Lips
Amazon Jungle Beauty Secret: Lipstick Tree
I have been doing some volunteer work in the Amazon rainforest this past month and came across a beautiful tree with heart-shaped, red spiky fruits. My Peruvian host told me that it’s an Annatto, or more commonly known as the “lipstick tree!”
He ripped off a fruit, broke it in half and then rubbed the tiny red seeds between his fingers. The seeds produced the most vibrant red, creamy paint-like substance which immediately started to stain his skin. The lipstick tree has many uses for the locals, it is used as face paint, dye, lipstick and even to repel mosquitoes.
The color lasts for hours. I wish it came in other shades..
Summer 2010 Trend: Orange Lips!
The Spring/Summer 2010 runway was packed with orange pouts from Prada, to Twinkle by Wenlan, to Giambattista Valli, and everywhere in between! There is no denying orange as the must have color for lips this Summer!
Vogue Australia (top and bottom) features one of my favorite models rocking a neon orange lip and pink tips! To get the exact lip look that Abbey is wearing on the cover, mix MAC’s Lipmix in Orange, and their lipstick in CB96!
**The Orange Lipmix is the same color Pradas makeup artists used for their S/S 2010 show too! **
Even celebs are falling in love with orange lips! From left to right: Chloe Sevigny, Rihanna, and Selena Gomez.
The ad that started it all… Prada’s Spring/Summer ads feature models wearing bright orange, glossy lips. To get the look Pat McGrath used Makeup For Ever’s lacquered lipstick in 204, mixed with CoverGirl’s Shineblast in orange.
HOW TO PULL OFF ORANGE LIPS:
Orange is definitely an intimidating color for many but it is surprisingly wearable! Check out these 5 tips on how to make orange work for you!
1. Keep the Rest of Your Face Clean
The key to making a bold lip work is by keeping it the focal point of your look. With too much going on, you’ll look overdone and silly. Add a shimmery champagne eyeshadow, several coats of mascara and some bronzer and you’ll be good to go!
2. Mix It!
I love mixing lip colors!! You can make any lipstick work for you by mixing it in other colors. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars are PERFECT for this!! Try their Safety Orange with a drop of red or pink and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to find a shade of orange that works for you!
Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar in Safety Orange
3. Start with Coral
Coral is universally flattering and it is still technically orange, just a lot more subdued and less intimidating. Check out my post on how to wear coral (here)!
5. Consider your Skintone
Fair Skin: If you have fair skin, go for a sheer formula or a gloss. Peach tones also look great on pale complexions.
Medium/Olive Skin: Medium and Olive Skintones can pull off a sheer gloss as well as vibrant color-packed orange. It’s all about what you feel more comfortable in.
Dark Skin: I love a bright orange lip on darker skintones! It pops really well and you can go really bold. Generally, warmer shades of orange look best.
5. Go for Gloss
An orangey gloss is much less vibrant and a lot more wearable than a heavily pigmented lipstick. You’ll still get a hint of color and it looks amazing with a Summer tan!
How To: Treat Chapped Lips
Banish Dry, Flaky Lips Fast!
As it’s getting colder in some areas of the world (certainly not in LA!) lips are beginning to get more and more chapped. The colder climates cause skin to lose moisture, and our bodies to become dehydrated leaving our lips dry, cracked and peeling. Not only are chapped lips uncomfortable, they don’t look very cute either!
Follow these simple steps to help keep your pucker smooth and moisturized!
1. Grab a bowl of hot water and a washcloth. Dip your washcloth in the water and gently lay over your lips for 30 seconds or until the washcloth becomes cool. Repeat 2 times, and then use your washcloth as an exfoliator, by gently massaging your lips with it. As you massage, the dry flakes will start to lift and come off. Keep doing this until you feel like you lips are smooth.
2. Rub in a creamy lip balm like Aquaphor, or try Petroleum Jelly. Let this soak all the way into your lips. This will deeply moisturize. (PS. Aquaphor is amazing!!)
3. Once your lip balm is absorbed, apply a regular chapstick. Chapsticks are a little bit more waxy and therefore provide an awesome barrier to your hard-earned, moisturized lips!
Also Remember:
Drink Lots of Water!
Staying hydrated is one of the #1 ways to prevent chapped lips.
Avoid Licking Your Lips!
This may provide (very) temporary relief, but it is only making your chapped lips worse!
