Warm Welcome: Lippies

Hmmm, why are lipstick tubes so photogenic?

A lipstick picks you up when you need a confidence boost. It doesn't cost much usually. At least not as much as a pair of killer heels or a bag. It brightens up your smile and helps you tell the world that you're okay. That you can conquer anything today!

After purging and decluttering, I'm down to less than 10 lip products. 

Left to right: Snoe Vintage Rose, Estee Lauder Red Tango, MAC Diva, Maybelline Velvet Matte in MAT 9, Forme Calm Me Balm, and EOS balm

Whenever I'm in a rush and can't be bothered with the full lipstick routine, Snoe Vintage Rose saves the day. It's "My Lips But Better" (MLBB) lippie. 

After holding back for years, I finally got my first MAC lippie and I wanted it to be in the perfect red shade. Ruby Woo is supposed to be the must-have classic. However, we shouldn't just go with what's popular, right? We have to understand that there is a specific red shade that is compatible with our unique skin tones. Otherwise, why will there be a hundred more red shades out there if there is only one red that fits all? My choices were down to Diva and Rebel. I wanted Rebel so much because of the name, and how cool an oxymoron would it make of Miss Goody Two-Shoes wearing such a shade. But I stopped myself and stepped back. Decisions should never be based on fables and fairy tales. Eventually, I decided on Diva after much thought, trial tests and a long look at the mirror.

My choice of the Maybelline New York matte shade made me realize that I tend to pick the same red shade, a shade quite close to MAC Diva. Does this mean that I've found my signature shade?

I eventually threw away my Forme lip balm when it started smelling funky (bought this last December 2014) and have been contented with my EOS balm ever since. I used to believe that I need several balms - one for my handbag, one for my office toiletries kit and one for home. But with a balm in a ball packaging like this, how can you leave it behind? I only use one lip balm, now :)

Please click 'Read more' for more of my lippie 'two cents'.

New entrants - third, fifth and seventh from left: MAC lip pencil in Boldly Bare, MAC lip pencil in Burgundy and Kiehl's lip balm

I'm loving my MAC lippie so much that I bought lip pencils to go with it. Boldly Bare is a nude shade and allows the red (or any shade of lipstick) to show its true form. On the other hand, Burgundy is a deep red, that both complements and intensifies the Diva shade. 

As a side note, I love the sales personnel at MAC Rustan's Makati. They are very attentive and really help answer your queries.

I use the Kiehl's lip balm not as a balm (because it has a glossy finish) but more as a treatment for my chapped lips. Although I may look funny to most as I swipe a ball-like thing (the size of a golf ball) on my lips, I find it more convenient to use my EOS balm. Hahaha, to each her own.

New entrant - fifth from bottom: L'Oréal Paris in Pure Garnet

L'Oréal cosmetics were on sale and I've been wanting to try their lipsticks. Again, my shade choice proved my theory that I tend to gravitate to the same red shade. L'Oréal Pure Garnet is a dupe of MAC Diva! Not quite though. What's the catch? I will make it easy for you. L'Oréal Pure Garnet kisses everything while MAC Diva is transfer-resistant. :)

Oooh, what a lovely treat is it to be female, right? We get to put these gorgeous shades on our lips. Smile more, ladies. Here are some lipstick quotes for you:

• If you're sad, add more lipstick and attack. - Coco Chanel
• Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick and pull yourself together. - Elizabeth Taylor
• You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye. And I got that red lip, classic thing that you like. - Taylor Swift's Style
• Men may come and go but lipstick is forever. - Benefit
• Put on some red lipstick and live a little. - Marilyn Monroe
• For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. - Audrey Hepburn
• Take your time. The perfect red shade will find you. - Yours truly :)

MAC Diva, still there after the party ;)

Disclaimer: I am not a beauty blogger. I do not recommend or rate products per se. I only share my experiences while using them and the whole thought process behind getting, using, falling in love or hating the product. I leave the beauty blogging to the experts; in fact, I go back to their reviews from time to time though I may not necessarily agree with all of these --- What's good for her may not be necessarily good for me. I am a confessed novice in every way --- I only try to view each experience with "new eyes" and reflect some more on how beauty can be a gift that should be experienced rather than seen. So don't take my word for it --- What works for me may not necessarily work for you --- but go ahead and take that adventure! The risks we take do make our lives interesting. =)