Happy Thursday, folks! Today I’m returning for the last day of my winter lip favourites mini-series, and let me tell you….I’ve definitely saved the best for last. Once you’ve seen these, you won’t be able to resist wearing a super dark lip one day over the weekend, or even if dark lips aren’t for you, you’ll probably want to at least give one a try, or a gander, sometime soon. Just maybe. 😉
L-R: MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth (layered), MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth (lightly appplied), Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine in Prune in Fire (#18), Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Glastonberry, Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon
The “Statement Makers”
If you’ve been a reader for awhile, or if I know you in my personal life, you know that I’ve never been one to shy away from a bold lip. Something about a bold lip just makes me feel more confident, more pulled together and just more…elegant. Now, I find it imperative to share that though I am personally comfortable with wearing these on an everyday occasion (’cause I’m crazy, y’all), I understand if you aren’t. Your “average joe” doesn’t walk around daily wearing these lovely colours on their lips. No, these are so bold, so intense, so beautiful, you’re bound to catch the attention of one and all. I personally like that, I think that these beauties are too lovely not to get noticed, and to be honest, I usually wear them on days when I feel like a hot mess or don’t have time to go through a full makeup routine; a bold lip will always make it look like I put tons of effort into my look (even when I showered in 30 seconds and got dressed in a minute, followed by hollering and screaming at my mom to throw me a banana as I run down the stairs and rush out the door). If you aren’t comfortable with wearing these all the time, start off slow, like I did, saving them for special occasions and/or evening wear. I’ve worn these out to girl’s nights, to dinner with family friends, and if I had a significant other, I would totally pull these out to wear on date nights. Just make sure before you buy them that you’d actually wear them, because I would personally get offended if you let them sit in a drawer for their whole life. They are just too beautiful not to use, but I understand if you think that they are too much for daytime, but after you’ve worn this a couple times and gotten a few compliments on it, you’ll venture outward, I guarantee it. Let’s get into the details!
Sigma Beauty L05 – Lip Brush: This tool is an absolute essential for when I am applying a dark, intense colour to the lips and to be honest, it can totally make or break a look. Far too often do I see women around wearing a dark lip colour and it looks like a disaster. Hey, I’m not hating, I’m just saying that I often wonder if they got dressed in the dark, because what I see is nothing like or even close to their natural lip line (okay, now I’m hating :P). Ladies, if you take only one thing away from my mini-series, let it be this: you need a lip brush to apply most, if not all, of your dark lip looks! It just makes your lips look much more defined and clean, and makes everything look seamless and like you’ve just had your makeup professionally done. This Sigma Beauty one is my total favourite, because it’s round and slightly stiff, making it simple to maneuver around your lips and apply product in a flash, and, considering the quality of the brush, it’s quite inexpensive ($14 USD). However, before most of my brushes were from Sigma, I used an even cheaper Quo lip brush from Shoppers Drug Mart; any lip brush will get the job done flawlessly. You can thank me later.
Milani Anti-Feathering Lip Liner: Another necessity before creating a dark lip is this pencil, and oh, what a translucent wonder it is! I’m so grateful that I won a huge makeup giveaway last year, because this product was in my winnings, and I’m never going back. When this product is under a dark lip, it stops it from feathering, so I can walk into Starbucks with confidence that my lips don’t look horrendous (are you sensing a theme here? Yes, one of the baristas at my local Starbs is a total cutie *eyebrow dance*). Seriously, I need to locate this in Canada for when I run out, because I love knowing that this magic pencil keeps bleeding at bay and also prolongs the colour! Guess a trip to States is in my future! 😉
MAC Nightmoth Lip Liner: Okay, can I just ask a quick question?[My evil alterego just said “you just did” sarcastically. Pfft.] Is there such an insect as a “nightmoth”!? Aren’t there just moths…that are disgusting and weird…that roam the planet whenever they choose!? Furthermore, why MAC decided to name such a gorgeous, deep (like, almost black) plum colour after a freakin’ disgusting insect is beyond me. Alas, they did. Anyways, Nightmoth is the transformer of the group. No, I’m not talking about Optimus Prime (though I love him, too), I just mean that this is the ultimate lip pencil for anything and everything. I’ve worn this under lipsticks and glosses to deepen them, I’ve worn it on it’s own, and I’ve worn it with a touch of gloss on top. It’s so versatile! My favourite part, though, is that it is basically two pencils in one. As photographed above, it looks completely different when you swipe it once or twice than when you layer it, and I love that! Plus, when wearing it underneath a product, it seals everything in and prolongs the wear time by hours. This lip pencil was one of the best things I ever added to my collection; it’s a miracle-worker.
YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in Prune in Fire (#18): My first ever luxury/high-end lipstick, this colour is incredible. This deep plummy-purple shade with a strong red undertone looks good on all complexions and is truly stunning (plus, look at that lovely packaging!!!). Moreover, its super glossy finish is beneficial, because you can take this lipstick from day to night with ease. Just wear it a little more sheer in the day for that important meeting at the office or office hours with your favourite professor, and when it’s time to hit the town with your special man or your gal-pals, intensify the colour by layering it up! You’re bound to impress ’em either way. 😉 ♥
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Glastonberry: Not kidding, I basically forced my parents to take a final trip into London’s city centre so that I could get this lipstick (read more on that here). It was worth it, though, because isn’t this a stunner!? This super pigmented, deep, cool-toned plummy-burgundy colour is right up my alley, and it’s another versatile one (thank you, matte lipsticks for being the God-send of lipsticks, you’re always there when I need you!). See, it’s so deep that it won’t look insane for daytime, rather, sophisticated and feminine. However, it really comes alive at night and with the right outfit, you can instantly look fabulous in seconds with just a couple swipes, and this chic, alluring and glamorous colour will make you the centre of attention in no time. Unfortunately, it’s only available in the UK at the moment, but I’m hoping this will soon be made available in the US (and eventually Canada, don’t forget about us! #wethenorth).
Hourglass Opaque Liquid Lipstick in Icon: You might be wondering, “wait, I swear this was in part 2, too?!,” and friend, you are good. Yes, this was also in part 2, but not only is it a different product (but same colour), but it’s one of those colours that can be considered an “everydayer” as well as a “statement-maker.” This product kind of has it all; it’s creamy, smooth, easy to apply, pigmented, non-drying and just all-around fabulous. I actually purchased the mini travel size because I didn’t think that I needed another product in this shade (there a total of 5 products in the Hourglass range that are the “Icon” shade), and because I thought the $33 CAD price tag for the standard size was ridiculous. However, I was so, so wrong, it’s awesome and will pick up a standard size when I’ve finished my little one! Believe or not, I actually find this product deeper red than the true (bluer) red lip pencil, and it also lasts for longer on the lips (about 6 hours with no fussing or re-applying). This iconic shade is one that you really need if you don’t have it already, and if you don’t have any plans of purchasing, you don’t know what you’re missing (a whole load of compliments, among other things ;)).
That concludes my winter lip favourites! I hope you enjoyed reading these posts and found it helpful! Let me know if you want to see a repeat of this mini-series for the lovely s-word when it approaches, spring! Also, if you have any questions, you know how to reach me! 🙂
What about you, friend? Now that I’ve rambled on about my winter lip favourites, I want to hear your cold-weather must haves! Start a conversation! ↓
Until next time,
S♥
