I’m going California casual for the summer. Since this is the year I will learn to work with my waves and curls, I figure I should wear a uniform that compliments my soon- to-be easy going hair: graphic tees with a touch of neon, cuffed denim shorts, and the perfect orangey-red lipgloss.
I’m embarrassed to admit the amount of time I have devoted to finding the lipgloss.
In November 2010, J.Crew gave all the models in their catalog vermilion lips. Bloggers across the internet wept at the sight. Not since French sailor shirts and peony season has there been such furor online. One day I’m going to wear a striped top, paint my lips in Mac Lady Danger, and clutch a bunch of pink peonies. Then I’ll bide my time and wait for the internet to fall to my feet.
I joke, but that’s only because I don’t have the confidence to pull off opaque lipstick. On very rare occasions I do, but for the most part I feel like a 13 year-old playing in her mom’s makeup drawer. I can’t shake the feeling people are staring at me–or my lips–and my perfectionism is such that I never ascribe anything positive to their perusal. And orangey-red! I never imagined that color would look good on anyone who wasn’t signed to Elite.
Women of Earth: I was wrong.
Anna was the first to give me hope mere mortals could pull it off. Then Nicole mentioned she found the shade incredibly flattering and shared her three favorite orangey-red lipsticks. Done and done; I was ready to hop aboard the trend train, with some modification.
I wanted a wash of orangey-red color, something I could wear alone as a sheer or build up with liner for nights out or dressier outfits. It took me over 12 hours, multiple outings, and three rounds of returns, but I think Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Firecracker is the one. I’ve been wearing it over a week and I’m pretty happy with it. Turns out, lots of people are happy with it. (Redheads, this might be the red for you.)
I’m wearing it alone in the pictures above. I need to find a good lip liner, and I think I’ll get lucky with brands like Nars, Mac, or Laura Mercier. All three brands had lip colors that swayed me, but in the end Revlon won out. You would think I would find a pencil to match from Revlon, but my experience is the opposite. You can find a great lipgloss at the drugstore, but you’re best bet is to shop department store makeup counters for pencils with good pigment in a wide variety of colors.
Here are some other orangey-red lipgloss and lipsticks I liked.
- Lancome Color Fever Lipgloss in Fireworks
- Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colour in Clementine
- Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Shine in Sari d’Eau or Rebelle–I can’t remember! One of the lip lacquers was actually the perfect orangey-red, but I can’t wear lacquers. The hair sticking factor alone–never mind the sucking on a chicken leg look–kills me every time.
So lucky to have red{orange} lips! I’m beyond pasty white; I fear I look the part of clown when I don red lipstick. Sigh.
I don’t think you will with this one, Amy. It’s really and truly a wash of color. It is very, very faint and easily altered with a lip liner.
As a semi-redhead (and somewhat of a cheapskate when it comes to lipgloss), I will now be trying the shade you recommended… I’ve been looking for a red that doesn’t look absolutely shocking for a while now, and I’m really loving how this one looks. (Oh, and P.S. ~ Jules, that first picture of you is H-O-T! Your natural waves are so pretty!)
Haha! I may look H-O-T in that picture, but what caused that pose is an altogether different story. Let’s just say I was agonizing a gaffe I may have committed earlier in the day! I’ll have to blog about it next week. I’m sure it’s something we’ve all done. (It involves a wayward bra.)
Whoa Jules, you’re getting all crazy up in here! :) Love the neon top – where did you get it from? While more of a coral than red color, I really love my Smashbox gloss too. Perfect for the days I don’t feel like sporting the real opaque orangy red, and good for beach days.
“One day I�m going to wear a striped top, paint my lips in Mac Lady Danger, and clutch a bunch of pink peonies.”
Hahahahahaha! OK, here’s what I’m going to do. Put on a striped shirt, put on a straw hat, paint on my Lady Danger, and stuff my bike basket with peonies. I shall wear my oversized glasses as well. If only I had a pair of Bensimons!
I’ll join you! We’ll ride our bikes around the city, buy some balloons, and then go home and snack on macarons while we watch Amelie.
I die.
In a flash I just realized what my grandkids will be wearing at a “dress like it’s 2011” party in the year 2065.
Maybe I should go as a blogger for Halloween. I have most of the costume parts already. ;)
This is a seriously pretty colour. Gloss is the only way to go for me as I have, shall we say, ‘extravagantly proportioned’ lips and when lipsticked I notice people’s eyes following them with perplexed astonishment. Or so it seems to me. Anyway, so grateful you’ve done the leg work for me!
“…and my perfectionism is such that I never ascribe anything positive to their perusal.”
HA! I think we should start a support group.
I was a brunette for the first 25 years of my life, and as my skin has cool, pinky undertones, I always shied away from warm hues. But since I started dying my hair red a couple of years ago, I’ve noticed I can pull off shades like chartreuse and mustard (in clothing, of course) much easier than during my chestnut days. I was initially skeptical about orangey lipsticks, but you may have swayed me, Mrs. Fries.
Also, I love you for using the word “vermilion”.
In college I read a romance novel (Morning Glory by LaVeryle Spencer, I believe) that was set in WWII. One of the characters was a strumpet, and there’s a scene where they talk about her appearance, mostly about her overdone makeup. She had vermilion lips. I had to look up the word, of course, but I never forgot that description and it’s stuck with me ever since. Orangey-red will always be vermilion in my head.
Side note: I just realized the book was called Morning Glory. Wow.
The lipstick looks fantastic. I haven’t worn lipstick in what feels like years…too lazy and confused to pick one. I have to say though that this post reminds me of my grandmother. She used to wear the most awful shade of ORANGE only lipstick. She thought she looked so hot. She was wrong.
Tiff, I think this color would look fantastic on you. Also, your grandma would be the height of style right now. ;)
Me and my Revlon ‘Tropical Coral’ get along splendidly.
Oh, and by the way? You’re gorgeous!
That’s awesome lipgloss, but mostly I covet the shorts you linked. I watched Dirty Dancing last night and I’m thinking of pairing those shorts with a pair of kicky white Keds.
I know! Except I have thighs like battle rams, something Keds always emphasized. I’m looking at a collection of candy colored flip-flops to complete the look.
I impulse purchased matte red lipstick at Sephora a couple weeks ago. Then I got in the car and immediately wailed to D “This is magenta-red, not orange-red! Why did you let me buy this?! I look ridiculous.”. He shrugged (and expressed bewilderment at the idea that orange-red lipstick is a thing people want). I returned it the next week. I have the exact same 13 year old feeling. Can’t get past it.
Might have to try this, though. Gloss I can deal with.
I think you’ll like it. There isn’t much color to it at all. If you want to go bold, a liner is definitely in order.
Uh oh, just what I need more lipgloss! Okay, if I didn’t just walk through the door I would be at the drugstore this second. Love the color and you look so very pretty (as always)
I bought the gloss & I LOVE it! I too feel like
a flashing neon sign with red lipstick on!
Thanks Jules, you rock!!!
Awesome!! Glad you like it. :)
I never would have thought *I* could wear orange-red lipstick, but after seeing how pretty you look in the Revlon gloss and noting that our coloring is similar, I decided to pick up a tube when I was at WalMart earlier today. I stand corrected. LOVE IT!
Bonus: Hubby told me it was a sexy switch from the nude shade I’ve been wearing. Score!
Thanks for doing the research. You’re awesome!
Yay! That makes me happy. :)
p.s. Husbands thinking their wives look sexy is DEFINITELY a bonus. :)
Well, my local Target was sold out of the Revlon lip gloss in Firecracker — I am thinking you must have a large readership in northern Virginia.
I am so jealous of the natural wave in your hair! Mine is straight-as-a-board, and I can’t do California-casual. :( I would’ve never tried a bold red lipstick before now, but you’ve made it look quite fun.
Well while you might be embarrassed I”m thinking “why work hard when you could work smart” and plan on stealing your end choice because it’s great!
This redhead is off to buy and try this lip color!
i bought this over the weekend and its very different for me but it’s GOOD! ladies, listen to Jules! i have dark brown reddish hair, super pasty skin and dark eyes…this color works. it also makes this stay at home mom feel a little more current. LOVE IT! thanks, Jules!
oh ps: i also use ponds cold cream b/c of a long ago post when you discussed your skin care routine. i use it less in the (texas) summer, but it’s so great for me in the winter. great advice! :)
Yay! Another satisfied customer. :) I was hoping a redhead would try it. I dye the red out of my hair, but I *thought* it might be a good color for redheads. I’ll have to force my best friend to try it.
Hi Jules! Long time reader, however, this could be my first comment. You are totally rockin the “California casual” thing. Your hair looks fab, and I am going with your other fans and just may try the orangey-red lip color. I have “wavy/on the border of curly” hair myself. Have been fighting it in the past, but had a wonderfully freeing experience yesterday while I was rushing to get ready for a fun event: I let it dry au naturelle, with no product. Just sayin…it was great! Have a wonderful day!
I’ve been looking for a great orangey-red lipcolor! The one I have now makes my teeth look brown, which was surprisingly NOT the look I was going for. Hopefully this one will make my lips AND my teeth look good :)
I picked up my tube of Firecracker today!!! I love it!!!