Monday, February 4, 2013

Lipstick Bandits: Pink in Love


Pink? Groan. I suppose it's kind of my fault the Lipstick Bandits are attempting this color since I suggested it... even though half of us avoid it like the plague on regular days. But Valentine's is nigh and pink is seasonally relevant, so there.

I don't know if I've mentioned it on the blog so here goes: only within the last year did I realize that my skin wasn't warm-toned as I previously believed. In fact, I am neutral leaning cool. While this doesn't really affect my makeup buying (I don't really subscribe to the whole warm can only wear warm theory. I insist on my warm brown eyeshadows!), it does explain why I cannot pull off warm pink lipsticks. It used to befuddle me – this color that was touted as universal refused to work on my also-supposedly-warm-pink lips. Let's just say I gave up on the idea of pink for a long time.




By now I know what looks best on me and have amassed some great pink neutrals, but it was a fateful Bergdorf shopping trip that made me realize I didn't own a bright pink lipstick; the dire situation that I, of course, had to rectify immediately.

(I say that, but the more likely reason is I just needed something to be in that elephant case. Shhh.)



Exploring new ways to show a lip color? Yes, yes I am.


In the pictures, I am wearing the unabashedly bright fuchsia Paul & Joe Lipstick Refill CS Manège topped with Le Métier de Beauté Clearly Brilliant Lip Gloss. The lipstick is pretty on its own, but it really transforms into a stunner with a clear gloss on top. I've been wearing it for a couple of days now, but I haven't figured out why a touch of sheen makes it infinitely better. For the record, the lipstick is pigmented and has a balmy texture, so it's not because it's drying or anything.


The other part of the Lipstick Bandit assignment was to incorporate the pink in a Valentine's Day look. In my experience, a well executed smokey eye for a date never goes wrong (wink).

And the best part of Lipstick Bandit days, lots and lots of other Lipstick Bandits posts!

And new to the Lipstick Bandits this time around:

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Rouge Bunny Rouge Time Defying Foundation in Wheat Cream
Guerlain Meteorites Perles du Paradis
Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur in Light/Medium
Le Métier de Beauté Eye Brightening and Setting Powder in Revive
Le Métier de Beauté Dualistic Eye Pencil in Tamarack
Dolce & Gabbana Femme Fatale Smooth Eye Color Quad
THREE Flash Performance Pencil Eyeliner in 08 Eye On
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Suqqu Balancing Cheeks in 02 Mukuge
Paul & Joe Lipstick Case CS 006 and Lipstick Refill CS 080 Manège
Le Métier de Beauté Clearly Brilliant Lip Gloss
YSL La Laque Couture in Jade Imperial

Accessories:
Jennifer Zeuner Mini Bar Necklace

42 comments:

  1. I love love love this color, it looks fab on you, Xiao!

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  2. I honestly think you look amazing with that pink shade! And those sexy smokey eyes are just perfect with the whole look!

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  3. Love the bright fuchsia on you! You rock the smokey eye too. Love your experimental picture :-P

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  4. Wow, what a beautiful colour! me want
    I love this look on you.

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  5. Yay! I always love the lipstick bandits! I think this is a great. bold pink- very modern and, with that lovely smoked eye, very sexy.

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  6. *flails* What a kissable pout, Wandz! I used to be quite stunned too that on me, a variety of warmer pinks looked like someone pasted someone else's lips in lieu of mine. And that Paul and Joe packaging... I want!

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  7. I'm more warmer toned than I thought (darker skinned warm toned). For the longest time I thought I was 'cool,' and wondered why whenever I'd wear darker plums (rather than more rich coloured hues) I would look off. And then I came to the realization that I am actually warm toned. It's such a crazy thing to think you know your skin so well and it turns out you may not know all!

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  8. LOVE this shade on you! Glad you figured out what shade of pink works on you!

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  9. I agree! That warm on warm, cool on cool rule is not always appropriate or even true. REBEL. But this is gorgeous and fun on you!

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  10. Wow that colour is gorgeous on you! And your pics are stunning (as are you)!

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  11. EEEE OH MY GOD THIS IS TOO MUCH! So gorgeous!!! Love your funny face too ;)

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  12. You're right! This lipstick totally suits you! I've never thought of you as being cool toned, but I really see it now. You're gorgeous! :)

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    1. Just very very barely. I actually think I'm neutral that leans toward the cool edge, which is why warm stuff doesn't necessarily throw me off.

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  13. You look stunning in this color! I'm ordering myself one too!

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  14. Here it is again! JUICY SWEET. <3 Great bright pink on you, Wandz!

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  15. Is the gloss worth it? It's expensive but I love clear gloss when the texture is right, and the packaging is lovely!

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    1. It's hard to answer if anything is "worth it." The LMDB gloss has phenomenal texture and is really hydrating though. I prefer it over the Ellis Faas clear lip gloss.

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  16. Why yes, yes you do pull off the bright, cool-toned pink VERY well. Jealous!! :P

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  17. *Flailing* It's official: you should no longer avoid pink! This color looks AH-MAY-ZINGG on you.

    xo
    ♥ Jessica

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  18. Eeee! You are the most adorable, my dear Xiao :o) I'm absolutely head over heels for this lip -- divine!

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  19. I love that color, and it looks fabulous on you. And the packaging is SO CUTE! I love the little elephants.

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  20. this color is AMAZING! I want it. i love your funny faces :)

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  21. Manege + clear gloss could pass as YSL glossy stain! Nice job!!

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  22. That pink pout is just irresistible ;) As is that elephant case, do want! Gorgeous as usual Wandz, loving that smoky eye with your bright pink lip.

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  23. Hey Xiao,
    Your photo always wows me :) Love that cute lip look on the first picture <3
    That Paul & Joe packaging is sooo cute, love the elephant prints.

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  24. rereow! loving the new ways of showing lip swatches, how do you manage to actually look good holding those poses?! I think it looks great with a clear gloss on top, very juicy and anything in an elephant print can't be wrong.

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    Replies
    1. Gahahaha! I was just fooling around in front of the camera honestly. Sometimes you need to spice things up to keep it from being stale ><

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  25. OMG you cracked me up, Wandz! :D :D I do like how this looks on you. Its very brightening to the complexion and I loved that you did a strong eye even with this strong lip colour. Gorgeous!

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  26. I swear figuring out your undertones is rarely ever as easy as all those guides out there make it seem. That aside, this P&J lipstick is gorgeous on you. I really cannot emphasize this enough, GORGEOUS.

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  27. that is the most adorable packaging i have ever seen!

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  28. Can you share some advice on how you figured out your true undertones? I am always confused by it!

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    1. Honestly, it's trial and error. I thought I was warm just because my skin is yellow, but that's not necessarily true. I realized I look slightly off when I wear warm pinks or warm corals or warm reds, and better when I wear things that edge toward cool (but not *too* cool), which is why I *think* I am neutral cool.

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