The Power Of A Bright Lip

Bright Lipsticks

I didn’t used to like bright lippies. They scared me and to be honest, I thought they’d make me look like an old auntie. So I steered clear of bright lipsticks and lipglosses for many years.

Not long after I came to Australia, I remember browsing a local Priceline pharmacy where there was a sale going on at Revlon. For some unknown reason, my eyes were drawn to a particular ColorBurst lipstick by Revlon in True Red. It was a classic blue-toned red and hot diggity, it was bright. I knew I most probably wouldn’t wear it yet I bought it. I kept it in my lipstick drawer for months before I even took it out again.

One day, I finally decided to try it out. I applied it, looked in the mirror in horror at how bright the lipstick was but thought “I’m going to wear it, dammit. I’m going to try my hardest to rock this red lipstick“. When I got to the train station, I thought everyone was staring at my red lips and how daring I was to wear such a bright lip colour (I was paranoid, of course; no one batted an eyelid. Commuters weren’t even looking at me). As the minutes went on to an hour, 2 hours and up to 5 hours later, I felt my confidence go up several notches. My day may not have started off very well but it sure ended on a high note. Even though nothing particularly special happened that day, I felt different. I felt stylish and confident. I didn’t get a rat’s behind what others thought of what I wore or how I looked. I rocked that bright lipstick that day and it felt pretty damn good.

Bless you, Revlon True Red. Bless you.

Don’t underestimate the power of a bright lip. It can do wonders. πŸ™‚

Bright lips make you look like you’ve put in a lot of effort in your makeup

If you don’t have any eye makeup on other than mascara, wearing a bright lippie alone can make you appear as though you’ve put in a lot of work in your makeup when in fact, you really haven’t. I’m quite hopeless in doing that beautiful, perfect smokey eye look that shows a clear gradient in colour on the eyelids and most of the time, it would just be one shade of eyeshadow and an eyeliner for eye makeup. When I put my glasses on, it looks as though I might as well NOT have bothered with eye makeup because you most likely won’t even see that eye makeup.

However, once I apply a bright lippie, my makeup effort appears elevated by 100%. It’s my version of a quick and easy makeup cheat that guarantees positive results every single time. πŸ™‚

Bright lips give your overall appearance a lift

Feeling a bit drab? Looking a tad dull? Need to be somewhere for a special occasion but don’t have the time to re-do your makeup? My tip is to 1) brush your hair (that wind-tousled beachy, crunchy, messy hair look belongs at the beach. In my opinion anyway. Brush that hair, for goodness’ sake!) and 2) put on a bright lippie. Don’t worry if you don’t have any eye makeup tools to sort your eye makep out. Pop on that bright lippie, straighten out what you’re wearing (tuck what needs to be tucked in, etc) and see the difference.

Bright lips exude confidence

This is the most important point of having a bright lippie on. A bright lippie isn’t something most women wear on a daily basis (if you do, good on you!). I definitely don’t wear them every day. However, when I attend an event or when I need to meet a lot of people yet I’m not feeling very confident about myself, I put on a bright lippie and suddenly, it appears as though I’m a confident woman out to conquer the world. Sounds superficial, I know, but it works wonders. Everyday Tine may be nervous about a meeting but once she puts on a bright lipstick, Everyday Tine goes in and Superwoman Tine comes out. Superwoman Tine kicks ass. Call her an alter ego if you will but I love that confident, bright-lipped Superwoman Tine. πŸ˜›

Dior Rouge Brillant 844 Trafalgar

If you’re afraid to put on a bright red lipstick, start small with a red stain instead. If you’re use to nude, dusky rose, light pink, etc colours, try something different and go a notch brighter. In the selfie, I was wearing Dior’s new Rouge Brillant lipgloss in 844 Trafalgar. It’s a strong orangey-red lipgloss but can be blotted out to a stain. Don’t be afraid of bright lipsticks and lipglosses because you can always blot them out for a more subtle effect if you’re not keen on the full-on bright lip.

Having said that, bright lippies can also cause those godawful lipstick-on-teeth moments so make sure you have a mirror in your purse and check your teeth every now and then for any lipstick residue on your teeth. To prevent lipstick from getting to your teeth, stick your finger in your mouth and then pull it out. Your pursed lips over the finger will leave all that extra lipstick on the finger.

It doesn’t even have to be a classic blue-toned red. It can be a bright tangerine, eye-popping fuchsia or even a deep burgundy. It just has to stand out from your usual subtle colours. I love Bourjois’ Rouge Edition Velvet in Ole Flamingo (fuchsia), YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in No. 19 (purply fuchsia), Dior’s Rouge Dior in 999 (classic red) and many more. All you’ll need is mascara and a properly-applied bright lipstick. See the transformation!

Step out of that comfort zone and give bright lipsticks/lipglosses a go. Bring out that confident Superwoman in you. πŸ™‚

Homework for the weekend (if you’re not keen on wearing it during the week): wear a bright lipstick!

Do you enjoy wearing bright lippies? Which one’s your “kick-ass” lipstick?

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28 comments… add one
  1. Cecilia

    I have recently transitioned to bright lipsticks. It was not easy. For ages I unsuccessfully tried to find the perfect red lip, the one that compliments my skin tone and suits my properly shaped but oddly placed lips. Let me explain that last bite. The general form of my mouth is ok, but it’s too 3D and meets my face an odd angle. Well, now that I have described myself as a Picasso’s paint, let’s move on to the moment of epiphany.

    I bought the Bourjois Rouge Velvet Edition in Peach Club at a duty-free shop. I thought I would regret it because it was different from my usual nudes. Man I was wrong. This lipstick brings light to my usually greenish pale face, a miracle that no brownish pink could perform. From that moment on, it’s been all about orange. The MUFE lipliner in 25 C, the Rimmel Show Off Lip Velvet in Orange-ology, the Maybelline Color Sensational in Coral Crush and the Milani lipstick in Matte Passion. I’ve been eyeing the Clinique Mate in Mandarin and now, thanks Tine!, I want Trafalgar.

    The only con I find is that my teeth look yellower than they are, but hey, I’m not a smiler anyway. πŸ™‚ See what I did there?

    PS: still looking for that elusive red.
    Cecilia recently posted..Maridajes: Esta boca es mΓ­aMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Good on you Cecilia! I know it’s not easy but oh my, it does wonders, doesn’t it? If you like orange lipsticks, check out Tom Ford’s lipstick in True Coral or Ellis Faas Hot Lips in L402. They’re absolutely gorgeous. Oh yes, the Maybelline Colour Sensational in Coral Crush is on point too.

      For red, do check out that Rouge Dior lipstick in 999 that I was talking about (link in post). That red is perfection. πŸ™‚

      PS: Oh yes I saw what you did there. πŸ˜‰

  2. LeGeeque

    Spot on! I usually can’t be bothered with the rest of my face. A tiny hint of foundation to even out the redness, concealer and a tiny hint of blush but I’d almost always have a bright lip. My go-to is Guerlain Rouge G Garconne (thank PB and Xin please) or Rouge G Madame Batifole (purply) or Tom Ford’s Cherry Lush (I have it on today) and Crimson Noir.

    If I need to head out after work, I’d spritz on some perfume, brush my hair (yes, so proud of me?), touch up on my lipstick, check for runs in my tights and whee, off I go πŸ™‚

    1. Tine

      It’s so easy, isn’t it? Don’t even have to bother with eye makeup. Bright lips already make you look done up and presentable. And yes, so proud of you for brushing your hair. πŸ˜‰

  3. Megan

    I used to enjoy wearing bright lipsticks a lot more until I started having to wear it everyday for work! I find that since I wear red every day when I’m on a night out I’ll go for something a bit more unusual like a really deep purple or orange/coral. They are a lot of fun to play with and a great way to dial up a look.
    Megan recently posted..News and UpdatesMy Profile

    1. Tine

      I agree! So many ways to experiment with different types of bright lippies. Never a dull moment! πŸ˜€

  4. Allison

    Great post! Red rocks! So does orange. I love brights though surprisingly I don’t wear ’em quite as much as I used to. Urban Decay F-Bomb is my favorite red. Also, some liquid/opaque glosses from Milani. Tine, I love the lippie you’re wearing in the photo. What is it? Did I miss where you identified it.
    Allison recently posted..St. Patrick’s Day Face of the DayMy Profile

    1. Tine

      I’m really getting into orange too! They look so good and cheery!
      The shade I was wearing in the photo was Dior’s new Rouge Brillant lipgloss in 844 Trafalgar. I have the Rouge Dior lipstick in 844 underneath it as well. πŸ™‚

  5. BebeTaian

    I love my red lipsticks… I likely have at least ten, not including glosses and powders to adjust shades. Shiro Cosmetics made a few red eyeshadow shades (want confidence? Try those!) that are lip-safe, so when that lovely bright red in the tube turns neon pink on me, no problem! Dust on a deeper orange-red, and it looks much better. The only thing: *especially* if you start with a creamy or glossy finish, use a lipliner. Because they’re brighter and bolder, reds and bright pinks are especially noticeable if you have fine lines around the lips. You will discover tiny lines and cracks you didn’t even know existed with a single hot day and red lipstick. x.x Knock them out! Foundation around the mouth area (make sure your foundation is a perfect match for that, or do the whole face), then use lipliner matching or maybe a shade paler than the lip colour. Then layer on the lipcolour and blot off the excess, or apply with a lip brush for more precision and less waste. It’ll come out perfect every time!
    BebeTaian recently posted..3 Extra Strong Sparkly Glitter Magnets – Purple Pink Silver 1.25IN by BebeTaianMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Good point! I forgot to add the part about a lip liner for bright lips, oops! Once, I had a really bright red lip lacquer on (I think it’s one of the YSL Glossy Stains) but I didn’t apply any lip liner. By the end of the evening, when I got home, I realised that the lip lacquer had bled outside my lip line and sunk into the fine lines. It was SO ugly! Never again, I tell ya!

  6. Asha

    Oh, I LOVE a bright lippie! I have to admit, everything I buy lately has been either extremely bright or extremely browny-pink with not a damn thing in between! I will also admit that in general my favorites have not been high-end brands so much as slightly off the track and drugstore brands. Current favourites include MAC’s Positively Dashing (bright, warm pink) and Revlon Cherry Blossom (right on the border between pink & red), both of which flatter my Indian skin tone while being comfortable to wear. Iconic shades like Ruby Woo, on the other hand, ugh as much as I like the colour, it’s so friggin DRY my lips are positively parched!

    PS – Only exception to the high-end brands is Bite lipsticks, raided Sephora in Sydney last month and I’m positively in LOVE! Sigh…

    1. Tine

      Sadly, I can’t do MAC lipsticks. I really don’t like the texture of them. They’re so dry! But I have swatched Ruby Woo and I must say, it’s a very very beautiful red.

      I’m heading to Sydney in April and cannot wait to check out Sephora. Sure the prices aren’t as good as US’ but hey, I’m not going to the US any time soon and mama needs to SHOP! πŸ˜€

      1. Asha

        Puhleeze do not fail to try out a Bite lipstick (or a couple!) they are positively fabulous and if, like me you chew off your lipstick every couple of hours, it doesn’t even matter because they’re all food grade ingredients! Also their Agave lip mask is the bomb.com! Absolutely saved my poor dry lips!

        1. Tine

          It’s #1 in my shopping list! Even that Agave lip mask! πŸ˜›

          1. Asha

            Ssshhh! http://www.kleinsperfumery.com.au/shop/makeup/lips/all/ on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy has Bite Beauty products! Accidental find that made me dance around the shop like a crazy person!

          2. Tine

            Now who’s the enabler?? πŸ˜›

          3. Asha

            Guilty! I’ll take that! πŸ˜€

  7. Stephanie

    I absolutely LOVE bright lips! My bright lipsticks would have to outnumber my boring ones by at least 5:1. I just love how put together and confident a bright lip makes me. One of my absolute loves currently is the Clinique Matte Magenta lipstick, a beautiful shade and so comfortable for a matte lipstick.
    Stephanie recently posted..7 Days of MAC LipstickMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Oooh I checked out swatches of the Clinique Matte Magenta lipstick you mentioned and oh my, it’s absolutely beautiful! It’s so my colour! I’m going to check it out in store pronto. πŸ˜€

  8. MonicaP

    Funny you should mention this because today I have on Revlon Lip butter in Raspberry Pie (a bright fuchsia) .. and those were my exact thoughts .. yeah, I rock this color ..lol.

    Monica.
    MonicaP recently posted..March Ulta Haul and Mini ReviewMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Hehehe that’s awesome! Of course you’d rock that colour! πŸ˜‰

  9. Dawn

    I usually prefer to keep my eye makeup very basic and neutral, but I love bright lipsticks!
    I typically go for reds, orangey reds and corals.
    Have you tried (or able to get a hold on) the Wet n Wild Megalast lipsticks?
    Its really cheap, the shade range is gorgeous, long lasting and not too drying…I’ve got about 8 of them haha πŸ˜€
    Because its so affordable its a great option to try out shades that is out of your comfort zone, or rarely wear.

    1. Tine

      Sadly, we don’t have Wet n Wild here in Australia so I’m afraid I haven’t tried those lipsticks out. What’s your favourite shade of the lot? I’ll Google swatches. πŸ˜›

      1. Dawn

        We don’t have them retailed here in Singapore as well, but thanks to Carousell many people have imported them in and started selling them through the app! πŸ™‚
        If you do get to check them out in future, I really love Rosebud, Stoplight Red and Purty Persimmon!

        1. Tine

          I just Googled swatches. Oh that Spotlight Red and Purty Persimmon are so pretty!

  10. ellesees.blogspot.com

    i am the same way when it comes to bright lips. used to avoid them. now i love them.
    ellesees.blogspot.com recently posted..Ipsy Bag + March Chit ChatMy Profile

    1. Tine

      That’s awesome! What’s your fave?

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