I never wore red lipstick.
Over the years, I tried different shades and I always felt I looked ridiculous. I stuck with more neutral colors or no lipstick at all. Until 2014. I don’t know if it was the fact that I was finding my own with fashion, makeup and hair (finally at the age of 32) or because I was feeling fearless as we went through our first round of IVF … But I wore the red lipstick. And I loved it.
Back Story…
The company I work for was participating in the local university’s homecoming events, including a business skit competition. The script written by our fearless leader that year included a spoof appearance by Snow White. I am more of a behind-the-scenes gal, but they kept asking if I would take on the role of Snow White and I relented.
I was overwhelmed by the different shades of red and was scared about how it would look on me. My bestie helped me pick a shade. I purchased it, threw it in my purse and went back to my office. I closed the door and pulled the lipstick out of my purse. I applied it – waiting for the cringe that inevitably happened when I tried red lipstick in the past. But there was no cringe – I LOVED IT. It was the perfect shade – not too bright, not too dark. Just right.
I played Snow White. It was great. And I wore my Snow White costume again for Halloween. Along with the red lipstick.
And that was it.
And as weird as this sounds, a red lip gives me a boost of confidence. For me, red represents fearlessness, brightness, excitement, adventure, energy, and confidence. And that, ladies, is how I found my lip color five years ago. At the ripe old age of 32.