Real quick!
My favorite lipsticks
My must-carry beauty item is most definitely lipstick. Even on my casual days, throwing on a necklace, some earrings, and a swipe of rouge really puts a pep in my step. As I’ve aged, I’ve noticed my lips have lost their pigment...anyone else? Winter exacerbates this issue. When the temp drops below 60, they drain into a grey-mauve tone… a color I’d christen Cadaver.
To reclaim the flush of my youth, I’m particularly drawn to reds. Orange-reds to be exact. The color doesn’t just brighten my lips; it enlivens my entire face. One, the wash of color has an overall skin-brightening (and distracting) effect. It also creates contrast with my green eyes.
On Application. I apply these lippies the same way every time. I dab lipstick directly in the middle of my lips and use my fingers to smudge the pigment outward for a blur effect. I never apply heavily from the tube. It’s all about the blurred, just-heavily-made-out-with-a-crush look. I smoosh the color slightly over the edge of my lip for a lip-liner effect. The leftover color on my finger? Rose Marie Swift (see below!) taught me to dab it into cheeks (not too low - never below the nostril) and even onto my eyelids.
RMS / Lip2Cheek / Beloved
I love this product so much I designed a lipstick locket so I could reapply as much as I damn well please - rouge en route! (See more of our fabulous fall collaboration here). GOOP just featured the locket in their V-Day gift guide (eek!). Beloved is super buildable and just easy. I also leave a pot in my car. It’s a go-to travel item for me. For: everyday, travel, weekender bag.
Merit / Signature Lightweight Lipstick / Court
On our last photoshoot we used a terracotta red on our model, which inspired me to switch it up. I am madly in love with this color, a departure from my usual reds. Very flattering, easy to apply, a big winner. I want to try more Merit. Big fan. For: everyday, date night, office.
Gucci Westman / Lip Suede Matte Lipstick / Le Rouge
The absolute perfect shade of tomato-red. My god, it’s so good. It feels like it was made for a Cameron Diaz red carpet moment. Super pigmented, a little goes a long way. I apply hardly any. Downside is that demands some focus and a mirror. And feels a little dry - but it looks Gucci recently reformulated it with moisturizing hyaluronic acid. For: cocktail party, special event.
Violette / Bisou Balm / Bonbon Coquelicot
What this lipstick lacks in staying power, it makes up for in ease and moisture. It’s a fool-proof tinted balm. For: A coffee run, before a workout class, playground.
Charlotte Tilbury / Lip Cheat / Pink Venus
Technically a lip liner, not a stick, but I use it for all-over color. Absolutely perfect 10/10 for a full, peachy pout. Super natural. Not too drying. Makes my lips look plumpppp (p.s. I never got filler! I chickened out!). For: everyday, office.
P.S. I HART THIS:
For evening bags, I mostly prefer vintage. They add so much anti-algorithmic character to an outfit. I’ve long loved silver mesh bags from the 1910s–30s. Distinct, vintage yet thoroughly modern. Think art deco flappers meets rocker chain mail with a hint of Paco Rabanne.
Giving eclectic cool girl / Mary-Kate Olsen energy, they are abundant and affordable on Etsy. Search ‘metal mesh bag’ or ‘Whiting & Davis.’ I loved reading this history of this legendary American bag brand. News to me: the iconic Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with the brand in the 1930s (here’s one). If Elsa approved of this timeless material, clearly we’re onto something.
Many can only fit a lipstick, an ID and a credit card. No phone. No problem. Lately I’ve been loving leaving my phone in the car (or asking my husband to carry his) during nights out. For my next event, I’d love to tote this gem with just a lipstick inside. Being digitally unburdened is chic!
what lip color shade would you recommend to someone who is naturally very flushed and gets red easily even when not embarassed??
So genius! 💄