The sister post to my cool pink spotlight, behold some of my favourite warm pinks! They hold a special place in my heart.

MAC Party Parrot

MAC is a bit of an asshole when it comes to limited edition lipsticks, case in point: Party Parrot. Impossible to come by unless you’re willing to hound down civilians and offer them big money (I’m persistent, okay?), Party Parrot is a medium-deep neon pink that leans red. Despite my ability to turn fuschia shades red, this does indeed translate to a neon pink on my lips! I’d describe it as a heavy matte formula, not a Ruby-Woo-Sorta-Dry but utmost opaque coverage that you can feel on the lips even after eating. The most vibrant of my picks, I reserve Party Parrot for instances where I want to make a statement (and look particularly intimidating? Weird?)

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte – M PK 355

I was SO smug when I purchased this, I thought I’d found y’all a dupe for Party Parrot! Alas, it is slightly muted in comparison and lacks the neon edge but still the ideal alternative if you’re not looking to harass or intimidate people. Unlike Party Parrot, PK 355 has a feather-light matte formula with a silicone slip; both shades require that your lips be in decent condition (increasingly a rarity for me). A real winner in the Shu line.

Chanel Rouge Allure – Genial

You all know the journey that I undertook to obtain Genial; wholeheartedly worthwhile. It looks rather similar to Shu Uemura M PK 355 in swatches but entirely different on the lips due to its white base; it has a slightly pastel-flamingo quality on the lips. If you’re a bold risk taker like myself, it is still available on All Cosmetics Wholesale. It’s an old lipstick. You might get a bad one. May the force be with you.

MAC Viva Glam – Nicki

I love a slightly chalky lipstick. There, I said it! It can be done right, I kinda love this example…

…although my taste is sometimes questionable. Nicki is a light pink with a strong white base and a slight yellow lean that lends a salmon hue. Full coverage paired with a white base is always an unforgiving combination so exfoliate, hydrate, blot and pray. It has a slight sheen and supports an AIDS fund, in case you were feeling guilty about taking part in MAC consumerism.

Burberry Lip Cover – Primrose Hill Pink

The most muted of the bunch, Primrose Hill Pink is brightened warm pink with decent coverage and a glossy finish. It’s ultra comfortable on the lips and, here comes a dirty word… work-appropriate! All round pretty, I’d recommend it for more muted tastes.

Becca Beach Tint – Dragonfruit

What kind of Australian would I be if I didn’t include a bit of Becca? If you haven’t tried the Beach Tint (aka stain) formula, where the bloody hell are ya? (bad Australian jokes I’ll stop now). A newer edition to the line, the good people at Becca seem to have improved the formula: Dragonfruit boasts stronger pigmentation and excellent longevity, used as a cheek stain it sits very close to the skin for a genuine flush. Tacky upon application, Dragonfruit dries down to a satin finish but I did notice a minute amount of glimmer in swatches that doesn’t translate to the lips or face. This shade is best described as a brightened warm pink with a slight watermelon tinge; build it up, tone it down, the world is your oyster. The mofo still separates but for you, Dragonfruit, I’ll shake all day.

Now for some warm-pink inspiration! Three entirely different concepts and personalities featuring a warm pink lip.

Blank Impact

A strong nod to the catwalk, it looks super simple but there is more to it: a strong manicured brow, significant skin-prep (aiming for hyper-real perfection here, falling short due to lack of lighting team) and illuminating pen in shadowy areas for an enhanced illusion of uniformity. Read: blank, not tired. I skipped mascara for authenticity but everyone looks prettier with a bit.

Full face breakdown!

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask // A dot mixed in with moisturiser as skin prep, helps keep flakies at bay
Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer – Light // Excessive babble here
Dermablend Fluid Corrective – 15 Opal // Lots of tedious spot concealing
Chanel Brush – 24 // All time favourite spot-concealing tool. Have since discovered that this is discontinued!? Distressed pleas for a dupe?
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Pen – 1.5 // Under eyes, smile lines, under brow, above brow, all over my damn face
SUQQU Brow Pen – Moss Green // Used with precision for a defined, flattened brow
Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel – Granite // Matching cool tones, brows carefully combed into place
Shu Uemura – M PK 355 // Applied with a lip brush for stronger impact
A skowl // So key; it’s fashion, darlinggg.

Colour-Blocking

Vibrant, graphic clean lines. A straight flick (as opposed to flirty flick) with a graphic brow and an artificial block on the lips. I used Makeup Geek Electric Gel Liner and quick review, I kinda hated it: quite streaky and impossible to remove so no corrections, you get ONE go at that wing. Sydney forgot it was spring so I had to resort to softbox lighting.

Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer – Light // BLA BLA BLA
Dermablend Fluid Corrective – 15 Opal // Spot concealer + under eyes. Review coming soon
Makeup Forever Aqua Brow – 10 // Strong perimeters, I used a much lighter shade to avoid a brow that takes over my face
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow – Peach Smoothie // A fantastic transitional shade
MAC Eyeshadow – Soft Brown // Some warmth in the crease, to pull together the lip
Makeup Geek Gel Liner – Electric // Trickiest formula of all time, greatest colour. Will try it in the waterline, as it is absolutely indelible
Rouge Bunny Rouge Long Lasting Eye Pencil – Salome // Hands-down best eyeliner to tightline
Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara – Black // The sample that never died
MAC Viva Glam – Nicki // Picturing a bit cooler than it looked in person, the solid white base plays well with the cobalt liner

Youthful and Flushed

This started off as a flushed look and ended as a kinky school-girl; things escalate quickly. A large placement of blush, plenty of highlighter and fluffy lashes. A side ponytail and a collared shirt for those really committed to the cause.

SUQQU Frame Fix Cream Foundation – 002 // On nose and chin to conceal surface redness
Giorgio Armani Precision Retouch Concealer – 2 // Under eyes, around nose crevice and between brows for all teh illumination!
SUQQU Brow Pen – Brown // Sparingly, aiming for a my-brow-but-better
Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder – Candlelight // A healthy dose on the cheekbones and the eyelid, the small amount left on the brush was dusted all over
Becca Beach Tint – Dragonfruit // Blended over a large portion of the cheeks and dabbed on the lips as a graduated stain
Liz Martins Select Individual Lashes – Short // Dropped randomly to frame the entire eye
Geisha Ink Mascara – Black // To bind the natural lashes to the false

Pinks, check. That was fun! Collecting votes for orange versus red lipsticks next, let me know in a comment.

xxkarima