Last night I went to a company holiday part (not mine, obviously, since I’m unemployed). I put on red lipstick, MAC Red, so it was really red and I couldn’t tell if I looked glamorous or ridiculous. I think if you’ve got to ask yourself, you’ve already got the answer. My lips are pretty thin, and they’re thinning more with age. Also, my face is a bit lopsided and it was totally obvious with the lipstick since one side of my lips was uneven with the other side. Lipliner was no help, unless I wanted some Erika Kane lips. No thanks.
So I wiped it off and put on Avon Glazewear in a red color that’s been discontinued, but it was still too much. So I wiped off that too and put on Avon Glazewear in Charmed Rose (also discontinued but I’ve stockpiled). That has just a hint of rosy pink and it’s very shiny, so it’s always appropriate.
Now, what I would have worn – if were still available – is a sheer dark red lipgloss called Sin from Victoria’s Secret, of all places. I went through 3 or 4 tubes of it, and I would have stockpiled that too had I known it was being discontinued. It was the perfect red – sheer, dark, glossy – completely easy to wear. I’ve never found a replacement.
Anyway, a quick perusal of my lipstick drawer reveals several dark shades that I don’t think I can pull off anymore. My old favorite from college, Lancome Cognac (why I spend that kind of money on lipstick as a broke college student I’ll never know) , a couple more from Lancome, a couple from Estee Lauder. I don’t know what to do with these. I think I could wear these colors if they were glosses, a bit more sheer, more forgiving. I feel kind of foolish having spent that kind of money on products I won’t ever wear again. I think that’s also the reason I don’t wear high-end makeup at all anymore – I’ve already poured thousands of dollars into the Beauty Industrial Complex.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a replacement of Victoria’s Secret Sin? Sheer dark red and glossy?
