Red Lip

Today I was going to write about what looks are perfect for the Holiday season, a classic cat eye and red lip, but then I remembered something I have noticed through my many years in the cosmetic retail industry, a lot of women are scared of red lips.

I have found that in general, a lot of women are scared of bright colored lips, but I’m focusing on red, because red looks good on everyone, yes, everyone. Red doesn’t discriminate, women of all ages, skin tones, life styles, can wear a red lip. Red lips can be dressed up in a gown and walk the red carpet, they can go with a suit and work at the office, they can be in jeans and a T shirt and go pick up groceries. There is nowhere a red lip doesn’t fit in.

I have no idea why this nude lip faze has taken off, and to be honest, I can’t stand it. We have lips for a reason, they’re sensual, they’re voluptuous, and they’re perfection. If humans weren’t meant to have lips, we wouldn’t, so accentuate them.

Now I know going from wearing a clear gloss every day to putting on a red lip is a huge leap for some, and I know it takes getting used to, but come on ladies, give it a try.

When I am working with a client who is looking for a dressier, more elegant look, I instantly put a red lip on them, and no matter how shocked they are at first to see a red lip, I tell them to trust me, and that by the end of the night they will be in love with their lips. Just like dentists (9 out of 10) come back and say that not only did they fall in love with the lips, but everyone else did too.

There are a plethora of red lipsticks on the market, so how do you pick the right one? In one word, try. There are orange reds, blue reds, classic reds, creamy reds, matt reds, and some reds even claim to do the dishes, just try them on, if you’re going to be trying on reds though, remember they stain your lips, so to get a good comparison, cleanse your lips with a good makeup remover in between colors, and make sure you have a good moisturizing balm for after you try them all.

Some brands that have some great reds (in my mind) are Guerlain, Dior, YSL, Chanel, Revlon, MAC, Elizabeth Arden, and many more.

Reds have been popular ever since before the invention of lipstick, so why break a time honored tradition by hiding your lips.

I want to close with something once said by Coco Chanel, that I have held close to my heart as a makeup artist, and strongly applies to today’s topic.

“There is no such thing as an ugly woman, just lazy ones.”

Curli Que

Saturday December 3^rd was the grand opening of Curli Que, the latest addition to the internationally renowned Blanch MacDonald Centre, and I was one of the privileged few to see the space on its opening day.

Curli Que is located in Vancouver, B.C. at the corner of Robson St. and Homer St. and is a massive space with over 25,000 square feet. The building is not just a store, but will soon be home to a hair and nail salon, Blanche MacDonald offices, and a hair campus. The space is breath taking, full of natural light, and a very elegant open concept layout. When you first set foot in the space you’re over whelmed (in a good way) at all the space and beauty that lay within.

The store houses a wide array of hair and makeup products, all essential to any makeup artist, or makeup enthusiast. Offering brands such as, Kevin Aucoin, Eve Pearl, NYX, Bumble and Bumble, and my personal favorite, Make Up For Ever just to name a mere few.

In addition to all the great brands of hair care and cosmetics, the store is also the exclusive Vancouver location for Glamcor makeup cases and lights. If you have not had a chance to see a Glamcor kit, run to check them out. The kits are both beautiful and functional for any makeup artist who travels frequently, having lights recessed into the mirror who’s brightness can be controlled by a mear tap of your finger, temperature controlled, so your products do not melt under the lights, and you can plug in your MP3 player and play your music through the built in speakers. In addition to the kits, Curli Que also offers the light systems, which are great for anyone in need of some extra lighting while they work (tattoo artist, makeup artists, etc…) The LED lights stay cool to the touch and are attached to moveable arms, so you can angle them in anyway needed, and also come in a handy carrying bag, so you can fold them up and be off to your next gig in no time.

The staff is very knowledgeable and extraordinarily talented, I say this having worked with several members of the team. In addition to the staff, former Blanche MacDonald student, and International makeup artist, Timothy Hung, created amazing looks for the stores promotional and decorative features. His work is prominently displayed throughout the store, and was set on a colossal scale outside the store during construction.

Curli Que is Vancouver’s newest and hottest cosmetic and hair care destination, you will be truly impressed with the store, and the vast range of products they carry. I highly suggest you check them out as soon as you can, and check back there often, as they are expanding their range of products daily.