The Crimson Crusade
by Blogdorf Goodman

I participate in many beauty quests but none so satisfying as the Crimson Crusade. My journey should have ended when I discovered Lancome's Behnaz but it just stoked the lemming fires. Red is a bold, dramatic shade that demands attention. It means everything from stop, danger, anger, sin, lust and love.

Wearing a red lipstick requires guts, tenacity, and a certain charm. Reds require bravery due to the fact that it is a spotlight on your lips. You will be heard and seen when you wear a red. You can not hide or blend in.
Reds require patience. You do not slather on a red and run out the house. Reds require exfoliation, primers, lip liners and other tricks of the trade. Reds need touch ups. Wearing a red lipstick requires a mind set. You have to commit to it.

My personal red lippie stash is featured in this post. They range from scarlet to cardinal shades. Lancome's Behnaz is a lipstick that defies most descriptions. It is neither cool or warm, nor is it a matte or a gloss. It just is...Behnaz. I think it is very close to a poppy red but with a radiant luminescence.

Chanel's Porto Rotondo is a new lippie from the summer collection. The formula feels like a luxe lip balm. The color is a sheer cherry shade with a slight shimmer. This is so flattering and subtle on the lips. MAC Couture Red #5 is a cardinal red with a metallic sheen.

The reds pictured above are: Chanel's Rouge Allure in Dazzling(a warmer scarlet), MAC Rockocco, MAC Red She Said, MAC Culturebloom, Estee Lauder's Rich Red(a cool ruby red), and CoverGirl's Cranberry Shine(more blue based).

Chantecaille's Cerise(a true blue red), L'Oreal Target Red(stop sign red), MAC Port Red, MAC Brave Red, MAC Kanga Rouge, MAC Queen's Sin, and MAC's Couture Red #5.

Nars velvet matte lip pencil in Cruella(a brick house red)

Lancome Juicy Tubes in NYC Cinnamon Soho (just a hint of paprika shimmer)

MAC 3D Glass in Boundless( a ruby red with ultra fine red shimmer)

MAC 3D Glass in Racy(a sheer poppy with blue shimmer)

MAC lipglass in Red Romp(pigmented garnet red with red shimmer)

MAC lipglass in Pure Vanity(this is so amazingly pigmented! It is a blood red)

MAC Dazzleglass in Love Alert

Chantecaille in Charisma(a sheer cinnamon)
MAC Dazzleglass in Love Alert

This post features press samples and purchased products.