Category: makeup

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gold & taupe

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Gold and taupe are so good together. Take, for instance, China Glaze polish in Fast Track.

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[Observe my semi-competent nail painting, which is all about advanced clean-up, it turns out. The China Glaze is layered over Revlon’s Elegant, which is nearly the same shade only without gold flecks.]

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A comparable combination was, I thought, Urban Decay’s 24/7 liner in Baked and Rimmel’s Scandaleyes pencil in Taupe. On the lips, Rimmel’s Spotlight Beige lipstick. The pearl studs are from Pearl Paradise, the pearl and jade ring is an antique, the other a class ring. The shirt is from the Gap (thrifted).

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Taupe is a kind of unusual eyeliner choice but I like these muted, tawny shades so much. The taupe on me hovers on the verge of lilac and the cool tone is entirely distinct from something like a light, warm brown, though I would put that in the same easy, wearable category. The effect is definite yet understated, at once casual and polished.

These are combinations I appreciate.

 

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into: Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid lipsticks

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I have a few of the original Color Sensational lipsticks, and have liked the creamy, pigmented texture for years now. These brights are just as good, and perhaps more consistent in texture, as there were a few duds in the original line. The scent is a slightly strong fruity synthetic, reminds me of some of Rimmel’s lipsticks. Smells a bit cheap (and I would rather have the base chemical ‘lipstick’ smell alone than that plus a fruity coverup), but not something that bothers me.

I really like that bright lips are popular now. I’ve always liked them, but that they are on trend means more companies are catering to the demand, and the drugstore is offering some real options. A number of these colors are excellent dupes for high end shades, notably MAC, and are (for the savvy shopper) a third of the price.

After a bit of research I went for the colors I was initially drawn to: (L to R) Vivid Rose, Hot Plum, Shocking Coral. I didn’t intend to get so many, but there was a sale and I had a coupon…

Throw these on with a little blush (even better, use the lipstick itself as a cream blush) and you don’t need anything else. I’ve been experimenting with wearing lipstick on days I don’t want to wash my hair, and it can pull a pretty shoddy ensemble together. I mean a social experiment, where I watch for reactions. I swear, in bright lipstick I am more likely to get asked for directions, offered assistance, bantered with at the cash register, randomly smiled at more…there is just more interaction. [As opposed to bold eye makeup, which yields less interaction than average, my informal experiments show.]

I also have Coral Crush from the regular Color Sensational line, which is likewise worthy of the ‘vivid’ modifier. Going to have to talk about corals soon.