fotd: galaxy blues

It makes me feel positively ancient to see grey or green or black or blue lipstick so readily available at mainstream beauty counters. Not because I’m too old-fashioned to appreciate anything outside the nude-to-red spectrum, but because I remember a time when unusually coloured lipsticks were hard to come by outside of costume stores in October. And even then, they were so poorly formulated that one was forced to weigh the pursuit of individualism against their dignity – because how confident could anyone be wearing makeup that looked and felt like cheap greasepaint?

Happily, it’s a whole new world now. So when Make Up For Ever launched their revamped Artist Rouge Lipstick line (which included a good handful of offbeat hues) guess what I picked to test first…

This is shade C603, part of a two-colour collaboration with Icona Pop. While I expected it to be more of a purple-based deep blue, it actually turned out to be a dark teal reminiscent of peacock feathers. By the way, this is the same colour I got for my lip makeover during the launch party, sans loose glitter patted on top. I kind of missed the sparkle in this recreation, but it’s such a striking colour on its own that it really doesn’t need any extras.

It went on smooth and evenly pigmented, though I did need to use a lip brush and some concealer to clean up the edges (as is generally the case with any dark lipstick that doesn’t have a matching lip liner).

I know blue lips aren’t for everyone, so I did a take 2 of this look with M100 (a nice nude) as well.

M100 is quite literally my MLBB shade. It’s the exact colour my lips would be if they were evenly pigmented (which they aren’t) or not prone to turning white whenever I’m cold (which they do). So although my lips do sometimes look like this on their own with just clear balm…this has been indispensable on days when they’re blotchy or pale and I want to even them out without adding colour.

Just for fun, here’s a side-by-side of the blue vs nude lips. Which do you prefer? I thought I’d have a clear favourite, but now that I’m looking at both of them I’m actually a little torn!

Face: Make Up For Ever HD Stick Foundation in Y225, Cle de Peau Concealer, Cle de Peau Loose Powder // Cheeks: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed, NYX Blush in Taupe // Eyes: Make Up For Ever Artist Shadows in ME122 Snow in the inner corner, with ME216 Electric Blue, S228 Petrol Blue and D236 Lagoon Blue on the lid, as well as M928 Eggplant, M738 Auburn and M646 Latte through the crease, Urban Decay Moondust in Cosmic on the centre of the lid, Physician’s Formula Lash Boosting Eyeliner, Ardell 120 Demi Wispies, Make Up For Ever Excessive Lash Mascara // Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow in Dark Brown // Lips: Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipsticks in C603 and M100

Some of the products in this post were provided as press samples, however all opinions and observations are my own and not influenced by the brand(s) or their PR team(s). This post contains affiliate links.