Lip Service: Brown Lips are NOT Natural!

"Crazy for color?"  This is a tagline for one of Bobbi Brown's advertising materials for her new line of Rich Lip Color SPF 12.  What?  This was from a woman who was considered a pioneer of the natural look when she created a collection of 10 BROWN-BASED lipsticks, which debuted at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City in 1991.  Throughout the years, the company that exploded into our consciousness almost entirely on the concept of looking natural seemed to have an identity crisis, introducing more and more color into the mix. 

10 out of 12 lipsticks shipped.  From left to right, starting from back row:  Guava, Bare Pink, Bikini Pink, Crimson, Plum Rose, Raspberry, Rose Plum, Soft Coral, Mod Pink, Old Hollywood

I must admit that in general, I have not been a big fan of the Bobbi Brown concept in the past.  For brown-based lips to mean "natural" didn't make sense to me.  The last time I looked, human lips are pink-based with either warm or cool undertones.  Pink, not brown.  Not everyone looks good with warm or brown-based tones.  The natural movement not only encouraged women to walk around with lips that matched their skin (notice I didn't say complement), but it took the makeup movement back years!  More people became afraid to express themselves with color because bland was in-vogue.

Although they have moved on from their original concept, the funny thing is, many women still think of Bobbi Brown as a line to turn to for looking "natural"...never mind that they have extremely vivid blushes and many super shimmery eye shadows and highlighters.  Until now, the lipsticks in the line have been very disappointing in the texture + wearability department...until now.

I first noticed this super color-saturated, smooth lip color on one of my peers and had to ask what she was wearing.  It was a lipstick from the recently-launched Bobbi Brown's Rich Lip Color SPF 12 Collection.  I was so impressed by how the it looked, that I had to seek out the collection for myself.  Available in 12 colors, the lipsticks saturate lips with a very smooth, creamy and moisturizing feel.  The color goes on evenly and I just love the way it makes lips look very smooth without being flat.  It was not quite a matte look, but more like a creamy smoothness without the glossiness.  Despite the color intensity and creamy feel, the formula still manages to be lightweight.  Here's how it looks. 

Color worn:  Mod Pink

According to Bobbi herself, " It's a totally modern take on lipstick."   Thank you Bobbi for realizing that COLOR will never be out of style.