Venus Trapped in Mars Sports and Lifestyle Blog Dallas

15 January 2015

Don't Give Me That Lip

When it comes to hair and makeup, I am either really dang good at it, or absolutely clueless. There is no in between. Not even Helene... (hah... a little blog humor there.... anyone? no, no one? ok never mind). When I was a little girl, I had many odd career aspirations for a child. Most kids want to be a singer or actress or cowboy or astronaut... I wanted to be a Real-Estate-Agent-Hairdresser. 

I'd like to think that my parents were proud of this career aspiration. I mean, you can't get a more attainable  dream than either of those two professions. When the time comes, and parents are forced to say that age old phrase, "You can be anything you want to be if you set your mind to it" I must have lifted a huge weight off their shoulders. They didn't have to lie, like if I said I wanted to be a super astronaut millionaire cowboy. 
Real Estate? Hair? "Pssssssht, get it guuuuuuuuuurl" is probably what they were really thinking.

During basketball season in both Rec League and into High School I was always the one doing the pig tail french braids, the white girl corn rows that only went half way back on your head, those crazy spider web looking designs with a billion of the clear band hair ties and of course I owned more butterfly clips than I could count.

Even to this day, I am a master with the curling iron, blow drier, round brush, curling wand... you name it, I can master it. Need a Drybar blowout better than Drybar can do a Drybar blowout? I'm your girl. 
That brings be to an unrelated side note pro tip: always find a naturally curly haired stylist. She will do the best blowout because she will work harder. Mainly because she is used to working harder on her own hair. Girls with naturally straight hair have no clue what to do with me. Especially when I used to have bangs! That was hilarious watching the attempts at styling those suckers. 
Crap. Just watch, I'll probably have bangs again by the weekend now that I've planted the bangs seed. RIP bangs, I miss you. Except in July. 








 
But there are some things in the beauty department I am not able to do, like at all. First up is curling my hair with a flat iron. Nope. A whole lot of nope. I've watched every video known to man, I can't get it. I am incapable of such a twist of the wrist.  

Second, and the point of this blog post, is choosing a lipstick. Like I mentioned in this post, I just have no idea what I'm looking for. I never wear lipstick, ever. I don't like the glossy look, I prefer the matte color. But it seems like each time I give lipstick shopping a try, everything I pick up is either bland, blahh and doesn't even show up on me...... orrrrrrrr I look like a drag queen. 

There has been one color success, also known as the only night I've ever worn lipstick, which was at Lights All Night. I got the color Cruella Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in a Sephora birthday gift set. I'm not sure if this was meant to be lipstick or a liner (I'm clueless, remember?) but I wore it as a lipstick.




 
I felt like I needed to reapply constantly, and I practically wore the thing out in just one evening. $25 for one evening? Yeah... no. There has to be a better option, right? 
Below are some looks that I really like, so you can see what I'm going for here. I like a bold red or coral. I feel like if I'm going to go, might as well go all out. I'm hoping you guys can give me some recommendations that are not $25 for one night of wear! 







 
// To recap what I'm needing from you (I'm sooo bossy today, I know) //
Lipstick suggestions
Lots of uses from one tube/pencil
Matte only, no gloss
Bold is good
Smudge proof, stays on, won't rub off easily. I don't want to be fidgeting with it all night
Remember I am a very pale brunette


.....annnnnnd go.





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45 comments :

  1. People are going to say Mac, and that's fine. But you need to listen to me because I feel like I helped you decide to wear lipstick. Maybelline. They have a MATTE line of lipsticks. Also your last few pics tell me that you like bright and I have every color from the vivid line (okay well 8 out of 10) and I wear them often. so there you go. I win.

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    1. YOU do win and I like that you went the realistic affordable route. I'm a newb, sort of to lipsticks and I shudder when I see Mac prices - even if they are the best, Maybelline seems like a win/win to me :)

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    2. I totally agree with this suggestion! Maybelline mattes are my everyday lipstick.

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    3. Maybelline for the win! I also really like Revlon for staying purposes as well! Good luck in your quest! I just started wearing them myself a few months ago. They tell me the clown feeling wears off eventually lol

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    4. I was totally going to say Maybelline too.

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  2. I wish I could help, but I am a chapstick/sometimes lip gloss girl. I used to rock a red lip back in high school --- I am sure that looked great! lol! And like you I can not get my hands/wrist/whatever is needed to correctly curl my hair with a flat iron! Ugh! I ended up with frizzy, poufy, crimped hair :( And not the "cool" crimped look of the 80's. lol!

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  3. I totally feel you on this one, lady! I have no patience for lipstick that I need to constantly reapply or that I feel like is getting smeared on everything.

    Sephora's Cream Lip Stains are hands down the best if you're looking for something that stays all day and night. They make your lips a little dry, so I tend to pair it with chapstick over it, but I can't recommend it enough. Here's a link: http://www.sephora.com/cream-lip-stain-P281411?skuId=1296060

    Cat
    http://oddlylovely.com

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  4. MAC's Ruby Woo is my current favorite matte red. It stays on really well, but you do have to make sure your lips aren't dry at all (although I think that's just a matte lipstick thing).

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  5. I am also completely clueless when it comes to hair and lipstick/makeup. I'm the worst. In my defense I didn't even start wearing makeup until after high school! lol I still don't wear much. I decided to go with the trend one year and get long side bangs and it was so awful. My hair is way too thin for that kind of thing. Not good at all. I like that bright red lipstick on you. Looks great!

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  6. If you drink like I do, there's lots of steps. You have to use a liner on your whole lip, powder it, lip stick, powder that, and eventually do it again. It's a pain. And you have to pick something bold that promises 18 hour wear. It's tough. The only lipstick I wear is Makeup Forever in Moulin Rouge. Otherwise, gloss for this girl! (Which is why I always do bold eyes. Makes it seem like my lack of lip effort is intentional.) (At least I pretend it does.)

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  7. I wear lipstick often (I actually just posted about it and linked you in my post) and I really like NARS or L'Oreal. I am a brunette as well and I am fairly fair (haha) and I do dark lips in the winter time and lighter in the summer. Check out my post and let me know what you think. I actually posted a few fair skinned brunettes as well.

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  8. Line and fill with lip liner first. Helps with staying power and bleeding!

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  9. I know I will be checking out Helen's suggestion of the Maybelline brand myself....but otherwise a fun brand from Sephora is obsessive compulsive cosmetics lip tars. They come in a small tube. You only need on small dot and the color payoff is like a punch in the face, like bam. Oh and they have some crazy weird colors in case you are feeling adventurous!

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  10. The basic Revlon lipstick (in the black or green tube) stays all day. Like I literally have to scrub it off. Kind of concerning...BUT hey, it works? I also second the Sephora lip stain recommendation. I use the rogue infusion but it might be too glossy for your liking.

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  11. I love the Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm. I have no patience for reapplying lipstick, but this lip stain stays on all day. I love that they're matte, but not drying!

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    1. I second this! I am totally an eos lip balm girl, but when I want some color, the Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm is awesome. I only had to reapply after eating. Its a nice chubby stick and definitely lasts. I have a pinky-coral color, I think it might be Unapologetic.

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  12. That red looks fabulous on you!!! Im the same way though.. Im always sitting in the lipstick isle like a deer in front of head lights.Im interested to see what everyone suggests

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  13. Girl, right there with ya!! I love a good lip but it's a pain reapplying it 50 gajillion times. Normally what I do to make it last/not look drag queenish is exfoliate my lips, prime them, line my lips, and then lipstick and that will make it last for a long time. (The most I've ever had to touchup my lipstick was maybe once or twice and that was after eating)

    Drugstore brand. I agree 100% with Helene, Maybelline's lipstick line is amazing. The formula is super nice and the color payoff is to die for. I also like Rimmel's provocalips and show off matte lipstick (the show off comes in a tube like gloss but dries matte).

    If you want to go more high end, I recommend Nars, they have an abundance of colors and the payoff/formulation is insanely good. (I'm gaga for their new audacious line right now). Too Faced's melted lipsticks are fun, they have super bright colors but I have a feeling it might be a smidge too glossy if you want to stick more on the matte route. My old tried and true though, albeit it's definitely a gloss, is Smashbox's lip glosses and that's just because it's super moisturizing and I love the color selection.

    The other one that I've seen a lot of people raving about but haven't gotten a chance to try yet is the Anastasia of Beverly Hills liquid lipstick. They go on glossy but dry matte as well.

    Also, to keep your lips moisturized so the lipstick will stay longer I highly highly HIGHLY recommend Rosebud Salve. You can get it at Sephora for like 5 or 6 bucks. That stuff is like crack, sooo good.


    Hope that helps!! :)

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  14. I saw someone else mention Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm, and I agree 100%! It's inexpensive and stays ALL DAY. I literally put it on in the morning, wear it until lunch (when I purposely take it off because I'm weird), reapply after lunch, and wear it until dinner. It's THE BEST.

    I saw where Helene mentioned the Maybelline matte lip sticks. They'd probably be my second favorite. The colors are just as intense, but I felt like they left my lips a little dryer than the Revlon did. I use it sometimes just because I liked a particular color, but I tend to prefer the Revlon Matte Balm.

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  15. I love that you don't normally wear lipstick/gloss BUT now that you are trying it out you are all about BOLD bright colors!!! That's awesome. I'm too chicken shit for that stuff... so I will read what everyone has to say about this - and maybe take some tips and get some info for myself too. I have a really hard time trying shades. I was so happy this pink mauve trend started happening again (I miss the 90's with a passion)... but now they just seem all wrong on my face, but yet I wore that stuff ALL.THE.TIME. in HS!

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  16. PS my biggest lipstick tip to make it last - drink through a straw! (Makes for less licking of your lips, and wiping off any water/drink from your face etc. :)

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  17. your recap sounds like you need the new Anastasia Beverly Hill lip products. and there's 20 shades!
    there are a lot of reviews on YouTube for them... here's one
    http://youtu.be/JE6YiGBWvTw?t=4m19s

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  18. My favorite vivid semi-mattes are a line by NYX called Soft Matte Lip Cream. It looks like a gloss but has the pigment of a lipstick. It's soft and not drying and it's about $8. I've found it everywhere from Sephora to CVS. Good luck!

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  19. My favorites are the Tarte Lip Surgences in Matte that come in sets from Sephora or Ulta. I also am a huge fan of NARS and MAC. My favorite shades from NARS are Schiap (bright pink semi matte) and Heat Wave (red orange semi matte). My favorite shades from MAC are Honeylove (Nude matte) and Hang Up (dark vampy matte).

    Good luck on your search, doll!!

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  20. I like the NYX Lip Butter Balm. It's like a lipstick chapstick and it's only $4. I got mine from Ulta. It leaves a stain on your lip and is very matte since it's a balm. It's worth giving a try if you don't want something too bold.

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  21. If you're looking to play around with colors, check out Rimmel, they have a really nice selection off matte lipsticks. I've collected a few from the line the past few months, my favorite being Bordeaux, a dark red.

    If you're looking to splurge a little, check out Bite Beauty products. You can get their lipsticks at Sephora. They're a smidge pricey, but they are awesome. They're matte, yet they don't dry out your lips. Like most, they wear off a bit, but they stain your lips, so its not as noticeable.

    Looking forward to hearing about the ones you try out.

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  22. I've always been a gloss girl and recently ventured to the lipstick section. The more expensive does work but I haven't tried MAC, and I wouldn't suggest Sephora brand lipstick it didn't stay on at all! I love all the shades you showed so hopefully you find one that works!!

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  23. The best thing is to line and fill your lips with a liner first. It gives the lipstick something to cling to and also is still there if the lipstick does rub off. I love MAC's lipsticks ($18)-- I think they're THE perfect lipstick. Super pigmented formulas in a ton of colors with great staying power. But the OCC lip tars (also $18) are another great option for you. I've never found a drugstore lip stick that's as good, but I'm sure it's possible. Good luck!

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  24. I'd love to help but I'm just as clueless as you! Haha I'm terrible at both hair and make-up.

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  25. Sephora's Cream Lip Stain in Always Red or Strawberry Kissed. They're amazing and only $13, and they last FOREVER (duh, stain!). I sell Mary Kay, am a total a lipstick-aholic and have tried every lip product I can get my hands on - Sephora's Cream Stain is my go-to for long lasting super bold color. However, if you want to try a great "neutral" lip color that isn't TOO neutral, Mary Kay's True Dimensions Lipstick in Tangerine Pop is AMAZING. It's just colorful enough not to wash someone out and I've not found a single person yet who it doesn't look stunning on. It's just a perfect, versatile lipstick!

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  26. The Melted lip creams from Too Faced are amazing and so rich! I picked up the wrong color for myself, but it look amazing on my bestie, who has similar coloring to you! (berry red).. I think these might be a dupe for less $$$ http://www.budgetbeautyblog.com/2015/01/la-girl-glazed-lip-paints-now-at-rite.html?m=1

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  27. Even though I'm more lost in the makeup world than you are, I know what I like when I comes to lip stuff. My favorite is Laqa and Co. The colors are bold and the staying power is AMAZING. I'm talking all day. Sometimes I'll reapply if I'm going out at night, but I'm not fussy about my makeup. It's gotta be easy and not need to be reapplied since I don't carry anything with me. I highly recommend it. I've had the smaller size for a long time, so I can only imagine how long the full size lasts!

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  28. White girl corn rows and spider design with clear bands! Oh my gosh, I almost spilled my drink because I had forgotten about those until you mentioned it!! Good stuff. Good luck on the lipstick - I wore some for the first time over the weekend and it was Wet N' Wild. It seemed ok but I think I need a different color.

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  29. All I can tell you is that the only lipstick that didn't fade away has been MAC. Ruby Woo, Vegas Volt, and Rebel are my favorites.

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  30. i've been slowly trying out lipsticks too and i'm all about getting the cheap stuff because i don't know what i'm doing either. i have some by loreal that i love. and i thiiiiiink cvs or some random drugstore allows you to return opened makeup you don't like. i need to look into this more.

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  31. I, too, am lipstick clueless, but I recently took the plunge and got someone at Ulta to help me pick out a RED. I ended up with Stila's All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery. I was originally terrified because it looked like a gloss, but it feels AMAZING, has great matte color, and stays put. I highly recommend it!

    I also second the Revlon Matte Lip Stain, although I feel like I have to reapply that more frequently. Good luck in your quest!

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  32. I've been rocking a NARS matte pencil and LOVE it. Lasts forever...sometimes it's hard to even wash that ish off...I highly suggest it. PS-come dry my hair because mine is naturally curly as Medusa and I STILL stink at blowouts.

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  33. Sounds like you need some Stila Stay All Day lipsticks in yo life. The tube looks like gloss, but don't be fooled! They're matte AND they seriously stay on there. Even makeout sessions won't budge those suckers off.

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  34. i can't wear lipstick because I rub my lips together too much and end up looking an hour into the evening how I should look on the walk of shame after, so I have no suggestions.

    However, weird coincidence-- the same girl (well, woman, I guess, but everyone under 40 is a girl in my mind) that was my realtor than helped me buy my first house decided it wasn't her calling and is now the only hairdresser I trust with my cowlicks. For a while she was actually doing both at the same time. IF YOU CAN DREAM IT YOU CAN DO IT. or something like that.

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  35. Straightener curls are a myth. Or a magic trick maybe. Idk but it's something I definitely do not possess.

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  36. I can't help you on the lipstick (I mean I bought my first one at the age of 25 this year) but you are SO RIGHT on the finding a naturally curly haired person to do your updos. So many hair dressers have looked at my hair clueless over the years until I finally found someone who looked at my hair and said "Oh this is easy!" I have never been happier.

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  37. Hey girl! I've recently been attempting to wear lipstick as well. I bought MAC Heroin and MAC Red. love them both! But Heroin is more of a purple color, so I'm not sure that's what you're looking for. They were only $15.

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  38. I really love the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks that give you that nice matte look your looking for. Also the Nyx Matte lip creams and lipsticks are the bomb at a very reasonable drugstore price! Both of these line suggestions contain colors that meet your criteria above!
    www.myfairdaily.com

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  39. GIRL, I got you.
    I'm the same (brunette and pale) and reds are my favorite color to wear.
    I'm a little surprised that you weren't a fan of Cruella, because that's one of my favorite matte colors! BUT, my all-time favorite is stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery. It looks like a gloss, but it's a matte finish. It stays put for a really long time, and it's a classic red look. If you aren't in love with this one, I'm fired.

    http://www.sephora.com/stay-all-day-liquid-lipstick-P374936?skuId=1440189

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