Revlon: Classic Lipsticks I
A question that I'm always asked is, "Do you wear Besame Cosmetics?" Besame Cosmetics is a wonderful makeup line that serve reproductions of wonderful lipstick colors, formulas, and packaging modeled straight from the 1920s-60s. Honestly I've never owned Besame Cosmetics, though I would love to try their line out one day! Besame's price range is a wee bit over my budget for makeup. Also, I've always been the kind of girl who trusts the products that are tried and true and have been around forever. My go to lipstick is Revlon! Yes, a drug store lipstick brand that ranges between $6-8/tube depending on where you go and what city you're in.
Revlon lipsticks have stood the test of time! They have shades that have been around since the 1940s! Holly Golightly (played by Audrey Hepburn) in the iconic film, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) even used a lipstick shade of Revlon's that's still around today! (It's called "Love in the Afternoon.") If it works for Audrey, it surely works for me!
My vanity consists of different lipsticks by M.A.C. and Revlon. Both are my go to for classic looking shades in reds, pinks, and everything in between.
I honestly adore Revlon's simple packaging. The black tube with the gold band wrapped around spelling "REVLON" out in all caps is simple yet chic. I feel very sophisticated when I pull out one of my three Revlon lipsticks accompanied with my beautiful 1950s cream white lucite goldfish compact mirror!
Revlon has many lipstick shades that have been around since the 40s! My goal is to one day own every single one of these shades and test them out on this blog for you!
For now, I will spotlight three of my favorite Revlon lipsticks in this 3 part post beginning with my favorite lipstick of all time!
"Cherries in the Snow" first debuted in 1953 and is a classic color that was very popular during the 1950s. This is honestly my favorite lipstick shade of all time!
Sidebar: You can find some gorgeous 1950s and on Revlon ads featuring "Cherries in the Snow" lipstick shade!
The classic Revlon shades are NOT matte lipsticks. Matte lipsticks were not popular until the 1990s with the introduction of the semi matte lipstick. Back in the day, women blotted their lips to maintain the perfect pout and prevent lipstick from showing up on one's teeth!
I have an additional trick that I do to prevent transference and maintain longer wear! I grab my favorite powder, Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder, which was first produced in 1935 and comes in the cutest vintage-esque container perfect for vanities!
I take a bit of the powder and apply directly onto the lipstick and then press my lips together to distribute the powder evenly. This method slightly mattifies the lipstick and makes the color last longer as this lipstick does transfer a lot without proper blotting. This is the perfect finishing touch!
"Cherries in the Snow" is my go to lipstick because it is the perfect deep cool toned magenta but reads slightly blue-red in certain lights. This is my go to color to make a bold statement! It is ultra feminine and I get a lot of compliments (and "Besame" asks) when I wear this. If you're looking for the perfect 1950s lipstick shade, but you're scared to opt for red, go for this! You will still get the vintage look, but with more of a pink coloring! When I wear this I think of Jayne Mansfield, as this seems like a shade she'd opt for to maintain that kittenish look.
I love this color with pink blush, eyeshadow, and a cat eye! Stay tuned for more color ways of classic Revlon lipstick shades!
See you next Friday lovelies!
Photographs were taken by Henrietta Audu.