vintage lips.

10.20.2009

red lipstick.

red lipstick.

red lipstick.

Lately I have kind of been obsessing about make-up. I'm not exactly sure why. I guess I just feel kind of girly sometimes and I like dressing up. The other day I was at the store and picked up a cheap stick of NYC "Retro Red" bright red lipstick. I was looking for MAC products, but all the stores around here don't seem to sell MAC (go figure) so instead of splurging I spent less than one dollar. And it doesn't look all that bad, though I am very curious to compare it to the expensive brands. Now here is the problem I have with lipstick. First of all, I have no idea how to wear it without getting it on everything or obsessing about how I look every time I pass by a mirror. At the moment I haven't worn it out, but I would like to. Is there anything I can "seal" it with so it doesn't rub off on things? I hate lip gloss and much prefer matte lips, so maybe there is something that won't make them look shiny. This time when I tried it, I decided not to put any other make-up on, besides the usual concealer. I'll probably experiment with it a bit more. I'll let you know if I'm ever daring enough to wear it out!

Listening to some great old tunes. SO GOOD!

28 comments :

  1. Revlon has come out with a new Matte line of makeup, including lipsticks. I prefer a matte red myself, and it seems to look much more vintage than the formulas containing lots of oils meant for shine. As for something to seal it, I know there are products out there for exactly that purpose, but the names escape me.

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  2. Cute, cute, CUTE!!! I am no help, I love lipstick but never wear it for many of the same reasons you mentioned. Actually, if you want, I once bought a set of reds from this neat cosmetic company called Besame (give it a google) - there are several that I know I'll never wear (just tried them once). I'd be happy to send them your way. The packaging alone is amazing.

    Heather

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  3. thanks, chandra! i'll have to check out the revlon collection.

    heather, i have heard of besame and have been coveting their lipstick! i actually was thinking about purchasing their lipstick over MAC, just because the packaging is so dang cute. if you are never going to use it, i would be happy to take it off your hands. but by gosh, that is super generous of you! i'd be happy to pay for shipping.

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  4. Anna, they are all yours! Pop me your address. My email is heater girlie @ yahoo dot com.

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  5. Beautiful red lips! Wonderful compliment to your cute green sweater :-)

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  6. Super cute Anna! I too love the red lips with the greeen sweater.

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  7. If you're gonna splurge, MAC is great, I would especially recommend Ruby Woo or Russian Red for you. But Also you should check out Lipstick Queen (www.lipstickqueen.com). Lovely product. Also MAC has a product call "prep and prime" for lips, and that is great for wearing under matte lips because it keeps your lips from getting dried out, as matte formulas can be drying, which leads to the cracked lips look...no good. And for keeping it on? Lip liner (huge difference, really) Practice. And apply once, blot. And then apply one more time.

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  8. You look so cute! I love that whole outfit. As for lipstick, I usually put it on, let it sit for a minute or two, then gently blot it off. Then very lightly put some more lipstick back on. By blotting it off, you're allowing the stain to work itself into your lip. You can leave it blotted or add the extra, it's up to you! That usually works for me. If you leave it blotted, you will probably be less inclined to purse your lips, which removes the lipstick. Hope that helps!

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  9. You have the perfect coloring to wear lipstick without other makeup. You should definitely try wearing it out. By the way, if you have a Macy's then they should sell MAC.

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  10. Oooh, I love it! Especially the first picture! Any time I wear lipstick it just makes my lips look way too huge. But you look great! You should definitely wear it out!

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  11. your coloring is amazing!! (not to mention your beautiful complexion!)
    Red is perfect for you!

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  12. I always used to put on one layer of lipstick, a very light dusting of loose powder and then a thin coat of lipstick again to refresh the color. Always worked for me!!

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  13. I have both ruby woo and russian red - I like Russian red better because it's more RED with my skin tone. Ruby Woo looks a little pink. I use it as a base for other lipsticks when I want to "invent" colors by layering...If you are getting besame offered to you take it ;) I covet the stuff!

    E

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  14. you look gorgeous. you have such a classic, timeless beauty. i haven't worn mine out in public either! soon though. : )

    i also put some on, blot it off, put more on, blot it off, etc. until it feels dry like it won't come off but the color has built up.

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  15. It goes to show, no need to spend a fortune to look good! You look lovely with your vintage red, and I love the way you've done your hair, that too looks charmingly vintage and classy.
    Keep the combination, it's great on you!

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  16. I already commented on your Flickr stream--but I love the red lips! :) I definitely recommend checking out MAC if you can at some point; Russian Red is my hands down favorite red.

    One thing I've found about wearing red that makes it last longer: line your lips with a red lip pencil. Apply your lipstick, wait a few minutes and gently blot excess color with a tissue. Apply a tiny bit more. Blot if needed. I find this not only keeps the color matte, but also prolongs the wear. Although as with any bright lip color, it does tend to come off noticeably. But that's the price of fashion sometime! hehe!

    I also wanted to say I am totally smitten with your plaid shirt and green cardigan outfit... Like I went on Ebay and started hunting down similar pieces for myself! hehe! You just have the best fashion sense, Anna!

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  17. y'all are so sweet! thank you for the tips! i'm going to try the blotting method first. sounds like that will work pretty good.

    casey, i totally read your blog on red lipstick and was set on getting the russian red by mac, but then i couldn't find mac anywhere! i'm sure i'll try it out eventually. i think i'd like to experiment a little and see how often i actually wear this stuff before splurging. oh and about the green sweater, i got that thing at salvation army several years ago. it's originally from target (our SA carries new and unused target stuff!). also, it was a bright yellow and as i don't tend to wear yellow that often, i decided to dye it. i can't remember what dye i used, but i'm guessing it was a blue because it turned out to be a really nice green. :)

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  18. ooooh, you look so adorable in that outfit with your lipstick! such a cute shade...in regards to keeping it on, I have no idea, because mine always wears off...but I'm a big fan of Mac lipstick, and have a similar skin tone like you do...I love See Sheer by Mac, and also Souffle by Lancome (it's like a lipgloss/limp-plumper thing...sounds weird, I know, and I feel like such an old woman saying I wear Lancome)...but both look adorably natural...

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  19. I've only worn red out a few times (and when around people I didn't know!) but have used the Revlon one. I haven't experimented with this but I hear that if you quickly lick the edge of a glass before taking a sip, your lipstick won't stick to it! That sounds handy. Eating is harder for me.

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  20. You totally rock the red lips Anna!

    As for keeping the lipstick on, I'd try a lip primer. It makes sense, right? You can't paint a wall without priming it first. This principle applies to all makeup, especially eye makeup.

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  21. I love your look! Especially the first picture, it's gorgeous.

    I can't wear red lipstick just because it makes me so self conscious. I tried wearing lipstick a few times. . .when I got married and a few times after that for parties before we had kids and stopped going to things like that. . .anyway, just wanted to encourage you to keep it up. You look fantastic. :) It's nice to see makeup done like this, usually nowadays girls who wear make up look way too overdone, you look simply perfect.

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  22. MAC is only sold in MAC stores.

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  23. try using just red lip liner to color your lips and then apply a little chapstick on top to smooth it all out. totally matte. will last all day. AND it won't rub off on your things.

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  24. I'm pretty sure you can also get MAC cosmetics at most Macy's...at least in urban areas, you definitely can...

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  25. i adore you're hair and you're retro look..
    nice blog!

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  26. Hi, sorry is anonymous but I don't have an account.
    I would suggest a product called Lipcote. I think its well known product and where I live (Scotland) its available quite cheap from drugstores. Its clear liquid which you brush on with the brush attached to the cap. As its clear you can use it with any colour.
    It takes a moment to dry and when it does it seals your lipstick ALL DAY. It has no shine to it either.
    If you google it, or go to their website lipcote.com You'll see what it looks like, so you can maybe look out for it to try.
    Also, I always -especially with red lipstick- use lipliner as it given a cleaner/neater look.

    Hope you find somthing that works!
    Nikki

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  27. CoverGirl is doing Outlast lipstains right now that last FOREVER, are totally matte and you can wear balm overtop to keep you pucker feeling and looking soft and kissable!

    (Too much? Sorry, got excited there.)

    I've got #440 which is a serious Red. and #405 which is a lovely berry/blush that works for everyday.

    They are like a felt tip pen for your face. Pretty fun.

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