Red Lipstick and Me

Red Lipstick can be worn by women of all shades and colors, because there is a shade and color for every woman!

    There was a time I did not believe that.

  In my youth, wearing red lipstick was a point of debate in some circles of Black culture.  White women could wear red lipstick, but if dark women wore it, there was a negative connotation to this cosmetic choice because of all of the racist images and caricatures that existed back then. However, this controversy resonates in social media to this very day: Models with dark skin are harshly criticized for sporting red lipstick by other black women. 

                       

We avoided wearing red lipstick because of racist depictions in media. Image from museumofuncutfunk.com. 

In addition, red was considered a racy, loose color. If you weren't wearing it as a costume, then it was not considered acceptable.

But then, I saw Dorothy Dandridge. She wore red lipstick. Red, matte lipstick and her brown skin was like mine. This film icon exuded tremendous elegance, beauty and class. So I thought maybe I should give it a try!

       

It took a few try-ons to find the right one, but when I started getting samples from my Birchbox every month, sometimes there has been a red lipstick sample inside. It was one of those samples that really did it for me; the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick was matte, and it lasted all day long. I felt like a glamorous movie star! I immediately ordered the red in the sample and I've been hooked ever since. 

I don't wear it all of the time, but when I do, it's because it is planned; the eyes, lips, hair and outfit all frame the lips.

 

I have learned that there are many shades of red to enjoy, from deep reds that resemble rich wine to bright rubies that scream Hollywood starlet. I now own several to match any mood or occasion. The interesting thing is, wearing the color red has also made me open to experimenting with many other colors that I had once considered risqué or too much for my age and complexion. I have rocked everything from blue to light pink; it all depends on how you wear it and how confident you are to sport any look!

So, I am no longer afraid of wearing this timeless lip paint that creates as much controversy as it does conversation. It is a powerful, sexy shade that, if matched correctly, is attractive on women of all skin colors! What is your favorite shade of red? Leave a comment below!

  

                          

                                          

What's Good! | February 20, 2017

What I'm Excited About This Week

See This! 
Alvin Ailey Dance Company - When this extraordinary company of dancers comes to town, I do not miss a performance. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, now in its 59th year, is designated as " a vital American cultural ambassador to the world" by a U.S. congressional resolution; this vibrant, energetic group of artists is a spectacle to behold, with soul-stirring choreography from the late Alvin Ailey in modern dance. Additional pieces from Ailey contemporaries also fill out the repertoire. When they come to your city, be sure to get a ticket, a bring along a friend!

Read This!
The History of Wine in 100 Bottles - While it stands to reason wine has been around forever - archaeologists date wine making as early as Ancient Mesopotamia - it is also interesting to know the many implications for wine usage throughout history. Author OZ Clarke explores the history and significance of wine while examining 100 bottles that represent wine and winemaking as it relates to its social, economic, religious and cultural impact through time. This book is a great accessory for any bar cart or coffee table, available on Amazon.

Wear This!
 Capsule Wardrobe Essentials - I recently purchased an anorak jacket to go with my brown leather backpack, and since then, it has been the only jacket I reach for when I go out in the cold, windy, rainy weather we have had of late. This jacket goes with most things in a standard capsule wardrobe: Wear it over jeans and a striped T with sneakers, or go chic with a black turtleneck and matching cigarette pants. Whatever the look, this jacket is light enough for effortless layering and will keep you warm and cozy. The best thing is, I purchased mine on Groupon for less than 20.00! Get the Groupon app, or check out the cool jacket above at Amazon. For more on putting together a fabulous capsule wardrobe, click here!

Get This! 
Market Basket Backpack - With all of the new policies on bringing your own bags to the grocery store, why not be sustainably stylish with this beautiful woven market backpack (80.00) from Food 52? Handmade in Morocco, this back pack is made from palm leaves and leather and is sourced from Medina Mercantile. Roomy enough for your groceries, or super finds from your local farmer's market. I want it!

Listen to This!
Dinah Washington -    One day as I was driving and listening to my favorite jazz station, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a song from Dinah Washington that just made me swoon; "That Sunday, That Summer" has been covered by other jazz greats, such as Nat King Cole, but Dinah's version lilts and tickles your ears, making you float into nostalgic memories. It can be found on The Complete Roulette Dinah Washington Sessions; hear this song and many of her other wonderful hits on Spotify, or purchase the single in iTunes. Exquisite!

So that's WHAT'S GOOD! What are YOU excited about this week? Share below!