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Lipstick virgin

Tuesday 26 March 2013
lippies


I've always been told that the older you are, the less make up one should wear. Since I'm starting from ground zero, being a make up virgin at a grand old age of ........ ahhh.......not-too-old-but-young-at-heart-kind-of-age.... I think it's high time I ramp it up a little. So.... up until last year, I owned one lippy. Yup, one single lipstick. In fact, I've buying the same ol' Twig from MAC for the past 12 years. Now that's what I call minimalism to the core and I don't mean that in a positive way.

This is how I make do with 1 lipstick for that long. I dab it on lightly if I want a no make up, make up look (I've just learned this new term from YouTube so I like saying it whenever I get the chance just to show that I'm cool and pretend that I know what the heck I'm talking about). I apply a thicker coat along with pressed powder and lip liner if I want a matte and darker finish.

Earlier in the year, I decided that I should try a lipstick that doesn't contain any lead and nasty bits. The Bare Minerals lipstick (gelato) proved to be a surprisingly flattering color on my bloodless lips and doesn't have strong scent nor awful taste (not that I eat lipsticks but you know what I mean). It has a subtle pinky but fairly neutral tone with a slight shimmer which enhances your natural lip color (wow, I can't believe I wrote that. I sound like a cosmetic commercial)

And then I saw Sam's bright lipstick. Whoo-eeey, now that's what I call statement lips. I dashed off to the MAC counter at Selfridges but trying to locate a lipstick that's flattering is as difficult as denim shopping. There were 50 million colors with ladies all milling about, pushing and shoving. Furthermore, it's ALWAYS a madhouse at MAC counters and the service is generally pretty patchy. It wasn't until I met one of the sweetest and most patient MAC make up artist at Harrods that I finally found THE ONE - Amorous, a deep fuchsia and plum combination which I love. It has garnered a few compliments which is always a positive sign that I'm on a right track here. Spring, here I come (that is if you EVER get here)!


22 comments:

  1. I too have one MAC lipstick, Faux which I've used for years and years, these days it's not really working for me, it's looking too pink on me now. I also can't stand scent or flavour on lipsticks, it makes me want to scrub it off, hmm so I need a new neutral too, hmm but what?

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  2. Try BareMinerals. No scent or flavor. And they only do neutrals.

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  3. You totally sounded like you were in a cosmetic commercial. :P Kidding. I am so in the same boat, although I own so many lipsticks, I hardly use any of them at all. And I have way too many shades of red, I went searching for the perfect red and I still don't think I found it. That shade you bought is gorgeous btw. Where's the pic of you wearing it?!

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    1. Think I can survive in the advertising world? :P Nooooo.... headshots are the worst. Every pore, wrinkle...etc will be magnified.

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  4. So your cherry's been popped huh :) I've used MAC since 1995, and of late, alternate between Snob, Dark Side, Up The Amp, Odyssey, Speed Dial and Girl About Town. When I'm feeling particularly vampish, it's Lady Danger. I would love to be able to do some Nude shades so beautifully like you but my complexion is too tanned and it just comes across as though I left the house forgetting to put on any form of lippy :)

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    1. Sheel, I saw a few MAC sales associates with olive skin rock in their nude lip colors. On the other hand, I think you look fab with bright lipsticks.

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  5. I've never thought of trying Shu Uemura lipsticks. Funny that. I've used their eye shadows, lash curler, skincare but never lippies. I'll check them out later this week. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  6. Well you are gorgeous and very fresh faced with or without makeup my dear:)

    Mac has great colors that suit such a range of skin tones. I tend to be fairly loyal to Bobbi Brown (surprise, surprise)- right now I have two of her glosses that I rotate.

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    1. A friend of mine gave me one of her newer Bobbi Brown books. Absolutely invaluable for someone like me who's a totally klutz when it comes to make up.

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  7. Awesome that you found a shade that you love Marlene! I never wear lipstick but have a lot of clear glosses that I use all the time. You'll have to post some pics rocking your new shade! :)

    xxTheresa

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  8. I agree that less is more as you get older, I don't like to emphasis the wrinkles with foundation and powder!

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  9. I don't wear lipstick often and only have a few. My favorite ones are Chanel.

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  10. I started buying a few lipsticks a couple of years ago, and have a very modest collection (I think 4?) although seldom seem to wear them, which truly is a waste. I suppose I prefer my natural lip colour too much? Anyway, good on your for branching out - always a nice change to use something new that also works for you

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  11. Hi there-I am still trying to find the perfect red lipstick, I must visit a department store and get some help, I went into House of Fraser in Oxford St and asked for help on the Chanel counter but it was too much trouble for the assistants who were happier to chat and leave me to browse!! xx

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    1. I went to check out a few counters at Selfridges and seriously, none of the SAs were particularly helpful. I was just about to give up when I thought I'd give Harrods a go. I didn't think looking for a lipstick would be this stressful! Hope you have better luck next time. BTW, have you thought of going into John Lewis in Oxford St? They're usually friendlier.

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  12. Having never been a lipstick wearer, I just bought 2 last week! Me and make up have made up after a two year separation. Will share on my blog soon. Enjoy pouting! :)

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  13. I don't really wear lipstick at all - just lipliner and gloss. I learned when training in Neal's Yard organic skincare that women who wear lipstick every day and re-apply during the day, ingest about 7lb of lead in their lifetimes!! EEK!! So I used Neal's Yard gloss. I do own a NY lipstick which is glorious if you ever want another non-toxic one. Tastes slightly orangey...yum! Ax

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    1. WHOA! I have no idea that most people, even gorgeous looking bloggers don't wear lipstick. As for 7lbs of lead. That's freaking me out!

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  14. I'm a gloss girl when I have to wear something but I'm going to branch out and pay a visit to Space NK - I heard there was a new lipstick on the block which is designed to be worn with jeans and tee (sounds a bit mental) but kind of appealed to my stranger sensibilities. This one needs checking out.

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  15. I am not sure where I never liked the feeling of lipstick or gloss on my lips and hence, I never use them..lol

    And its so humid here so I have no need for a lipbalm too.

    I am glad you found your signature colour and cant wait to see you in it!

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  16. I find lipstick so tricky. I tend to stick with lip glosses but I need to do what you did and go and have a colour nicely matched to my skin tone!

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  17. i don't really wear lipstick either, something to do with mum telling me my lips will go black when i age, haha. if i have to wear lipstick it's usually ruby woo (fire engine red) or cosmo (same colour as my natural lips) from MAC. i haven't even finished either tube for YEARS so i should probably throw it out. this is all very informative marlene!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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