"RED LIPS"

The red lips just make the look for me. The contrast against her pale skin and blond hair is perfection.

I am a super fan of lipstick. I think the industry is thriving on my purchases alone and I am not ashamed. Yes, I am one of those girls who won't leave the house without a tube or two of lipstick in my possession.

I know what you are thinking: Aren't you from Seattle, the capital of chapstick?

I would like to smash that stereotype but I am afraid that its true. If you do step outside you will probably find one woman out of five wearing lipstick and I am usually that one. There's nothing wrong with chapstick, it nourishes your lips and if it smudges it won't get everywhere and its oh so easy to reapply. These are all good reasons and the smudge argument is usually the winner but ever since the color stay lipstick it doesn't necessarily have the upper hand.

I see lipstick as the shoes of your face. Hold on, I know it sounds weird but let me explain. You put on your eyeshadow like you would a blouse, the color complimenting your eyes and mascara to make it all stand out a little more. You apply foundation and a little bit of blush just to satisfy the look but if you by pass the lips its like walking out of the house without your shoes. I am not saying that you have to wear red but a little bit of tint can do wonders.

My favorite thing about lipstick is playing with it. I like to put one color on my bottom lip and another on the top lip, rub lips together and then put a tinted gloss over the whole look. Its a color all its own and in a way you feel like a lipstick guru, especially if someone comments on it. You can even do this with a color stay lipstick before it dries. I use that a lot more these days because I am always on the run. It maybe an extra dollar or two but its completely worth it.

So if next time you find yourself at Bartell's, Walgreen's or your local Sephora, pick one up. If you find out that its not exactly the right color for you, play with it.