Lipstick Musings

Make Up Forever made a big splash last year with the launch of the Rouge Artist Intense line of lipsticks. Formulated with 50% more pigment than traditional lipsticks, Rouge Artist Intense promises long wear and incredible color, with an extensive array of shades. The line truly has something for everyone, including several lovely reds for freaks like me who are in touch with their inner divas. My first foray into the line was with the famed Moulin Rouge, which to this day remains one of my favorite reds. This time around I went with the slightly pinker #45, and I'm showing it the love as well...for a very different reason.

On the Sephora website, Make Up For Ever describes #45 as "Satin raspberry red." I don't know that I necessarily agree with that description. Although #45 is slightly pinker than Moulin Rouge, which is a true, vibrant red, it doesn't read raspberry to me. Rather, it reads as a very in-your-face, pinup-girl red for those girls who mean it when they say they want a red lipstick. This one isn't for the faint of heart, ladies! It can be very classy or very trampy (totally your call), but there's no denying that this is one RED lipstick, and you're going to want to carry the attitude with you when you wear it.

Here are some arm swatches for you:

Taken in direct sunlight, you can see the slight pink undertones.

At a slightly different angle, the satin finish and in-your-face attitude shine through.

And here's a comparison shot of #45 with Moulin Rouge, showing just how similar they are:

The primary differences between these two colors (#45 on the left, Moulin Rouge on the right) are that Moulin Rouge is a more primary, tomato red, while #45 has a bit more of a blue/pink base, although it's still extremely red red red. In addition, I find #45 to be heavier, more opaque, and more densely pigmented than Moulin Rouge. It lasts a bit longer and doesn't feather or bleed---not at all, even without a liner. For some reason, for me #45 seems to be a generally higher-quality formula, although they are both advertised as being the satin formula.

#45 is a lipstick I wear on those days when I'm not up to the drudgery that is my life. Unlike most people, those are not the days I choose to hide behind a MLBB-type color and hope nobody notices me. No, on those days when all I really want to do is Calgon it all away, I swipe on a coat of #45, square my shoulders, take a deep breath, and head out the door, daring anyone to cross my path. It's my version of a power tie. Plus, it makes the rest of my morning routine a breeze, as all I really need is some foundation and a swipe of black eyeliner (and plenty of mascara) to balance the look. No blending shadows or deciding on color combinations when you wear this color. It's the only color you need to wear (or should, for that matter).

Here's a lip shot of the finished product:

Yeah. See what I mean? THAT, my friends, is a serious "don't F#*K with me today" red! Works every time.

Bottom Line: My favorite self-defense red. Wards off smartass comments and general stupidity from coworkers, and seems to convey the fact that I really, truly do not have time for any foolishness. I wear it like a coat of armor, and it works better than Kevlar. Highly recommended for those days when you know you can't help but be a be-yotch.