theseventhsphinx - The Seventh Sphinx

I like that people seem to be more open to lipstick, and especially bold lipstick, in the winter. I support that.

Here are some of my favorites just now, in a range of fall/winter shades. [Though I would wear these colors year round. Rather I do, or will.] While I see the logic behind the seasonal shift toward a darker palette —as the environment grows dark and somber so do our clothes and the colors we find compelling and suited to the season—I see choosing bright colors as a natural reaction against this trend and a great way to be unexpected, playful. As much as I need the plums and the burgundies (and I do need them, oh yes), I also need a respite from them.

In my mind this makes complete sense.

I’ve been sporting both brights and darks, mattes and shines, with a selection of pigmented and sheer formulas.

Pigmented formulas first:

L to R: Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang, Revlon Cherries in the Snow, NARS Funny Face, Lancome Rouge in Love Fiery Attitude (wearing here), MAC Dubonnet (wearing here), Albeit Vermillion, Rimmel Kate Moss Kiss of Life, MAC RiRiWoo, Tom Ford Narcotic Rouge (wearing here)

While I love orange in the summer, I think fuschia makes a great bright lip for winter, from the floral pop of Revlon’s Cherries in the Snow to the rich bordeaux of Lancôme’s Fiery Attitude (again, for the record, I love this formula).

The internet is full of blogs dedicated to swatching, which is my way of telling you that I am not going to do it because I don’t want to (so I would never do a truly good job, you see? It’s better this way). For now, trust that these reds are all completely different. I would also include MAC’s Brave Red here, only not pictured because mine melted a little, and Revlon’s Black Cherry, not pictured because I can’t find it. Now that I can’t find it I really, really want to wear it. Right now.

Pleased to find that the Albeit lipstick I picked up in the Anthropologie holiday sale is lovely. Creamy, beautifully pigmented, Vitamin E, cool vintage gold bullet, etc (wearing here). And RiRiWoo, though I was suspicious of the hype, is awesome. Awesome, people. The reigning red of the moment (wearing here).

On to the sheers:

clockwise from top left: Revlon Balmstain in Crush, Lipstick Queen Saint in Berry (wearing here), Revlon lip butter in Fig Jam, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Esprit, Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Candy Apple

Sheer formulas are what I tend to carry around in my bag, beloved for their quick and easy application and general compatibility with a slapdash approach. I like all of these formulas but especially the Lipstick Queen Saint lipstick* and the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine. So smooth, such a uniform slick of color, such pleasant texture. If you want to give someone the gift of lipstick, I suggest you give them Lipstick Queen in Jean Queen or a Chanel Rouge Coco Shine. These formulas are that rare combination of stunning and friendly.

Or you could get them RiRiWoo, if it hasn’t sold out again already.

*A cool concept. There are two lines: Saint, with 10% pigment, and Sinner, with 90% pigment.

I like the Almay liquid lip balm, too, which is kind of a cross between an ointment and a gloss. Some of the other colors in the range look horrid but this one is natural and nice, sheer but with a distinct tint.

OK. Go forth and brighten thy lips.

I go through phases, months, wherein I can’t find anything I want.

I am a particular, picky kind of person, and I tend to want just exactly what I want…and not a substitute for just exactly what I want. Often, too, I know the category of thing I want (straight leg jeans, knee-high boots, a duffle bag, a dainty formal watch, an eggcup) but I cannot find a suitable candidate within that category, and must browse and browse, and bide my time, and wait for the right stuff to come along. I will wait for years. YEARS.

Lately, over the past year or so? longer?, the right stuff has been coming along.

[But then, too, I’ve devoted more time to browsing.]

I am sometimes wrong, in which case I return or sell or give away or just suffer [and do I learn my lesson?], but I have been getting lucky…and spending all o’ my money.

Example: I bought a rabbit fur capelet of pale blue-gray. Incredibly soft and warm, looks not of this era but out of some glamorous 1920’s winter soirée or, maybe earlier still, a light, early 19th century Russian troika wrap. Had that rare feeling that it was there for me to find; that complete object affinity.

What else is this money for? What have I been saving it for if not to acquire the ingredients I need to evolve? I absolutely need this ring shaped like a pair of lips. [Who loves lipstick and kisses more than I do? I cannot tell you the depth of my love for this ring.] I cannot tell you the complete absence of doubt surrounding the purchases I have been making lately. And the more I acquire, the more categories I identify (a bulky semi-precious cocktail ring: simple yet ostentatious, a men’s blazer, another Jean-Claude Ellena fragrance, various things in oxblood suede (a jeweler’s drill?!)), and the more discerning I become. I can almost feel the process of refinement underway, like an intelligent system of gears that grows sharper and more precise with use. I am improving across the board, too; thinking up better and better gifts for friends and family. When I am generous toward myself, I am generous toward all.

…it is getting a little out of hand, but when you find just the right thing…what can you do?

It has happened that I was unable to get just the right thing*; the moment was lost, and I could never find it again. This one Tang-style, silk-embroidered jacket with a regal collar at an arts fair 9 years ago haunts me still. I remember you, silk-embroidered jacket.

*just-rightness includes being affordable, in my view

So I have learned my lesson. I do not get things I cannot afford but my definition of what I can afford expands when I am smitten, as does my definition of what I need in other areas of my life…and what I can sacrifice to facilitate further expansion. This is on my mind because I basically reached the limit this month (’tis the season), and there is much sacrificing and conserving of funds, which gives me time to reflect.

The question is always, is it worth it?

And I think my answer is most often…yes. I would rather have the item (or the food, the experience, etc.) than the value of the item back.

Which is as it should be.

Author: theseventhsphinx

winter lips

a dollar is a dollar is a dollar