Suzanne Carillo

Once a year I get an overwhelming urge to buy some new makeup.

It never goes well.

A few weeks ago I broke down and bought a bunch of makeup that happened to be on sale. I may have been motivated by another blogger raving about a new lipstick she recently purchased, I’m looking at you Vix! She was delighted with her Maybelline all day lipstick. Vix and I are the same age and I figured if it was good enough for her I should give it a try. Needless to say once in the drugstore I was overwhelmed by the selection and immediately felt the desire to replace most of my five year old makeup with some fresher versions. I was convinced that the new and improved products would look better on me and last longer.

Popping into the store for a quick lippy and coming out with a bag full of fresh makeup wasn’t the plan.

I’d just succumbed to every marketing trick in the book. I’d allowed companies to convince me I wasn’t good enough and desperately needed the improvement their products offered. The negative impact on the environment didn’t factor into my decision at all and I immediately began to feel guilty about the whole experience.

Once I got home, disgusted with myself for the lack of self control, I dumped the makeup into a heap on my bed and contemplated my unnecessary indulgence. I realized the make up could never deliver on its promises. My head had been filled with false hopes. I had been vulnerable and weak. Makeup is, after all, only makeup. It’s not going to make me healthier, younger, happier or a better person. I didn’t need it. Most days I don’t wear makeup but I almost always manage to smear on some lipstick prior to leaving the house and I decided to keep the three lipsticks. I piled everything else into the bag and returned the rest the following day. I knew I’d made the right choice when I felt a wave of relief rush over me upon returning the items.

I wish now that I’d remembered that Maybelline isn’t cruelty free. I don’t like supporting companies that harm animals. For next year’s annual makeup crisis I will be more prepared.

Is Dark Lipstick Aging?

I experimented first with the deep shade of raspberry/plum I’d purchased. It was substantially darker than all of my current lipsticks. When I put it on though I felt serious and powerful. Like I’d just put on my super hero cape and was ready to kick some ass.

I’m sure you’ve all read that dark lipstick can be aging. When it comes to makeup application as we age there are loads of rules, most of which I break.

Mature Makeup Rules I Like To Break

1. Prime your skin. – Whoops, I only use a very sheer, light beauty balm, anything extra sits in my pores and magnifies them.
2. Don’t do dark eyes and bold lips. – So I can either have disappearing eyes or invisible lips? No thanks.
3. No vibrant lip colours. I can’t give this up just yet.
4. Use a lip liner. I have no patience for makeup that takes longer than ten minutes. Lip liner is one step too many.
5. Are fake lashes a no-no over 50? Ah well. The fake lashes are the most dramatic part of my makeup and I love them, even if they can sometimes trash my ten minute makeup goal.

Is my new lipstick aging me?

I’ve been planning a travel wardrobe for my trip to BC that involves wearing this bespoke latex raincoat with each outfit. Remember my inspiration for this coat?

I wore this lipstick shade for a few days thinking it looked amazing on me in the mirror. Even the husband mentioned he liked it. Then I took photos wearing the lippy and I started to dislike it. I felt like it aged me beyond my years.

Was it just me having difficulty seeing a darker colour on myself?

Let’s take a look…

So what do you think of the lipstick?

Too dark?

It does work with the goth/punk vibe of the boots.

Below is my regular shade for reference.

I’ve decided I’ll be taking this dark lippy to Vancouver to see if any of my girlfriends can make use of it. I’m delighted with the other two shades I purchased which are lighter and closer to my regular shade.

What about you? Do you find dark lipstick aging?

And maybe more importantly , do you care?

I won’t be posting again until later next week as I’ll be too busy having fun visiting family and friends. I’ll catch up with you then. If you want to see what Patti, Melanie, Sue, Sherry and myself get up to you can follow me on Instagram here.

Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl

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