Lipstick - is it better not to bother?

[Stuffedcat]

Having spent ages searching for the perfect colour (I prefer 'nudes' but they seem to make me washed out, if my latest holiday pictures are anything to go by, I always thought I looked ok, but I just looked sallow!). Pinks, red's make my mouth huge, oranges I look v. odd etc...

I think it may be dawning on me it may be better to wear balm/gloss instead. Wondering what other people do, is it a bit odd to have eyeshadow, mascara, blush etc and 'not bother' with lips, is it a bit unfinished?

Also if you feel like splashing out, Estee Lauder seems to do some very good colours for blondes that have a bit of pigment in them to lift the face, yet not too much to overwhelm. They do cool, neutral and warm based rose shades.
The problem with the highstreet is that although there seems to be rows of colours they are quite limited in their palettes. I have seen numerous nudes and pale pinks, fuchsias and oranges but little by way of good neutrals.

Oh and L'oreal ones just bleed everywhere so I personally would give them a miss. Bourjois has some great colours though and is worth a look. Hope that helps!

thanks Lipstickgal! I will investigate those.

I am currently trying out the tiny bit of liner and balm, and I think I like!

Am going to get the Vaseline rose balm and the rimmel gloss in Yummy. I did have a look at the Bobbi Brown website but couldn't see the one mentioned.

ooh and the burts bees ones look nice too, will have a look at those..

I have completely colourless lips....am pale. I use BB blush in Desert Rose and put a little on my lips, over the small pinky Vaseline pot (blush) . Sounds odd, I know but what I get is a moisturised mush in a shade that fits with my cheeks and not as "too much" as lippy.

I use the myface.cosmetics lipliners from boots.(Lip PencilFAIRNude) They're not deathly or flat like some of the other nudes. The lipgloss I like over the top is estee lauder no 42 Shocking Pink SHINE

I have really thin lips and for everyday lipstick looks daft, if I try the tricks to make them look fuller then I end up with cartoon drawn on lips. Lip gloss looks best on me for the office or weekends.

Just to report back - I love the Burt's bees lip shimmer which I ordered in Rhubarb, I think I need to get some more, very impressed. Also like the Vaseline rosy lips.

Bye Bye lipsticks, in the bin you go.......

Glad you liked the Rhubarb lip shimmer Stuffedcat, it's such a great colour and texture for a natural lip colour. I have no idea why they call it lip shimmer though, as it's not shimmery at all!

I was always baffled with people asking me for a natural lipstick colour and then insisting on beige. Nobody has beige lips naturally! Lip colour but an enhanced version is by far the most flattering shade for a natural look.

Havingkittens, thanks so much for the recommendation.
Yes I completely agree and have been wearing the beige 'natural' for years now. No wonder I looked dead in my recent pictures!

I think I'll also try the watermelon you mentioned too, seems like its lasting well too, I think I'll avoid fig though as it appears to be brown.

I have had my colours done and I'm a autumn leaf, blonde hair blue eyes, pale skin. Since becoming a sahm I've totally lost confidence with makeup, any tips for a good colour for me? I'm more a gloss than lipstick girl reallu as feel lipstick makes me look like my gran!

I have found it easier to buy a lip pencil in a shade matching your lip colour and use it to colour in the lips - then add clear gloss (I just use any lip balm). I'd love to get my colours done, agree that since becoming a SAHM I've lost confidence with make up and clothes. I seem to have morphed into my beige wallpaper.