let’s talk lips, shall we? after a period of being a bit of a lipstick junkie, i’ve been on a steady rotation of two more demure options –my favorite nude gloss (in nude touch) and a tinted lip balm i actually received as a free gift from bare escentuals last year. but as we reenter the fall and subsequently, the holiday season, in learning that S is pretty keen on it, and furthermore, just feeling as though i could use a little oomph in my beauty routine, i’ve decided it’s time to channel my inner gwen stefani and rock a red lip.

image via: harper’s bazaar.

i realize i’m not re-inventing the wheel here. i kind of feel like now would be the time to insert the infamous miranda priestly quote (from devil wears prada) here: “florals? for spring? groundbreaking.”

red lip for the upcoming holiday season? you trailblazer, you.

but despite the fact that it is far from being a completely novel idea, i’m still excited to try my hand at dressing up some classic looks with the simple addition of a crimson smile, taking inspiration from fashion blogger and celeb alike, obviously.

image via: happily grey.

image via: glamour.

image via: who what wear.

image via: bloglovin.

image via: thoughts by natalie.

having great experience with their products in the past, i recently stopped by the MAC store in carlsbad for a mini lip makeover. with fair(ish) skin, i knew i’d be better off trusting the experts to match a shade to my skin tone over going it alone. and what do you know? on the very first try, we found our goldilocks color.

so without further ado, i’d like to introduce you to ruby woo (with cherry liner):

my newest fall accessory and secret weapon for taking me from simple sally (or shawna as that is my name) to sassy shawna in two seconds flat. i don’t know what it is exactly, but wearing red lipstick kind of makes you feel invincible.

and if that’s the case, i think i’m going to like my new superpowers just fine.

image via veanad tumblr