Festive Lips

A red lip is everything and everywhere during the holiday season. From the streets to the workplace, from grocery shopping to elegant parties, you are bound to observe a seemingly endless array of bold red colors. Nowadays, there truly is a red shade for everyone. I love a red lip and find it classy and timeless, a look that goes with everything. But red is so predictable this time of the year!

Being that I have a lipstick obsession and hoard just about every color under the sun, it didn’t take long to come up with three festive alternatives that will suit just about every complexion, hair color and outfit. This is my alternative to a red lip.

MAC Plumful (lustre finish) – retails for $17 at MAC stand-alone stores and big departments stores 

This is a beautiful rosy-plum color, perfect for every day wear, as well as for special occasions. The luster finish is semi-sheer and provides a luminous look to the lips, but it does tend to fade more easily, especially after eating. However this is not a problem for me because it is one of those no-fuss lipsticks that you can reapply even without a mirror. The staying power is about 2-3 hours on me, which is not as long as a MAC matte finish, but on the plus side, it is not as drying as a matte finish. I would suggest pairing this lipstick with either MAC Soar or MAC Half Red lip liner for an intense look to the lips.

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lovecraft – retails for $21 at Sephora

This is a cool-toned matte mauve color, similar to MAC Whirl and very a la Kylie Jenner. The formula is infused with vitamins A, C, and E, and is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates (always a big plus in the lipstick world). Despite the dryer and thicker texture, the lipstick glides on easily and the color applies evenly with just one swipe. It does not feel heavy on the lips. The finish is a soft velvety matte and it feels comfortable and somewhat moisturizing on the lips, a sensation that lingers even after the lipstick wears off. It lasts for about 4-5 hours on me and I am happy to say that it doesn’t leave my lips feeling dehydrated once it’s worn off. It also has a slight vanilla scent, but I didn’t find that bothersome. The packaging is glossy black with a studded pattern, very beautiful and unique. It was designed by Kat Von D to resemble one of her favorite bracelets. I typically wear this lipstick on its own, but it can be paired with MAC Soar or MAC Whirl lip liner for a more dramatic look. As with all matte finishes, I would suggest applying a lip balm prior to lipstick application.

Bite Luminous Crème lipstick in Granache – retails for $24 at Sephora

This is a dark, cool-toned fuchsia color perfect to wear all year round and suitable for darker complexions as well. It is a beautiful, vibrant color that brings certain luminosity to the face without looking overly bold. It doesn’t dry up the lips nor does it cling on to or accentuate any dry patches. The formula is very moisturizing and contains resveratrol, an antioxidant with anti-aging benefits. It is also free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates. Being that I consider myself a lipstick addict (yes, I sometimes wear lipstick around the house even when no one’s around), it is important that I surround myself with more natural, detox formulas that I can wear and reapply all day without worrying about the damage that these lipsticks can do. This of course, also means that the formula is not long lasting and on me, this Bite lipstick fades after about 3 hours. The pigmentation however, is amazing and you only need one swipe. This lipstick color is a little more high-maintenance and it does bleed and stain, so be careful when applying it. I usually apply it with a light hand, pat my lips dry with a tissue and re-apply. The packaging is simple, with a modern design and feels a little rubbery, which I like as it makes it less likely for this lipstick to fly out of my hands.

What are some of your favorite lipsticks for this season? Do you gravitate more toward bold, audacious looks or go for something more wearable?