the sweatshirt dress, reprise

IMG_1986Same dress, different weather.

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This is the new Revlon Matte Balm in Audacious, the formula of which I quite like. I like this color, too, which is much brighter than it’s showing here, nearly neon, like the Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids. Matte bright lips are one of those trends I’m enjoying.

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Occasionally one gets honked at when taking pictures of oneself in the street. Occasionally pedestrians will want to use the sidewalk. 

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Sloppy Joe dress from Hush, Zara scarf, Sorel boots, Mulberry bag (thrifted). 8mm studs from Pearl Paradise. For once I think the ivory overtones in these pearl studs are coming through.

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Exhibit A

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Behold NARS Exhibit A, a vivid red blush with burnt sienna tones. The first time I saw this in person was a few years ago now and it was a total coup de foudre. Instant affinity. It’s scary in the pan but is to be applied in sheer layers with a light hand, to which task the NARS yachiyo brush (still loving it) is well suited. NARS is known for their uniformly beautiful blushes*. Excellent pigmentation, fine, high quality powders. I cannot imagine that I will ever use it all, so fractional is the amount needed. This is the blush that, for me, follows (more or less) the prescription to wear a color that matches the color you naturally blush. Goes wonderfully with red lipsticks, too.

*Their eyeshadows (and their eye primer) and certain of their lipsticks are supposed to be good, too, though I confess they do not tempt me, velvet matte lip pencils aside.

I am wearing this blush in the previous post and think it does look fairly realistic, especially as I am outside in the snow.

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It does look like I’m wearing blush (though maybe it wouldn’t if I weren’t wearing lipstick…) but I don’t mind that effect (the conspicuously made-up effect) in moderate doses, or even in immodest doses, if the context is right. The existence and use of makeup is no secret.