Valentine’s Day 💖 is right around the corner, so this is a purr-fect time to celebrate that most sanguine of seductresses — scarlet! The Ravenous for Red Lipstick series features the crimsons I’m currently cuckoo for.
This warm red matte liquid lippie is called Dancer.
Yes, its name is one of the reasons I like it.
I also like it because it’s smooth and very pigmented, and there are NO vertical lip lines in sight whenever I wear it, which I typically do without a lip liner, because ya really don’t need one (it’s pretty easy to freehand).
I identify with the name because, once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away, a.k.a “my single life in San Francisco,” I would BOOK IT the second the clock struck quitting time and head directly to one of the many dance studios in the city to take a dance class, and I did this three or four times a week for a while.
I was addicted to dance, but can you blame me? There’s nothing quite as therapeutic as shaking your @ss for 45 minutes, except maybe Calgon…
Nowadays, I do most of my dancing in my living room with Tabs and Connor (we have MANY impromptu dance parties). On the plus side: no cover charge. Also on the plus side: hip-hop battles with cats and toddlers are HILARIOUS.
Dancer is one of Maybelline’s Super Stay Matte Ink liquid lipsticks with the thick, “grippy,” mousse-like formula. It’s easy to place it where you want it to go, and you can feel it latching on to your lips as it dries.
For me, it’s a very present lipstick, so it’s not one of those lighter-than-air situations. I like how warm and intense it is as a red (looks great with khaki liner and golden brown eyeshadow, BTW), too. Keeping with the dance metaphors, it really POPs.
And speaking of popping, I could never do it. Still can’t, no matter how many YouTube tutorials I watch. My body just doesn’t want to pop or lock…
Be that as it may, Dancer is available at drugstores and Ulta for about $10!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chelsea says
January 29th, 2019 at 7:26 pmThis lip color is gorgeous on you!
I’m definitely not much of a dancer unless I have a hula hoop, LOL! I take dance classes my friends teach sometimes but it’s definitely not something that comes naturally too me. However, it helps me make my aerial and hooping look more artistic when I take dance classes.
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 6:07 amThanks lady! I think dancing really helps with everything else, too. When I was doing it consistently I noticed how I walked differently, sat differently and just moved differently in general.
Also, I am still in awe of how much core control is needed in aerial work. Seriously, I can’t do what you do! I’m working on it though. I started doing some beginner pilates videos in the attempt to build up that core.
Chelsea says
January 30th, 2019 at 10:36 amI thought I had a pretty strong core when I started but it was nothing compared to what you get with aerial! My regular trainer is always super impressed with my core strength. Trying to turn upside down in the air is SO FREAKING HARD and requires so many muscles you didn’t know you had. It’s intetesting because I don’t look particularly “fit” and I definitely could lose a few pounds but I am hella strong.
My cardiologist is also happy because I have a heart condition where my resting heart rate is substantially higher than it should be, which causes a lot of difficulty with exercise, and aerial has really improved my stamina. It definitely makes things a little harder for me but I love doing it.
Thank you for all the kind words.
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 4:07 pmYou’re welcome. ❤️ Our bodies are amazing, aren’t they? I really hope that someday I’ll be able to say that I have core strength. Did you do any particular types of exercise to build up your strength, like pilates or whatnot?
Chelsea says
January 30th, 2019 at 6:55 pmThe teachers have us do the normal type of ab stuff – v ups and variations but they all do it in their own way. We also do a good amount of core stuff on the apparatus – lifting knees to chest, back balances, attempting to invert.
Karen says
January 31st, 2019 at 5:40 amI have such a hard time with V ups. One day I’ll get there. 🙂 One cool thing I’ve noticed about core strength is you can build it up relatively quickly, which I think is cool!
Jade says
January 30th, 2019 at 7:17 amSaw this article and thought of you, it’s all about growing out the grays.
https://www.glamour.com/story/gray-hair-revolution#intcid=recommendations_default-popular_06104f44-12ac-48cb-b268-af2c383d4078_cral-top2-2
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 7:52 amThanks, Jade. I loved seeing all these women! Whenever I get frustrated about my hair I look for pics and this helps a lot.
Jade says
January 30th, 2019 at 2:10 pmThere are several people at my work who have gorgeous gray hair, and I hope when I get grays that I’ll be able to look as good as they do!
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 4:00 pmI think it can look super cool, especially when it’s all 100% gray. I’m worried that mine might not look as cool because it appears as though it’s more salt and peppery but eh, we’ll see! I figure if I don’t like it, I can always dye it back.
Rachel says
January 30th, 2019 at 7:41 amI’m into the Maybelline Matte Inks, I think they’re so good for the money! I don’t have Dancer yet. What type of dance classes did you take? That sounds so cool!
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 7:54 amHi Rachel,
The Matte Inks are great for the money, you’re so right. What colors do you wear the most?
I used to do jazz (which wasn’t really my forte, but my friend Jen was in the class, and I liked hanging out with her) and hip hop (my favorite!). I took a few semesters of beginning ballet but I was bored out of my mind. Have you ever taken any dance classes?
Rachel says
January 30th, 2019 at 8:36 amI have Lover and Ruler, and I like them both. No I have never taken a dance class, I have 2 left feet so maybe it would help!
On another note, it is so cold here in North Dakota they canceled work/school/basically the whole town is closed so I am sitting on the couch with a hot cup of coffee and a cat!
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 9:14 amThe thing to remember with dance classes is that your first 4-8 classes are very uncomfortable, but if you hang in there, it will get really good! It’s awkward at first, especially since there’s mirrors all over the place and everyone else will appear as if they know what they’re doing. Stick with it though and it will start to get fun! 🙂 Maybe start with Zumba? That’s a good way to get an introduction to some cardio without it being high pressure.
I’m happy to hear you’re safe at home with coffee and a kitty. 🙂 What are the rest of your plans for the day?
Rachel says
January 30th, 2019 at 9:39 amI think Zumba would be fun! I’ll have to look into it! I think I am going to bake something (lemon bars?) to warm up the house a bit and do laundry. Then something good for supper so I can have leftovers the next couple days!
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 4:20 pmYum! Did you end up making the bars? Too bad you’re so far because I have a bounty of Meyer lemons and I need to gift them to someone before they go bad.
Anywho, yeah, try Zumba. It’s fun and everyone of all skill levels can do it. Maybe try a few classes first on Youtube!
Kim says
January 30th, 2019 at 8:44 amYou always look fab in red! Oh, I laughed picturing myself (and my other rhythmically challenged friend) trying the pop and lock tutorial. That YouTuber has more rhythm in his pinky nail than I do in my entire body. HAHA! The only dance I ever took was ballroom for my wedding. We had a choreographed song/dance. The Hubs was very nervous, even after a year of lessons, and he killed it. I had a mis-step. 🙂
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 9:12 amI have tried popping so many times and my body just refuses to do it. OK, so I have to ask, what song did you guys dance to at your wedding?
Kim says
January 31st, 2019 at 12:04 pmI must tell you that my friends and I have had a field day (two days now) over that video. As expected, my rhythmically challenged friend and I are being heartily laughed at as everyone pictures us trying to do those moves. HAHA!
It was Harry Connick Jr’s It Had to be You. It was really great – some waltz, some foxtrot and even a tiny bit of swing with spins and a dip. Because we were dodos, we didn’t have anyone take video. That is one of my biggest regrets. Today, everyone would have it on their cell phone. 🙂 We’ve never done the dance since but the steps are all written out – it would be fun to see if we remember any of it. The song was just perfect for us (and still is). How about you guys? Isn’t it funny to think of how much time and effort went into one day (and so much of it is a blur now)? PS when I say it was great, it’s really a compliment to the folks who did the ballroom lessons/choreographing. We just learned it and tried not to look too uncoordinated. HAHA!
Syahidah says
January 30th, 2019 at 8:44 amI love how badass you look with the greys in your hair and the red lip!
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 9:11 amAww, thanks Syahidah! I have my up and down days with the grays. A bright lip certainly makes me feel better!
Kate says
January 30th, 2019 at 10:35 amKaren, you look great! I think your grays look editorial—like it’s there purposefully! I saw a woman who grew out her grays so that it’s a very salt and pepper look (more salt than pepper) with a very blunted bob. She looked tres chic! An inspiration for my future self.
I have a couple of those Maybelline superstars. They’re still drying on me. I have the first wave of colors—Cowboy and Pioneer. Maybe the later releases are less drying?
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 4:10 pmHi Kate,
Thank you. 🙂 I am still unsure of how I feel about the gray but we’ll see. I always have the option to go back to dye (that’s what I tell myself when things start to feel dire, LOL). Anywho, like almost all liquid lipsticks, this formula does dry my lips out a little bit, but for me it’s not flakes-for-days bad. If you find any liquid mattes that don’t dry out your lips you’ll have to share with me!
Mary says
January 30th, 2019 at 12:17 pmLove the red lips, but what about the fabulous jacket you have on? Color and style look great on you. Deets, please!
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 4:03 pmHi Mary,
Aww, thanks! It’s been actually warm enough to wear it. It’s from LOFT and super old. Here’s a full pic of it, if you want to see the whole thing. LOFT typically does similar types of jackets in the spring/early summer.
Michele DiCola says
January 30th, 2019 at 2:24 pmThose grays in your hair are so fabulous !
I just ordered Dancer 💃🏼 and Superstay mascara !
That matte red is on spot on .
I just answered a call from my husband in the middle of this sentence .
Karen says
January 30th, 2019 at 3:59 pmThanks, Michele! They’re taking me a while to get used to; I have my good and not-so-great days with them (and on those days I wear a headband or a hat).
Elinor says
January 30th, 2019 at 4:10 pmYou look beautiful! I love the silver in your hair!
Jaclyn Levy says
January 30th, 2019 at 4:15 pmOMG Maybelline matte super stay lipsticks have CHANGED MY LIFE. I have 5 and ALWAYS get compliments. The one I wear the most is “Ruler.” I love how they are named. I love the colors. I love that they STAY. Seriously, mine survive dentist appts!!! I gave some to my sister for Christmas and will be giving some to my mom for her birthday. Best. Lipstick. Ever. It’s ruined me because I can’t buy anything else now. 💄♥️
Christine says
January 30th, 2019 at 4:29 pmMy FAVORITE liquid lip! Stays put forever, through food and drinks and talking… Love it, and it looks gorgeous on you.
Erica says
January 30th, 2019 at 5:38 pmThat color looks gorgeous on you! I love the Maybelline SuperStay Matte Inks; such a great formula. I have the mauvey-pink shade called Lover, which I whole-heartedly recommend!