Image: flourishinprogress on Instagram
I’ve never done a post like this before, so I’ll probably fuck it up, but please be patient with me.
As two or three of you may know, I originally started this blog because I gave up shopping for a year and needed a way to stay accountable to my family and friends. I only planned to blog for that one year, but the people I met through the blog (I’m not trying to brag or anything, but I have DOZENS of readers now) and the self-awareness I’ve gained from writing about a life of poor choices and debauchery kept me going. I’m proud to say that I only caved in once during the yearlong ban, when I couldn’t quit a sassy little Monchhichi doll at Target.
My shopping project permanently changed the way I spend money. I buy much less and only the things I truly love.
I’m a socially awkward person (unless I’m involved in a beatdown because I’m just thug as fuck then), but I’m never shy about complimenting a stranger on a dazzling headband or hesitant to ask someone where they got their lipstick. And people ask me all the time too.
So, I’m starting this Dope Shit for (T)hugs series. In each edition, I’ll focus on one category and share products that I love and personally use on a regular basis. It won’t always be beauty. My next one will be about office products. I want all my homies to use top-notch mechanical pencils.
P.S. I was not given any of these products for free or at a discount. All of these were purchased with my husband’s hard-earned money.
LIPS
Take em out the hood, keep em lookin good.
Jaz Z- “Big Pimpin” (feat. U.G.K.)
I’ve always been self-conscious about my lips. When I was a kid, my mother told me that they were disproportionate and too large for my face. At some point in my mid-20’s, I just decided to fuck it and own my facial features. I may still be poor in marketable skills, but I am rich in lipsticks. I buy them more than any other makeup product. These are my favorites:
(clockwise)
Tom Ford lipstick ($49): When I first saw the price tag on these bitches, I cracked the fuck up. WHO BUYS $50 LIPSTICK? Apparently, I do. I really, really didn’t want to like these because I have a habit of rubbing my lips together constantly, and I need to reapply any lipstick within, like, 10 minutes. I didn’t even want to try it on at first, but the sales associate said that there was “no pressure” and “just walk around with it and see how you like it.” Fine, I thought, put some of that expensive nonsense on me. I tried Cherry Lush, a beautiful red. I walked around the mall, ate a hot dog on a stick, drank some lemonade, and licked my lips as usual. Several hours later, I walked by a mirror, and that shit was STILL there. I own a bunch of these guys now. I accidentally broke one and the color stick fell on the floor. I just cleaned it off with rubbing alcohol and mashed it back into the tube. Cuz…$50…fuck propriety and germs. I don’t pop molly, I rock Tom Ford. (Jay Z- “Tom Ford”)
Lipstick Queen lipstick ($22): I keep Tom Ford lipsticks on my makeup vanity, but I carry Lipstick Queens in my purse. These are much smaller and lighter, and I don’t need a mirror to apply them because the gold tube lipsticks (the Saint line) are sheer enough that if I draw outside the lines, I still don’t look like a crack whore. How I managed to bring a crack whore into this, I have no idea, but to be honest, I’m pretty proud right now. The black tubes (the Sinner line) are much more pigmented. Mirror suggested. They feel luxe and rich and don’t suck all the moisture out of my lips.
Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm ($4-5): One day, I will devote a whole post to lip balms because it’s the one collection that, in number, rivals my Yo! MTV Raps trading cards collection. I always ask friends and family to bring me a lip balm as a souvenir when they go abroad. They don’t offer first or anything. I just call repeatedly until they say yes to get rid of me. I love these Baby Lips because they are lightly moisturizing and offer a sheer and shiny layer of color without the fried chicken feel of lip gloss. My favorite is Grape Vine. It’s purple but gives a nice color when applied. I have Grape Vine on in the picture at the top of the post. Not suitable as an intensive lip balm.
Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick ($6-8, varies with sales and location purchased): I didn’t start using these gems until earlier this year. These are the first drugstore lipsticks I have ever purchased. Ain’t gonna lie, I had all sorts of preconceived notions about drugstore makeup. But, for $7, I was willing to risk it. I fucking love these…for the price. If they were over $10, I might feel differently. But, for a low investment, I can experiment with an assortment of colors. I’m a little bummed that I can’t try on the shade before purchasing it, but I haven’t had any major disappointments yet. I carry these when I go to da club. No worries if I drop it on the dance floor. Also, don’t carry nice things to a club. I learned me a real good lesson on the dance floor at TAO when I lost my wedding ring.
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P.S. I’m not really a crafter, although I really love buying craft supplies and looking at them in their packaging from time to time. But my homegirl Tina recently started a blog, Tina Made It, and it’s filled with Dope Shit…Tina Made. That sentence sounded a lot better in my head. I forced her to have lunch with me recently and gave her some (t)hug pencils which she wrote about here. Sometimes, I give people things to spend time with me. Even then, they still say no. If you have some time, check out homegirl’s blog because it’s beautiful and useful and she didn’t say no to lunch. Tina Made My Day.
P.P.S. Damn, homie, you still reading? This is officially my longest post. Want to waste time at work? I can help. Stay connected on the Flourish in Progress Facebook page or follow along on Instagram (username: flourishinprogress).
I’m also on Twitter (username: ElizabethJLiu), but I don’t really give a fuck about Twitter, so don’t worry about that one.
GIVEAWAY
What do these sassy cards from Carde Blanche have to do with Hood+Good Lips? Nothing. But it’s definitely Dope Shit, and I love them and want you to have them. The Fuck and Shit cards even come with sticker asterisks, for those occasions when you want to exercise a little ladylike restraint. I’m super stoked that Lori, le wizard de papier (probably not a real term) of Carde Blanche, offered up a set of either the Say It or Seal It cards (4 each of Shit and Fuck with asterisk stickers and envelopes, $28) or the Social Graces notecards (8 different gold foil messages with envelopes, $26). Lori’s Instagram grind is on point too. You can find her at carde_blanche.
To enter: Leave a comment below with your favorite lip product. Only comments left on this post are eligible. I’ll announce a winner in next week’s post.
