We are... Red Legion!

It might be one day too late, but since it's the first post of 2013, it's only fair that I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!!!
And why not kick off this year's posts with a bright, cheerful and rebellious lipstick shade while we're at it? :)

So, for a hardcore nude lipstick lover like myself, a new-found soft spot for red lips must truly indicate that the times are (a-)changing. Of course, I wouldn't dare to ditch my almost signature nude lips just yet, but as I get older I'm more willing to try out a bolder, statement lip colour. And red is indeed the most iconic statement lip of all!

Thus, I present you with my little... red legion:


Do you recognise them?
From l to r we have: Illamasqua Drench, MAC Russian Red, and Shiseido RD 514.
Let's have a closer looksie:


Illamasqua lipstick in Drench is described on their website as a pink berry red, and that's exactly what this shade resembles! It's a perfect balance between pink and red and it's extremely flattering against my complexion! Goes on opaque and has a matte finish, although a little bit drying for my taste. I snagged this as part of Illamasqua's holiday gwp's and couldn't be any happier!


MAC Russian Red hardly needs an introduction! Iconic true red lipstick, leaning just a tad more blue than orange. I've hardly ever seen anyone that doesn't wear Russian Red really well. It's a matte finish, like the Illamasqua one, but in this case it's ever so slightly more creamy.


Lastly, Shiseido RD 514 from their Perfect Rouge Rouge Parfait range is a brilliant lipstick alltogether and deserves more recognition! I'm starting to think that Shiseido is a brand with really good makeup, that is majorly overlooked compared to other high end brands. I got this one as a magazine freebie (another one that knocked it out of the park, for sure) and I'm impressed by the creamy and moisturising texture and the beautiful shade! This one is very similar to Russian Red, just a little more blue based than the MAC one.

And here's a comparative swatch of all three:

(l to r: Illamasqua Drench, MAC Russian Red and Shiseido RD 514).

So, which one is my favourite?

Oddly enough, Russian Red is my least favourite out of these three - imagine the irony since it's the only one I actually paid for! The reason for that is that compared to the other two, Russian Red looks almost like an orange red against my skin! As for the rest of the other two, I'm in love with Drench as a shade, but I much prefer Shiseido's texture! I'm torn, what can I say! :)

Have you worn any of these lipsticks or tried these brands?
Are you a red lip wearer and if so, which is your favourite red?



What's your opinion?

  1. Replies
    1. @kirstyb: How can one not? Such a classic shade!

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  2. Replies
    1. @FashionSugarBubbles: Πραγματι, ολα εχουν πολυ καλη χρωματικη αποδοση!! xx

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  3. Perfect swatches! I love Mac Russian red ,but now I want to try the illamasqua too!hehe won't stop with red lipies!

    xxxx

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    1. @Blushingloves Irene Greece: Lol, just like Lays chips right? One just isn't enough, hehe!! xxx

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  4. Happy New Year~~~

    I LOVE RED LIPS!!!!! the pink/berry tone in Drench is really eye-catching. I want it! >< or perhaps i should mix some pinks with my reds to mimic that...

    Red lippies are evil, i have so many reds in my collection but i still want MORE! :D

    cheers,
    Jacq

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    Replies
    1. @Jacq H:Happy New Year sweetie!!!
      Yep, Drench is a nice red, it's not the kapow-bright red that most truer reds are, it's a bit more interesting (I think anyways)!
      Mixing some of what you got sounds like a very clever idea! ;)

      Hehe, I know, I'm the same, I think once you try something bolder and see that it's nothing to be scared of, that you're kind of hooked from that point on..!

      xx

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  5. Εντάξει, το Russian Red -λογικά- δεν λείπει από το νεσεσέρ ΚΑΜΙΑΣ!

    Καλή χρονιά κούκλα, μόνο χαμόγελα!

    xoxo,
    Froso_Style Nirvana

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    1. @Froso M: Russian Red is as classic as they come!!! Και παει σε ολες!!!
      Επισης καλη χρονια, μονο με υγεια κ θετικη διαθεση!!!

      xx

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  6. ok there's no need to say it but i just ADORE Russian Red. It definitely make it in my top 3 red l/s list !!!
    and yes it looks yellow toned on you! on me it looks a lot deeper and more blue...maybe cause i have a lot of pink on my skintone...

    anyway this and the shiseido one look amazing on you :) xxx

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  7. Replies
    1. @fashion written with a lipstick: Happy New Year girlie!!! Yes, I remember you love your red lipsticks! ;)
      Weird thing that about Russian Red on me, right? At least compared to the other two! In real life however it looks a lot deeper and bluer, I think that the flash along with my slighter darker color around the mounth kind of washed that out!

      xxx

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  8. I'd say Russian Red is my favourite red lipstick (for the time being, obviously!), but I've always thought of it as a neutral red, if not leaning to warm undertones. In no way Russian Red is a cool-toned red lipstick!

    Anyhoo, I'm loving the Illamasqua lipstick on you! It looks classy, in a modern kind of way ;)

    xx

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    1. @Evi: Hmm, I'm starting to think that maybe you're right and that Russian Red is the bluest of the warm toned reds by MAC if that makes sense? That's the only way to explain why it looks good on everyone and it would also explain the funny paradox against my skintone!

      Love Illamasqua Drench, great unusual red!

      xxx

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  9. Russian Red is a classic but I like the Shiseido one a lot more. Loving the reds so much xx

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    1. @Sue Lin: The Shiseido one has an unbelievable texture, such an underestimated brand!!! xx
      PS: Thank you for the shout-out! :)

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  10. They are such beautiful reds! xox

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Thank you for stopping by!