BeyondBlushing...: my lipstick revival

I feel guilty. I have turned my attention away from what once was an obsession of mine....LIPSTICK. My obsession started in high school. I religiously wore dark berry colored lipsticks in which every morning I would come out of the bathroom and my mother would say, "blot your lips, honey. you don't want to look like you got smacked in the mouth." I laugh now but back then it was so irritating hearing that every morning. I liked my dark lips against my fair skin and big brown eyes. That was the point. I swear, hearing my mom tell me to "blot my lips" everyday will haunt me forever. Even as a grown woman (and being a makeup artist) I still fear that my lipstick is too dark and I give an extra blot just to make sure I don't look like I was "smacked in the mouth!"

So I think once I became a mommy, eleven years ago, I kind of put my dark lipsticks away and started to opt for lighter lip glosses. Slowly a transition was made and before I knew it, I would buy lipsticks that I was attracted to but then kind of put them in the drawer and forget about them. "This is crazy!" I thought to myself. I decided to put my lip glosses on standby and bring lipstick back!

The holidays were a perfect time for me to do this. I like doing "holiday makeup" and nothing goes better than rich berry hues, reds, and warm browns. Even on the days where my eyes were too dramatic (in my opinion) to sport a bold lip too, I opted for a classic nude lipstick.

My foolproof method for applying stay proof lipstick is very simple. I make sure, first of all, that my lips are well conditioned. I personally love rosebud salve to provide a perfect well conditioned lips. Next I like to prime my lips. My favorite product to use is Urban Decay's eyeshadow potion. I know it's for the eyes but I absolutely love it on the lips. Not only does the product provide the most perfect foundation but it also nudes out the lips giving a perfect canvas for any color lipstick I chose to wear. Now I was ready to put on whatever lipstick I would showcase that day!

These have been my choice favorites...

Nars: Roman Holiday...it's a pretty pink that is sweet and innocent.

Clinique: Black Honey...this might be borderline lip gloss but it is a gorgeous dark warm wine colored glossy stain. Oldie but goodie.

MAC cosmetics: "O"...this lipstick has multi colors depending on the color lip liner you wear. It could go red, brown, or burgundy--so awesome! Also, Rocker, makes a great sparkly red lipstick!

Elizabeth Arden: Ruby Pearl....one of the most amazing red lipsticks I have ever had! Absolutely gorgeous. I wore this one often along with another red, Poppy Cream--a totally classic red.

Urban Decay: Midnight Cowboy...this is one of their newest shades. I actually loved this lipstick. It lasted a long time but it was shimmery and emollient like a lip gloss. Best of both worlds. It's a great neutral everyday shade.

Chanel: Vamp...a classic. A gorgeous ultra dark plum-y shade. This shade makes me feel dark and sultry. Seriously, give it a try and see what kind of attitude you take on!