Am I too old for red lipstick.........

Red lipstick, is there an age limit on wearing it?

I have been toying with the idea for a while now, I love red lips, especially in winter against a paler skin.

I keep remembering an article in a magazine a gazillion years ago about Paloma Picasso and her 'red period' (not a great term, but hey). She felt that red lipsticks were her 'calling card', now I don't want a 'calling card' I just love the look! She also went on to say that 'if you have on your red lipstick you are dressed & ready for anything, I liked the sound of that!

So with this on my mind I decided to venture forth & go in search of the perfect winter red lipstick, who knew it could be so hard.......

Apparently Red lipsticks are divided into two basic groups, Cool (pink/blue-based shades) and Warm (orange/brownish based shades) once you've nailed which group you're in it should be easy, right? Wrong!

I started to peruse the cosmetic counters in David Jones, brands were not necessarily attracting me, it was whether the Cosmotologist (great word isn't it?) showed any interest, not many did. I know that I wasn't looking my best today, I have been sick for the last week you know, but I did have on clean undies & I'd washed my hair, hey I've come along way in the last few days!

Anywhoo.....my eyes settled on Chanel, Julie from Chanel actually, looked fab, big smile, bit older than me (age equals experience in my book), red lips, that was it, I was hooked. There is something soooo attractive about that counter, glossy black with a hint of gold & not to mention those intertwining C's. I would never have the balls to walk into an actual boutique looking for just a lippy but all bets are off at Westfield.

I explained to Julie my goal, I asked her the question 'Am I too old for red?' She answered in the affirmative & my Chanel experience began. Did I want a bold red, a soft red, a pink based red, an orange red, a flat red, an opalescent red, a sheer red, a dark red, a plum red, a wine red, a shiny red? I just wanted red! I wasn't stamping my feet at this stage, I promise, I know you don't stamp your feet at Chanel!

I was asked to take a seat, I must have been looking peakish. We narrowed it down to two, one for winter (wear now) & one for summer. So I tried on the winter Rouge Coco, Vendome & I loved it, sold! I just  had to buy the accompanying lip liner & brush you know, I am brand loyal. It was packaged up & I was on my way, straight to Woolies, to do the grocery shopping.

I walked out of DJ's with a spring in my step & a big red Rouge Coco smile.

Now as I have been writing this it has occurred to me that I probably should have just asked Nikki from @StylingYou, she'd know.....

Lisa xx

PS I was in no way paid any money/products from Chanel to write this, I did it of my own free will, but I am open to offers! (Do you think they heard me?)

PPS For you non-Twitters you can find Nikki at http://www.stylingyou.com.au

Twitter - how you have changed me......

I have had a Twitter account since June 2009 but it is only in the last 6 months that I have jumped in with both feet & embraced it. Twitter, you have changed my life.....

I have been exposed to so much more than my suburban life in the north west suburbs of Sydney would have ever taken me.

I have meet cancer warriors who are now very dear to my heart. I have tweeted through their chemo, their operations, their ups & downs, their day to day struggles & feel so very privileged that they have let me become a part of their life. Thank you @MariaKyrie, @marksporter, @phoebesmoon, @annemiekeh & @aimlesaimers.

I have met life warriors, the amazing @catebolt whose day to day drive in times of personal adverstiy still manages to continue to raise awareness & much needed funding for her beloved orphans in Bali @Project_18 as well as raising awareness to issues that are so very dear to her heart. Thank you Cate.

I have met grieving Mum's like @mamamaya who has lost the 3 year old love of her life, her baby @rockstarronan from a horrid childhood cancer. I follow her journey daily now, she is now a part of the fabric of my life & doesn't even know it! I like so many others around the world released balloons the day he was laid to rest & I am proud of that. Thank you Maya.

I have met people just like me who spend time on Twitter at all hours of the day & night, depending on our sleep patterns. We have talked about depression, origami, bad backs, man flu, 100 day cough, earthquakes, use-by dates, parents, grandparents, love & loss. I have only just touched the surface. Thank you.

I have met THE most amazing Mummy Bloggers & I have @KerriSackville to thank for this. Kerri has written a fabulous book, 'When My Husband does the dishes'. Kerri put the call out through Twitter about who would like to attend her Book Launch & I was feeling rather brave so replied yes, never really believing that I would be invited, well guess what, I was!

I stepped out of my comfort zone in a big way, I used Twitter to meet with Tweeps before the launch for a drink & it was here I met @propinqua, @TwitchyCorner, @stellaorbit, @KallieT, @danyadoi, @ptmaree, @macsnorky, @traceyb65 & @anIdleDad. They made me feel welcome from the beginning & for that I say thank you.

Once I got to the actual launch I was in awe, here were all these people who I had just started to have fun with on Twitter & now they were right here in front of me. I got to meet @Nicky_Lavigne who I have since spent some time with & she is one of life's true gentle & loving souls. @Edenland & I got to watch as Mrs Woog aka @Woogsworld stole a bite of a strangers kebab. I shared a laugh with @StMurphy as Mrs Woog's date. Is it here that I confess that I thought (for only a minute) that he was Mr Woog, no, that might be a tad embaressing, oh well! I drove to the after launch party with @FatMumSlim & got to meet @lgcollard, @bern_morley, @Annieb25, @MsDovic, @kylie_ladd, @Just_Leithal, perved at @Daniellsenhood (come on, you know I wasn't the only one!), @lisaheidke, @mummytime, @StylingYou, @SeraphimSP, @sharpestpencil & @SquigglyRick, who continues everyday to draw my attention in his job as News Editor at @MamamiaNews to some very important things in life. I am sure I have forgotten some & for that I am sorry! What I do want to say is you make me laugh, you make me cry & you make me think. Thank you.

I have been to Neil Diamond with @GillLotter, don't know where she sat or what she looked like but we had a great time. Thank you.

I've watched TV shows because Twitter has suggested it, Angry Boys - am not yet quite convinced on that one, I love Chris Lilley but am reserving my judgement. Catalyst on Infertility, Four Corners on livestock transportation to Indonesia, QandA - interesting & topical viewing, to name a few & the most recent Go Back to Where you came From, last night. Thought provoking, I have recorded it so my entire family can sit down together, uninterrupted & watch what I think & hope will become life changing television. Thank you.

So Twitter, you have changed me, for the better I feel. Thank you.

Lisa xx