22 Trends Men Hate - Number 2: Dark Lipstick and Number 20 - Red Lipstick

Hey all, Asa here!
I've noticed a lot of posts on tumblr about this article that lists 22 trends that men absolutely hate. Most responses were from people vowed to wear all these trends (and I am definitely one of these people). Instead of touching on the issues around this article (more of a list, really) because other bloggers write about it more eloquently than I can (Maybe I'll find some links?).

The second trend that men hate is dark lipstick. I absolutely love dark lipstick. I don't care about what men think.

Men also apparently hate red lipstick. I have three red lipsticks.

You can probably see where I am going with this, but in case you have no clue .. basically I will swatch some dark lipsticks and red lipsticks (and most of them are drugstore lipsticks) and give you all a good idea of which lipsticks to buy at the drugstore. (And, like, one tinted lip balm).

But I do have to say, dark lips and red lips - these looks and other looks are really about what YOU feel comfortable in. If you don't feel comfortable in red or dark lipstick, that is perfectly fine. You do you. Please do not feel obliged to buy red lipstick if you don't feel okay with wearing it.

(From L to R): The first lipstick I actually got as a present from Cj. It was a part of a huge makeup set from CVS. I like this color but it's a cool-toned red. The second and third colors are both from Wet n Wild, but they're from different collections. Color 514A (the name was on the plastic label which I had to take off to use) is a warm-toned red with fine gold shimmer. The third is Stoplight Red from the MegaLast Collection. This is actually my favorite red lipstick because it looks great on just about everyone. I bought it after I read it was a dupe for MAC Ruby Woo. he 4th is a Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Raisin. This is a very sheer product, but you can build it up. It's not very moisturizing though. 

(From L to R): I think the brand is ColorMates and is a brownish red. Nicka K Lipstick in Bordeaux. ELF Mineral Lipstick in Ripe Rose which is a brownish red as well. 

This is actually one of my favorite lipsticks! I got this as a gift. This is from Clinique and the shade is Surprise which is a pinky brown that has shimmer. 

 L to R: CVS Lipstick, WnW 514A, WnW Stoplight Red, ELF Ripe Rose, Color Mates (no name), Nicka K lipstick Bordeaux, WnW Black Orchid

 WnW Vamp it Up, Clinique Surprise, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer Raisin

 WnW Vamp it Up, Clinique Surprise, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer Raisin

Swatches from L to R: CVS Lipstick, WnW 514A, WnW Stoplight Red, ELF Ripe Rose, Color Mates (no name), Nicka K lipstick Bordeaux, WnW Black Orchid, WnW Vamp it Up

 Swatches from L to R: CVS Lipstick, WnW 514A, WnW Stoplight Red, ELF Ripe Rose, Color Mates (no name), Nicka K lipstick Bordeaux, WnW Black Orchid, WnW Vamp it Up

 Swatches from L to R: CVS Lipstick, WnW 514A, WnW Stoplight Red, ELF Ripe Rose, Color Mates (no name), Nicka K lipstick Bordeaux, WnW Black Orchid, WnW Vamp it Up

 Swatch of Clinique Surprise

 I'm trying to show the pinky brownness and the shimmer.

 This is Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Raisin

  This is Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Raisin (pic without flash)

 BONUS swatch of ELF Studio Lipstain in Crimson Crush (I think) on the left and a Victoria's Secret lipgloss on the right

 BONUS swatch of ELF Studio Lipstain in Crimson Crush (I think) on the left and a Victoria's Secret lipgloss on the right (pic with flash)

Spider-man Nails for the Amazing Spider-man!

 Hey guys! This is Asa. I know that we have not been on since April (I believe) but here we are!
This time we have a superhero theme and to start it off, Spider-Man.
If you want to know more about Spidey, here's a link.
I googled various images of Spider-Man and his costume and came up with this nail design.

Here is another picture:

And here are the colors I used:

From L to R: Base COat by NK, Wet n Wild Everybody Loves Redmond, Wet n Wild Saved by the Blue, Nail art striper in black and white, Fast Dry Top Coat by NK

Spring Leopard Nails

Hola! Asa here guys.

I have a spring-y leopard nails for y'all. I actually did these December 29, 2011 according to the details of these pictures. I had gotten some new nail polishes from CJ for X-mas and I decided to use the pink one. 

This is without flash

With le flash

With flash

I'm not sure what the base color is called (as it has no name) but the blue dots I did are with Wet n Wild's Rain Check. I then used my Art Deco nail brush in black to create the circles around the dots. 

I think this is a really interesting and soft (and spring-y) twist on the classic leopard nails which are  usually golden or brown. 

This can also be a good Easter-ish manicure if you want to diverge from the candies, bunnies, and flowers. 

Although I do love me some candy!

Anti-Valentine's Day Nail Art

Hola. Asa here again! I have made an anti-Valnetine's Day design. Ever suffered from a broken heart? This might be the design for you.

My base color is How I met Your magenta from WnW's fastdry collection. I used 2 coats but I still saw VNL (visible nail line).

Then I used a black crackle to create hearts.

I chose my ring finger as an accent finger and put studs on the tip. I used a top coat (I will post a review later this week of the top coat) to seal everything.

Starry Night Nails (cutepolish tutorial)

Hey all!

This is Asa. 

I apologize for the lack of nail posts!

Not my gif. 

I just got finals week done with so whew. *Wipes brows*

So my post today is Starry Night Nails. I have always been fascinated with van Gogh's Starry Night and this fascination got even stronger with "Vincent and the Doctor" (Doctor Who episode). 

I found cutepolish's tutorial on Starry Night nails and they were very easy to replicate actually!

Here is my picture:

I wish I could put the TARDIS on one of the nails though. 

From Left to Right: NK Smoother Nails Ridge Filling Base Coat, WnW Saved by the Blue, WnW  Teal or no Teal,  WnW Rain Check, L.A. Colors Nail Art Brush, Topcoat (no brand).

Also, as a side note, for the rest of the nails that were not Starry Night, I layered Rain Check over Teal or no Teal because I thought that Rain Check was a bit sheer and not blue-y enough and that Teal or no Teal was too blue-y.

So, readers, I leave you with this nail art that I attempted.

Here's a gif of Emily Deschanel dancing.

Alice in Wonderland Nail Design!

Hey, Asa here!

I have an Alice in Wonderland nail design here!

I actually used this picture to do my design.

Here are some pictures:

This is actually all the colors I had to use. From left to right: NK Top Coat, NK Base Coat,  Klassicolor in Pastel Teal, White striper, Revlon's 730 Valentine, black striper, L.A. Color Craze in Tropical Breeze, and Wet n Wild's Fuschia-Rama from their FastDry collection.

The ring finger is supposed to be the Chesire Cat's stripes and the other fingers are  Alice's Dress and the playing card symbols.

See you guys later with a Halloween nail design!