You’re probably thinking, “What are these nudes doing in Kara’s Lipstick Corral?” Now that I’m platinum blonde, I needed a nude or two for when all-out red felt too retro. (I do like that the security guards at the City Center call me Marilyn, though.) Welcome to the family, NARS Blonde Venus and MAC Viva Glam V.

Of course, I had to temper the nude purchases with two bright reds, MAC Pro Lipmix in Red and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Harlot. Let’s see how they look!

MAC Viva Glam V - The MAC girl at Macy’s told me this is their most popular nude, and for good reason: not too nude, not too pink, not too matte, not too glossy. And the entire $15 I paid for it goes to the MAC AIDS fund. 

NARS Blonde Venus - It looks almost the same in this picture, but Blonde Venus lacks the lustre factor of Viva Glam V and is a tinge yellower. I swiped it from my mother. Sorry Mom!

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Harlot - Manila Luzon of RuPaul’s Drag Race Fame likes Lip Tars, and that was endorsement enough for me. Lip Tars come in a tube like Blistex and trust me, you need just a tiny bit (and a lip brush) to get LOUD color. This color does not photograph correctly in any light; it is bright, vivid coral-tinged red. I really love it and its minty scent and flavor, but since I’m used to mattes it’s been hard to get used to the glossy texture. It bleeds, it gets on my teeth, etc., but I’m up for the challenge, OCC.

MAC Pro Lipmix in Red - My lipstick obsession is such that I saw this color in Harper’s Bazaar and immediately called the MAC Pro store in Chicago to order it for myself. You can’t get the Pro Lipmixes, which are made to help you customize your own lip color, in most MAC stores or online. They were quite lovely and sent me Red, a perfect tomato red. The combination possibilities are endless; I want Crimson and Fuchsia too.