It’s time for the third installment of my classic beauty product review project (try saying that ten times fast…), and this time I’m bringing it back to basics. There are countless products out there that contribute to an overall beauty look (and I reviewed two important ones in Part 1 and Part 2), but I argue that lipstick is the one that can make the biggest impact with a single swipe. So today we’re going to talk about a classic lipstick…one with a little history behind it…
Image from madonnafansworld.over-blog.com
When Madonna was interviewed during her 1990 Blond Ambition tour, she was asked what red lipstick accompanied her famous Jean Paul Gaultier wardrobe. When she proclaimed that she wore MAC’s Russian Red on stage, legend has it that the shade sold out across the world in record time. Fast forward to 2012, and it is still the perfect shade of red and is still one of MAC’s top selling lipsticks.
I’ve been using Russian Red since 2005; though I’ve had others since then, I continually turn to it for all my classic red lip needs. MAC calls it an “intense blue-ish red,” matte and buildable for that vampy vixen look. I’d recommend using a primer and applying with a lip brush (which I suggest for most dramatic shades) because even though the texture is creamy and it goes on smoothly, you want a precise application which is hard to achieve using the stick alone. It’s long-lasting and doesn’t dry out like matte lipsticks notoriously do.
That’s me sporting Russian Red, taking bathroom photos for MySpace
Blue-based reds are usually aimed at blondes and those with reddish undertones, but I’ve seen Russian Red on darker skinned babes and brunettes who pulled it off just as well. And if the matte finish just isn’t your thing, this lippy looks just as lovely with a touch of clear gloss over top. If you don’t have a quintessentially classic red lipstick yet (or even if you do…), I urge you to add Russian Red to your makeup bag!
Available at MAC for $17.50, or at maccosmetics.com.
Much love, Madison Blake
PS Don’t forget to come out to the Help Change My City charity fashion show, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, tonight at Pink Thai restaurant! It’s for a great cause, raising funds for battered women’s services, and entry is by donation. Get all the details here.
