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Day 15-16: MAC D for Danger Back to matte for me! I must admit, this is one of my favorite finishes given the long wear time and I don't like to do the whole re-apply throughout the day thing. While I do enjoy a candy apple red, I'm reaching into the berry side of red which makes me feel mature. Berry lips looks gorgeous on warm tones n they're known to be good for Fall shades. Did yoooou knooooow...if we take it back to Ancient Egypt; red lips was a status symbol. Cleopatra used a dark, bright red shade made from crushed beatles to stand out from others. Those of lesser means were stuck with rusty tones. Remind me how we do with designer anything! But while Ancient Egypt wore lipstick for superiority, Ancient Greece was doing the opposite as women of higher class avoided red lips to separate them from....u guessed it-PROSTITUTES!! And this is where I realized the root of where we westerners adopted their ideas n associated it with laydeez of the night. Wow, full circle moment where it all makes sense.

As my style changes with aging, I am so intentional with where I spend my monies. I only want to spend it with places that make me feel good. It's the reason why I am loyal to Wegmans n Nordies. I am also eager to #BuyBlack but not just for the sake of...but becuz the brand n quality are superb. Before I take the leap, I lurk n then I scour reviews to get an idea of the customer service n sizing. A sale doesn't make or break my decision to purchase (yet I am open to receiving my blessings), so when Hanifa had a Black Friday sale, I already knew what I would abuse the SUBMIT button to order. Red is my favorite color, I've explained my love affair for the shade in a previous post; The Power of Red so this was an easy no brainer grab for me. There were other colors I was eyeballing like green and mustard but there's NOTHING like a Cameo cup RED chiiiile. I have this dress in size L/XL and it's soooo oversized n stretchy, I would suggest u size DOWN. Although I do looove me a drag cuz it makes me feel like I got a train cascading behind me as I glide, it's annoying having to pretty much carry it as u walk. So when my next favoooorite color popped up, I didn't hesitate to grab it. If you are a lover of bold prints; Pink + Red will definitely satisfy those cravings. I love the thickness of these cardigan dresses but be careful to not snag em-the cons of knits! It's also stretchy. I learned my lesson previously n went for a smaller size-S/M n it fits perfectly. For the sake of pics, I wore the red one with nothing under it **ooooh la la** but I wouldn't go in public like that lol. Unless its really secured, wear something under it unless u wanna give us free onlyfans type peeks! Whether u wear it as a dress or duster, it's sure to add some drama to your wardrobe. It's ooooh so cozy n I love coming across other Hanifa Miya Dress holders in other colors. My next one would be the green tho **cue evil laugh** so if ever ur on the fence for these...DO IT!! If u are looking for a shade less "hey look at me" then I'd opt for grey or even mustard which looks GREAT on melanin tones. Overall, once u toss this on ur body, it transforms u and u will instantly feel sexy! Ugh! I'm so in love with these colors-Pink + Red; now THIS is love.

Day 12-13: Sephora Electric Pink Luster (discontinued) + KVD Santa Sangre I was playing around with this combo on Saturday with using Pink Luster alone then I added some KVD Santa Sangre n VOILA!! It seemed to match my dress. The electric pink alone is a vibrant "luster" matte. Whatever that means lol, it was a matte but not a long lasting one n dried down tacky. This was from the earlier makeup times when lip stains was hitting the market n they were trying out different finishes. This is a formula I would wear under something to tone down cuz its just too bright to wear on its own. I must randomly say...my lips have been taking a beating since this challenge lol. All these dmn mattes n what not. I have found another small stash of reds so I don't have to keep reaching for my...what seem to be holy grails.

Happy Valentines Day! Not only was this VDay weekend but also add Super Bowl Sunday n u got one tiiiired Monday (which should be a holiday). Although there are some anti-valentines day-ers becuz they don't stand behind the commercial-ness of it n don't understand why we celebrate it-I am here for alllllll of it. I am not a history buff to fully explain the mystery of Saint Valentine nor am I biblical to confirm if he was some Harriet Tubman to help Christians escape Roman prisons where they were beatened n tortured. There's a few stories of the myth in an article on the History channel which are interesting. Nonetheless..after the blah blah blah of it all...I still don't fully understand. I celebrate it becuz it's always been a tradition in our household. Back in elem our classroom would have a party n exchange those mini cards. One year, my mama ran to People's drugstore (now CVS) and got her purse snatched leaving out. She came home mad they got her wallet but still had the bag of cards n candy. Every year on February 14th, I would wake up to a card and a small gift like a pair of earrings or nail polish set-just something slight to celebrate the day. I carry on the tradition with my own kids. When Mason was younger I'd get him a mini monster truck n now it's game gift cards. Having said that...what do you do if u come across a significant other who doesn't celebrate the day? How do you come to a compromise so you both don't lose? That is my current struggle! I'm like it's just one day but I also know if there's something I don't celebrate I wouldn't wanna be forced to be apart of it. Almost like when people convert religions for their partners. This is a bit of conundrum cuz while I am surrounded by love from those who celebrate it with me, it's different when it comes from ur actual Valentine. It doesn't stop how I operate with my gifting process but yes, I celebrate all the holidays...commercialized or quirky ones like Left Handers Day n I may even get creative for April fools. Sooo whatchu think? Love em or leave em alone!!

Can you tell I'm bout to start itching for some Spring! I am about to start counting down but I know how fickle March can be. Once upon a time it snowed on the first day of Spring so since then...I put nothing pass mama nature. This post will serve as a rewind for my #RedLipsOfLove series for the week. I've been holding true to my word n staying committed to challenging myself to do this. I had came up with this concept late last year as another way to practice consistency. I had already showed myself in 2021 that I could post once a week here-GO ME!! Becuz I had some last minute schedule conflicts aka went into the office when I didn't intend to, lol, I still tossed on my lips. I've done some repeats tho (mainly stains) which was the closest to grab. In case u missed it...ReeeeeWiiiiiind.... We are 11 days in and I'll be looking for more reds in my stash. I'll also start mixing some shades as well but just heads up...For ValenTimes Day, it's gonna be a pink lip in celebration of loooove (and its my favorite color). Now feel free to play catch up: KVD Santa Sangre Nars Dragon Girl Sephora Mandarin Muse Sephora Always Red The Lip Bar Bawse Lady Chanel Bloom in Blossom

Day 8: Chanel Rouge Coco Bloom Lipstick in Blossom (130) I am a lover of luxury makeup with a balance. Not EVERY thing in my stash is higher end but I do like to splurge here n there. I've been doin so many red stains, I wanted to switch the finish n use something lighter n gentler. Since I was pretty much home all day, I could luxuriate around n not worry bout a mask smearing anything. This applied smoothly...like butter actually. I can't attest to the moisturizing component cuz my lips stay smeared in Laneige Lip Mask so I don't rely on my lipsticks for that aspect. I can only describe the wear of this lippie on how it made me feeeeeel. I felt like a goddess! I love how it glided across my lips leaving a perfect shine...not that lip smacker rollerball shine. This is a grown woman shine! Although u would need to reapply to keep the glare on these heaux, even if u let it be; you'll get some longevity out of it. This will prolly be used the most in warmer months. You can do such a quick face with this shade n look so done up! Even if u are in the house...there's no waste of product. I am actually loving the idea of wearing lipstick even in the house being a homebody...hmmm...

Day 6 & 7: The Lip Bar in Bawse Lady Since starting my #RedLipsOfLove series, this shade came highly recommended throughout my posts and DM's. I've been aware of the brand from the early days of the infamous blue lipstick trend and seen them on Shark Tank. It was great to see the brand press on after the sharks turned them down to now being retailed in Targets across the country. I can definitely see why yall love this shade so much. Bawse Lady is TLB's number one best seller and I put this in the category as I did with Sephora's Always Red becuz it looks great on everyone. Nooooow I get it. A universal red all shades can wear and u can't go wrong is a must have in ur stash. When I swiped it I felt like it was the perfect red rose shade; it dried down looking like I munched on flower petals. It's so nice...Imma wear it twice. Yup! I knew once I glided around in this it was gonna be my lippie for Monday. I think it'll work well under my mask. This will be rotated more this month becuz anything comfy n doesn't easily transfer is a winner for me. For someone who dabbles in luxury lipsticks, I can respect and appreciate the price point during rent time. At $13 this can stand up there with the big girls (designer brands) as a solid contender. I must say...even tho my weekend was mainly spent in the house it felt good to be dolled up. Even for the errand runs I did, knowing I had on a red lip under my mask; I felt mysteriously sexy-weird right? It's just something about this red shade I am discovering and to think I've ran from it for so long makes me feel like I'm playing catch up. Thank you all for dropping ur red lippie recommendations and ur faves becuz it also helps others who peek in to check em out too. Don't have me be the only fly one wit rosy lips. We can all enjoy this journey of love-together :) It's the little things such as tossing on a lip which I'll be incorporating in a routine to show up for ME cuz I felt so Bawse in this lip n I wanna hold on to repeating that feeling!

Day 9: KVD Santa Sangre (repeat) I was running behind n grabbed the closest thing to me...this Kat Von D was the lucky winner. The funny part is...when I tossed this lilac sweater, I was like-aaaah what red will work wit this **scratches head** I'm normally tossing on a neutral lip wit this. To be honest...I was having a moment. It was as if I was gonna talk myself into skipping my #RedLipsOfLove series with an excuse of not matching a red to lilac when it was really rooted in laziness. I say that to say... Get off yo azz n make it happen!! I snapped out of it real quick becuz skipping a day of my series for no apparent reason would mean I'm not showing up to the best of my abilities. Greatness is a lonely road. If it were sooo easy everyone would do it right? If I can make time to scroll on social media...I can make the time to invest into my blog aka my safe space here!! I do not plan to fail at getting consistent. It's apart of my refinement movement as I become a better me. The growth is a lifestyle change. Doing shyt when u don't feel like it n overcoming that hurdle has u looking back like...dmn it wasn't so bad after all n u don't have to wonder what it would've been like had u NOT done it. I love feeling accomplished. We are rolling into Day 10 n I'm not pressuring myself on perfection. Preparation is key though-which I am learning. I am pressuring myself on making it to the finish line. I tossed on this red lip n snapped away as I had a sense of pride in holding myself accountable. The excuses n bshyt to talk urself out of completion need to cease. The results will speak for themselves. I got this, u got this, WE got this. I know there's shyt u been putting off cuz I do it all the time. The hardest part is starting. The typical cycle is...u get started n then u kinda fade off towards the middle but once u lose ur footing its hard to get back in the groove. Stay the course. Whether I am going out for a store run or grabbing the mail, I am loving overall how wearing red lips makes me feel-that is important. A feeling to conquer the world or couch :)

The original post was just last year and still remains the same for me. After taking the plunge n overcoming my fear of red, I've since done red nails a few times with no guilt or remorse. This post is what inspired me to do a red lip for this months I live out my prostituting fantasies hahaha and Happy Postversary!! My favorite color is RED. It's a shade of power and strength. I love how demure the shade of red can be becuz it's the perfect pop to anything. You can wear all black for instance n accessorize with anything red and ur eyes instantly go to the pop. Red can be discreet or full blown "Bytch u see me" and I've always appreciated the versatility of it all. It was also a taboo color I wasn't able to enjoy as a kid. I can remember like it was yesterday **cue harp strings and gaze into the clouds to reminisce** I was FOUR and we lived in California. My mom had always painted my nails (yes I been on prissy) in pink which is prolly while it's my 2nd favorite shade. One day I asked her for red nails and she told me no becuz I wasn't "old enough" and it was for prostitutes. Stupid n young me not realizing what a prostitute was said with such glee "I wanna be a prostitute"n held my hands out. She chuckled n continued saying no even though...come to think of it, she was wearing red nails becuz I meeeean how else would I have noticed it-hmm?!! Anyhoo, that moment stuck with me and I grew up admiring red with restrictions. I was able to wear it everywhere except my nails. My mother has since passed and I still felt a hold to NOT wear red nails into my adulthood. I wore every shade around it and close to it but never a full on RED! I felt like it would be defying her in some way if I did-crazy right! I was stuck being that 4 yr old who yearned to be a prostitute lol. Every time I'd build myself up the courage, I never could pull the trigger so I stuck with my default of pinks. Everything in my life centered around my favorite color. Red decor was splashed around my home, I always loved a red kitchen and when I seen the perfect plant holder it was meant for me. Fun Fack: Anything shiny n red reminds me of Klymaxx. I named my peace lily after one of my favorite members: Bernadette Cooper. A magical moment happened where it started to hit me: LORDIE IM 40 and if ever there were a time to be a prostitute it's NOW!! I came across some Inspo which confirmed my leap of faith to take. I siced myself up to take the plunge. It just felt right-like wow...the time has finally come. I know it sounds so dramatic right...like duuuuh u could've BEEN did this but it just didn't sit right in my "Spurr-Ret" (spirit). Note, I also felt this way with red lips but it was easier for me to transition into wearing that well after 21. MAMA I MADE IT!!!! I confidently walked in n sat down in #SalonCouture requesting the red of all reds. I love candy apple reds. I knew I wanted influential reds that made me think of: Cameo's cup (Owwww!!), Eddie Murphy "Delirious" jacket, my dream car of when dope boys drove the Mercedes coupe circa 1990's wit the car phone...aaaah yes gimme Santa's cheeks red, Ronald McDonald wig red and VOILA!!!! I loooove it. I have officially arrived. I feel so accomplished n complete like I've been made whole venturing into red nails. Awwwww shyt!! Y'all can't tell me nothing noooow.. Surprisingly, after I shared my story on my #instagram I was shocked to learn many others shared the same childhood trauma's growing up not being able to wear such a color that signified adultness. I must say...holding out did give me something to look forward to so kudos to mom. The Power of Red gives me confidence and makes me stand tall. Wearing red lipstick even makes me feel sexy (although I stay away cuz of the maintenance lol) and GROWN. What about chew, is there a "forbidden" shade u grew up avoiding becuz yo mama said...and how did it feel to break the chains n go for it? What is your power color and how does it make YOU feel, I wanna know.

This was a quick weekend of nothings! It was colder than a Jadakiss freestyle over the weekend and that wind was cutting harder than freshly laced Timbs! I was not expecting to get blown over during my Saturday Starbucks run so I knew my movement would be limited. Hibernating didn't stop my #RedLipsOfLove and I kept the party goin by being just as fly (and warm) at home. For Saturday I used a combo of Mandarin Muse (matte) with a blast from the past by Revlon Colorburst in Adorned (gloss n discontinued). This is one of the most pigmented glosses I have for under $10 n comfy to wear. It gives full coverage in the slightest pass. I don't know if they still sell the color burst cuz I'm not a drugstore kinda gal-also not really into glosses like that but these are poppin! Not only was watching #PowerBook Finale the highlight of my weekend lol, it was also a trip to Target. Yall kept recommending The Lip Bar on my post n I accidentally fell into that dmn store like I normally do every few days, smh, and grabbed it to give it a whirl. This was a cozy n productive weekend as we stroll into half the month. Now-Now...I know I said I'd drop my weekend lips on one post but it just wouldn't be fair to overload yall with so much redness of lips on ONE post now hahaha. Standby for the interlude....

Day 3: Sephora Collection's Mandarin Muse (10) Note: Whoopsiiii...I had to update this post to correct the name which was mixed up with the post AFTER this one **le sigh** Back down memory lane with this one!! When lip stains dropped on the market, Sephora was ON IT and totally knocked it out the park. Back when MAC was dominating the scene, Sephora Collection became a good contender in the game and silent killer in my opinion. These cream lip stains are what they say they are annnnd I have more in the stash becuz they're just that reliable. This lip stain is RICH. You can get the full color with the slightest swipe and dries down QUICK! Unfortunately, since it hadn't been used in soooo long and the top was not tightly on...this sorta kinda dried out on me. I was able to get enuff to use today but I know I need a fresh tube. I can confidently say...I WILL use this again! It's THE red you MUST have to reach for on not just special occasions but everyday-ness! This was a cozy rainy day to be inside (hence the robe couture) but I still feel spruced up wearing this gorgeous red.

Day 4: Sephora Collection Always Red (01) So BOOM check it...if you were here yesterday, ur prolly thinking...wait...she wore this yesterday! I promise u ur not stuck in time and today IS Friday. Last night while I was looking for my next #RedLippie I came across this shade n thought hmm...this is REALLY red n quickly realized... Yesterday I had totally worn Mandarin Muse (10) thinking it was Always Red (01) and I will be editing the previous post to reflect such, nonetheless...the review still stands as far as the quality n wear of it all. Sephora's lip stain collection is pretty consistent with being long-lasting and fully pigmented with little effort. Unfortunately, Mandarin Muse is no longer available which sucks cuz I was definitely gonna get a fresh bottle. But this Always Red... This is by far THE classic red shade that looks beautiful on EVERYONE! Like I've never not seen someone gorgeous in this shade. I would look at this like a default red. I feel like a lady in this one and it's the red that goes with EVERYTHING! You just can't go wrong with this one. I have a few shades that are in this ballpark but they're not stains. I purposely leave it on even as I lounge around the house to test the wear on it but it also does something to my ego as I feel amazing doing nothing on the couch haha!! What do ya think?? Is there a classic red u can't go wrong with? Note: On the weekends I'll pause my postings and resume for the Weekend Wrap Up to include my #RedLipsOfLove