New Territory!

As I continue to travel further and further down the fashion and makeup rabbit hole, I decided my next adventure would take me into the realm of lipstick and lip liner. Up to this point, I have largely been a chap stick kind of gal, occasionally daring to wear lip gloss or a tinted lip balm. I think I've owned two lip sticks in the last 10 years! So, before diving in, I attempted to do some research.

I came across the following table at Covergirl.com, which seemed pretty straight forward and manageable.

		Size 'em up, size 'em down—create the lips you've always wanted! Here are a few simple tricks and handy how-tos that can help you make the most of your beautiful smile. Size 'em up, size 'em down—create the lips you've always wanted! To Make Lips Look Fuller Pick a lipstick and lipliner in matching shades—choose lighter colors, since darker tones can make lips appear smaller. Use your lip pencil to define lips. Go to the outermost edge of lips but no further—do not go outside the natural lip line. Then fill in entire area with lipliner. This will "hold" lipstick longer. Apply your lipstick over lipliner. To Make Lips Look Wider Instead of plumping up thin lips, try accentuating your mouth's wonderful width! Use a liner that perfectly matches your lipstick and line the extreme edges of lips, extending out to corners. Fill in with lipstick color, then top with gloss on middle of lips only. To Make Lips Look Thinner Trace inside the natural lip line, and fill in with your lipstick. Picking a matte shade will also make lips appear smaller. To Add Natural Definition Give your lips a strong line using a neutral colored pencil, then fill in with a sheer gloss blended gently to the edges by a few strokes of the lip brush. The result is naturally shimmery and moist-looking lips.

So, after watching a few other videos and combing other cosmetic websites, I took the plunge and purchased the Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Lip Liner in Nude, figuring that my best bet was to keep it as au natural as possible. Then, to compliment it, I purchased Maybelline's Color Sensational High Shine Lip Stick in Nude Glow. (The appeal of this color and brand was that it happened to be on sale at Walgreen's that particular day).



After a little practice, I achieved a look I thought was pretty darn good for a newbie! Simple, yet noticeably pretty.

Now, at this point, I am far from beyond my novice status, but half of the fun of introducing a new makeup item is playing around with various possibilities. I find it fun! So, if you're like me and curious as to how to improve your current or even non-existent lip repetiore, I would recommend looking into Michelle Phan's how-to videos. She video blogs makeup, fashion, and style tips, offering simple and sound advice.

Below is her holiday lip look tutorial. In it, she demonstrates a few ways to achieve different looks using the same lip stick and a few other cosmetics.  With the holidays fast approaching, what better time is there to try something new?
 

As for a particular brand recommendation, I can offer no real help as of yet. When trying something new, I tend to go with cheaper products, commonly found in drug stores. That way, if it ends up being a total bust, it is not a huge loss to my wallet. There are a lot of different options out there - lip color/stick, lip stain, lip gloss, tinted lip balm, and more. Each one offers different advantages, so do a little research and go for one that will suit your needs/desires best.

I'd love to hear what you commonly use. Please feel free to comment and share your knowledge. I'll take all the help I can get with this new venture! :)

"I love my lips. Usta!"

Before I continue, I invite you to watch this amusing Veggie Tales short:

One of my favorite personal physical features are my lips. They are not outstanding, like Angelina Jolie's pout. But, they are nice, and I like them! My eyes are my most beloved natural accessory. While I do little else with makeup, if I wear any at all, it always goes on my eyes. Yet, because of my deep appreciation for my mouth, I enjoy dressing it up as well, though minimally. I usually use a neutral pink liquid lip tint by e.l.f. - their Luscious Liquid Lipstick line in either Baby Lips (#80530) or Pink Lemonade (#80828). I don't care for super shiny glosses or unnatural shades; they make my pucker a little too imposing for my tastes.

Baby Lips

Pink Lemonade

Recently, I dared to break away from my norm. In a magazine, I had read that plum shades are very "in" right now and would compliment my complexion and natural hues. So, I splurged on a $1.97 NYC lipstick in Sugarplum, #418. At my first application, Jon (my husband) immediately noticed and commented, "Since when do you wear lipstick? It's too dark for you." After I explained myself and a few minutes had passed, he reneged his previous statement; "Maybe it's not too dark. I'm just not used to it." Regardless, I liked it. It darkened my lips enough but not too much and with a deepness possible only with plum. I believe it is my new favorite fall/winter lip glaze.

Sugar Plum

Along with the color advice, the afore mentioned magazine also gave me the idea to use a brand like NYC that allows you to "try on" various shades without breaking the bank. A wise notion, I think. It is not worth spending big bucks if you are unsure you will even walk out of your bathroom with it on, let alone out the door. So my encouragement to you this time, dear readers, is again to muster up the courage to try different things. If something stands out to you, or as my mother says, "strikes you," there is a reason for that. And of course, you won't find winners all the time, but you never know until you try.

Furthermore, know that you can appreciate trends without wearing them. Skinny jeans, for example, are a really neat and fresh take on leg coverings, but with my boxy/pear-like shape, I cannot wear them. My muscular thighs and calves discount me from this one, and that's OK! I can still smile as I see girls prance around in their leggings and Uggs (so effortlessly chic). And while that might cause some initial disappointment, when it comes to fashion, it works both ways - what looks great on me will not look as stunning on others. Thus, we have reason to celebrate each other's uniqueness and individuality! So, go on; pick something! And maximize on it - whether minimally or extraordinarily. I think you'll be glad you did!