Force of Lipstick

Wed, 21 March 2012 12:25PM

When it comes to lipstick, I’m a tough cookie of a customer. Sure, I’ll test it – that’s my job. But as for wearing it as an extra-curricular activity … Well, for one, I’m a bit too lazy in my off-duty time to make an effort with most of them. And two, I have enough colour in my natural lips to be able to mostly get away with simply a swipe of Lanolips 101.

But every now and then, a lipstick comes along that makes me go all weak at the knees with lust. It’s often completely irrational. I don’t even care if the lipstick suits me or not – it’s simply a colour, a finish, or an overall look that I have a sudden, overwhelming urge to claim as my own. Revlon’s Matte Lipsticks were the last ones I fell for in such a way. Suddenly, I could see myself all Grace Kelly-esque, and I couldn’t get enough of the 1950s-like nudes and reds. I still have a soft spot for them – and wear them whenever I’m feeling the need to chic-up my look. But lately, my lips have been feeling a little unloved, and hoping for an unexpected new passion.

Well, meet my new lipstick lust: MAC Force of Love, $36.

It’s described as a ‘vivid honeysuckle pink’. I’d say that it’s a bright coral-pink, with a splash of orange that takes it very, very close to neon territory (it’s almost at the put-your-sunnies-on stage). Now, I’m not usually an in-your-face bright-makeup kind of girl. I mostly like nothing better than glowing skin and a shimmery champagne-hued eye (and perhaps a peachy cheek, if I’m living on the edge). But when I set eyes on Force of Love, something just went ‘pop’ and ‘click’ and ‘wham-bam’ inside me. I just instinctively had to make it mine.

Perhaps it’s because it reminds me of so many things I love: flamingos, hibiscuses, coral, summer cocktails … Maybe it’s because it makes me look so much more interesting and fun than I really am (it truly is the colour you imagine Kylie Minogue would wear while on a yacht that’s anchored somewhere by St Tropez) … Or it could also be because it’s surprisingly wearable on, and instantly brings a glowy warmth to the face.

And it’s not like other bright lipsticks that you wear properly once – and then end up dabbing on for a subtle stained effect. Oh no, this is one that you can’t resist slathering on for full effect and for the whole world to see. On that note, let me advise that the creamy-matte, pigment-dense texture looks best on lips that are well exfoliated – I do the old baby-toothbrush trick – and incredibly smooth and hydrated. Because a work of art demands a good canvas.

Now, before I go into any more hard-sell, I must tell you that this lippie is sell like those proverbial hotcakes. MAC’s online store has sold out (and may or may not be able to get more stock), but if you’re quick-sticks about it, and call your nearest MAC store or counter, the lovely-lipped girls there will be able to help you out.

If, alas, you do miss out, don’t despair. Because I also must rave a little about another new MAC Lipstick, Budding Love, $36. It’s a pale, cool lavender-pink that would look insanely seductive matched back to smoky-grey eye makeup.

It also comes in a Lipglass, $35, if you prefer to do that Kim Kardashian milky-lipped look (although you might need to tone down your natural lip colour with a dab of concealer so you get the full effect). They’re both still available online.

As you’ll see, they’re part of the Chenman collection.

Chen Man is a Beijing-based photographer known for her love of glossy skin, makeup and saturated pigments. So the collaboration with MAC makes a lot of sense. As does the wear-anywhere Clear Gloss, $36, and the vivid blue buys (love-love-love the Fluidline in Waveline, $32, a gold-pearl-flecked navy). Here’s a snapshot of the entire range:

Over to you, Primpettes, is MAC’s Chenman on your shopping list?

And do you have a lipstick that you similarly go gaga about?

 

Kat x

 

 

Posted by: Katrina Lawrence

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Tags: bright lips, coral lips, grace kelly, kylie minogue, lanolips, lilac, mac, matte lips, neon colour lips, pink lips, pink lipstick, revlon