autumn lips

It’s time for some autumnally dark, properly bold lips.

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There is sometimes concern, when it comes to dark lips, that it can make the mouth appear smaller. It can (and often does) do that, but I think the contrast given in return can more than make up for this. In my case, having no cause to worry about appearing mean-mouthed anyhow, my mouth seems even larger to me, if only because attention is being drawn to it. I often have a similar debate when considering eyeliner under the eye – it can close up and shrink the eye, so the question becomes whether or not the overall effect is worth this drawback.  Perhaps it shrinks the actual eye but enlarges the perceived eye, resulting in a net gain. Or perhaps it doesn’t create any optical illusion of size or spacing but does something else interesting and worthwhile.

With such lips, a simple dark brow is often my preferred path. I didn’t really want to put anything on the eyes at all once it was on, and have only an ultra natural coating of mascara. I especially like bold lips when they seem like an easy afterthought, a vibrant touch to an otherwise unmeditated look.

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And mustard heeled huaraches. Of course.

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 Here’s the kind of deep v I’ve been meaning to wear all my life. The key here is this Topstick mens grooming tape, very sticky double-sided tape meant to work with skin and textiles. Meant for hairpieces, I guess? But I can see all kinds of applications. This is keeping the shirt where I want it. My new favorite wardrobe tool.

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This sublime bordeaux lip is thanks to Julie Hewett Sin Noir lipstick, really a phenomenal color. This is a full-on application but it can be blotted for a softer berry stain. Reminds me a little of Tom Ford Black Orchid but a bit brighter (I think?), and not as creamy in formula. The Noir collection is excellent, not inexpensive but it performs (and great gold packaging). Being a bit waxier than some of my favorite formulas (ex. Lancome Rouge in Love, Tom Ford, MAC creamsheen, Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy, NARS Audacious) helps it to last that much better, so it’s a fair trade-off.

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I’ll have to share some of my other favorite lip products in this wine-worthy shade range. There are many.

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to market, to market

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Here’s what I wore to the grocery store earlier this week. Love wearing an ultra-basic foundation (cami, jeans) with a generous sprinkling of accessories, and the more eccentric, the better.

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So many pearls, so few arms.

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I like wearing a line of color on the top eyelid only, it gives some drama and shape to the eye but doesn’t close it up the way completely lining the eyes does. I haven’t done much of a flick but that could be fantastic, too. Even more retro/pin-up. Hm. I should do that.

Express jeans, Asos cami, Ray-Ban retro round sunglasses (you like? I like. So much attitude in this shape). On the lips, MAC lipstick in Good Kisser. Limited edition from the A Novel Romance collection (comically cheesy romance novel cover-inspired promo material for this collection, pretty entertaining), a dramatically vibrant fuchsia pink in person, it’s good. It’s coming off as a normally bright fuchsia on camera but on me it stops just short of being so opaque and so bright that the lips look fake, bizarre. A fun line to walk.

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