Lips without lipstick are like Bell without Biv. Or Devoe. Or like Tony without the other two Tonies. Or DJ Jazzy Jeff without the Fresh Prince. Or Lisa Lisa without Cult Jam and Full Force…
You get the picture. 🙂
I love lipstick, and here are my three favorite lipsticks right now, along with clue #3 for connorclaire.com.
Yes, the secret will be out any. Day. Now!
1. Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Menace
Truth is, I haven’t been going ham with my eye makeup lately because I’m still working my way through this “little bit o’ liner” phase.
But I’m sure it’ll pass… PLEASE, MAKEUP GODS, LET THIS PHASE PASS!
Until it does, and I work my way back up to wearing all of the cats and kittens on my lids again, I cheat the system by wearing a really bright lipstick.
It draws attention to my lips and creates a focal point for my look that still makes it seem like I actually came to play, ya know?
My first favorite lipstick of the moment is Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Menace ($17). It’s a creamy, ultra smooth, ultra pigmented matte medium fuchsia SO bright that you can see it on someone doing the running man across the room.
(The old-school one; not the new one.)
Plus, it’s comfy and isn’t drying, so it doesn’t worsen the dry lip flake situation, and I can swipe it directly from the tube and skip the liner.
2. NARS Audacious Lipstick in Apoline
I had creamy rose NARS Apoline in my pocket yesterday.
And the day before that.
And the day before that.
And possibly even the day before that!
Yeah, I wear it a lot…
It’s a gorgeous full-coverage nude, and it’s completely opaque.
BONUS #1: For a silky, creamy lippie, it has incredible staying power. I put it on in the morning and can forget about it for at least four hours.
BONUS #2: Every time I say the name out loud — “Apoline” — I think of Apollonia, and then I think of Prince and start singing Raspberry Beret.
3. MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipstick
Is it pink? Or purple? Or pinkish purple? Or purplish pink?
Hell, I don’t know, but that’s one of the things I love about about MAC Viva Glam Ariana 2.
It’s like it goes back and forth between purple and pink.
Gah! I love complex lipsticks.
And, hello! — it’s BRIGHT. Like UD Menace, it makes for a killer focal point, which is great because I want to draw attention away from the dark circles that have been running the freaking show around here lately.
I also apply this one directly from the tube without a liner. It’s smooth, stays out of my lip lines and away from my flakes, and lasts five hours before needing a touchup.
And there we go! Those are my current lipstick favorites. What are yours?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Quick note about MAC. If you happen to be in the SF Bay Area this Friday (Aug. 26) and don’t have pressing plans, there’s going to be a MAC Master Class in the city that looks like a lot of fun.
MAC Senior Vice President of Artistry Gordon Espinet (and my buddy Victor Cembellin will also be there, and if you see him, please tell him I said hi!) will be showing how to step up your eye game with the latest pro tips.
The class is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Nordstrom San Francisco Centre in SF at 865 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
It is open to the public, but space is limited, so if you want to go, ring (415) 243-8500 right away to reserve your spot.
I wish I could go, but my folks are heading out of town next week, and I want to spend some time with them before they leave.
So go for me! Do it for both of us! Haha. 🙂
Such a cute little bag!
Thank you, Chelsea! 🙂
I have been coveting Menace for ages now. Time to bite the (lipstick) bullet, methinks!
You gotta do it!
Karen, how would you say Apoline compares to Vanessa? V is my fave Nars rosy pink, so I wonder if I will like Apoline…
Hi PJ,
Good eye! The two are similar. I think Apoline is more rosy, if that makes sense. I think I have Vanessa around here somewhere… I’m about to go to sleep but in the morning if I can find it I’ll give it a swatch for you!
Thanks Karen!
Hey PJ! Here’s the swatch. Apoline is one the left and Vanessa is on the right. HTH!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
I’m very similar right now, a brighter lip with a swipe of mascara seems to make sense. Just enough to look awake and like you tried, just a little.
Yes! Add a little bit of tinted moisturizer and concealer and you’re good to go. 🙂
I love Menace too, such a pretty pink!
Yes, it’s such a pretty pink!
Have you tried any other shades from the Vice line? Would love to hear your recommendations.
Tony! Toni! Tone’! Bell, Biv, Devoe. DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince. Those were the days. That UD Vice in Menace sure is purr-ty. I have so. Many. Fuschias. But I’m eager to try this new formula. Heard great things about it. Lovin the makeup bag. It’s lovely. Gonna pee my pants waiting on CC.com. ?
Hi Kwmechelle,
The Vice formula is really beautiful, and if you love fuchsias I think you’ll like (OK, love!) Menace. Maybe another one to add to birthday month list?!
I’m counting down the seconds to connorclaire.com. 😀 Thank you for being excited with me, it feels so good!
You bet! I am genuinely excited! The “teasers” I’ve seen only make me more excited. About my birthday list- it keeps growing. And one more fuschia lippie never hurt anybody ?
Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 looks beautiful on you. I can’t decide if it’s worth purchasing. I think I’ll definitely look into the gloss, though!
Hi Abby,
Thank you! I think it’s a beautiful color; if you don’t have any purplish pinks it might be nice to have.
The gloss is gorgeous, too. It’s like the perfect neutral; I’ve been wearing it a ton! Have you worn MAC Spite? It’s kinda similar (but not a dupe).
I hope you had a nice day. Is it Friday yet? I’m so ready for the weekend.
That’s a very cute lipstick bag!
Apoline is so pretty. I wants it…
Apoline is such a beautiful colour. And Menace! Woah! All kinds of amazing! I’ll need to pick up a tube of that!
Yeeeees, I really love Apoline 🙂
My preferred lipsticks are from the Astor lip crayon range. Easy to apply, moisturizing and bold in color, which really helps when you need to rush to get your makeup done.
UD Menace looks soo cool!
The new UD lippies are pretty fantastic. I’m almost out of my old 1993 color, so glad they left it in the new range. 🙂
Love the Way Back Playback references and I was just talking to one of the boys the other day about the Running Man (vs the new). 🙂 You absolutely rock all the bright lip colors – and anything with a bit of blue makes your teeth look sparkly white. So much easier than eye makeup (for now, of course!). I hope you’re enjoying your parents’ stay and that all is well with Connor and El Hub, and Tabs, of course!
I think of Apollonia as well every time I see Apoline! Maybe NARS just wanted to subconsciously inject a little fabulousness into our lives!
I grew up swimming (aka purifying) in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. 🙂
Hi Karen,
I’m going to go with Apoline ! Looks like a color I used to like !
Say Hi to Connor Claire and Tabs for me ???
Michele
I need to check out Menace and Apoline. Love all three of these lipsticks on you. That case is really, really, really cut. Are we getting closer to ConnorClaire.com going live?
I’d love to go to that MAC class, but Nora kitty hasn’t been well lately and all the meds the vet has been giving her aren’t helping as quickly as I had hoped. Hate to leave her alone for too long now.
Apoline looks gorgeous! That lipstick bag is cute!
Thanks! It’s the ConnorClaire.com clue. 🙂
Love the bag!
I’m so excited to see if you’re hinting at what I think you’re hinting at!! 🙂 For day-to-day I can’t stop wearing Clinique’s Plum Pop, the formula is fantastic and doesn’t dry me out.