In the words of my bestie, Vanessa, “It has Wintered!”
In Toronto, Winter like almost any other season in this beautiful city is quite unpredictable. In what must be our warmest January ever or at least in my life time, we have seen temperatures rise far above what is seasonal and drop without much warning. But it has indeed Wintered. A coat and scarf are necessary when facing the brisk Southern-Ontario winds and grey days even if there isn’t a lot of snow on the ground. And just like our bodies, our lips need some winter loving too.
Just what are Winter colours anyway? I have a theory that is only self-tested, so take it with a grain of salt if you must, but I like cooler tones and darker hues in the winter time. Perhaps it’s because it’s mostly grey and white out and most of the warm things we wear at this time of year are black or blue or beige. But a darker hue on some brown skin, even if that skin has lightened some (Oh sunshine, how I miss you!), is contrast enough to provide a wonderful accessory and maybe even a ray of warmth oddly enough to a potentially cold day. I do have another theory that works in any season and it is The Opposites Theory which is to do the opposite with your accessories than what is expected of you. For example, pull off a hot pink while in your parka and grey hat for Winter and a deep blue while in your shorts and swimsuit on the beach while the sun kisses your skin in the Summer time. This approach ends up being contrast enough to show both uniqueness and confidence and will highlight something about you, whether that thing is skin or outfit, that is unexpected.
In this post I’ll explore some of my Winter faves when it comes to colour and the moisture we so often need in the dryer air that Winter sends our way. (stay tuned for the Lip-Care Post.)
Fearless by The LipBar reminds me of another favourite I’ve mentioned here many times before. Visionary by Maybelline in their Superstar Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick line is a colour I wore A LOT! My second bottle is almost out. This more subtly placed greyish purple goodness goes on easy. I am always grateful for the easy transfer of colour from the stick to my lips. And even though it is matte, it isn’t ever drying or too thin to provide beautiful shelter for lips in the Winter winds. And if I’m ever in need of a confidence boost, the name of the colour will do just that.
Bestiboo in a Demi-matte lipstick by Covergirl was a beautiful delightful surprise that I need to add to a sequel to the Colours That Scare My Mother, LOL! I didn’t know this Demi-Matte thing is a thing, but why not? It is thick enough with enough staying power to be a Matte lip, but with all of the moisture of a satin. Fascinating indeed! The baby-blueness of it has a hint of Easter in it and pops just enough to change the entire look to something exciting, perfect for Winter and Blue hair. This little drugstore pickup does not disappoint.
Clapback in the Mattemoiselle line by Fenty Beauty also garnered a response from Mama that was so exciting and brought so much joy to my face. This. Lip. Is. All. Things. Matte! It is dark beauty and it is a statement so make sure you want to make one when you wear. I was surprised at this little sticks power to shock ad satisfy at the same time. It goes on easy without the feeling of oils or grease and even lasted 45 minutes in a hot sweaty mask, with only a little residue left on the inside of my mask. What’s great is that they are completely affordable and come in a variety of shades. Needless to say this is my favourite colour from the line.
Times Up by ColouredRaine is a great dark purple-blackberry rich matte lipstick with some moisture in it. It felt like I was wearing Vitamin E in a fierce shade. This is a #WearItLikeYouMeanIt shade, for sure! It also reminded me of another Superstar Matte Ink favourite, although still lighter in hue, it gave me a similar feeling. That being said, Escapist by Maybelline and Times Up by ColouredRaine are still different enough for any lipwearer to own both…you’re welcome! 😎
And just for a little fun, I decided to add a tiny ombre feel by mixing in a little bit of Bestieboo…I absolutely loved it! All of a sudden I had all of the purples on display in one look. So much fun! See photos below.
But every now and then a nude will do. It’s always refreshing to see how a proper nude look in the Winter can be just as refreshing of thoughts of Lemonade on a hot beauty day. So for nude I went with the best, Pat McGrath Labs has a wonderful experience waiting for me every time I wear 1995 from the MatteTrance line of lippies they offer. This one goes on like velvet, like all Pat McGrath lippies do and completely covers my whole lip, (hiding any residue of blue 😲) and staying on for as long as I would like it to be there, but also coming off with so much ease, one would think they should reapply before bed.
Remember the Opposites Theory I mentioned earlier? Well these two colours do just that. I have 3, Violetta by MAC lipsticks in my lipstick collection. All gifts! I know good people. I’ve given one away but since I’ve tried the last two, I keep one close and the other ready for action. This is a satin lipstick that was one of the first to encourage me to try textures other than Matte again. It’s a pinky, purple, hint of iridescent kind of colour. It is so pigmented even though it is a satin and if you’ve had this one on for anything longer than an hour, you will also have a bright pink lip stain once the lipstick is gone, so wear this one like you mean it too, because your lips will have it on for a while. The second opposite selection is this great Superstay Matte Ink Lip Crayon by Maybelline that comes with its own sharpener right in the top of the cap and is probably a hit in the Summer. When I wear this in the winter it hits differently. My skin’s yellow undertones seem to welcome the slight yellow undertone in this orange-coral, red called Laugh Louder. I am here for it!
This second last one was a Winners find on a random day after work, pre-pandemic times that I often surprised myself with. It’s a pale mauve sort of colour by Anastasia called Poet in a matte liquid lipstick. It’s distant relation to purple is just enough to make it a Winter wonder, but it is light enough to almost fool anyone into thinking that this is a funky subtle nude. Anastasia rarely disappoints, and though this one doesn’t last through your favourite sandwich as well as the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink ones do, it still hugs the lips long enough to make the perfect statement. I also just love the name of the colour. As a singer songwriter, I can relate. What say you?
Last but not least and probably the only red related colour out of the bunch, is this rich dark burgundy fave of mine…it’s almost done and I was sad to discover it to be so. Superstay Matte Ink in Voyager is the daytime Winter Red that is appropriate for my teacher life and yet daring enough to accompany my personality long into the gigging nights I may have. This one stays on. Find your favourite eye makeup remover or coconut oil to remove this one, because it will not leave without permission.
My loves, I would so enjoy hearing about your own Winter favourites and combinations. Do you use the Opposite theory for your lippies as well? And please know that the Winter colours do not stop here. Go ahead and choose what makes you and your pout happy. No matter which season we are approaching , or even if your blessed self lives in a beautiful tropical situation with wet and dry seasons, choose that lipwear and please #WearItLikeYouMeanIt and mean it when you do! See you soon or on the gram!
thelipstickblogger.com 