Bold & Beyond with The Lip Bar

Red lips can seem a little overwhelming. Even the thought of it can send our brains into overdrive. Some people connect red lipstick to being sexy, tempting, seductive or even crazy. Not saying that I’m NOT any of those things (inserts joking laugh), but wearing red lipstick can bring out more than just head turning and whispers from passers by. Red lips should make you feel beautiful, confident and BOLD!

Wearing Slay Bells

As a woman of a darker hue, I found myself shying away from the boldness of the red lipstick and the connotations that come along with it. So I dove head first into the world of nudes. You can’t really go wrong with a nude lipstick but, you can blend in so well, that who you are gets covered up by what you think the world wants you to be. Free is exactly what I want to be at this point in my life. Free to be seen, free to be heard and free to be me.

Wearing Ms. Claus

Thank you to The Lip Bar, a black woman owned cosmetic brand, for creating variations of red lip colors that do justice for women of any hue.

I was introduced to The Lip Bar through Instagram. Taking a leap of faith in hopes I find the perfect red that made me feel comfortable and confident. I picked up “Bawse Lady” as my first choice and fell so deeply in love with how it compliments my complexion, that it makes me push all my other ‘okay’ reds to the bottom of my make up bag. So of course I was on my toes when I found out about a new Holiday Collection, Passport to Beauty. It features 3 of the most gorgeous reds I’ve ever laid eyes on, with 3 different finishes and a pop of metallic.

Candy Land (left), a traditional lipstick bullet with a silky finish, gives me regal and elegant yet, Here I am World! Enjoy! Ms. Claus (middle) is my absolute favorite because she dries with a surprise. She goes on so smooth and rich but dries in a shimmery-matte finish. I was left wondering what type of magic was sprinkled into it to give such a combo.  Slay Bells (right) is a red gloss that would help warm up a room when you smile. Unlike other glosses, it stays put and doesn’t feel oily or tacky as I wore it throughout the day.

Wearing red lipstick not only helped me step outside my comfort zone but it gave me that strong and confident boldness from the very moment I looked in the mirror. Living your world in color is the best gift you can give yourself and I love The Lip Bar for creating such stunning red shades that give my chocolate skin a bold accented boost. Don’t be shy! Grab your own!

   all photos shot by Tasha James