Those Magnificent Browns

Hi all,

As a former, self-confessed lover of dark brown lipstick shades, I thought it would be a great post if I would do a little list of all those 'greats' which once gave me so much joy in dressing up and putting on make up. Browns were my only go-to shades when searching for a lipstick;  nudes and neutrals weren't considered 'colours' (brown meant brown,  no half-hearted 'softies'!!) and wearing pink was impossible - I am dark and at the time, belonged to the 'no-pink' school (oh, how things change!). This was a time when Cindy Crawford in the Revlon ads and Jennifer Aniston in 'Friends' dictated my choice in lipsticks.

Some of the shades mentioned in my list are long departed friends, sacrificed at the alter of changing times and fashions; some of them still survive,  fortunately. Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of the lipsticks themselves or even their swatches to share with you. You may find a few on the internet, especially the Revlon, Milani and Avon ones. What I do have are my experiences with them and why they became such favourites that I still remember their names.

1. Lakme's 'Forever Brown' (R.I.P)- In the late 1990s, Lakme had this beautiful warm, golden, soft brown shade in a cream finish (no shimmer) that I actually owned two of; if I remember correctly, one was a gift from someone and the other was the tube I snitched from my mom's collection. I had just started using lipsticks and this shade formed the hesitant beginnings of my forays into and later, obsession of, lipsticks. Later, as my tastes got bolder and 'browner', 'Forever Brown' fell from grace - it was too soft of a colour.

At least, I think it was called 'Forever Brown' - because my internet searches have not been much of a success and I fear the lipstick may have been called something else. The shade may still exist in the pantheon of Lakme Enrich Satins lipsticks (under those endlessly confusing numbers!), I just haven't rediscovered it yet. 

2. Avon's Pro-to-Go Lipstick in 'Sweet Brown' - This lipstick happened much later in my life, in the 2000s I believe, when I could appreciate the 'nudes and the neutrals'. :) I remember it had a unique slide-up mechanism (unique for when I bought the lipstick; now, its fairly common) and a  very creamy finish. The shade was a soft, golden brown with a peach undertone; on me, it was almost nude, a sort of MLBB. This shade may still be available.  I just looked this one up on Google; there are a few reviews and pictures for this one. I wonder if I can still buy this from somewhere.

3. Lakme's Enrich Matte Lipstick in 'Chestnut Matte' (R.I.P) - Well, this was a whole phase in my life. I was completely convinced this dark, dark brown, completely matte finish lipstick made me look so sophisticated (of course, frequent compliments assisted in my opinion!) and pretty and older than my years (to some nineteen year-olds, this is a good thing, trust me!). I would pair it with kajal and churidaars and patola dupattas and feel quite so arty and worldly. Lakme decided to phase out this dense, hard lipstick,  no doubt due to changing times and ending of the true-brown 1990s obsession. 

4. Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in 'Baked Brown' - Circa 2003, I bought a mini version of this (Revlon had minies at that time) from some small store on my first visit back to India (I was in the US pursuing my degree) - I was just so kicked I could find Revlon products so easily everywhere. The shade was a warm, soft brown with reddish undertones; a very wearable colour, especially for Indian skin tones. The finish was cream, my favourite and the colour would even fade very prettily. I also liked this lipstick more as it reminded me of India.

5. Milani's 'Double Espresso' - My sister had first bought this one for me, knowing that I was a strong believer of 'the darker the brown, the better the lipstick'. I had been going through a low phase and she bought it for me as a surprise to cheer me up - it did. This was the darkest brown I had ever owned (of course, excepting 'Chestnut Matte') and it was a pearl finish lipstick. In fact, I think I might actually have a few photographs of me wearing this shade somewhere. Now, of course, when I look back at these photographs, I can see that pearly lipsticks do NOT suit me.

There were many more browns in this list, some of unknown brands too, but I decided to stick to only 5 of my favourite ones. Special mention goes to this dark nut, brown lipstick which my Canadian cousins gifted me with. I do not remember the brand; I do remember that it smelled of Johnson's baby oil, had a cream finish, looked like edible chocolate and had a long, golden tube. I also remember that I asked for a second tube of this lipstick when my cousins visited me in the States the next time.