Wear RED Lipstick and Show Your Patriotism

By Kim Myers

Red lipstick has been debated over for decades because most women feel they cannot ‘wear’ red on the lips. Anyone and everyone can wear red depending on the shade. There is a right shade for you. This particular article is going to focus on another subject too though and that is one of showing that we are true Americans and we’re going to flaunt this color, our color, with grace and pride. When I wear red now I think of the men and women overseas who are standing strongly for our country and for the ones who have lost their lives defending it. This also applies to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones and who have loved ones abroad. There are some folks in this country who take this subject very lightly but, I for one regard human “life” as genuine and sacred. Red is a very strong color. It represents the blood shed in this country to obtain freedom. I would like to see women all over the United States wearing different shades of ‘red’ as a tribute to our nations’ freedom and to those who are fighting for it and the ones who have lost their lives for it. Show off your beautiful smile and if someone asks “what color is that pretty red lipstick”, you reply the shade/brand and why you are wearing it. Be patriotic and stand for something because in our country at the present time if we don’t, then we might as well stand for nothing at all.

I received an email that depicted the U.S. to look haughty, ungrateful, and arrogant from a non-U.S. resident. Well, I can say this. In the past, the U.S. has been a bold and prideful country and as for being ungrateful, I think we’ve given more of our share of blood and money to more countries than I can count. Personally, some I think are quite undeserving but, that is just my opinion. This is where American women of every age and race can come together and do something as “one” and be “united” even if it’s something as simple as wearing red lipstick.

Here are some suggestions on a “red” for you:

Julie Hewett Cosmetics have a little round box of reds that includes six of her top selling reds she is famous for but, each can be purchased individually. Belle Noir (an orange based coral red); Rouge Noir (a classic movie star red); Femme Noir (brighter scarlet red w/blue base); Gem Noir (sheer, festive holiday red); Sin Noir (deep aubergine wine); and Coco Noir (brick color red ) for just about anyone because of its neutrality. juliehewett.net – ph.# (800) 761-6647

Besame Cosmetics is a line also known for its red lipsticks and rightly so. Each and every red has its own flair. Besame Red (regal red) is a great color for most; Red Hot Red (a Marilyn Monroe red); Red Velvet (maroon that can also be applied as a stain) makes me think of Angelina Jolie’s lips in the movie ‘The Changeling’; and Cherry Red (medium red like a cherry slushie) that looks great applied as a stain. besamecosmetics.com – ph.# (818) 548-2628

The Lipstick Queen’s Saint Red which is a sheer basic red good for most anyone or Red Sinner which is a matte/opaque version of the Saint Red are both good choices. lipstickqueen.com

The Shu Uemura cosmetics line has numerous “reds” of all categories. Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine #174S (a shimmery, glossy neutral berry red); Rouge Unlimited #195 (bright red w/bit of an orange base); R/U #134 (intense red but subdued orange base); and R/U #170 (bright crimson blue red). This line of lipsticks is very creamy. shuuemura.com – ph.# (888) SHU-5678
If you want to test your red on site, Merle Norman, Prescriptives cosmetics, Clinique, Mary Kay, Arbonne, and Avon are all good for having advisers/consultants who can help choose the ‘right’ red for you. You can also test your luck at a drug store until you find what you like.

Remember the Reason for your change to Red. Stand by your choice!

Fashion Show with a Retro 1940’s Look

This past weekend, I had the good fortune to be involved in a fashion show for one of my favorite stores, Christopher and Banks. If any of you have not been in this store you should really check it out. They have a lot of cute clothing with fun colors and the store is known for their blue jeans that slim your body 2 sizes down. My own mother actually had to go down 4 sizes and the jeans looked great on her. The prices are extremely affordable too, which adds to its allure. The dress I wore was a black and white floral that I decided to give a retro 1940’s flair complete with vintage ‘40’s makeup. Here is how I achieved the makeup look.

First, since my skin is fair I like to apply either “Yellow Cameo” by Besame Cosmetics which is a heavier foundation in a pot, slightly tinted yellow or “Garbo” by Julie Hewett Cosmetics which is a light ivory cream foundation in a compact. Both make the skin look very smooth and soft. Apply concealer where needed. Use powder sparingly over foundation, enough just to set. Make sure your eyebrows are a bit thinned out and have a slightly higher arch. For this I applied Paula Dorf eyebrow powder in ‘Brunette’ to darken and shape.

As for eye shadow, I kept it simple using “Shimmer Beige” all over the lid and “Socialite Brown” in the crease, both from Besame Cosmetics. Next, I applied a very stiff black line across the top eyelid across the lash line with “Caviar” cream liner by Smashbox. I used just a bit of liner on the lower lash line in “Steely” by Mary Kay and of course lastly apply lots of black mascara. On the cheeks, just a smithering of “Rasberry” blush by Besame Cosmetics was applied to the apples using a light hand.

Here is where the main focus comes in, the lips. This is what sets the whole ‘40’s face aglow, red, red, red, lipstick. I first lined lips with a MAC pencil in “Red” and then applied Julie Hewett’s lipstick in “Femme Noir” which is an astounding red for this period look. On some skin it can appear brighter than others. It is definitely not her brightest red. ‘Rouge’ and ‘Belle’ are even brighter.

I’ve modeled for this store before and it’s always a delight because women of all sizes, ages, and heights are profiled. I always meet many nice people each time I go, and never leave without making a new acquaintance. This time I met a girl named Christine who visits Israel and we shared our thoughts and feelings on many subjects regarding the Holy Land. Hopefully, we’ll meet again.

Tips from the Makeup Gal

Top 3 Spring Fragrances

Once again we’ve entered a new equinox and it’s time for that change of fragrance. During the warmer months a lighter scent is more preferred because the heat can make a scent permeate throughout a room and seem suffocating. I’ve narrowed my top choices I’ve been wearing down to three and I think readers will be pleased as these are quite the variety.
1. "Honey and the Moon" by Tokyo Milk is among one of the many fragrances of this line and the scent is intoxicating with notes of sweet honey, sugared violet, jasmine, and sandalwood all crushed and distilled to perfection. Their Bon Bon Lip Balm in "Honey Blossom" is also great and nourishing on the lips and both smells and tastes yummy. I like wearing this fragrance with Italian Bath and Body’s Honey line of creams and shower gels. Check out the full line of Tokyo Milk products at beautyhabit.com.
2. Betsey Johnson’s own perfume named after her is a very sassy and vibrant scent that is both uplifting and youthful. The bottle itself looks like something from a fairy tale. Wearing makes you too want to go around doing back flips and cartwheels like she does prior to all her fashion shows. The notes consist of grapefruit, tangerine, blackcurrant berries, pear, freesia, Muguet lily of the valley, apple, cedarwood, sandalwood, amber, musk, and praline. The mixture is delightfully pleasing and puts a person in ‘high spirits’ while wearing.sephora.com, fragranceshop.com, or fine department stores.
3. "Fantasia de Fleurs" by Creed has been one of my favorites for years so it’s been in my collection for years. It’s very feminine for the wearer with bouquet of Bulgarian rose, Florentine iris, and an infusion of ambergris. Love, love, love this one. The House of Creed was founded many years ago and their perfumes and fine fragrances are made with the highest quality of ingredients. You’ll feel like a princess surrounded by your fantasy of flowers with Fantasia (parfumsraffy.com, fragrancenet.com).