The Classics: The five lipsticks I never fail to reach for every occasion
We all have go-to lip colors for certain occasions. I don’t know if it’s just me but I always have a shade in mind for a particular purpose and I’m glad to report that these shades have worked well for me every single time. Whether for work or when I’m attending events as a diplomat’s wife, my lip color was and will always be picked for a particular reason. They say fashion is a great way to send a message and I agree but that philosophy extends to my makeup, too. So not only am I intentional with the clothing I wear, I also choose shades that support my message - whatever it is for that day.
When I want to be heard
There are days when I feel like I have to speak up more. Speaking engagements are often when I want people’s focus on what I’m saying. Back when I was working full time as a TV reporter, I found myself always gravitating to red lipstick because I want people to draw people to the words coming out of my mouth. And it always worked.
My go to shade? MAC’s Russian Red. It’s the red that I always go back to – a rich, medium dark shade with blue undertones. It says matte on the tube but the formula isn’t as drying when compared to its famous sister; Ruby Woo. This was the first lipstick I ever bought with my own money. I’ve gone through so many tubes of this and I don’t see myself taking it out of my lip color rotation any time soon.
A subtly sexy pout
Charlotte Tilbury’s Bond girl (now, M.I. Kiss) has got to be my MLBB ride or die. It’s such a light, creamy formula that makes people second guess whether I have lipstick on or if my lips just naturally come in a warm shade of plum. On days when I want to cheat my lips into looking fuller, I use my lip pencil of the same shade to slightly overline my lips. It’s my go-to look for date nights and for when I need to take photos and videos of myself. Just because juicier lips look so much better on camera.
Pretty in pink
Part of the makeup journey (an addiction at some point for me) is knowing what looks best on you. Working with your skin’s undertones and just having a lot of fun. From getting excited at every shade on makeup counters, I’ve come to a point wherein I now gravitate to what works for me immediately. That’s how I got NARS’ Save the Queen in store and how it became my go-to pink. A liquid lipstick from their Powermatte Lip Pigment line, I go for this color on days when I feel extra feminine, polished, and proper.
This has worked so well for diplomatic events that this was actually the lip color I was wearing to most of the gatherings that happened right before the pandemic.
From work to an evening event
In my experience, nothing says boss lady other than a brick lip. Sure, a strong red is great for some power dressing but there’s a calm and cool type of confidence that comes with a brick lipstick. My go-to is another NARS product from their velvet matte lip pencil line in the shade Walkyrie.
Such a great lip color for daytime meetings that might extend to after work dinner and drinks.
Letting the eyes shine
And of course, this list won’t be complete without a go-to nude. When I want to go heavy on the eyes, I always opt for a toned-down lip. What has always worked for me is Tom Ford’s Blush Nude.
It’s a pinkish nude that doesn’t wash me out and makes my eye makeup pop every single time. My go-to lip for black tie events to give more focus to my eyes and outfit.
Of course, so many other elements go into a whole makeup look but for me, it’s always the lips that bring the whole look together. What are your go-to shades?
