I Love Love Love  to experiment & play around with different looks. But there are certain beauty staples I always come back to. These are classic colors for a raven haired beauty such as… well… ME.  But I do believe they can work for anyone. Here are my personal favorites to get you started!

Red Lipstick

Serious bombshell staple!!! Not for the faint of heart!!!

Ladies please listen up! Red lips look amazing on everyone! There is a shade of red out there made just for you. You just have to be brave enough to try it.

My two faves are Mac Russian Red and Mac Ruby Woo

A Ton of Super Black Mascara

A wink here. A coy glance there.

Nothing. I repeat NOTHING completes your face/eyes like long thick luscious lashes.

No matter what make up look you are going for it will never look “finished” if you don’t have a ton of mascara on. Plain & simple.

Since I already have very long lashes I favor thickening mascaras vs. lengthening. At least 3 good coats. I switch off between Maybelline Colossal Volume Express or sometimes Maybelline Volume Express Turbo Boost. But I’m constantly trying out different mascaras to find “the next best thing”. And always in the blackest black I can find.

Pink Blush

Black hair can make you look a bit pale and “ghostly” if you don’t warm it up a bit. Pink blush does just that. Gives you a nice rosy glow. I like bright pinks usually with a blue undertone. I’m in love with Cargo blushes! They have the best texture and beautiful colors. “Polynesia” a bright pink is gorgeous. And I am so obsessed with Cargo’s “Louisiana” that my sister accuses me of being a disco ball when I wear it. It’s a blue based mauve but it shimmers with gold. Need I say more? And in my defense; I love disco balls and maybe I want to look like one.

Liquid Shimmer

Luminous glowing skin. Everyone wants it but not everyone knows how to get it. Enter liquid shimmer.

I admit to using all kinds of shimmery products. Powders, creams, lotions etc. But my all time favorite. Never leave home without it product is Benefit’s High Beam. It’s a pale silvery pink that although will suit any coloring, it looks especially fetching with shining raven hair. I use this everywhere! As eyeshadow, under the eyebrows to highlight the brow bones, on top of the cheek to accentuate high cheekbones. CAUTION: Not to be used with Louisiana!

And on the decolletage and shoulders it screams “Come Hither!”

Red Nails

What better to go with your red lips than impeccable red nails?

Make sure they are neat and free of any chips. A good way to ensure your manicure lasts is to apply one coat of clear polish once a day. It will keep them looking fresh as long as possible.

Two to try are Fishnet Stockings and Pepperoni by Essie.

I hope this inspires you to experiment and play around with your look. Remember it’s only make up (gasp) and it washes off. It’s supposed to be fun. Try some of my staples and tell me about some of yours! I would love to hear from you.