I’m so excited it’s finally sweater weather here! We have hot humid weather almost year round here in Tampa making it too hot to even wear denim jeans most of the time. While I love the sunshine I’m thrilled that it has cooled down enough to haul some cute sweaters. By popular request I’m combining two topics today that many of you have been asking for: best holiday red lips plus a sweater try-on haul.
I’m a neutral lip lover so I was actually really surprised to find how many red lip products I own. I sorted through around 35+ colors and formulas to narrow down my absolute top picks for the best color, pigment, lasting power and a few budget friendly options. I’ll discuss each color with the sweaters I paired below.
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Everlane Cashmere Crew + L’Oreal Color Riche Shine
I did my first Everlane haul and picked three styles to try out. I haven’t tried the line before so I relied on online customer reviews for height and weight to decide on XXS and XS depending on style. I lucked out because I’m really happy with what I ordered. For sizing reference I have been losing weight but also gaining a little bit of muscle with our weight training. I’m 5’3″ and currently 114 pounds. I usually wear XS in most sizes, sometimes XXS because I’m on the shorter side.
It’s been a long time since I’ve invested in anything cashmere (again because it’s simply TOO HOT to wear here) so I can’t compare to current styles of other brands. I have tried J.Crew, Vince and Theory to name a few which I’ve loved in previous years. I think the styles I ordered from Everlane are just as good. For the Everlane Cashmere Crew ($100) I picked Light Oatmeal in XS and it’s a PERFECT fit. This is my favorite one of my purchases. It’s soft, lightweight but not tissue thin. I plan on getting a couple more colors. Denim worn are the Paige Verdugo Ankle (for me ankle jeans are the best because I usually don’t have to hem them!).
I’m wearing the L’Oreal Color Riche Shine in Enamel Red which is one of the best medium glossy lipsticks I’ve ever tried. I swatched all the colors of this formula in this post here.
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Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew + NARS Powermatte Pigment
Up next is the Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew ($145) in Heather Grey in XXS. I would have bought XS but one of the models on the website was wearing that size and quite a bit taller than me. I’m happy with the fit of XXS. This is a nice soft semi thick ribbed sweater. It’s one of the ones I was wearing on stories.
I paird this one with the NARS Powermatte Pigment in Starwoman. There are a lot of reds in this formula this one seems the most classic to me (Vain is warmer, Light My Fire is brighter and there are options with either more blue or deeper tones too). This is one of the nicest liquid matte lipstick formulas that is matte but doesn’t shrink my lips to look like raisins. It has excellent staying power and doesn’t transfer on my teeth. (If you want a neutral option American Woman is the best chestnut neutral rose out there.)
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Leith + Everlane with Tom Ford Dylan
Tom Ford Lips and Boys Dylan isn’t a new color but remains a favorite for a semi-matte finish. It’s a classic bright bold red with a warm undertone. I’m wearing it below with two sweater colors. A soft nude pink fitted Metallic Pullover from Leith ($49, XS is pretty fitted) that I bought at Nordstrom and the Everlane Cashmere Waffle Crew in Black ($150, XXS) which is boxy but I think has a nice hang to the sides. I like the side slit detail too which makes for a little more interesting sweater.
Another look at the Everlane sweater so you can see the neckline, it’s hard to see the detail but check out their website for close ups which you can see better.
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1.State + Pat McGrath Lip Fetish in Wild Cherry
In terms of red lips I don’t think it gets better than Pat McGrath. I could have done an entire dedicated post to swoon over all her lipsticks but wanted to give some other brands and formulas some love. If you feel like you can’t wear full on red lips, opt for a sheer gloss or balm. The Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm in Wild Cherry is a great sheer but buildable red. I reviewed it in this post here.
In looking through my closet I find that I own a lot of white tops and sweaters. It’s funny because in San Diego I used to wear all black and grey, or stripes. Since moving to Florida I’ve suddenly found my closet has changed. So many of you have been asking about all the white tops I’ve been wearing. This is a cute one from 1State Convertible Zip Neckline Sweater ($109). This is an XXS and runs big but slouchy. It’s cute to tuck in or belt. I’m not 100% sure I love this style. The zipper is adjustable which makes it so you can wear this a number of ways. A similar option that I have really liked in a tee form is the Free People Nikala Tee which I find has a better fit.
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Frame + NARS
My favorite purchase is the Frame Stripe Crewneck Merino Wool Blend Sweater ($235) and it’s one of my most expensive sweater splurges in a long time. I’m a huge sucker for anything with stripes, so much so that I tried to ease up on wearing and buying them. This was too cute to pass up. It’s soft, thin and I love the fit. I really love everything I’ve bought from Frame. Prices prevent me from splurging more. I paired it with the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Rebel from the holiday collection from the Riot Lip Pencil set. Unfortunately it’s sold out but Pat McGrath MatteTrance in Elson is close (reviewed here). Denim worn is also from Frame Le Skinny.
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Loft + Pat McGrath
For affordable sweaters that aren’t itchy or scratchy I’ve found some amazing deals from Loft. They have cute cable knit basics. I tried two styles. One is the Loft Textured Button Cuff Sweater in XS ($49.50 but I got mine 50% off, they have online holiday sales so check their site for current code). At $20 it was a steal. This one is a little long for me but on most people I think it will be just the right length. I’m wearing it with the Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick in Rebel Red which is one of the most fun sparkly blue red lip colors I’ve tried. Full review here.
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Loft + Em Cosmetics
Another Loft find is the Cable Knit Trim Sweater in Silvered Heather Grey (XS, $49.50). I could have sized down for a shorter fit but this one is super cute and easy to wear as well. I paired this with the Em Cosmetics True Gloss in Scarlett Knight which is one of the best red plumping glosses I’ve tried. I need to review this formula for you, I have been sitting on all the colors for a while now. It’s been on my to-do list! They have some cute sets for the holiday I think are worth checking out. I have all the colors individually otherwise I would have ordered one.
Tucked vs. untucked
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BP + MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Lip
MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip in It’s Just Candy is a nice blue-based red shimmer. It’s called a liquid lip but is more along the lines of a full pigment gloss. It has great lasting power and a really pretty sheen. Full review on all the colors in this formula here. If you want a matte metallic long-wear version try the Retro Matte Liquid Lip Color in In Retrograde instead.
Sweater worn is the BP Heritage Stitch sweater in XXS. It’s so soft and plush. Unfortunately it just sold out online, but you might want to check in stores to see if they still have some near you. It does run on the large side, I ordered an XXS and it’s very roomy!
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Lipsticks worn/featured in this post (all shades are press samples):
- L’Oreal Color Riche Shine in Enamel Red (review here)
- Pat McGrath BlitzTrance in Rebel Red (review on lips here)
- Em Cosmetics True Gloss in Scarlett Knight
- NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Rebel (swatched here)
- Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm in Wild Cherry (on lips here)
- NARS Powermatte Pigment in Starwoman
- MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Lip in It’s Just Candy (review here)
- Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Dylan
Swatches alongside a few other options:
- Hourglass Confession Lipstick in My Icon Is (on lips here)
- MAC Retro Matte in In Retrograde
- NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer in Red District (review here)
Pat McGrath and Tom Ford options swatched next to two of the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution colors. I used to think the Charlotte Tilbury formula was the best, I still think it’s very good, but Pat McGrath’s formula wins 100%.
Makeup breakdown worn in all other photos include:
- Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger
- Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
- Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Honeymoon
- Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
- Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero
- some photos I tried on the Velour Effortless Lashes in Would I Lie?
- Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Glow Powder + Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light on cheeks
- The best red nail polish I’ve tried is from Christian Louboutin’s Red, although OPI is also a favorite of mine, I just don’t own any reds from them at the moment
I hope you enjoyed this sweater try-on haul and red lip roundup! If you love a good red lip let me know what your favorites are in the comments. I love cozy sweaters and I would haul more if we had cooler weather in Tampa.
I didn’t have time to post yesterday but did not forget my giveaway for the week! One reader will win four Pat McGrath lip products including: Opulence 1995, Opulence Flesh3, winner’s choice of two other lips formulas. Not sponsored or affiliated. Open internationally to those 18 years or older. Simply enter via the widget below. Giveaway runs this week and I’ll pick a winner within 48 hours after giveaway ends and contact via e-mail.
I’ve linked all the details in this post above, but you can also shop the post below:
Lip colors featured are press samples. All sweaters purchased by me.
