Red Lips

It's Spring. Early this year, but I'm sure welcoming it with opened arms! This is also a great time of year to try a new look or trend. If you've been wanting a change, Spring is a great time to cut your hair or color it. It's also a fun time to switch up your makeup routine. The weather is warmer, the sun is shining, so why not try a new look? Brighter lipstick perhaps?

Red lipstick has always terrified me. Mainly because I have very full lips. I love my lips, but have always felt like I didn't want to draw extra attention to them. Until now. This Spring, I've decided it's time to do the red lips thing. I don't know if all this modeling has something to do with it or not, but I will admit that I'm certainly a little more adventurous with my makeup and clothing since I've been modeling. I guess I want to look the part of something.

Here I am with red lips wearing my new Jason Wu for Target dress.The trick is keep your eye makeup super simple and just use a little blush. I also use a highlighter on my cheek bones, forehead and sometimes on my brow bone. The one by Benefit is great!

I had a Sephora gift card from Christmas, so I headed there and bought lots of lipsticks. My two favorites are "The Red" and "It Girl". Below is "The Red" lipstick, lip stain and lip liner.Below is "It Girl". It's a bit more orange and such a cool color.
I like Sephora brand makeup because it's not crazy expensive, but it's decent quality. Also, you can go there and test all the shades and really make an informed decision. They also have a great return policy if you get home and think, "What was I thinking?" ;)

Sometimes "The Red" is a little too dark, so I layer the "It Girl" over it. I also blot a lot. That feels kinda retro and very cool to me for some reason. I am easily pleased....

I you ready to try some bold lips? First, head to Sephora, Ulta, or your favorite makeup counter. Even if you don't want to spend the money, you can find the right shade, then match it closely with a drugstore brand. Side note--- Personally, my mother taught me to always buy the best skincare, foundation, concealer and eye cream I can afford. She says most mascaras are alike and eye shadow, forget it! I adhere to this advice, though i do think some products are made better than others. For example, I use Maybelline or Loreal mascara. They're great (especially Falsies! LOVE!), but I'd imagine Dior Show is better. I'd just rather put that money toward amazing eye cream or to save for a new bag. It's all relative....

ANYWAY, once you determine the right shade for you, exfoliate your lips. There are many ways to do this. I use my Clarisonic, or I make a little scrub with sugar and Vaseline. When I'm ready to apply the lipstick, I apply a small amount of chap stick, then line my lips with a nude/neutral pencil (I also use the red liner sometimes, but that takes precision and I often use this after I've already applied the lipstick and I'm touching it up) and fill in the lip color with a lip brush. Blot, reapply and then lightly blot again. You'll get the hang of it after you do it a few times.

The lip stain, like all lip stains, is very drying, so I apply that first, then put the lipstick (either color) over to moisturize. There are lots of online tutorials and tips if you do a search. Bleeding can be an issue, so a way to avoid that is to powder your lips and around your mouth before starting. I'm just really careful, but I have full lips. if your lips are a little thinner, bleeding can occur, so powder away!

Happy Spring!