coral is a hot color for spring and ever since chanel iman graced the cover of l’official magazine with her beautiful matte coral lips, women have been scrambling to get their hands on the lip magic.

i’m a big fan, so much so that i was one of those women scouring the drug store, grocery store and any beauty counter i could find. it was a trip, let me tell you because what looked good in the tube often looked awful on me. i realized that for my black skin i needed to go warm – just as i do with my reds and though i love the pastel look, there is an art to picking out the right coral so that you don’t look like you just step out of a cirque du solie performance. i also found four great shades that are close to the chanel iman look so pick up any of these tubes below if you are crazy for coraline too!

so first up we have the balms/glosses and double duties for you ladies who prefer something lighter than a traditional lipstick.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm for Lips SPF 15 Caring Coral

go ahead and indulge your lips and purse. this tinted lip balm provides a hint of luscious, kissable color, smoothing lips instantly for a full 18 hours of continuous hydration. Lips are softer and more supple all day long – and keeps conditioning even after it’s been removed. you can pick this up online or in any drugstore.

Too Faced Full Bloom Cheek & Lip Crème Colour in Prim & Poppy

this double duty pigment-rich creamy blush and lip color blends effortless onto cheeks and lips with luminous color. lightweight, it’s a weightless, fresh feeling formula that pampers skin with floral extracts for all you green girls. the sheer pops of color enhance both cheeks and lips but with color payoff. as a blush, this too faced floral-infused formula melts into your skin for the most radiant and natural flush possible. a bouquet of flower extracts including avocado and aitamins A – F are included to promote a healthy complexion.

want more of a traditional lipstick feel and look? then try out these two options that allow for layering but still provide that moisture that you need.

Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Kissed Lips

this lipstick is a hydrating, anti-aging, plumping and conditioning lip color that glides on smoothly and evenly delivering a sheer wash of color with a semi-matte finish. this long-lasting formula will not feather or bleed.

Illamasqua in Obey [closest match on list to chanel iman's lipcolor]

this matte coral pink lipstick delivers with a one two punch, that matte, bright pinky, coral lip you’ve been looking for. obey is a color-intense lipstick that let your lips speak volumes. you can indulge in this highly pigmented formula if you are brave enough to handle all the stares and questions from other women who are going to want to know where you got your lipstick. it’s a show stopper for sure.

Are you doing the coral lip and floral thing this spring? Do you have a go-to coral fave just yet that you can share?

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“Lead builds in the body over time, and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels.” – Mark Mitchell, Environmental Health Task Force for the National Medical Association

i take my health very seriously. i work out, eat right and make sure that all of my numbers are low, and if you are anything like me, now it seems that we may need to keep track of our lead numbers too – lead in our lipsticks that is.

after reading about this study conducted by the fda in which they stated that 400 lipsticks were found to contain lead, i’m a little in shock and immediately think back to all those evenings when i walked home, stood in front of my vanity, ready to wash away that day’s face paint and my lipstick had all but vanished, worn off over cocktails, appetizers and main courses, with some of that color going right into my mouth with my food.

“We do not consider the lead levels we found in the lipsticks to be a safety concern. The lead levels we found are within the limits recommended by other public health authorities for lead in cosmetics.” – FDA

though this is disappointing, it should come as no surprise, as lead is allowed in candy and other digestible items that we eat. however, the campaign for safe cosmetics is all over this debacle and disagrees with the fda about the harm that lipstick lead could cause especially to pregnant women. they believe that the lead could build up over time – which is understandable since we reapply our lipsticks multiple times a day and some women start wearing lipstick as young as 16 years old – and that this buildup could lead to problems in the future. lead poisoning has been reported to cause problems ranging from low IQ and slowed grown in children to memory loss, mood disorders, and miscarriages.

wondering where this leaves you? well, if you are a wet ’n’ wild mega mixers lip balm wearer, you are still getting lead, but the least amount according to the fda study. the top 10 lead leaders are:

1. Maybelline Color Sensational, Pink Petal (7.9 ppm)
2. L’Oreal Colour Riche, Volcanic, (7.0 ppm)
3. NARS Semi-Matte, Red Lizard (4.93 ppm)
4. Cover Girl Queen Collection, Ruby Remix, (4.92 ppm)
5. Nars Semi-Matte, Funny Face (4.89 ppm)
6. L’Oreal Colour Riche, Tickled Pink (4.45 ppm)
7. L’Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor, Heroic (4.41 ppm)
8. Cover Girl Continuous Color, Warm Brick (4.28 ppm)
9. Maybelline Color Sensational, Mauve Me (4.23 ppm)
10. Stargazer Lipstick, #103 (4.12 ppm)

the fda-recommended upper limit for lead in candy is 0.1 ppm, but the agency said lipstick, which isn’t intended for ingestion, cannot be compared equally since it is only ingested in small quantities.

“It is not scientifically valid to equate the risk to consumers presented by lead levels in candy, a product intended for ingestion, with that associated with lead levels in lipstick, a product intended for topical use and ingested in much smaller quantities than candy.” – FDA

california has the strictest laws in the nation about lead in consumer products with an imposed safety limit of 5.0 ppm for lipstick.

to see the complete study and to double check for your favorite lip colors, see the expanded survey.

What say you? Are you concerned about the lead being in your lipstick? If your favorite brand and color is on the list, are you going to continue to wear it?

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Her lips on his could tell him better than all her stumbling words.” – Margaret Mitchell

You’re getting ready to strategically plant yourself under the mistletoe at the big holiday bash. You’ve got your posed, but not really posed stance going as you stand there smiling, laughing, sipping your cocktail and patiently waiting for the opportunity to pucker up with that cutie you’ve been passing glances to all night. That cutie. Your man. Your significant other. Your husband. HIM.

Your natural hair is decked and in your favorite and flyest style. Your outfit is tight and right in all the right places and you are ready. You’re giving him the eye because this is the kissing holiday, so give your lips the advantage and dress them up for the occasion with these three holiday festive lip colors to get you pucker ready.

Coral:

Coral is reminiscent of summer. It represents fresh, renewal and youth and you can bring this color right into your winter mix by wearing it with your winter whites and even your boyfriend jeans and snow boots when you want an edgier ensemble. My top coral picks are:

Mark Lipclick Full Color Lipstick in Coral Fixation, $10.00

Not only will you be drawn to this lipstick’s full, even coverage with a lightweight feel and luminous shine, you’ll also be attracted to its amazingly innovative, magnetic case that “clicks” closed every time.

NYX #LSS507, $4.00

This coral lipstick is popular because it works on so many skin tones, costs little to nothing and has good lasting power.

Another coral pick that I adore is INGLOT #106. For the color payoff, you can’t beat it’s $12.00 price tag!

Red:

To avoid the cliche and saying all of the things you already know about a classic, modern and vintage red lip. I’ll just say one word instead – red.

My top picks for a classic red, holiday lip are:

M.A.C. Ruby Woo, $14.50

Color plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! One of the colors that made M·A·C famous, Ruby Woo is a must have for women of color because this blue-based, matte litpstick takes red lipstick where it’s never gone before. A personal favorite of Kurlybella, I can see why she loves this. It’s a classic charmer!

Brighton Rock, pink-based red and a Topshop exclusive at $16.00.

Brighton Rock is a satin matte finish lipstick that will smooth, hydrate and nourish your lips. Apply this supple pinkish red color for fabulous coverage and a moisturized, matte finish, or wear alone or with gloss for a shiny finish.

When it comes to other red loves, I also crave IMAN 005 Red for $10.00 and e.l.f. Fearless for $1.00.

Nude:

If you are more into to warm nude tones, it’s still okay to wear your nude lip colors into the New Year. Nude is an all year round do! My personal favorite nude lipstick is:

Jone’s Magazine’s Best in Nude winner, Nude Attitude created by Three Custom Color Cosmetics and your’s truly. Part coral, beige and pink, this nude has quite a bit more color than you may be used to. For $22.50 you can pick up your tube at ThreeCustomColor.com

Second in line to my favorite nude color is M.A.C.’s Lady Gaga Viva Glam for $14.50 and
Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick 070 Soft Nude coming in at an affordable $5.00.

Remember that mistletoe and don’t neglect your lips. For a few bucks you can walk into the party looking and feeling like a million bucks and walk out feeling priceless after your midnight kiss.

photo

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orange or urange, whatever you call it, orange lips are in and are hot and uber bold. because it is so bold, you should wear it the way you would wear a bright red – avoiding an overly done face as to not look clownish.

with just a little mascara, a neutral eye and mac’s morange lipstick, you can have fashion forward lip look that is hot to wear and looks great at night. it might be a bit too risque for the day, unless you work in fashion or another entertainment career, so save it for night time fun.

here is a great tutorial on the morange lip. click on any photo to learn more about this color or to purchase.

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when mac came out with it’s fifi line a few years ago, i quickly snatched up “totally it” lip gloss, though it was a more fuschia pink than this one, it made for “hello gorgeous” lips.

with spring time upon us, it’s time to get back to the bold pink lip, if you dare.

i know many women of color are afraid to take the bright pink lipstick or lipgloss risk because of our fuller lips, but the advantage is that your lips are fuller and thus the color pay off of bright pink lipstick and effect of the lipstick is “boom” vs. “bang.”

yes, you can do bold pink lips.

click on the colors to learn more (most come in varying shades and have online swatches).

and don’t fret. you can always print this page and ask a beauty counter “can you match this pretty lady’s lip” or buy your cosmetics from riteaide – they take returns on makeup (and perhaps walgreens?)- if the color does not work for you.

do you like bright pink lips? will you be trying this look the bright pink lipstick look this spring and summer?

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