Nude, Pink and Red

Good things do come in threes.  I can give you a list but I'm not in the mood to be convincing right now.  However I am in a good enough temperament to share my personal theories on lipstick colors.  Lipstick, as many of my acquaintances know, forms part of my daily armor.  I carry it around like a switchblade - tucked away but can be easily whipped out when the need arises.  Pardon my tendency for violent metaphors, but I thrive on emphasis.  

Let me emphasize that a girl does not need to hoard on all the lipstick colors out in the market right now.  Believe me I have a trove full of lipstick that I could not possibly use up in the next 10 years.  And no, I am not giving them away, charity or otherwise.  A loud voice in my head says that I only really need three lipsticks to carry on and face the superficial demands of life.  Nude, Pink and Red.

Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Apricot Glaze, Pink Melon and Red

Its a bit tricky to choose the right hue or shade of these three colors that would match your skin tone.  Makeup Guru, Michelle Phan, has a video that would help you identify what lipstick shade would suit you best.  

As for me, I have found my perfect matches in Mary Kay Creme Lipsticks.  

  

When it so hard to choose, I stick to the basic lip colors and then I get peace of mind.

Last time I checked this is the 21st century.  Queen Elizabeth has long been dead and England is now on their second Elizabeth.  So whats with all the fear mongering about lead in cosmetics?  Come on conspiracy theories again?  It's sad how some people put their imagination to waste.

It really pays to be critical about rumors and do a bit of investigation first before you believe them at face value.  

Seriously if there were enough poison in today's commonly used cosmetics, someone somewhere would have dropped dead by now!

So again enough with the fear mongering and go get a real job that requires deeper thinking!

Read these for more information on lead in cosmetics.

FDA Report Lipstick and Lead: Questions and Answers

Also try to read what this entrepreneur has to say about Cosmetic Safety.  

Personally, I think this issue of lead poisoning from cosmetics is all baloney!

Suddenly the breeze has acquired a slightly sticky feel to it. I, for one, can sense that my tan is making a slow comeback. Well, hello February! This is the month everyone seems to be at their prettiest. Whether you are on a look out for a new squeeze or you are on the steady wings of love, everyone wants to wear that distinct blush akin to sweet romance. Leave any semblance of gloom and ditch that pale disposition. Replace them with a lovely glow, the kind we all want that special someone to remember us by. 

Mission: Captivate

Try to wear clothes that deviate from your usual look. Go for a dress if you consistently wear laid back styles, or try on a pair of sleek wide legged pants if you are mostly a very feminine dresser. If your wardrobe consists mostly of clothes in the neutral colors of black, white, brown or cream, have the courage to experiment with color blocking. Start by putting together two or three pastel colored garments. Have fun figuring out what makes sense on the color wheel. If you are bold enough, try formulating your own theories on color harmony. This year, I hear the color tangerine will stand for fresh and bold. How does a little orange dress appeal to you? Surely that is captivating! 

Now that we have laid out our color foundation, let us move on to setting the mood. I am talking about the intensity of impact. There are three ways to dress up to melt hearts; simmer, sizzle, or boil.

Simmer

Just like butter on an ever so slow heat, to look simmering is to dress subtly. Pick tops with scoop neck cuts, no showing of cleavage or bodily assets please. Show your charm in clothes that merely hint at the depth of your allure. Channel the Duchess of Cambridge for inspiration. 

Sizzle

Moving on to a notch bolder than the previous suggestion, dressing to look sizzling hot would not be that hard at all. Cebu’s fine weather allows for us to incorporate feminine textiles like chiffon and accents like lace into our weapons of choice - our clothes! This time it is all about sheers, silhouettes and light fabrics that seem follow where ever the wind blows. I love how this makes quite a room for imagination! 

Boil

The word needs no further adjective to further expound it. The communication is loud and clear, it is attention you want and therefore you shall get it. This time the clothes barely matter at all, it is the attitude brought forth by what we wear that gives the level of hotness we are after. The key is power dressing. Will for admiration and romance to come your way, by donning clothes that make you feel good about yourself first. I find that playing with men’s clothes, or those inspired from it, serves two purposes. One, men really like it, and two, girls feel empowered by it. It is hard to resist a woman in a boyfriend shirt dress. 

It is up to you to pick one course of action or you can just go ahead and progress to a boiling point. It is, after all, St. Valentine’s season - snag a heart!

note:  The foregoing is my article for Cebu Review's February Issue.  Download the digital version by clicking on the image below.

Thanks Mac of Style Cebu from lending me her gorgeous picture!

Cebu Review: Cebu's Travel, Leisure & Entertainment Guide