Dang, that’s red…
And sheer?
No, not sheer.
Subtle?
No, not subtle.
Bold, bright and sexy?
Hell, yeah!
There are things in life that every girl should try at least once. Make one of those things MAC Russian Red Lipglass ($14). Nothing says “I kick booty” like entering a room with knock-out red lips does. Russian Red’s blue-based (blue undertones) lipgloss brings your lips to full attention, soldier! To work it well, you’ll also need…
- Confidence. Russian Red’s shine and bold color aren’t for the faint of heart. People WILL stare. Revel in the attention!
- Lipliner, and a healthy dose of patience to apply. Vivid colors like Russian Red make it easy to spot uneven lipliner and lipgloss application, so take your time. To achieve a crisp, defined red lip, I first line my lips with MAC Red Enriched Cremestick liner, taking special care to balance the left and right sides. With a crisp lip line in place, I slowly apply two coats of Russian Red inside the lines. Why two coats? Because if you’re gonna go red, you may as well go big.
- Maintenance. I’ve found that Russian Red requires tender love and care. Wearing it, I have to check on my lips constantly because, seriously, it gets all over the place. One windy day, while wearing Russian Red gloss, some of my hair got stuck in the gloss. I haphazardly pulled free the strands of hair and tucked them behind my ear. I didn’t realize until half an hour later that it had left faint red streaks of gloss on my cheek. Lovely.
Another time, I accidentally dribbled a few drops of coffee down my chin. When I went to clean up with a napkin I momentarily forgot that I was wearing Russian Red. One quick swipe later … yup, crazy clown lips.
Russian Red is not a swipe-and-go color, but it can be well worth the time and care it takes to apply. It literally screams “Come hither, hotties, and I will eat thee for lunch!”
Wearing it, I feel like a different person — more daring, sexy and sophisticated. It’s not something I would wear every day, and I know it might be too loud for some, but I’ve seen it worn by many different women, and the color always looks great.
Give it a closer look the next time you hit the MAC counter or visit maccosmetics.com.
Happy, happy Friday, ladies! Are you ready for the weekend? Goodness, I sure am. It’s sunny and nice here today, so after I finish my chores I think I’ll cruise around my ‘hood to take some pictures. Last week I stumbled upon a small wooden dock a few minutes from here where I could see views of San Francisco across the water! Very pretty. Sitting on the dock of the bay… watching the tide roll away… 🙂
I hope you’re having a wonderful day.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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Hi Karen,
I think it would be great to see a full face shot so we can see how it looks in respect to your face… would you happen to have any lying around? 🙂
Oh my god Karen I love it!!! But I’m sad you didn’t include a full face shot =( My sis rocks the Russian Red Lipstick all the time but we both decided lipstick is not my thing, and I’m a little sad about it. perhaps I’ll try this out.
I’m going dancing at Slide in SF tomorrow night! Have you ever been there?
Love Russian Red, but it’s sooo bright! I used to like it as my OTT red lipglass, but I loveee Red Romp (from holiday) even more. It’s like a super classy deep red that’s still bright.
Looks really good on you!
Happy weekend hun!
Christine’s last blog post..Looks – Super Smoky Black, Green, and Gold Eye
Woo-hoo! Hot lips! I love a good bold red, but I usually use transfer-resistant, long-wearing lipstick to get that look! I might even try a regular lipstick, but I don’t know if I can handle the maintenance involved in the gloss! Looks amazing though, so maybe I’ll try! 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Oooh, Russian Red! I have the lipstick (I went as a femme fatale for Halloween ’06, and went straight to the MAC counter!); I haven’t tried the gloss, though, as it was sold out when I bought my RR lipstick (and Enriched Red!). Hooray for red lips!
Jeanne’s last blog post..Busy busy busy!
Yo Karen! Girl, you are way braver than I am! I’ve tried red lips and it’s not for me. I’ll have to try this at the MAC counter though. The bravest I’ve been in the lipstick department is wearing Craving. Tite song BTW !!!
I’m totally ready for the weekend! I need to do some laundry before Saturday night though! Sat eve will be spent parked in front of the tube eating Subway and watching KU vs North Carolina. GO JAYHAWKS!!
Hi Shiny,
I just looked through my pic stash and I don’t have one. But I’d be happy to do a face of the day! I usually wear this with MAC Ricepaper on the entire lid and a fatty black liner on the top. It’s a quick, classic look – I can whip out out this weekend and take some pics. 🙂
Hi Ashveena,
I will do a FOTD this weekend with this! Why did you and your sis decide that lipstick isn’t your thing? Maybe we just need to find ya the ultimate lipstick to fall in love with! You should totally try Russian Red just once. You never know…
Oh, I’ve never been Slide, so you’ll have to give me all the details. 🙂 I hope you have a lot of fun and that the DJ is good!
Hi Christine,
Oh yah, you rock the Red Romp, for sure. Hmmm, as a matter of fact, I haven’t busted it out in a while. Maybe I’ll just wear it around the house for fun tonight while I’m watching DVDs!
Have a good weekend! Give Magellan a hug for me…
Hi Glosslizard,
Yah, the lipstick Russian Red version is definitely lower maintenance. 🙂 I will always have a soft spot for this color because I like it for 40-ish era looks. (I went through a phase in high school where I dressed and wore makeup like I was from the 40s, LOL, because I love the era’s styling.)
Anyway, what’s cracking for this weekend? Anything fun? I just got back from galavanting; went to a coffee shop and just sat and hung out with the boy, and then went window shopping! Now I’m looking forward to just chillin’ tonight, and maybe playing with some lipsticks. 🙂
Hi Jeanne,
HOT! The lipstick version rules and it’s just one of those colors that you’ve gotta have. I really do hope you try the lipgloss version some day because it’s super hawt.
Hope your weekend is off to a great start!
Hi Tania,
Wow, sounds like fun! Have fun rooting for your team and I hope they win! WOOT!
Thanks, Karen! I have Russian Red as a lipstick and really like it 😉
My Heatherette parcel should be shipped today (finally!), I hope I will have it on Monday or Tuesaday! Cross your fingers for me.
it does have the red hot chill pepper feel. haha good for those day to try teasing the man hahha
Looks 007 to me 😉 Pair it with a sultry black dress and hollar! Woot-woot.
Oh, and this is what I forgot to tell you. I finally swatched me some Viva Glam and I am so hot for I-IV! MUST HAVE THEM!!!
Oh, and the class tomorrow is on going from day to night. My preconceived thoughts have me screaming “duh, Carbon!” but I’m sure I’m far from what they might have in mind, lol.
Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net’s last blog post..Just For Kicks: Starting Aloha Friday With A Tag!
I have the russian red lippie but I´m afraid I´m not very confident to wear it. This is a small city and I´m sure that if I wear it once, I´ll meet (accidentally) all SO´s family, maybe 2 or 3 exboyfriends and my teachers of all life and future.
Reaally.
*Sobs*
Eru’s last blog post..Vanilla Kitty Eyes EOTD
Hi Susanne,
Woo hoo! Bust out those brushes. 🙂 You will have so much fun! I will keep my fingers crossed and hope you get it on Monday.
Hi Ping,
So true! It’s definitely a boy-getter color! 🙂
Hi Lynne,
YAH! Viva Glam! I got the lip palette a few Christmases ago and that’s when I fell in love. Fab, yah?
Have fun in class!
Hi Eru,
Well girlie, you’ll just need an excuse to head to the nearest city so you can rock the RR in anonymity! Ya gotta do it.
I love those small Spanish towns/cities BTW! Take me back to Spain, travel gods!!!!
Oh, that sounds like so much fun! As usual, no real concrete plans, but the Hubby has arranged a perfectly free morning for me today, so I’ll either lounge about in my robe until 2:00, or I’ll get dressed and go window shopping myself! Maybe I’ll cruise over to a MAC counter and try on some of that RR! 🙂
BTW, I am so stoked over some of the shades in the Cool Heat collection! Have you seen it yet?
I know, I know… addict! 😉
Yup, I’ve seen pics. Gotta wait till I see in person though…
Have fun at the MAC counter and enjoy your free morning! 🙂
Wow! As an addict to red lipstick (my current fav is M.A.C.’s Ruby Woo) looking for something more low key to wear on occasion, this is awesome!
Btw, I’ve been following your blog for the past few weeks, and I really like it. I had never know such things as beauty blogs existed!
Hello Karen,
I have started to read your blog last week and I’m totally loving it.
Anyway, it’s such a huge relief for me to know that you also like bold red lip colors. Because most of my lipsticks and glosses are red and people think I’m wearing them ’cause I’m crawling for attention. Well, from now on I’m not caring what they say. And I’m definitely getting this russian red tomorrow.
Have a nice sunday!
I love love love the perfect red lipstick and I’m always looking out for the next best one. Revlon has an amazing one AND it stays on. I recently discovered a sub for red that I’m now in love with its MAC lipstick in Rebel – tell me you’ve seen it/tried it. Its this hot magenta color but it has a lot of depth, I’m tan and it actually flatters my tone pretty well so I’m wondering if you’ve given it a look, if not please put it on your list!
I’m slowly popping my lippie cherry. There just ain’t no stopping with MAC, is there? It’s like a one-way trip with no end and a bottomless fuel tank!
Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net’s last blog post..FOTD: Pink Pearl Pigment Attends the Nordstrom’s MAC Technique Class and Tips From The Pros!
Hi Marie,
Oh! I’ve never tried Ruby Woo. Thanks for the recommendation… now I’ll have to do some “research”, heh heh heh!
Wow, that’s great! Thank you for commenting and saying hi. 🙂 Yes, there a lot of beauty blogs out there and lots of talented bloggers. Have fun exploring and reading. I hope you come back soon though!
Hi Axolotl,
It’s great to meet you girl! I’m glad you enjoy reading it!
I agree with you — some folks have certain notions about red. But I believe you should wear what makes you feel pretty, confident and comfortable, so rock that red, girl!
BTW, I hope you got your hands on a tube of Russian Red and that you’re having a great week!
Hi Breezy,
Nope, haven’t tried it… YET! I love an excuse to “investigate” at the MAC counter. Okay, now I’ve got two things on my list: Ruby Woo and Rebel. I can’t wait, wheee!
BTW, did you ever try Rougette from MAC Mattene? It might look hot with your tan skin…
Hey Lynne,
Girl, seriously. If you start you won’t be able to stop. It’s like eating Pringles out of the can!
I have Russian Red in lipstick format, matt. And it is AMAZING! Wore it to a ‘noir’ themed ball to great effect.
People keep telling me that Asian (Sino) skin can’t do bluish reds but that’s bollocks. Everyone should try this highly pigmented colour.
You may want to try the lipstick version if you want less trouble with flying hair and on days when work just won’t let you get away with va-vavoom glossy reds.
omfgwow. that’s the first thing that came into my mind when i saw that picture! the color is so kickass bright and in your face it felt like my insides were melting, and i can only see your lips (which look great). all-in-all an amazing review! that’s definitely something i’m gonna run out and buy :]