The Lady and the Dancing Pink Elephants

Have you ever walked in a room or been in the company of someone and it's uncomfortably obvious that there is something going on that's not being addressed? Like there is a big pink dancing elephant in the room and everyone is pretending that all is well and normal? Well there's usually a negative connotation to that phrase because those types of scenarios generally require some level of confrontation or discourse in order to resolve. In my case, the pink elephant is not only patterned on my shirt (how cute right??!!!) but all over my lips!!! Lol. So luckily for me, to address the pink elephant in my room requires no uncomfortable confrontation but just some acknowledgment and explaining on my part. Here goes...

I am sooooo not a makeup girl. By any stretch of the imagination. In the past, all attempts at wearing makeup have made me feel, and in my eyes, look like RuPaul or some other glorious drag queen. And while that is somewhat complimentary I'm not necessarily trying to look like a drag queen. So I, like many black women, have shyed away from makeup. A pretty nude gloss (MAC's Spite is my favorite), a perfect strong brow and a little mascara (I die for Lancôme Definicils) with some good skin (love Clarins Hydraquench moisturizer and serum, as well as Clinique's MoistureSurge gel cream) and that's it for me. Pretty lips, bold brows, long, natural lashes and healthy, dewy skin. However, this past year I've managed to work foundation and a bit of concealer into my routine, particularly when going out on the town. The days of my RuPaul insecurity are behind me and the feeling that a little makeup is unnatural are so immature to me now. But the issue with my lips have remained unchanged, until just recently. I was still pretty hung up on pretty Nudes and clear glosses b/c color scared me. So that brings me to my biggest pink dancing elephant debacle and that is overcoming my insecurity about my lips and forcing myself to add a little color on my lips.

For a long time (until recently) I was foolish enough to think that my lips were too full and awkward... just problematic and no need to highlight them. But after being told how ridiculous and silly that is by anyone who heard my complaint, I've started to like them more. And with liking them more I've started to get bold enough to experiment with colors. I've tried the new wine color lip trend and I love it but it's so über vampire sexy that I'll reserve that one for evenings, but certainly a new favorite. Maybe I'll wear it when the new twilight movie is released. Lol. So to not look like a vampire during the day I decided to turn it up and try a bold red alternative (the dancing pink elephant in my room). :-) I'm kinda liking it! It sort of makes me feel and look like a grown up but it's bright and playful enough to not take me too serious. I thought it was a perfect combination for this lady-like retro pinup girl inspired look. What do you Honeeyz think? What's your take on women of color and makeup??

Pleated Skirt: BCBGeneration; Elephant Top (new) and Clutch (old): Gap; Heels: L.A.M.B.; Earrings: UrbanOutfitters; Bracelet: H&M; Lipstick: Rimmel Kate (as in Kate Moss) #01

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UNTIL NEXT TIME...