I've never worn lipstick.  I know very little about it.

Looking for suggestions. I do know that brilliant red is not what I'm looking for.  I think subtle is the right description.

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I love lipstick and the brilliant red is a favorite but it never looked right when I tried it.  Not everyone can pull it off. 
Turns out purple shades work for me.  Found this out from a color matching, or whatever they call it, at  Sephora.  It's free and they'll  show you how to apply it also.

Subtle is better for everyday wear. Look at your own lip color, relative to your skin/foundation shade and just push it a little bit. A little pinker, or redder, or darker. There will still be plenty of shades to choose from.

There are glossy finishes which are more of an attention grabber and need more care during the day, and flatter, even matte finishes that don't draw attention to the lips and last for hours without touch ups.



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Denise, it really depends on what works for you. I started with subtle before going with something brighter Go with shades that look good on you and that you like. Hugs
Mariah

I agree subtle then go bolder with reds. Hugs Shannon

I started with lip balm like the EOS. Then tinted lip balms. I am very careful to put actual lipstick on very light and spread it with my fingers if I'm trying to be casual. If you do that remember to wash your fingers afterward and remember that it can spread around and get on things. Especially cheap stuff.

Deep red colors will bring out white teeth. Dark stained teeth do not do so well. It may be this reason it may not look good on you.

I don't know how adventurous you feel.  If you are up to it, ask the sales person in the cosmetics department for advice on what colour will work for you.  They know this stuff.

I was in boy mode, but I had a trans friend (dressed) along for moral support when I bought my makeup.  My friend was telling me what items I needed and the sales person was picking the colours for me.  It was great teamwork.  I like the lipstick colour she picked out for me. 

The sales person was totally professional.  From talking to others in my support group, this is a common experience.  Regardless of the store, the sales people really, really want to sell you makeup.  They will do whatever it takes to make you feel welcome.

Quote from: Denise on December 15, 2016, 06:56:49 AM
I've never worn lipstick.  I know very little about it.

Looking for suggestions. I do know that brilliant red is not what I'm looking for.  I think subtle is the right description.

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk

I prefer Revlon's "Gentlemen Prefer Pink" myself. I love feel of it on my lips and the color is subtle yet very feminine.

I had gone to Sephora and Macy's  and had a great experience in both. The lipstick I use is complimentary to my lip color.

I have always enjoyed lipstick. I found that I prefer to choose the color to compliment my outfit. My current go to is a soft saddle color that goes well with fall colors and lately I have added a pinker variation to lift my spirits in the cold darker days. Spring and summer are filled with pink shades to match the flowers and brightness of my wardrobe. And of course there are some rare occasions that I can justify bright red....like now during Christmas time. This is an easy area to enjoy yourself and play with different forms of expression. - Anne

Thank you all for your comments.  I'm thinking of walking in to some boutique and saying - I got $$ make me over and if it looks good, buy it.

I just need to find a place that's not commission because it would be Dangerous.  If they are commission their main objective is to sell higher priced products.  However if it looks good in the end, isn't it worth it?

Another option is to find a cosmetic school and say - do you need a test subject?  Has anyone ever done that?

I used to wear black a lot, but that was always paired with porcelain white foundation. Sometimes silver. I've never dared to attempt red. Now I barely wear makeup at all and sport a far more gender neutral look. My girlfriend works as a cosmetician so that's always a plus if I ever get the urge to get all done up for a special occasion. (I think I clean up pretty well, when I don't feel like being a huge tomboy anymore. XP)

Well, since you brought it up I'm going to say it. Lipstick is my least favorite cosmetic fashion period. It looks OK, but I don't like having stuff on my lips and it gets on your cups, food or whatever. It gets messed up and needs to be redone all the time. I try to avoid it as much as possible. It's one of those wacky customs that began a few centuries ago as a men's fashion and gradually worked over to women of ill repute and finally to the feminine masses. After Max Factor and the movie industry made makeup a widespread practice the wearing of lip color became another one of those inconvenient female rituals that women endure or learn to enjoy. MTF TG people love it because of it's century or so association as a feminine marker, but it has no appeal to me.

I think a lot of people look just fine without lipstick. You can use makeup to emphasize other parts of the face as a focal point and leave the lips natural. Just take care of them so they look well enough naturally.

Hello Lyric, yes I agree with you that lipstick is high maintenance and that it leaves marks and that bare or lip balmed lips look more natural on many folks. For me, I spent so many years living drab that I just appreciate any bit of whimsy that I can include in my life. Color is one those things that reminds me to pursue magic so I will probably be hooked on it for life and hopefully be caught up in the magical whimsy of it until I pass. I can think of several pursuits or habits that do not give me such simple joy. But each to their own. Merry Christmas - Anne

well make up was seen as "unnatural" when it first made its appearance in North America, being seen as a European thing , since French women did use some but at the time, since "only those kind of women" wore make up, when most would pinch their cheeks to get that blushing tint which is a sexual response so is blood flow to the lips (making them red)! Personally , I believe the best make up is one that doesn't look like make up, retracing features , accentuating certain features and playing down others and lipstick (with lip liner) is a great way to add some volume and colour or even out top or bottom lips to be more symmetrical!  I also like the feel of lipstick on my lips , with some lipgloss , maybe a flavour if you like!


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I like to play around with various colors at home for fun.  but when i go out, i try to keep it natural but cute.  i find that burts bees lipcrayon looks really nice on me. they have many shades. it also doubles as lip balm, so two birds with one stone, am i right?

I like Revlon Colorstay. I can't stand lipsticks that don't last.

Lipsticks have to last.  Cherry Red lips, nails and toes for me this week.  Hugs Shannon

Quote from: Lyric on December 19, 2016, 12:27:53 PM
It looks OK, but I don't like having stuff on my lips and it gets on your cups, food or whatever. It gets messed up and needs to be redone all the time. I try to avoid it as much as possible.

As I smoke and drink coffee everyday, I also faced the same problem. Recently I purchased a lipstick product called "Yurica tattoo pen lipstick", which is available here in S. Korea, but probably can be purchased online overseas, too.

https://webuyforukr.wordpress.com/2016/08/06/yurica-lip-eyebrow-tattoo/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/YURICA-DUAL-LIP-TATTOO-PEN-4g-LIPGLOSS-4g-K-beauty-Make-up-/182309021565

Once applied, it lasts about 12 hours. It is relatively expensive, but is worth trying it. The product basically dyes your lips temporarily, avoiding any mess.



barbie~~