Monday, September 1, 2014

... Hibiscus red...

Hibiscus Red
There are so many reds that aren't right for my skin color. I've always been pretty darn pale even in the summers when I spend a great deal of time outdoors.  Everyone seems to have an opinion about what is the best color but since it's my skin, I get to decide right!?!

I have always been drawn to reds in nature. There is nothing more stunning than looking out towards the woods on a snowy winter day and seeing a Cardinal. Not only do red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, I'm drawn to them. If you have red this blog or known me for more than five minutes you'll know that I'm pretty darn obsessed with my perennial Hibiscus plants. The blooms are literally as big as my head! I start photographing the stalks when they're not even the size of a pea, and continue stalking them (pun intended) daily. When the buds arrive, it is like Christmas. And on the day of the first bloom, I'm gweeing!!!! all the way out the front door to watch them. And just like most magical things, each bloom only lasts one day and then droops into a gooey mess. It isn't a surprise to me that the shade of the Hibiscus red bloom is the exact shade that I want on my lips.

Past men in my life have always preferred orange-reds while I have mostly been drawn to blue-reds (wine colors that are rich and dark). Nevertheless, there comes a time when a girl (or a boy for that matter) wants RED-RED. When I was in my early 20s, I attended a Mary Kay party and tried on a ton of different "reds". I went home with Currant. I've had this one lipstick tube for nearly twenty years, way longer than anyone in their right mind would recommend owning a makeup product. I'm not a dirty girl (usually) but it's hard to let go of the perfect color and the shade has been disconnected. Luckily, a few years ago, I found the Nars Cosmetics Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned. Damned and Currant are nearly the exact same shade BUT they're still deeper plum-reds and I wanted a bit more *in your face RED*. Finally, this summer I bought Maybelline 's Elixir which advertises itself as "Hyper-saturated color, ultra cushiony feel" in Signature Scarlet. This is more of a lipgloss which is absolutely perfect for me because I tend not to smile in red lipstick since I'm so afraid of having lipstick on my teeth. With the Elixir, if it smudges, I can wipe it off. If I smooch my fella, I can wipe it off without a smudge. I'm pleasantly surprised that it has worked so well and using the Maybelline Elixir over the Nars Lip Pencil gives me the RED that I have coveted. Another bonus is that because the Elixir is so "hyper-saturated" I don't have to reapply lipgloss again and again... for me this is a big deal because I take some medication that causes dry lips. So while this isn't a fashion tutorial, I do offer a fashion tip. Find what you love... and smear it on your lips?!? Yeah, something like that.





12 comments:

  1. I agree, find what you love and smear it on your lips :)

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    1. Ha ha, I knew that wasn't going to come out right but...

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  2. Wow - your Hibiscus is incredible, and definitely the perfect inspiration for an exquisite, exotic lip color. I love your look, with the deep red and the winged eyeliner (not to mention that adorable hair style!).

    What is it with red ending up on the teeth, anyway?? I never get lipstick on my teeth with any other color, yet it happens virtually every time I wear any shade of red. So strange!

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    1. Awww thanks :)

      I know, I can wear the darkest purple and my teeth are spot free. Put on a little dash of red and it looks like I just ate a baby!

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  3. I love beautiful flowers- I don't really have the patience to grow and tend them most of the time, but hibiscus, hydrangea, roses, lilacs, lillies, daylilies and young tulips are my favorites. Yes, I have a lot of favorites. I love that you pulled your inspiration from your beloved flowers- I love to be outside, although the sun hates me. :)
    That shiny red looks great on you, also, your sunglasses rock!

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    1. I wear a great deal of sun block and the secret is that I don't have any idea of what I'm doing but I'm having fun.

      The sunglasses are Ralph Lauren Cat Eye Spectator Sunglasses. I love them and they're the most expensive sunglasses I've owned so this time I am NOT going to sit on them and break them :p

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  4. I'm about to paint my bedroom hibiscus. I shouldn't…. it's a very dark, cavelike room. But… hibiiiiiiscuuuuuuuuus!

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  5. Beautiful shade and beautiful hibiscus.

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  6. I love red lipstick. LOVE IT. And that hibiscus!!! Oh my gawds! So gorgeous.

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    1. I know, right! I always explain the blooms to people as "they're as big as my face" so I figured I needed a face shot :p

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