The other day, I was carrying a handbag I hadn’t picked up in a while, and found this tinted lip balm from Sisley, which was like discovering a $20 bill in my jeans pocket, but so much better. Because Sisley products are pricey here, but in Europe—where I purchased it a few years ago—it’s a drugstore brand (well, OK, a fancy European drugstore brand, but still) that costs a good bit less than it goes for in the U.S. The hue is pinker than most of the lip colors I own, but in a lightly berryish way that makes it very wearable, and it really hydrates lips—without going on overly glossy, which I dislike. In short, an ideal summer lip color. I’m going to be annoyed when it runs out, because I’ll have to shell out to replace it. Or maybe I’ll just wait until I’m in Europe again, whenever that may be.
Hello Ladies
I used to use that Sisley and have gotten thrifty shall we say. Recently discovered this stuff, slightly glossier but its now something I rebuy frequently. https://www.ulta.com/p/maracuja-juicy-lip-pimprod2021636?sku=2566174&cmpid=PS_Non!google!Product_Listing_Ads&cagpspn=pla&CATCI=pla-1259500601893&CAAGID=119183700382&CAWELAID=330000200002712098&CATARGETID=330000200002761614&CADevice=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5puA5anv8QIVA3xvBB3Mvwz3EAQYASABEgILxPD_BwE
These are of interest to me for the non glossy finish. Which color did you purchase? Thanks very much!
Yesterday I happened upon the new season of, I believe it’s called, Making the Cut––the Heidi Klum/Tim Gunn design show on Amazon Prime––in one part of the show Ms. Klum appears to not be wearing any lip color and she looks a tad washed out, however in another section she’s wearing a very bright vibrant lip color and it’s too much (only my opinion, of course) so the question is: where’s the guideline for older women between not enough and too much. I find it a very hard thing for me to judge on myself after wearing a mask for such a long time and no lip color at all. And in the big picture, this is a very, very minor question––just one I’ve been mulling over. It feels like my face went into hiding for a year and now I don’t know how to present it to the world. Note to self: please go take a walk and chill.
I’ve got pretty much the question from a different angle. I’ve pretty much never worn lipstick but my top lip is rapidly disappearing (fun stuff). Thought a pale/glossy “color” would work best, but it turns out the one dark/bright color I trapped in a rare outing last year looks “better,” but I am still clueless (and pale as $&@“ if that matters)
ETA: I thought about giving this one a try but the price is a bit high for one so clueless in such matters.
CW you have put my struggle into words. I love a bright lip, and I really love a dark moody lip, but wow do they look harsh on me. I’m also lost on eye makeup. The usual looks overdone, but with less my pale eyes and lashes disappear. Mid-life invites (demands?) so damn many recalibrations: exercise, alcohol, sugar, sleep, makeup, hair, elastic waists….
Interesting you mentioned it — I’ve been noticing the same thing on girls of a certain age, including myself. Yesterday, I was in Nordstrom picking up a sale order. I allowed myself to get sucked into a Charlotte Tilbury Lip cheat liner in Pillow Talk. So much hype, but guess what? It’s great. I’ve never seen the point of lip liner before, but seems like it boosts neutral colors and slightly tones down bright colors in a pleasing way. So, it might be a solution for you. It also plumps things a little. The pencil is waterproof, so it really does make color last longer. I took a shower yesterday and after, got lip color all over the towel. I didn’t realize it would last so long. Guess I’m fully bought into the hype now :).
I blame the lighting. ; ) Oh, well, also those new cameras.
I have had great luck with Hourglass Confession High Intensity Ultra Slim Refillable Lipstick in the “One Time” shade which looks plum/mauve in the tube but goes on closer to a red. You can just add a little color or build up layers to get a darker lip and it’s more of a stain than a full on lipstick. Top with a little balm for some shine. There are a lot of shades and I had a Sephora salesperson help me with the color choice – I would not have picked it if she hadn’t shown it to me. Very little feathering and no cakey/chalkyness even though it goes on just a bit matte. Highly recommend checking it out!
Maybe it’s the New Englander in me who grew up idolizing both the earthy hippie looks of the 60s and 70s and the nautical prep school looks that are so prevalent there, but I’ve always preferred no lipstick on women of any age – with some exceptions like Debbie Harry. Give me Carmex or some plain balm, and I feel done. If I wear lipstick, I also just tend to eat it off within minutes.
I hate to suggest it, but honestly, you have to try it on to figure out which shade works best for your own coloring. There are shades called “universal colors,” but that’s kind of like “one size fits all,” in my opinion. The closest I could come to suggesting a flattering tone is a rosy shade for light/med skin and a berry shade for deep skin tones, but warm/cool, hair color, and eye color all play into what appears most flattering. Not to mention your style. Some older women look fab in a bright lip and nothing else. Others can wear a bit of beige pink and some mascara and pull it off well. I’m in the “less is more” as we age school of thought.
I wrote a piece about lip colors for women over 40 and featured a few different women trying on the same shades. Kim, if you don’t mind me sharing, here is the link. https://busbeestyle.com/go-to-lip-colors-for-women-over-40/
Ohhh, thanks for this – may give Pillow Talk and the Givenchy a shot.
Now that I have embraced my gray hair I love wearing really vibrants lips! Reds, corals and pinks. And I cannot wait to get back to Europe and the drug stores!