I was having a tough morning today, and by the time I sat down to get ready for the day, I needed a serious pick-me-up.
I remembered that one of my favorite professors in school shared her secret to getting over her nerves and insecurities.
Lipstick.
She says that everyone has a power color, and hers is pink. Whenever she has to speak in front of large crowds or finds herself in a situation where she may be nervous, she wears hot pink lipstick.
She says it gives her an edge, a decent dose of sass, and reminds her to be herself, because you can’t cower down when you’re wearing a bold lip. You have to own it.
So, today I wore a fur coat and a bold lip, because I can. 🙂
My power color changes, but today I went with the Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick in Commanding ($30), because on these particularly rough days, I need a bullet.
Like, a lipstick bullet.
Liquid lipstick and glosses don’t hold the same figurative power for me as a classic bullet.
Also, the packaging. How can you feel down when you’re holding lipstick made from actual goddess magic in your hands? It’s simple yet substantial with an engraved lid and navy casing with gold accents.
They also close magnetically, which is so satisfying.
Putting this lipstick on even feels like a power move.
My lips are always moderately dry, so prepping them is crucial for me. When adequately conditioned, these lipsticks glide on evenly and last between 3-4 hours (with no lipliner!), even through light eating and drinking.
The formula is smooth and richly pigmented. It’s hard to mess up application with these guys. They have a subtle vanilla scent, too, which doesn’t last, and therefore doesn’t bother me.
Aside from loving these lipsticks for lifting my spirits, which they do, I also love the shape of the bullet. They have the typical slant, but not the point, so they really are quite lovely for lip sculpting. The shape fits the contours of my Cupid’s bow perfectly without making the peaks too sharp.
Sometimes I like to buff out the edges with a lip brush or a cotton bud for a softer, lived-in look.
When you’re having “one of those days,” do you ever turn to beauty products? What are your go-to’s?
I love that Estee Lauder stepped out of their color comfort zone with these! And out of mine, lol 🙂 You wear them all very well though. My personal favorite here is probably Volatile.
Volatile is pretty magical. It has a hint of orange to it that makes it seriously pop. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely worth a try!
Omg! Nicole! U look like a goddess! And trust i have never used that word to describe anyone till date.. i love ur writing style , those beautifully lined eyes , flawless base makeup and those lip swatches r sooo good! The lighting and ur angle in the first pic is amazing! So glad that u r an intern for karen..
I do turn to makeup wen i’m depressed ..not really wen i’m nervous or anxious.. and coral lipstick is my favourite makeup product. .it brightens my face like no other color does.. i know a lot of ppl think that scented lippies r gross.. but i love vanilla scented mac and mango scented ysl lipsticks to pick me up. .hehe.. 🙂
Thanks girl! You’re too kind. I’m stoked about being an intern, too! I’m glad you’re enjoying my content.
Coral is such a good color! It’s kinda bold, but also makes you look hella healthy. I’m alright with scents, but have a pretty sensitive sense of smell, so sometimes it gives me a headache or makes me want to gag. These lipsticks smell divine though, not like frosting. It’s a more sophisticated sweet scent, which I’m totally in to.
And yes, girl, I’ll make a tutorial for the eye look I’m wearing in those pictures!
*trust me
P.S- please do a tutorial for the way u lined ur eyes!
These are amazing shades and I love original formula and find it extremely comfortable to wear. I hope these are also as good as its previous friends!
They are! It’s a pretty impeccable line. I’m all for it!
Ugh such great shades. All of them! I 100% agree with you on the power of a classic lipstick bullet. There’s just something about it!
I have tried Commanding once at an Estée preview and I loved it as much as you do. You look fabulous in it, but I also love you in Volatile. Raowr!!!
Thank you! Bullets are hands down the best. Liquid lipsticks are usually my go-to on the daily, unless my lips are seriously dehydrated. But, on tough days bullets revive my confidence. I can’t help but think of the scene in the Lion King where Mufasa tells Simba to remember who he is. It’s just like that, really!
Red lipstick is my instant pick-me-up! Out of the ones above I´d probably choose Commanding, which seems to be a fitting name.
I thought so, too. Commanding is very aptly name. So is Volatile!
I’m not crazy about matte lipsticks, but all four of these colors are gorgeous, and seriously gorgeous on you! Shameless Violet especially is calling my name. Bright pinky purples and purple-ish pinks are the most flattering of all lipstick colors on me, so in that way they’re my ‘power color’. A great example is YSL Rouge Volupte Shine #19, Fuschia in Rage. However, if I need more gravitas I’d pick a deep, but not too dark, blue-red. Kevyn Aucoin BloodRoses comes to mind.
Thank you, Fran! Blue-reds are perfect for everybody. I’d love to see what you think of Shameless Violet & Neon Azalea. I love a good purple lipstick, but fuchsia isn’t a color I usually gravitate toward. Something about Neon Azalea is wearable for me though. It has a purple undertone that makes it less “Nicki Minaj.”
I agree with you about Neon Azalea — it reminds me of the YSL shade that I love!
I turn to a bold red or a purple — I find it takes a lot of confidence to wear either (but especially purple), but that confidence then takes me through the day. I work in a low key, business-casual, academic type environment, where very few women are wearing lipstick (or if they are, it’s a nude shade), and it definitely stands out when i wear a deep shade.
Shameless Violet and Commanding are really awesome looking, I need to check them out!
Yes! Sometimes you just have to fake it till you make it, and red/purple lipstick can be that kick in the butt you need to keep you moving forward. Kudos to you for being daring in an otherwise conservative setting. #girlboss
Um, Nicole? If I looked like you do in bold lips, I’d have mine permanently tattooed. Seriously, if you’re not already wearing bold lipstick all day, every day, you need to start. 🙂
PS The swatches are great, and so are close up pics of the colors on lips, but I really like how your pictures show each shade as part of your total “look”. It’s super helpful.
Haha thanks, Kim! I do wear them quite often. If I’m running late (or am being lazy) I’ll usually throw on a red lip and some sunglasses. Faux-effort.
I’m glad you like the swatches! I usually prefer to see entire looks than just lips, too. It helps get a sense of which colors wash the model out and things like that.
Guuurl! Volatile and commanding on you are phenomenal. I agree with you – lipstick is my absolute #1. I have a drawerful of beauties. Not all expensive ones, but ones I love nonetheless. That deep one is particularly lovely. I may have to indulge on my annual “birthday lipstick” (this is when I allow myself to buy a $$$ lipstick, LOL)
Thank you! You don’t need to spend $$$ for fabulous products, but if you’re gonna, these are a lovely choice!
Commanding is gorgeous on you! I love the formula, I need to buy more shades.
Thank you! Yup, I need them all too. Sorry wallet.
Commanding and Neon Azalea are great shades.
These photos are incredible! awesome job
Thank you, Arlene!
I love you in Commanding and Volatile. Need to check these out. I’ve never tried an Estee Lauder lipstick before.
Those are the two I reach for the most, too. Please check them out and let me know what you think! They’re well worth the price, and I think Commanding will look good on pretty much everyone. I typically go for more blue-based reds, but Volatile is fierce. The product is so well made and considered from start to finish. I love them!
Wow! Volatile and Neon Azalea are gorg!! For me, a bold red lip is my go to. For presentations, trainings or when I just need to feel fierce, I reach for a rich bold red and I’m instantly better! lol!
I’ve had maybe one Estee Lauder lippy but seeing those two colors mentioned on you, I’m thinking it may be time for me to check out if the formula and colors play well with me.
Yes! It usually depends on my outfit, but I usually reach for a red, berry, or purple when I need some strength. The formula is definitely matte, and I’d say I have normal to dry lips. It’s really nice to apply, and feels kind of like a velvet coating on your lips. It’s really quite pleasant, especially for a matte lipstick. It doesn’t crumble off my lips or dry them out more than they already are.
There’s nothing like bright colors to make me feel better. I bold eye or a sassy lipstick can make everything right again.
Neon Azalea is gorgeous! You look really beautiful in these pictures.
Thank you! Neon Azalea is stunning. It’s not just a bubblegum pink or fuchsia, you know? It has that kick of purple which I think makes it pretty unique.
Bold eyes are another great one! You can’t cower down when you’re wearing glitter. Or falsies. I mean really you should just never cower down and own your goddess energy!
Agree!
These colors are so beautiful and vibrant. That purple in particular just screams spring to me.
The purple is incredible! Totally shameless.
They all look fun and not colors you would exactly expect from Estee Lauder. It’s great that they stepped out of their usual though because I’m really loving Shameless Violet the most!
It is so pretty! When I first opened it I was like “oh goddamn. we’ll see.” Then I put it on and well, we’re running away together.
Da-yum, girl! You better OWN IT! These colors are stellar on you! And the pics? Bravo! I love them all on you! Note to self: put on a power lipstick today because I can. And maybe a faux fur because that’s how I roll. Awesome post! I may pick up that purple because I don’t own anything like it & I can use this as an opportunity to check out the brand 🙂
Thanks, girl! Yes! Sass it UP!
You can’t go wrong with Shameless Violet.
You are flawless!
Thank you, Lauren!
Wow! You sure are pretty! Love your hair!