into: NARS velvet matte lip pencil in Red Square

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The NARS velvet matte lip pencils are lovely. Try them out at Sephora sometime, the texture is creamy without being at all slippery, the pigmentation is intense, the wear–provided you don’t layer with a gloss or eat something greasy–respectable. [Does not leave a mark on a drinking glass, for example.] Not sure if you can get this color through the regular channels anymore but even if you cannot, try another – the formula is fantastic. It can be worn sheer (which is still bright), or in layers for greater impact.

This is one in Red Square is of my favorite orange-reds. A vibrant poppy red with a generous element of orange. Will feature it on the lips sometime (not unlike NARS Heat wave). The color is very much of a piece with MAC’s Lady Danger lipstick…which is on the wishlist…though leaning more toward orange. I often think of bright corals and pinks for spring/summer brights, nearly forgetting the quintessentially bright red beloved of toreadors and urgent sign-makers the world o’er. Red is always in season.

on the eyes: rusty red via Estée Lauder Stay-on Shadow Paint

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Right now I am all about burgundies, sepias, rusty reds and burnt oranges, particularly on my eyes (this is going to come up again soon, I suspect more than once). I have the support of basic color theory, too; red enhances green. A true, balanced red or anything on the pink spectrum can be difficult to work with*, but I think rusty colors like this would suit a lot of eye colors and skin tones. This is the color Cosmic, a great ruddy brown. More visible glitter than I was expecting–as a warning–but still lovely.

I’m still trying to find a gorgeous, true sepia. I don’t see many examples of this kind of shade from any brand (though NARS has a new one–Persia– that might do, but $$), especially not in a cream formula. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

*This difficulty is not insurmountable, though, and I don’t think rules [i.e. don’t wear red on the eyes, don’t mix brown with black (I love brown with black)] are particularly helpful in the context of style. In the words of a wise friend, “I do what I want.” [At least, when it is in my power.]