Day 5 - Ignite

To make up for yesterday's cheat day, I bring you Illmasqua's Ignite (reddish orange):

This lipstick formula is described as matte but surprisingly there's a bit of a slip to it. However, it was still a bit dry on the lips. I added a layer of gloss to it - Dolce & Gabbana's Lip Gloss in Secret (sheer tangerine orange. After the lip gloss topping faded, the color endured for hours. The pigment gradually faded but I didn't have to reapply till after my lunch time spin class - six hours after initial application, around 6:50 AM.

Obligatory arm swatch:

I was inspired by Bobbi Brown's Spring Neons and Nudes 2012 collection with the look I decided to wear to the office.

With lips this bright, I really kept my eyes soft so they didn't conflict each other. However, I still felt a bit self-conscious with this type of intensity at the office this early in the morning.

I'm happy I survived this challenge, with just one small set back yesterday. I think I made up for it today with this lipstick. The one thing I really enjoyed with this challenge was only spending around five minutes doing my eye makeup.

I may have to convert to colorful lipsticks just so I can have an extra ten minutes of sleep. It's a fair trade-off, right?

Illmasqua Lipstick - $22/USD (bought at Sephora)
Dolce & Gabbana Lip Gloss - $29/USD (bought at Saks Fifth Ave)

How to IGNITE at work...

Taking full advantage of the VIB sale at Sephora, not only did I decide to load up on my favorites - another NARS blush and a multiple but purchasing brands I normally never buy, ie. Laura Mercier haul and today's lipstick - Illmasqua's Ignite.

Yet again I was influenced by the lovely Jen at My Funny Valentine. But I have yet to concoct my own skincare. Out of sheer laziness and the general fact that I really sucked in chemistry class I prefer to "ooh and ahhh" over her homemade beauty chemistry posts!

I really love orangey-reds on her, I think she's about two shades lighter than I am. But because I am still working the nerve to wear a full on orange lip - I have found away to make it more wearble at the office, aside from wearing a tangerine gloss.



(Tangerine-red on NC 42 skin)



I remembered the advice I got from a Burberry M.A. - "use your finger to pick up the color and just pat on your lip for a softer look". Well it worked very nicely! It gave me a soft, workable tangerine stain. The natural dark tint of my lips gave it a deeper color - me likey!

This lipstick is described as matte but it's anything but that. From my horrors of matte lipstick, drying and accentuating the flakiness on my lips, this goes on like a satin finish and dries down so comfortably. Then again I applied this on top of a lip balm for good measure.

I kept my makeup super simple - Rosegold (NARS Nepal) shadow on top of my my UD primer in Greed (sparkly gold) and lined with soft walnut brown liner - LM Caviar Eye Liner in Chestnut and lots of black mascara (Dior Extase).

And of course my favorite coral blush - NARS Gilda and a swipe of the Multiple in South Beach (rich bronze). Also used tinted moisturizer - LM Caramel.

I am loving this lipstick - thanks JEN!!