Enjoying the Small Things

Enjoying the Small Things

Signature Red Lips

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Important Friday business here–we’re talking lipstick, specifically RED lipstick, the Little Black Dress of the makeup world. I started wearing lipstick when I was a teenager, awkwardly stumbling into the makeup world with a multi-year commitment to Revlon’s Toast of New York, a brownish almost red that was popular in the 90’s and was a safe enough step down from a fiery red for a churchy homeschooled girl who burned her BMG CD collection because it was worldly. The store aisle ads of Cindy Crawford said she was wearing Toast of New York, and everyone in the Speigel and Chadwicks catalogues at that time seemed to be wearing a similar combination of brown + red + pink, so I felt “in” with the lipstick crowd. It wasn’t until years later that I’d step into the magical Land of Red with a swipe of Ruby Woo, and ever since there’s been a tube of red at the bottom of every purse I own. While I don’t wear red lipstick everyday (I’m having a current affair with Red’s cousin, Pinky Nude), I will forever be entranced by its instant transformative powers. Red pulls me together when I’m falling apart. It’s the smoke and mirrors I need on days when I’m feeling tired or doubtful: “I’m awake!” “I’m feeling bold!” And it classically pairs both with a black dress or jeans & white t-shirt as if they were made for each other. However, while there aren’t that many shades of black when it comes to dresses, there are numerous shades of red lipstick; and not all are equal.

Before I get to my favorite reds, here are a few red rules I live by:

1)  ANYONE CAN WEAR RED LIPSTICK! TRY IT! It’s the same rule that applies to hats. Anyone can be “hat girl,” but people shy away from a hat they really want to wear because they feel awkward the first time they wear one. You do not have to have a history of bold fashion choices to make a bold fashion choice, and red lipstick isn’t just for risk-takers. It’s classic. No one’s thinking about your lipstick except you, so get out of your head and wear the lipstick–don’t let the lipstick wear you.

2) Go light on the rest of the make-up. It’s like jewelry. If you’re wearing statement earrings, don’t also wear a statement necklace. Red lips are a statement, and they need to be balanced with lighter make-up on the rest of the face. I love a good smoky eye but only with nude lips. When I wear red lipstick, I try and keep everything else light and bright. Leave the gun, take the cannoli. Skip the dark eyeshadow, wear the red lipstick.

3) Define the edges. I might be able to apply nude lipstick blindly in the car while I’m driving and get away with it, but not red. I use red lipliner when I’m wearing red lipstick–or at least a super tedious application so that there’s no red bleeding out past my lip line.

4) Shade and texture matter. Sometimes, if I’m wearing something orangey, I’ll wear an orangey red lipstick; but for the most part, I like a classic red that has cooler tones because it makes your teeth look whiter. This is also true with texture. I love a good matte lipstick, but anything too matte can highlight stained teeth and make your lips look dry. If I wear matte, I always swipe on a little lip balm first and sometimes a little on top as well.

My Favorite Reds

Stila Stay All Day Matte’ificent Lipstik in Bisou – I get compliments every time I wear this, and it’s my go-to red lately. It’s matte but really soft and moisturizing, and it’s the perfect shade of classic red.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Love (625) – It looks like a gloss but applies matte, and it’s fabulous. Also, bonus points for inexpensive. It’s a bright fire engine red and all you need for a red lipstick if you want to keep your makeup budget at the drug store level.

Sonia Kashuk Poppy Nude 03 Velvety Matte Lip Crayon – I don’t know why the word “nude” is in this color because it’s clearly red. This is a little warmer red–great for spring and summer–and I love it. I also love that it’s a crayon (looks like a fat pencil) because I can use it as both liner and lipstick, and it applies really clean. Bonus? Inexpensive, easy to pick up on a Target run.

MAC Ruby Woo – (matte) It’s a cult classic and probably MAC’s most “signature” red. I’ve worn this shade for years and I find old tubes in sweater pockets and old purses.

MAC Russian Red — (matte) A cool-toned crimson. Did you know it was created for Madonna for her Blonde Ambition tour in 1990? It was during her cone bra stage, and MAC made it to match that vampy vibe of the tour.

MAC Powder Kiss in Style Shocked– This is my favorite orangey red (when I’m wearing something coral or orange). And I love the finish–it’s a moisture matte. You still get the look of matte but without feeling like you’re dragging a broken crayon across your lips. Weightless and non-drying.

My Favorite Valentine Inspired Looks

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Valentine’s Day is an especially memorable holiday for us because Dash is our Baby Cupid and shares a birthday with the day we celebrate love, but there’s a number of other reasons I love this February holiday–namely, having good reason to pull out Valentine-inspired things out of my closet. I’m looking at you, pink neck bow. Speaking of neck bow, taking the #1 spot in the list below is the perfect romantic neck bow blouse, at Target now. Also in this list–my favorite red shoes, the prettiest bra I own and a red skirt that made angels sing in the dressing room at Anthropologie last week. My Valentine-inspired favorites:

  1. Who What Wear Blouse with Neck Bow
    Let’s have a round of applause for the neck bow, please. You know I love my neck bows, and this blouse does it right–big enough so it doesn’t hang limply and balanced out perfectly by the delicate blush color. And I love the sleeves–fitted around the wrists and then subtly ballooning out into a little poof.
  2. Noonday Collection Orbital Earrings
    Aren’t these fun? They’re part of Noonday’s new spring collection, and every piece is divine. White t-shirt, jeans, and these babies is all you need.
  3. This Matte Lipstick (Color: Love)
    I keep this in my car console so I can quickly fix one of those “Dear God, I need help” situations when I pull the rearview mirror down to take a look before I step out of my car. It’s the perfect matte red, and it instantly makes you look put together.
  4. Heart Sunglasses
    Super affordable and F.U.N. I’ve been wearing them on my runs to trick me into thinking running is fun.
  5. Glossier Cloud Paint (Color: Puff)
    Santa slipped this in my stocking last year, and I’ve used it every day since (I also use it in Dusk). I love this soft pink color–all you need is a little dab on the apples of your cheeks to give you that natural flush.
  6. The Bee & the Fox “Mother” Tee
    Whenever I’m looking to add a new graphic tee to my collection, Bee & the Fox is one of the first places I go to. I love their simple tees, and this one’s blush/red combo is perfection.
  7. Halogen Emilia Loafer
    These were my favorite shoes I bought last year, and I wear them all the time. Red shoes are my favorite way take an outfit up a notch, and these work with everything–skinny jeans, skirts, black pants, overalls. And I love the shiny patent leather!
  8. Free People Adella Bralette
    I have this bra in three colors, and it’s the prettiest one in my drawer. It’s not super supportive, but it’s really great for loose shirts, strappy or off-the-shoulder shirts or anything low cut because it’s pretty and delicate enough to peek out without screaming “I’m a bra.” The tiny double string straps are a work of art.
  9. Pink Vans for Madewell (super affordable, on sale)
    The perfect blush color, retro vibes and that subtle platform sole…total score.
  10. Scarf Hair Tie
    I was given a couple of these for my birthday, and I’m in love. Lainey’s already stolen one of them. Instantly turns a workout ponytail into something chic.
  11. Anthropologie Sandra Belted Skirt
    Very Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley. I fell in love with this skirt the second I saw it on a rack when I walked in Anthro last week, tried it on, and the rest is history. If I wasn’t sold already, the other women in the dressing room did it for me. One woman walked out to go find one for herself and another told me, “If you don’t buy that, you’re crazy.” Thank heavens for the gift cards I saved.

Are you a dress up for Valentine’s Day kind of gal? There’s always the subtle route of a little pair of conversation heart earrings or shoe clips.

Earring of the Month

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This post is sponsored by Pair Piercing.

It was 1986. I was school shopping for the first day of second grade when I spotted a pair of yellow hoop earrings I was sure my dad wouldn’t let me get, but he said yes and thus the perfect back-to-school outfit was complete–a Modonna-esque trifecta of miniskirt, bulky yellow sweater and hoop earrings. I felt like an Esprit ad, the ultimate 80’s mark of confidence. I don’t remember any of the other earrings I wore as a kid, but I remember the hoops because of the memory with my dad and the way they made me feel.

Fast forward thirty-three years later, and I’m watching Lainey tuck wayward wisps of hair behind her ear as she slips the perfect delicate pair of heart hoops in.

“Did I ever tell you about the yellow hoop earrings I never thought my dad would let me get?” I asked her. I know I’ve told her.

We made our own little rite-of-passage moment from earrings last month when, after weeks of anticipation, Lainey sat next to her best friend she had been reunited with in Chicago, and the two of them got their ears double pierced together. Instantly, they seemed older. We commemorated the event with photos, they texted their friends, and the moment was filed under things I know they will remember.

It’s this rite of passage that inspired the idea behind Pair Piercing, a subscription box for girls that not only includes a beautiful pair of hypoallergenic, skin-friendly earrings (designed by luxury Brooklyn jeweler Page Sargisson) but meaningful expert-designed conversation starters on collectible stickers to help encourage heart-to-heart conversations with your daughter.

You get to choose all the details from how long you want the subscription (3, 6 or 12 month and you don’t have to remember to cancel it–it ends when you say it ends) to what earring club you prefer (Sterling Silver, Gold Vermeil or 14k Gold).

Your first box will also include an acrylic earring stand for organizing and displaying earrings.

I love all the meaningful details packed into each Pair Piercing box and how each pair of earrings is thoughtfully designed, age appropriate (Lainey loved the little “#/@” mismatch pair in one of the boxes!) and made to last. These are the keepsake earrings.

It’s the perfect gift for any tweent girl and a great way to celebrate milestones. And…just in time for Valentine’s Day! Have a little girl with pierced ears you want to show some love to? Order by February 8th for Valentine’s delivery. Join Pair Earring of the Month Club, and use Code ETST for $15 off.

I know there are a lot of subscription box products on the rise, but it’s so much fun when you find one that’s perfectly fitting for your child. The Pair Piercing box fits Lainey to a T, and I love that it’s more than just earrings; it’s about connecting and finding meaning in these little rites of passage buried in childhood.

As time feels like it slips by a little faster these days, it’s nice to have reminders to cherish these moments.

The little hearts on her ears are working.