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Here's a little question for today: What makeup shades have you worn for years — you know, the ones that you've worn so long people now think of as “your” color?
The Makeup Shades I've Worn for Years
I've had a few lipstick colors on repeat over the years:
High school: Cherries in the Snow and Rum Raisin. (I recently saw a TikTok from Erin Parsons about why the formulas and colors have changed since the mid-'90s — she finds vintage options and tests them against the ones currently being sold. The one about Spice lipliner was eye-opening!) I am mildly fascinated by the memory that I used to apply Cherries in the Snow without a mirror — like lip gloss — during class. Because, you know, bright red lipstick, what could go wrong?
College: MAC Odyssey (and a few other more unfortunate MAC shades, like Taupe and Fluid)
Law School and Beyond: When I first wrote this post I couldn't think of anything, but I can't believe I didn't think about this: I loved a weird purple drugstore gloss and wore it ALL the time. It's been out of stock for at least a decade now and I'm still finding tubes of it in my stuff. Here, I even wrote about it: Covergirl Lipslicks Lip Gloss. (In terms of formula this e.l.f. Hydrating Core lip shine is very similar.)
More recently: Clinique's Chubby Stick in Voluminous Violet (which, ZOMG, no longer appears anywhere, even on the Clinique website — I'm only mildly panicking)
I've worn the same blush for years (and years — definitely since my late 20s): NARS Orgasm
I've worn many brown eyeliners over the years, but I haven't been loyal to any one brand — even now if I don't particularly care if I grab the Chanel one or the NYX one. Ditto for eyeshadow shades!
Readers, over to you — what makeup shades have you worn for years? Do you have specific colors on repeat?
Mary
Clinique “Black Honey” and Lipstick Queen “Medieval”. Fun question!
Cat
I just rediscovered Black Honey since a sample of it was in one of those ‘spend X get a pouch’ giveaways. I’d forgotten what a great “my lips but better” it was — way more natural than Pillow Talk is on me, for all the people raving about it — and the giveaway worked because I just reordered the actual product!
Anonymous
I miss Lipstick Queen!! My go-to shade is their “Trance” color—it’s more pigmented than Medieval on me. I’ve been hoarding tubes from ebay and posh.
oldladylawyer
Toast of New York. All through HS and college. they rereleased it reasonably recently and I bought it. Either they’ve changed the color or my tastes have changed.
anon
Nars “Gipsy” is pretty much the only lipstick I ever use.
Anonymous
Me too! It was not at Sephora last time I went (not out of stock, the slot where it should have been was gone), very much hoping it was a fluke!
Anon
NARS orgasm blush for sure. I’ve tried other blushes and none were as good.
Anon
NARS Orgasm blush and the Tarte clay blush in some sort of beige/pink for me. That’s been the routine for a decade.
Anonymous
I attended a professional networking event recently with folks I hadn’t seen for about 6 months. One lady remembered me because of that blush! And she was wearing it too!
Runcible Spoon
Just ordered to try it out!
Formerly Lilly
Chantecaille Lip Chic in “Bourbon Rose”. It’s the color of the inside of the mouth. It looks like a very polished version of natural. I like the Lip Chic line overall. It’s not glossy but it is more moisturizing than traditional lipstick, and thus kinder to older lips.
Anonymous
I’m obsessed with this product (and actually most of Chantecaille). I am really into the Lip Veil in Iris.
Anonymous
Stila’s Kitten eyeshadow. I have probably been buying it since high school, and I am 39 now. A great neutral, “no-makeup” look.
Anon
I stick with things. Most of everything I currently use are re-buys of things I’ve used forever.
I always use Laura Mercier Sheer Lipstick in Healthy Lips, though I think it’s discontinued so I’m now hoarding it. I also love another discontinued great one, Revlon Superlustrous in Glossed Up Rose 003.
For eyes, I’ve used Bobbi Brown shadow sticks for ages, and I stick with tried and true shades like Golden Pink, Goldeb Bronze, and Nude Beach. I am also fairly loyal to Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye mascara if I’m not using a tubing mascara. My cheek color is also Bobbi Brown – I love their Golden Light bronzer (the only bronzer I can wear as a pale person) and their Illuminating Bronzer in Antigua, which is more like a dusty pink blush to me.
For face, I go back and forth between Nars Tinted Moisturizer and Dr Jart Premium BB cream.
Almost all of my non-prescription skincare is from Beauty Pie, and my Curology retinoid mix is my ride or die.
Anon
Forgot to add, I also always have a NARS orgasm blush going. I also like the orgasm blush stick (forgot their name) which is sort of a duo blush/highlighter.
Perla
I started wearing Red lipstick in my late 20’s, my first red was Cruella by Nars. I always receive compliments when I wear it.
A few years ago I started wearing Beso by Stilla and Night Porter by Tom Ford.
Anonymous
Bobbi Brown Sand color foundations and Stila Kitten eyeshadow.