So once I found my perfect one-step summer foundation, I realized that my sun-kissed look was seriously conflicting with my winter lip color. Generally, I go for neutral brown shades with a hint of pink. They tend to match with most and clash with none — which fits into my “I don’t wanna think about it” makeup philosophy. However, since hitting the big 3-5 earlier this month, the old self-esteem has taken a bit of a beating. And what better way to boost a flagging ego than with a little retail therapy?
Through many trials and repeated errors, I have, over these many, many years developed a few simple rules for lip color:
1) Gloss for summer;
2) Creme for Winter;
3) Matte and Semi-matte for twenty somethings only;
4) No strong smell; and
5) absolutely, positively NOT sticky
And so the sampling began. First, I sashayed up to the Dior counter and took in their fantastic spring/summer shades. I excitedly let the sales girl apply Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in Pink Liberty, but I was destined for disappointment. Not only was I nauseated by the heavy perfume of their gloss, but the effort of prying my upper lip from my bottom gave my speech the labored cadence of Tom Hanks’ character in Forrest Gump. Not exactly what I was going for in my efforts to glamorize.
I moved to Chanel — a trusted favorite in the creme lipstick category. Their gloss was not quite as sticky as Dior’s but still left something to be desired. And the color palette made me feel as if I’d seen it all before. Ditto for NARS, as I was hugely saddened to see the Orgasm gloss they sold as a complement to their fantastic Orgasm blush (which looks great on everyone) was nothing close in shade. It honestly seemed like they didn’t match at all. I blame my underlying lip color rather than the geniuses at NARS. It’s a great brand by virtue of their blush and eyeshadows alone, and I don’t want to disparage it.
Finally, I hit pay dirt at the Laura Mercier counter. I’m intimately familiar with her Secret Camouflage (the only choice if your undereye circles bring to mind Uncle Fester from The Adams’ Family, as mine most certainly do). Not only was there virtually no scent to the product, but also it felt smooth and comfortable on my lips — almost like a moisturizing balm, but with a nice level of shine to boot. Best of all, the shade name — Bellini. Can you believe it? Perfect for all the drunches still ahead of us this summer! Now run out and get yours so everyone will think we’re twins.
ok so i have to ask, being a lipstick obsessive myself, why the ban on matt and semi matte for the over 30s?
In my star-watching, I’ve noticed the over thirty set of t.v. and movie personalities move to lighter colors and glossier finishes as they age. In my personal experience, I’ve found that I looked a teensy bit younger when I moved to lighter/shinier choices. Very objective, and for evening, I might still go with a semi-matte — but usually only in winter. So the colors I’m loving right now, would be great for you sometime around — what? November? When is spring/summer on the other side of the world?
I’ve been on a quest for a decent concealer for months now, so i made a special trip to Sephora over the weekend for the Secret Camouflage. SCORE! Thank you for the tip!
Terrific! I’m so glad you like it. I’ve actually had so many friends thank me for that hook up that I’m doing a specific post about it in the next week or so. I’d love to see your comment on that post after you’ve used it for a while. Be sure you get a good brush like the one in my picture scroll to the right. Even with a high quality one, you’ll likely wear the brush out before you run out of concealer. It lasts for-evah! 🙂