Lasting Lips

BOLD LIPS. We have seen the trend all over the red carpets and ramps this year. Amazing!

OOOOH!
We buy!
We try!

We fail.

Red lips bleeding out, bright pinks transferring to clothes and rich berry shades fading to patchy baby pink. The eternal problem we encounter when wearing those notice-me bright or dark colours:  HOW do we get them to STAY!!? There are ways. I'm not even going to try and spice this up... it's quite a process.

There is some helpful product knowledge we need first apply during the purchase stage of our quest for the everlasting.

1. Frosted lipsticks last longer than the moisture-rich variety. They can, however, dry your lips out.
2. Glossing over your colour will lessen the staying power.
3. Matt, non-frosted lipsticks do come in made-to-last inexpensive varieties, which can be great. Shop around.
4. Invest in a lip liner pencil the same shade as your lipstick.
5. The last all day, set with a glue-type gloss products are amazing and really do last all day. They also tend to peel off and don't layer well for touch ups. This can give the impression of some strange skin problem. Choice is yours.
6. Highlighter powder (used for eyes and cheeks) can help staying power and also give the illusion of fuller lips.
7. Following on 6, powder sets cream.
8. Lip "stains" are a great option for mess-free colour.

My favourite long last products:

Wet 'n Wild is finally here in SA. Available exclusively at Clicks. www.clicks.co.za

 These Mega Last lipsticks are fantastic and really last for hours.

 Tube looks like this -Available in fantastic red, orange and berry shades.

...And also available is a rich gloss variety. "Megalast"

And their "Balm Stain"

I also like Revlon "Just Bitten Kissable". A fantastic lip stain that never needs touch-ups.

If you're willing to spend a little more, MAC has a great variety in their "Prolongwear" range.

The secret process. 

The order in which products are layered can help. This is what works for me:

1. Apply primer and then foundation to your face AND lips. Many people avoid the lip area.
2. Powder (preferably translucent) over it to set.
3. Line lips with a pencil in your chosen lip shade.
4. Fill the lips in with the liner.(ie: colour in the lip area.)
5. Apply your lipstick.
6. Blot with a tissue
7. Powder to set. Hold 1 ply of blotting tissue to your lips and dab the powder over the area.
-If you apply the powder directly to the lipstick without the tissue for even more staying power:
8. apply more lipstick and blot again.
-For fuller lips and extra-extra stay:
9. Using your finger, apply the before mentioned highlighter powder using a dab and roll motion from the cupid's bow outwards to the corners of the lips. Top and bottom.

Remember to check there are no lipstick stains on your teeth and GOOD LUCK!

xoxo B xoxo

Fairy Hair

So my sister came from the salon in a trendy area a few months ago wondering what was going on in the world. There was an entire salon of unrelated women getting their hair dyed in wild colours. We discussed it at medium length and had a good laugh. Well, the joke seems to be on us. I have since noticed the interesting trend emerging in the world of beauty. What I like to call Fairy Hair.
Lilac, blue and pink locks are popping up all over my Pinterest, Instagram and Blog feeds. I even met a young lady in Clarens, SA, who is something of a local phenomenon due to her love of (and courage to wear) these unusual hair colours.

I have to admit that when that purple-grey hairdo first popped up on my screen gracing the head of extrovert, Kelly Osbourne, I was not a huge fan. Perhaps the combo of her vintage dress style and classic retro up-do's made the look a little sheep in wolf's clothing for me. I have, however, begun to like it in other styles I have seen on her since. It suits her image for sure and I didn't understand her [stylist's] vision. Clearly.

The trend is now being spotted on all sorts of celebrities, from Rock Stars and  Pop Stars to models, actors, teens, emos, goths, rich housewives and internet celebs.  I haven't been able to pin this trend to a specific group of people, and that intrigues me.

The decision to follow this trend is, of course, a bold one and not to be taken lightly. I am sure that the corporate environment, in general, would not approve. I do however find myself becoming a little (very) obsessed with this look. It is so whimsical and futuristic while staying feminine. Something very different, which I love.

 I especially love the lavender colour. As a make-up artist I'm sure I could pull it off in the work environment, but to be frank, I don't have the courage. Perhaps a wash-out version in an ombre style would be the safest first attempt.

My grandmother was quite a rebel in her day I think, and told me a story once about how she always wanted pink hair, but nobody would do it for her. Amazing how times change. :) I have noticed that the look can project a diverse array of connotations and walks a fine line between tacky, kawaii and classy. If you do decide to give this look a bash: Choose your shade and styling wisely, find an amazing colourist and wear it with massive amounts of confidence!