Lipgloss Can’t Solve All Our Problems But It’s a Pretty Great Start

Put on some lipstick and you’ll feel better. – Judy Erickson aka my mother

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I have at least 25 or more lipsticks and lipglosses. I am obsessed. My grandmother Maxine always wore red lipstick. British Red by Loreal was her favorite. She also loved Cherries in the Snow by Revlon. I don’t deny that I am a devout believer in retail therapy. If I need a little pick me up a trip to Nordstroms or one of my favorite stores does the trick. While my heart and soul says yes to shopping, my budget says no. But I still need a little something something. now and again. Enter lip gloss. Or lipstick. For me, it’s the perfect way to satisfy my craving of something new to brighten my day, mood, outfit, etc…. So I invited a few friends for lunch and to join me on my quest for a new lippie.

We decided on Nordstroms because they have an amazing restaurant and one quick escalator ride down lands us right in make-up beauty mecca. We had one rule. We weren’t allowed our usual go-to. Meaning Beth was not allowed to reach for another nude gloss, no baby pink for me, and Tina couldn’t even say the word rose. The mission – step out of our lip color comfort zone. It was hard. We had the right person for the job though! We started at MAC because it was right off the elevator. Marlene was the makeup artist working that day and I think it was meant to be. We loved her! She was so helpful and fun that we stayed there the entire time. She went to other lines and brought us all kinds of new products we had never tried. She was tough, too. She fought through all of our hard stares, grimaces, eyebrow raising and “no, that’s not for me statements.” I really don’t think the experience would have been the same without her!

Nymphette was a gorgeous shade that Beth loved but it was too light. I loved it but it turned out too light for me, too. We both ooohed and ahhhed over Money Honey and it didn’t work. It was perfect for Tina though. Beth and I thought we might strike out until Marlene introduced us to Deelight Cremesheen Glass. Neither of us would have reached for it on our own and it was absolutely stunning over Edge to Edge lip liner. Beth was sold! It looked pretty on me but Marlene thought I might have better options for my skin tone. She pulled out a purple glittery gloss. Purple. I smirked. She smirked. I swiped it on just to play nice. And LOVED it! Purple. Gloss. Date Night Dazzleglass! It’s my absolute favorite. On it’s own it’s just a nice plummy shiny hint of color. It brings out gorgeous colors in my favorite lipsticks. I also tried Rags to Riches because my beautiful friend Wendy wears it and I love it on her. So I asked to try it and luckily it worked. It’s a beautiful pearly pink that stands on it’s own or great blended with a lipstick.

Tina struggled a bit to find her perfect shade. She is blonde with fair skin that has pink undertones. Pink shades can compete with her skin tone. Marlene was awesome bringing other brands in for her to try. Bobbi Brown’s Bright Pink gloss was gorgeous on Tina and it’s her new go-to!

What did we gleefully walk away with? Here’s what worked for each of us based on our hair and skin:

Tina – light blonde with fair skin and pink undertones:

• Bobbi Brown Bright Pink Lip Gloss
• Kiehls Ultra Face Cream
• MAC Eyebrows Styler in Lingering

Beth – medium blonde, light complexion with pink undertones:

• MAC Deelight Cremesheen Lipglass
• MAC Edge to Edge Lip Liner

Shannon – Strawberry Blonde, fair complexion and pink undertones:

• MAC Date Night Dazzleglass
• MAC Rags to Riches Lipglass

Want a pick me up and a fun afternoon? Invite a few friends for lunch and shop for a new lipstick or gloss. Your face will look a little brighter and you’ll feel more energized. It worked for us!

• Beauty
• Books
• Cocktails & Cuisine
• Home
• Hunted
• Lessons
• Menopause Survival