Black Women Share How They Rock Bold Lip Colors
Lipstick is warpaint and the women who rock them boldly are always ready for war.
I love seeing women of all shades rocking bold lips. And depending on your undertone, it can be difficult to find the bold lip that best suits the color of your skin. A pretty pout can elevate any look, whether it's matte or glossy. Fun fact: If I'm making a shameless, late night Target run, I put on my favorite bold lip so I don't look as ratchet as I actually am. While chapstick and lip gloss is cute and all, take a chance by making a bold statement with your lips.
We rounded up some bold warpaint queens that kill it effortlessly. Check out how they rock their looks!
Krizz'Tina Mitchell
IG: @KrizzTinaMitchell
"When it comes to my lipstick, I prefer to be spontaneous! Enough planning goes into my day, so lipstick is one of the things I'd rather get to be more playful with. I don't try to 'match' my makeup look or outfit. Instead, I simply complement my mood. If I'm feeling bold, I'll reach for my most vibrant lipsticks—they go on and stay on!"
"How do I rock bold colors? Naturally."
"Fenty Beauty's 'Midnight Wasabi is my favorite! Not only is it a delicious shade of my favorite color, green, but it's the perfect balance between a bold color, rich formula, and gentle tone. I can wear it knowing I'm rocking the best of both worlds; professional and casual."
Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Matte Lipstick in Midnight Wasabi, $39Shop Here
Rhavynie Castro
IG: rhavysheezus
"I've always loved bold and fierce lips, but I never thought I could rock them, then I started to follow some tricks. I always make sure my lips are moisturized and apply my lipsticks very calm by paying attention to little details."
"My favorite will always be cherry red."
Maybelline New York SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick Makeup in Keep It Red, $7Shop Here
Malaysia Chavira
IG: Ohh_Maly
"I rock bold lip colors by matching it to my mood for the day. I love the dramatic, intense rebellious colors, the odd colors no one normally wears on a regular basis. Rocking a bold lip is the icing on the cake that is my face. I can't live without NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede 'Jet Set'."
NYX Professional Makeup Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Jet-Set, $10Shop Here
Magá Moura
IG: @magavilhas
"I love to be very colorful so One of the Boyz by Fenty Beauty is one of my faves."
Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in One of the Boyz, $36Shop Here
Donna Jenay
IG: @Donna.Jenay
"i love doing a simple eye look, a calm pair of lashes, a fierce highlight and contour, and then killin em with the lip!! My fave bold lip is Ruby Woo by MAC."
MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo, $27Shop Here
Deborah Falconer
IG: @openbeauty1
"Bold is beautiful and I encourage every woman to try out a bold lip color and pair it with a natural makeup look. I tend to rock bold lip colors either with a day makeup look or either with a bright eyeshadow look. The key to rocking bold lip color is to layer the lip gradually until you achieve the intensity of the lip color you desire. Also, line the lip with either a dark brown lip pencil or a burgundy lip liner. Another key is the bold lip must not overpower the entire look but it must complement it."
"My favourite is lip pencil is MAC Cosmetics Currant. I wear a lot of liquid matte lipstick due to it intensity and pigment. My current favorite is from Pierre Rene London [in] 08 Crimson Red and Makeup Geek Cosmetics' Beauty Queen."
Pierre Rene London in 08 Crimson Red, $16Shop Here
Malory Robillard
IG: @Malory.n
"I like to wear bold colors with something simple so it really pops and compliments the outfit as well. A good red lipstick is my favorite."
Are you a bold lip color lover? Which color is your favorite? We want to hear from you!
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
Courtesy
I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
Courtesy
That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
Courtesy
So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
Courtesy
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