Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth and tons more were know for their bold lipstick. Queen Elizabeth I wore bold red lipstick on her pale face. Queen Cleopatra's lipstick was made from carmine beetles that provided a deep pigment then added to a base of smashed ants (I'll pass). Lip color especially red became the symbol of newfound power and voice in the 1920's. In the 1930's red was the hottest color then red took a backseat for the next few years until the 1980's again when heavier make-up was all the rage again. I personally do not like bold red lipstick on me. Something about it just never looked right. I had this friend in high school Natalie a brunette with gorgeous Angelina Jolie lips and red looked fantastic on her. Just never felt like it matched me as I saw it matched her. Maybe someday I'll try again, until then I really like wearing a nude look on my lips. Could be that it all comes back to keeping my eyes as the main focus but nude lips seem to fit me and my personality. So how do I get the nude pouty lips you usually see on me in person and in photos. Well here is the secret.

*Exfoliate...before starting usually after I brush my teeth 1-2 times a week I exfoliate my lips. I simply rub coconut oil on my lips and brush it with a toothbrush that I have set aside just for my lips. Just gently rub back and forth to remove dead skin.

* Next I use rich brown waterproof eyeliner. Yes you read it right eyeliner. The one with the blender at the end. Like this