Step out of your comfort zone and rock a bright lip for Spring

The weather is warming up, and nothing says sunny longer days to me like a bright lip color.  I used to see other women rock a bright lip stick and think that would never work on me.  Too bold.  Too attention whoring.  Too much.

Lemme tell you, I trained myself to wear bolder lip colors, and now that I have conditioned myself to reach for them regularly, the mental perk I can get from a gorgeous Vivid Rose or a Classic Red lip is fantastic.  Think Marilyn Monroe, Dita Von Teese, Scarlett Johanssen or Gwen Stefani.

The iconic bold lip color is a classic beauty staple that ANYONE can pull off.  Even you Miss Shy Wallflower lady who only wears plain chapstick.   And come on, what guy has EVER thought too himself, wow that is a fabulous nude lipcolor you are wearing.  None.  No one.  Seriously.  There was a scientific study done somewhere.  OK maybe not, but a man will notice a bold lip 100x over a neutral or nude color any day.

Cool toned brights (think more blueish undertone and   less orangey) will make your teeth look whiter and look great on just about any skin tone.  A great one that I really like is the Vivid Rose from Maybelline's Vivids collection.

Anytime you are going with a bold lip, the rest of your makeup should be minimal.  So, neutral eyes and soft cheeks.  The statement lip should be the only thing making a statement.

Step 1 - Pick out a color that you love how it looks in the tube.  Ignore the voice that says "Oh my GOD YOU HUSSY".  Trust me, the bitch don't know what she's talking about.

Vivid Rose with natural face

Step 2 - Wear it as a stain.  This is the most forgiving sheerest application.  Take the lip stick and tap it against your top lip and transfer to the top lip.  This isn't a smear or swipe.  Just tap it on lightly, then rub your lips together to transfer the color.   You can build the color up bit by bit until you get to where you start to feel a bit awkward about wearing a bright color.  Remember, we are pushing boundaries here.  Then go out and run your errands, don't look at your lips too much, and don't think about it.  That wasn't so bad was it?

Sheered out lipcolor as a stain

Step 3 - Wear it as a lipstick.  Swipe it on, blot, and don't let yourself get talked out of it.  Keep in on the whole day, reapply after eating or drinking.  Smile when people compliment your lip color, because they will.

Rinse, repeat, be fabulous.

Step out of your comfort zone,  you can do it.