I picked up Kevyn Aucoin’s lustful Blood Roses on L’s recommendation early last year, almost a full 12-months ago and I’m ashamed to admit that I’m only just blogging about it now. This happens more than I’d like, often to the point where I just throw my hands up and declare “well, there’s no point blogging about it now!”
Still, in this case, it really is better late than never… thanks to SpaceNK – you can now find Kevyn Aucoin products in the UK with much less stress than the first time I tried to get hold of this lipstick.
Kevyn Aucoin’s Blood Roses falls into that once-upon-a-time unlikely genre of an incredibly creamy vamp. Haven’t lipstick formulas improved 100-fold over the past five years? It’s nothing short of miraculous. That being said, you need a steady hand or a lip brush to achieve precision with this one.
Alternatively, you could own a pair of full lips and give the bullet a gentle smoosh around for a post-modern, ironic take on how to wear the perfect lipstick, imperfectly. Sadly, that kind of irony is wasted on my face, it just makes me look like a bit of an unfotunate. For this one, I’ll stick to the tried-and-tested lipstick and liner look.
With a lipstick this full-bodied, it’s probably worth mentioning that any excrutiatingly pale chicks out there will look even more wan with a layer of Blood Roses. Not necessarily a bad thing you understand, but you may want to consider a little contour, bronzing, or all of the above if you prefer to avoid the consumptive look. Me? Well, I quite like it.
For such depth of colour, the formula feels light and does a stellar job at resisting the bleed without the addition of a liner. I usually wear this in a casual setting, I don’t mind the odd touch-up or grabbing a tissue part way through the afternoon to replace my lip colour. If I were considering this shade for an evening out, I’d probably make more of an effort to bullet-proof it for longlasting wear.
This is a lovely video about the relaunch of Blood Roses, which incidentally, was Kevyn’s favourite shade. Is there any better reason to treat yourself to this lipstick? I think not.
Kevyn Aucoin’s The Expert Lip Color in Blood Roses is available to buy instore at SpaceNK, and online at SpaceNK and miseBeauty.com priced from £27.00
that is a beautiful colour. I love all of the makeup look in that video, it’s perfect x
I am a sucker for these rich reds, so it’s going on the list. I’m currently in my “only natural gingers and albinos are paler than me” winter stage, so I do agree us pale ladies have to frame it right. A touch of a good pink blush on the cheekbones generally does it for me. 🙂
Wanty want want! Love the colour and the name. And you, of course, look ravishing! x
“Not necessarily a bad thing you understand, but you may want to consider a little contour, bronzing, or all of the above if you prefer to avoid the consumptive look. Me? Well, I quite like it.” For goths (yes, I admit, that would be me), this is a positive! Bronzing sounds positively dangerous. It’s a beautiful color–how does it smell/taste?
The color is not very pretty in the tube but it looks gorgeous on you.
Ah, this was my first Kevyn Aucoin lipstick and I still love it. Looks beautiful on you.
Love this shade, it’s perfect. I’ve been hearing lots of great things about this brand but haven’t tried it yet. Do you reckon the lipsticks are the best place to start?
Looks beautiful on you! Love a perfect red like that!
OMG. That is so gorgeous on you!!
WOW! What a beautiful colour and doesn’t it suit you! I have some SpaceNK shopping to do so I will definitely look at this.
“an unfortunate” *giggles* I couldn’t pull that look off either. But it does amazing against your skintone, and you’re right not to have messed with the contrast too much – it feels very 1940s femme fatale.
Hope you’re on the mend? xxx
I’ve been wanting this, but now I must have it. It looks beautiful. I love a good vampy lipstick …i like that it goes well with a rosy/contoured cheek, but can also go towards goth!