My cousin Rachel, Rey, would have just celebrated her 23rd birthday last week. She was fiery and quirky, fun and adorable and unique. She was also a red lipstick devotee. In a tribute of remembrance to her, I decided to pull her signature style and don the evocative red lipstick for a week straight.
When I spoke to my mom midweek about what I had going on, she said that she wears red lipstick everyday. I asked her why and she said two things: 1. "Rey could do it everyday and look cute, so I don't see why I can't. I'm doing it for a year." and 2. "You told me that you hated the brown lipstick so I had to do something."
My lovely cousin via Facebook
Day One
Now, I am no stranger to red lipstick. Red lips to me resonate strength, self-assured and fierce. I sometimes shy away from buying the bright colors because I feel as if they are so difficult to upkeep...and I generally got equated to Nicki Minaj before I retired my signature pink.
Please excuse the badass Aviators. Not.
For my first day of Red Lips, I reached for an old favorite of mine, Retro Red from Wet n Wild. Apparently I didn't realize precisely how old of a favorite it was until too late and ended up having to use a gloss over the top at lunch time for my parched lips. I always put my makeup on in my bathroom, then do a face check in the visor mirror of my car before actually going out into public. The difference in how makeup can look from in the house to full sun lighting can be appalling. I thought I looked all right, then I looked at myself outside. My first inclination was to blot most of my lipstick off and throw a nude shade over it. However, for the sake of...well I guess just because I told myself I was going gung-ho, I walked into work with my head held high and more red than I was accustomed on my lips. I got a few Really? sideways glances from some other women and a genuine compliment from a co-worker. "Is that a new lipstick you're wearing?" he says, "I like it!" Success.
Day Two
Different shade of red, a deeper color, less of a cheery red and more of a holiday vibe. Realized that I can't deal with the constant smudging and purchased a nude liner to try on day three. Also decided that new lip color was in order, for the sake of science.
The picture does it no justice.
Day Three
Purchased some new lip care items:
Lip liner by Rimmel in Nude
Hot Red (top) and matte Stoplight Red, both from Wet n Wild
Let me just say, for the record, that I love inexpensive fashion and beauty items. Yes, there are benefits to buying quality, long lasting signature items, or those basics that really make the difference, but anything under $5 naturally draws my attention.
I decided to try the Stoplight Red on day three, it claimed it was a "long-lasting matte finish lip color" so I wanted to put its staying power to the test.
I was not driving when this photo was taken.
Also my first attempt at a faux bob, which could definitely have been more successful.
It seemed that the lip liner really did help keep the lipstick in place all day, so I decided that, going forward, I always need to wear the nude liner under a bold lip and I highly suggest it to everyone else! This lipstick did a great job of staying on my lips without smudging or fading horribly. I reapplied after about 4 hours and I was going strong through the day and into the evening. I also find that not having the slickness of a glossy product on my lips makes me less conscious of having so much makeup on. I like that this product is a mix between a stain and a lipstick. And all for less than $2.
I went to a dive bar with a friend that same night and we received quite a bit of attention. We weren't the only females in there and we certainly weren't dressed up and yet the icky hipsters and the boisterous, drunk middle-aged men alike were copiously complimenting. Did the red lipstick have anything to do with it? Maybe. I know that I certainly feel confident while wearing it.
Day Four
Tried my second new lip color, Hot Red by Wet n Wild with the wonderful lip liner underneath
To toot the horn of lip liner once again, I love that having the liner on makes the color even and smooth, it also helps fight the inevitable ring of color that circles the edges of your lips with the middle of the lip left without color at all, usually after drinking or eating or breathing for any extent of time.
I did ask my husband what he thought when I wear red lipstick, if he had any feeling towards it whatsoever. He said that he liked it better now that my hair is light. He hated me wearing bright lipstick when my hair was very dark, as it is naturally and prefers nude tones with the brunette. Now that I am rocking the blonde look, he said that he actually likes the way that the bold color looks.
By this point in the week, I am now very comfortable wearing the lipstick for most of the day. I am having a lounging day at home, but I got up and got dressed, did my hair and makeup and am feeling really good (okay confession, I was supposed to go to a friend's house and something came up at the last minute, but I am home now and generally by this point I would have been back in my jammies).
Day Five
Used the Stoplight Red matte color again. I didn't end up getting ready until much later in the day and didn't want to have to reapply. I was doubtful about the red with my casual teal baseball sweater, but the colors didn't clash horribly. I feel a new favorite emerging...
Went to dinner with the hubby and kids. Was definitely getting the eyes, so I'm thinking I was rocking the red lip pretty hard. Not sure if it's because I tried this new adorable and super simple up-do (since I'm normally so lazy with my hair) or the bright red lip with a sweater and jeans, or a combination of both but I was feeling fabulous! I even got some extra smiles from the guy in the store; once again, red is a confidence booster!
This is my fabulous lipstick after hours of wear, including dinner and drinks. Not too shabby, eh?
Day Six
Okay, so I forgot to take a picture on day six with the exception of this one
which kind of looks like a butt. The purpose of this picture was to show how crappy my lips were looking after a halfway through the day (see gripe on day four).
I was hating my lipstick all day on day six. I wanted to throw in the towel and give up on it. Alas, I did not as I had promised myself that I would finish my first week-post fully, man was I missing my bare lips though. Moving on to The Final Day.
Day Seven
Rocked my Sensual Golden Lioness hair to work and was feeling awesome. Took the terrible day in stride feeling confident, cool...and a bit grumpy. However, I was glad it was the last day of wearing my lovely, tedious lipstick.
I would say that I love wearing ravishing shades of red. They are a pain in the ass to maintain and can be difficult to find colors that are suitable, but overall I love my red lipstick. Would I wear it every day? Heck no, techno. I like being able to vary my makeup looks beyond shade differences. I became very conscious of actually making it a point to get up and do my makeup every day, which is out of the norm for me. It made me toss out my laziness for a week in that department and it made me have to spend at least 10 minutes caring every day.
Red lips still speak confidence to me. I found myself feeling more confident, more put together, and in turn receiving more attention. I wouldn't say "attention" of any sexual nature, but more I commanded consideration.
Thank you, red lipstick, for helping me to feel powerful and thank you Rey, for inspiring me.
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