trends - The Seventh Sphinx

We all understand, do we not, that it is never too late (nor too early) to wear an autumnal lip?

Why, anyway, should autumn/winter have exclusive rights to the berrylicious or vampy pout? No, I don’t follow that logic at all. I sense the pull of the dark side in the dark months, but in the summer I wonder if I don’t feel it even more, at least periodically, as a kind of aesthetic rebellion against prevailing trends.

Here is one I’m loving at the moment, NYX Soft Matte lip cream in Prague, a plum-toned raspberry, let’s call it.

This Tahitian pearl pendant is from PearlsofJoy (a custom request), and the golden akoya earrings are from PearlParadise.

I do like this formula, which leaves a soft hazy stain on the lips. Not especially long-wearing for me* but not expensive, either, and it offers uniform coverage that is easily built to opacity. If you like this product but want something more long-wearing I highly recommend the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick as well as the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, both of which have excellent, opaque pigmentation and impressive longevity. That said, the Soft Matte lip creams give comparable color for a quarter (or less, if on offer) of the price.

*Long-wearing formulas have their uses but are not essential, so to say that something is not long-wearing is not an insult from me. I eat and drink, and I don’t expect lip products to survive much of that. It’s even a little unnerving when they do, sometimes. I don’t like that experience of having a hard time getting makeup off. I don’t like waterproof mascaras usually, for example.

Such a pretty color. A hint of violet is flattering on so many skintones, I find, and with so many eye colors. I’ve only recently had the thought that if a little purple is good, a lot of purple would be better. Really in the mood for purple tones across the board, from fuchsia and raspberry to full on royal purple. Have picked up purple blushes, purple eyethings, and a few purple lipthings. Does this ever happen to you, that you go on a color kick? More on this later.

Speaking of autumn-worthy shades, currently sitting in my Sephora cart: the Kat Von D liquid lipstick in Bauhau5, a bit darker and more purple than Prague (STUNNING), and the Bite Beauty Frozen Berries Matte Creme Lipstick in Barberry, a soft orchid. Well, I want the Bite Beauty lipstick to be in my cart, but it’s been out of stock for ages. It’s going to be in my cart, one day. The Plum and Juniper shades from the Frozen Berries collection look lovely, too. Can’t say enough positive things about Bite Beauty.

Like I was saying in the previous post, there are so many active trends in women’s fashion right now (and new ones born every day, it seems), if you want to look on trend, it’s almost too easy…

Just wear:

anything plaid

denim on denim

a tulle skirt with button-up shirt and/or a leather jacket, alternatively a pleated skirt

lots of little gold/rose gold/silver rings, esp with a hammered finish, esp not quite matching in style

lots of big, chunky rings

all white

high waisted denim shorts, high waisted anything

a tuxedo blazer, esp with jeans and a t-shirt

leather pants, alternatively leather overalls, alternatively a leather skirt

your jacket unbuttoned, esp your jacket just over your shoulders

white pumps

brightly colored shoes, esp heels and oxfords

heels and skinny jeans (this trend isn’t going anywhere)

flats and skinny jeans (ditto)

a jumpsuit

bold brows, esp with freckles (freckles are totally trending)

heels with asymmetrical silhouettes and one or both sides open

loose, slightly messy bohemian hair, esp long

anything that could be characterized as Parisian

chunky gold jewelry, chunky white jewelry, or some combination of the two

a floppy felted wool hat

a wiggle dress (think MadMen)

a mid-length skirt or dress with a weighty boot or a bright sneaker, esp Doc Martens or Converse (or similar)

graphic prints, alternatively graphic eyeliner

lots of layers, as in 4+ layers, where each is partly visible

a pencil skirt, esp if not black or gray

oxford pumps

a leather jacket, esp if not black or brown

metallic shoes

lipstick, esp oranges, esp brights, esp mattes

a long, full skirt, esp with boots

white shirts, esp slouchy, v neck tees

western clothes in African prints

two of something you only need one of (2 button down shirts, 2 scarves, 2 belts, 2 pairs of socks, etc)

statement or retro (possibly outright bizarre) glasses or sunglasses

neon shoes and/or a neon bag

a skater skirt, a tea dress, a smock dress

men’s outerwear, esp a double breasted wool coat

vintage touches on an otherwise contemporary ensemble (a vintage lip color, broach, hairstyle, shoes, gloves, earrings,etc)

an elaborate belt with a simple dress

pointed flats, esp animal print (ballet flats in general going strong)

mustard

turquoise

royal blue (bordering on neon)

a sequined skirt/pants/blazer

a long necklace with a large pendant

plenty of bronzer and/or highlighter

a dainty gold necklace with a small round disc pendant (esp a virtually invisible pendant), esp several of these together

a formal or tailored skirt with a t-shirt, esp loose and plain, alternatively esp novelty tees, esp geeky novelty tees

anything remotely bohemian, including braided crowns or any messy braid, long messy hair, flowers in the hair, loose long dresses, lace dresses with tan leather boots, loose, unstructured tank tops with chunky jewelry, elaborately tooled leather belts, anything from Free People…

tribal-aesthetic jewelry

a bright eyeliner on the lower lash line only

bib necklaces, especially those with faceted stones, especially those with a mix of stones

heels and rolled boyfriend jeans, esp with holes

knee-high boots and a trench coat, esp in a jewel tone

jeans, a nice blazer, and loafers or athletic sneakers

unexpected floral print (as on boots, heels, loafers, pants, shorts, belts, socks), esp a vintage floral print (like vintage wallpaper)

stacking many, many bracelets (any kind will do)

knee socks

elaborate nail art

a messy topknot, esp with bangs, alternatively any J. Crew promo hairstyle

a slouchy, light-weight scarf worn loosely but closely gathered at the neck, esp in a bright color or silk

a men’s sweater, a men’s watch, a men’s blazer, or any combination

a cape

a minaudiere, alternatively any implausibly small bag, alternatively any implausibly large bag

ad just about infinitum

Appearing fashionable in the sense of ‘on trend’, then, is so straightforward as to be formulaic.

Roughly:

To look casually fashionable, do one or two of these things (or some other thing). Maybe only one if it’s the right one, and this list is not anywhere near exhaustive (which is part of the point I’m trying to make in making it so long), as one look at pinterest will show.

To look quite fashionable, do two or three of these things.

To look solidly fashionable indeed, do four or more of these things. This can be disastrous given an unfortunate combination or even just a lack of confidence. You might look like you are trying to hard or like you got dressed in the dark…or you might look awesome. I say don’t worry about it, though, just wear whatever you like. Attitude will carry the day.

[A cheeky demonstration would be ideal here but it is just too damn cold. Remind me later.]

Tag: trends

raspberry lips