Read My Lips
My Grandma Kardash always wore lipstick. It was her hallmark and I smiled every time she recited her little maxim "even an old barn looks better with a little paint" as she applied it. Lipstick makes one feel polished in a jiffy, adds a pop of optimism to an otherwise blah day, and hides chapped lips like Vaseline could never dream of doing. And, I think, it tells the world you have something to say (and indeed my grandmother always had an opinion). As a stylist, I teach that using bright colours and contrast brings attention to what you want people to see and, using that logic, the smokey eye and nude lip combo says you are there to observe rather than speak. Don't get me wrong, I love a smokey eye! But it's passive, subtle, quiet, and not always what I want the world to think of me as a woman. "Here's my mouth, hear me roar", you know?
Philosophy aside, here are some of my favourite statement lipsticks:
Ellis Faas L101. This colour is famous for looking equally good on every skin tone. How? Rumour has it this particular blue undertone mimics blood the best. I can’t guarantee that’s what’s up, but thousands of makeup artists agree it’ll suit you as well as it does me.
Elate “Dare”. So creamy and hydrating, this is not one you want to leave in the car because it’ll turn to mush. But oooh boy, that richness pays off on your pout! And this stunning, highly pigmented creme gets compliments every single wear. Bonus: the bamboo container is sustainably made and is compostable.
MAC Neon Orange Amlipfied Lipstick. In a room full of lipsticked lips, I betcha you’ll stand out in this bold citrus hue. It’s unique but not too weird, you know what I mean?
LipSense Fly Girl. Ohhhhkay thanks to masking in COVID times, I’m giving the transfer-proof, long-wearing LipSense a pass on a couple things. First, how hideously ugly their packaging is and second, how wasteful it is to require three containers for one colour (the lipstick, the gloss, and the remover). I've legitimately looked into how a less wasteful version of this stuff could be made but in the meantime, it’s my vice. It just really works and this is one of my favourite colours of the line. It’s still got that blue undertone that works on many skin types, but it’s a little more poppy. It’s real good.
Marc Jacobs Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. A baked rose that’s the most subtle of my statements but definitely means business.
What about you? Any favourites you’d like to share? I’d be glad to hear ‘em. My blog name ain’t just lip service, after all.
xo
