Red Lip by Noa Bolozky + Lipstick Giveaway!

This is my girl, Noa B. You may recognize her name and pretty face from our joint blog and vintage redesign project Secondhand Star. But did you know that Noa is also one of the industry's top makeup artists? In fact, we met several years ago when I was acting and she was my makeup artist on a magazine shoot. To say I trust her opinion on beauty products is an understatement.

So I was thrilled when she agreed to do a guest post for November Grey and share her wisdom on creating (one of my signature faves) The Perfect Red Lip! Take it away Noa!


Thanks, T! I think at some point in their lives, every woman wants to try a traditional, red lip. There are a million brands, techniques, and products to choose from. Today's blog? The traditional, 1950's lip for today's modern, wearer.

{Some fun facts}
The 1940's and 50's saw an abundance of red lipsticks, in both orange and blue undertones. Throughout the war years, makeup remained fairly simple, emphasizing powders, groomed brows, long lashes, and a strong lip, (hailed as the "natural look"). Lipstick was the dominant makeup item for a generation of women who needed utility in war time and used a single product to spruce up. 

Here's how to make it work for you:  First, choose your red wisely. I like to stick to blue-based reds as they keep the teeth looking whiter. Some good ones to try are Becca Tatiana, NARS Vesuvio, MAC Russian Red, Elis Faas #103, and L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Lipcolor in British Red. 

1: Start by exfoliating your lips. I like Philosophy's Kiss Me, exfoliating lip scrub, but a simple once-over with a toothbrush and some sugar water will do in a pinch.

2: Apply a neutral lipliner that matches your own lipcolor. Fill in the whole lip from edge to center.

3: Go for the gusto and apply the tube directly onto the lips--no brushes needed. Fill in all the way over the lip liner to the very edge of your mouth. This ensures that as you eat and drink, the stain of the red mingled with the natural tint of the liner will leave you with a soft, berry color instead of a red, hard outline.

4: Blot with tissue. Reapply lightly and blot again. 

5: Add a soft blush, and keep eyes to a minimum. Red lips say it all, and a heavily made up eye will knock the balance right out of your face. I like to use gold-toned shadow and minimal mascara. For blush, use something soft like NARS Orgasm or Sex Appeal delicately to the apples of the cheeks, as well as a highlighter to brighten below the eyes.

Need a perfect red lip in your life? Noa has recently started her own beauty and fashion blog called Sunset & 5th, chalk-full of tips and tidbits and awesome beauty reviews. Become a follower of her blog Sunset & 5th and be entered to win this full-size tube of one of her favorite, universally flattering reds, MAC Russian Red!

To be eligible for drawing:

1. You must be a follower of November Grey ~ (if you are already a follower, let me know!)
2. Become a follower of Sunset & 5th  then comment back here with your entry! 

Open to international submissions

Contest ends 2/10/12 at 10pm PST

Winner will be drawn randomly & announced by 2/14/12 ~ Valentine's Day xx