When it comes to lipstick colours, Pink is my Nude. It’s my go-to colour for most occasions. I tend to paint it red when I’m intending to paint the town red ergo the connection. Corals and Oranges, however, are foreign territory to me. I associate those two shades with being in limbo where colour is concerned because they’re neither quite here nor quite there. Does that make sense?

Given all that, it’s Summer. It’s Resort Wear season. That time of the year when Oranges and Corals dominate alongside Reds, both in terms of outfits as well as accessories and all the other necessary accoutrements which make up a successful outfit. I was, therefore, determined to give the zesty hues a go.

All things said and done, thanks to the rain finally stopping (yes, Texas, it’s Summer, when the sun shines?), I’ve been able to enjoy some pool time and acquire a slight tan which I adore but, in the context of finding that right dollop of Orange, has proved rather challenging. Why is that, you ask? Because I wish to avoid that Nicki Minaj luminous lip look (try saying that 5 times, very quickly, luminous lip look) and most Oranges tend to do that on me when I’m a little darker but not quite sunkissed-golden yet. It’s a tricky situation.

But but but, I found some Oranges, I swatched some Oranges, and here are the results thereof.

A-Go-Go, Kat Von D – this was the perfect pop of colour for my tan.

Neon Coral, Anastasia Beverly Hills – I’m quite certain this would have worked very well on me prior to the tan but for the moment, I’ll leave this to the paler complexions with yellow undertones. It just comes off way too 80s for me.

Morocco, Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream – this one works so well on me because for darker skin tones, a red-orange hybrid (be it sheer or highly pigmented) looks fresh and modern, and makes the complexion come alive.

Forbidden Sunrise, MAC Bao Bao Wan Limited Edition Line (no longer available) – I’m growing rather fond of this particular shade although I wasn’t too keen on it when swatching for photos. Perhaps it’s the slight frosty effect?

Saigon Summer, MAC – this one veers on the sheer side so it’s universally flattering and works on most skintones. I’m not a big fan because I felt the colour just disappeared on me.

Out of all these, my #1 is definitely Morocco with A-Go-Go a very close second. I also should have rethought the Anastasia lippy because it channels my inner campy queen more than I like.

What about you? What are the staple colours in your lipstick wardrobe? Would you ditch them for Orange? Tell me all about it, stud 🙂

Love, Sheela