a cosmetic company's gratis program.  Hence I don't wear the same makeup items every day - mainly shadows and lip products and blushes tend to get rotated fairly quickly.

So, here is my number: 15 - yes, on the typical day that any of you may see me, I have used 15 pieces to pull my look together. What to know what that looks like?

This does not include skin care steps:

1. pore filler
2. primer for face
3. primer for eyes
4.  foundation
5.  bronzer
6.  face highlighter
7.  blush
8.  shadow 1
9.  shadow 2 (sometimes I use 3 and 4 shadows)
10.  eye liner
11.  lash primer
12.  mascara
13.  brows
14.  setting powder OR urban decays all nighter - depending on the day I expect to encounter
15.  Lip gloss or lipstick - some days both

wow!

So, let me get down and dirty:  If I had to pick 5 items (which I think is average for most women) - what would those be?

1. primer
2. foundation
3. bronzer (yes, you all know I am an addict)
4. mascara
5. lip gloss

How'd I do?  What are your five basics?  What would your 15 (we can also call this night out) consist of?

Reply to this post on the fb link - I would love to hear from you! 

A note on primers:  I don't feel any makeup should go on your face with out a primer, that is why you see it repeated in my routine so many times.  It makes all the difference in the world!  If you have not tried on makeup WITH a primer, go to your local department store and ask for a sample.  Or, here are my recommendations: 1. Mac (face only, not eye, but lash ok) 2. Bare Escentual's primer - it works best with loose mineral makeup, it tends to ball up with other cosmetics, but the makeup primer and makeup work best together.  (face and eye, not lash primer) 3. Smash box 4. Urban Decay (face and eye), Makeup Forever.  

I can go into skin care and hair another time, but those are things I do without leaving the house as well.

Quickly:  on a day to day basis, my hair is terrifically easy to take care of in terms of styling - maintaining my color is another story...