Around this time of year it’s a beautiful thing to be given a gift — but it’s even more beautiful to be the gift giver. I reached out to some of my favorite brands to arrange special holiday giveaways for Afrobella readers, and I hope you love the products as much as I do! Second on the holiday giveaway list? A brand new holiday collection by one of the most historic cosmetics brands for women of color — Fashion Fair!
Fashion Fair was born in 1973, and was named after the internationally known Ebony Fashion Fair event. In order to find makeup that matched the models in their show, John H. Johnson and Eunice W. Johnson went to a private lab to have cosmetics made to match their skintones — the demand for these products proved to be overwhelming that the Johnsons brought the products to store shelves. The first ever Fashion Fair counter opened right here in Chicago at Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) on State Street.
I remember my mother having that trademark pink marblized compact in her purse when I was little. I remember some of the iconic advertisements, featuring the biggest stars of the era, all glammed up in their Fashion Fair cosmetics. And now the brand is experiencing a rebirth and reintroduction that’s remarkable to witness.
Ever since legendary makeup artist Sam Fine was named Creative Director, all Fashion Fair has done is win, win, win. The press mentions have been excitable. There’s been big buzz amongst customers. And the new Fashion Fair holiday collection? It’s exquisite.
Siren Call is all about dispelling the myth that women of color can’t wear red. There are four lipsticks that offer options of red (and one deep purple that I LOVE) for bellas all shades of beautiful. Nail lacquers that are modern in terms of color palette, AND that last — I was chip free almost a whole week, very impressed!
How do you WEAR these reds? Creative Director Sam Fine offered some helpful advice.
“If you have golden yellow undertones, I recommend a true red lipstick such as Fashion Fair Lipstick in Siren. For women with a soft mocha complexion, I recommend a more orange-tone red shade sucn as Fashion Fair’s Intrigue,” says Mr. Fine. (Click here to follow Mr. Sam Fine on Twitter!)
How glam is THAT??? That shoot was Sam Fine makeup, Oscar James hair, and styling by legendary Trinidadian Freddie Leiba (TRINIS REPRESENT!)
If you’ve been afraid to rock a red lip, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. Bellas, I’ve got FIVE full sets of Fashion Fair’s Siren Call Holiday Collection to give away!
The Siren Call Collection includes:
Lipsticks – $18
Intrigue (Orange Red)
Siren (Blue Red)
Forbidden (Brown Red)
Femme Fatale (Deep Purple)Nail Lacquers – $9.50
Heart Throb (Red)
So Cold (Silver)
Allusion (Grey)Lip Teaser – $18
Liquid Silver
Here’s how you can win! Leave a comment below, telling me how YOU feel about rocking a red lip, and which Fashion Fair lipstick you’re most excited to try!
Five lucky winners will win the complete Fashion Fair’s Siren Call Holiday Collection! This contest will be open until December 27 to contestants within the US, so you have lots of time over the holiday week to enter (and hopefully win!)
Click here to follow Fashion Fair on Twitter, and on Facebook. Thank you for your generosity, Fashion Fair!
Good luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS, bellas!
PS: Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? You should!! I’ll be sending a special holiday letter and there will be special discount codes for newsletter subscribers!! Clicky click!
As long as its not too orangey , I think I look great in red!! I’d love to get my paws on the Femme Fatale. Merry Christmas
Hey Afrobella,
I have actually been trying to find the right red for the season.
I have purchased 2 already and they are not quite the right tone.
I would like to try the Forbidden (Brown Red) to see if it would work for me.
Thanks
xoxxox
I been wearing fashion fair lipstick for years since 1990 and I love it.
I LOVE wearing red lipstick! I’m thinking I should try Siren, because I do have yellow undertones.
-On a side note, would be nice if they’d feature some natural hair on their models. I posted the suggestion to their FB wall, but they didn’t respond.
Great work, Bella!
For years, I was afraid of a red lip. I most recently purchased my first rouge lipstick. NOW, I am obsessed with red lips and I pucker as much as possible. It takes me a while to find the perfect match for my complexion and I think Forbidden would look great on me. Fashion Fair products are wonderful.
I love a good blue based red lipstick (MAC’s Russian Red is my faaaaaaaavorite). I think that the color that I am most excited about trying from the Fashion Fair collection is Femme Fatale because I have an obsession with purple lips.
There is nothing that says holiday season like a bold red lip! I would love to try Siren.
I’ve never been comfortable wearing lipstick because, as a younger teen, I tried all the WRONG products and ended up feeling more Bozo than beautiful. Now I’ve re-discovered make-up and love that I have the confidence to wear bolder eye shadows and tone-flattering blushes – but I still don’t have a lipstick I can feel gorgeous in!
I’m thinking “Forbidden” might be just the shade to make me fall in love with lipstick for the first time!
While I LOVE rocking a red lip (see here http://masquemag.com/post/13960771404/outfit-rainy-days-every-now-and-then-you-have#disqus_thread, http://masquemag.com/post/9290082687/memoir-celebration-of-curves-nyfw-spr-11, and http://masquemag.com/post/9176005332/memoir-dior-com-launch-event lol), I would really die to try the deep Fashion Fair Femme Fatale. There’s no time like Fall/Winter to try a deep, saturated lip!
OMGEEZY, when I saw this red in the December Ebony (CONGRATS on making their 100 list too) I knew I had to have Siren Call. The model looks amazeballs and Sam Fine has done a great job bringing this brand back to the trend lists. I totally need this in my lipstick collection. Not to mention I love good in red, lol. Pick me!!!
Ty
I believe red lips are sexy and seductive. I never thought I could rock it until I tried it. I’d love to try ‘Siren’ by Fashion Fair.
I am very skeptic of wearing red….but very curious to see how red will wear on me. If there was one specific color I’d be most interested in trying would be the siren red. Growing up, my mother wore Fashion Fair, it was a new company then (only a year older than me!) Great write up… I’m getting excited!
I’d really like to try the Femme Fatale. Purple is my favorite color and I’ve been wanting to get a great purple lipstick for a while. The Siren is a close second.
I’d love to try rocking a red lip and Siren sounds perfect…haven;t done so since my teen years, looking for a way to rock it in an adult fashion
I love a strong red lip, classic elegance. I would rock a Sade red lip.
I am not a lipstick wearer and definitely not red but lately I’ve been thinking that I need to branch out. I would love to try Fashion Fair’s Intrigue.
I just starting wearing red lipstick, and I love it! I would love to try the Siren red. Thanks!
Over the summer I started experimenting with red lipstick and I absolutely love it!! The shade I’m most excited to try is Femme Fetale. Sounds like a beautiful shade!
Siren! It looks so fierce!!! Red lipstick make me feel sexy and bold!
Wearing a red lip exclaims confidence. A pop of color let’s people know that I am confident and stylish. I would love to try Siren with a great twist out and cute sequined top.
I have been nervous about wearing a red lip because there are so many shades to choose from, but I have been more willing to try… I would love Forbidden.
(Definitely gonna have to hunt down Fashion Fair in the New Year, I have been hearing great things about their products.)
I love rocking a red lip, but I’ve been meaning to add some variety to my reds for a while now. I would absolutely love the chance to try this collection!
I feel sexy wearing red lipstick! Even if you wear it with a casual outfit, you can’t deny the sex appeal of red lipstick. I am a Southern girl who recently moved to Chocolate City where so many Bellas wear vibrant colors including red. So, I finally took the chance and am glad I did!
This Fashion Fair collection is fantastic. I would wear the same color the model, Gail Haite, is wearing. And I have to say, one of the FF staffers said that Fashion Fair is about style, confidence and glamour. This is what I thought as a little girl reading Ebony and Jet magazine. I couldn’t wait to start wearing their beautiful colors made for me. Kudos to Fashion Fair!
I have always been a little afraid of red lipstick, but I am really wanting to try it out. The Forbidden sounds like a winner.
Pale as I am I LOVED a bright red lip all through high school. Looking back on those pics I don’t know why someone didn’t pull me to the side about it LOL! Now I prefer a brown-red. That works way better with my skintone. So I’d love to try out FORBIDEN. Nice to see what Sam Fine has done with Fashion Fair. This ain’t ya mama’s makeup collection anymore. 🙂
Rocking a red lip makes me feel powerful and so sexy. You can never go wrong with a red lip. Even wearing jeans and a Tee, a red lip makes the look pop.
I recently just started rocking a red lip and I absolutely love it!!Not sure why I waited so long.
But I am very interested in trying Siren.
WOW! What a pretty collection. For some odd reason I shy away from wearing red on my lips *sits on therapists couch* and I believe this hesitation is linked to my youth when I was told “black women shouldn’t wear red lipstick”. I really want to break out and embrace full red lips and I believe I could ease into this with Forbidden.
I have ALWAYS loved red lips and nails..even when Big Momma said “good” girls didn’t wear Red. Great every good girl has a naughty girl inside them somewhere. So rock that fly natural do with some kick ass red and do you boo! After all no one can do you better than you…
Peace and Nappyness!!
I feel in love with the idea of wearing red lipstick last year. I went to a popular make-up store for help and was disappointed with the guidance I received. With that being said, I am most excited to try the ‘Forbidden’ by FF. I would absolutely love to win this gift set! Thanks Afrobella
Much like a red nail polish, in the words of Shania Twain, “Feel Like a Woman”! It’s my go to color when I’m going on a hot date with the hubby ; ) I would love to try SIREN!!!!
I love wearing a red lip paired with a simple eye. I think it makes for the perfect dressed up face, clean but still bold without too much color to fight your no doubt killer outfit. I am most excited about femme fatale as the perfect lipstick to wear under My Purple Life lipglass.
I’ve never worn red lipstick, but think I might like to try Forbidden.
I’ve always been skeptical about rocking red lips because of my dark chocolate complexion. But I’ve learned that its all about what type of red you wear. A deep reddish burgundy looks wonderful on my lips.
…(continued) Forbidden would be my choice.
I think a strong red lip is a great compliment to an otherwise neutral face. It’s also a great way to jazz up a blah day, and who doesn’t love a good bright red? I’ve flirted with all kinds of red but find that brick red and bright red work best. My good friend got me over my fear of red by smearing it on me and making me realize how amazing it looked. I never have gone back!
I would love to try Forbidden, but think all would be fantastic!
I haven’t found that right red that looks good on me. But I’m determined to find it! The siren sounds interesting!
I feel CONFIDENT and SEXY rocking a red lip. The contrast of the red against my dark skin tone is impeccable!!
I would love to try Fashion Fair’s Siren Lipstick
I would love to rock red, I did not too long ago and got lots of compliments…however, I’d LOVE to rock the Femme Fatale!! That’s HOTT!!
Fashion Fair brings back great memories…my mom would wear Fashion Fair when it was in the pink cases (long ago, huh?) And then when I entered high school, she’d give me a couple tubes of hers…I felt so grown up!!!
RED is the new Black! I love a red lip but, I interested in trying the Femme Fatale.
Thank you to both you and Fashion fair and Happy Holidays
xoxo
I have always wanted to try a true red lip. I have purchased different shades of red but never stepped out there and bought a true red lipstick. I think my fiance would love to see me in a red lipstick, and marriage license here I come!!!!!!! 🙂 I can’t wait t try Intrigue.
Ollie Moss
ollimo91@aol.com
Hey Gorgeous,
being an antillian myself, we ve never been afraid of reds no matter the color ogfour skin tone so girl i d love to try that red hot siren all right becaause it s right up my alley!
kisses girl and thanks for the gret giveaway!
have a merry christmas and a happy new year!
kisses
When I was in my 20s I was religious about a brown-red lip color and was intimidated by a true red. Now that I’m in my 30s, and am more confident about my makeup choices, I’ve fallen in love with bolder, richer shades of red. I would love to try Siren by Fashion Fair to kick off the new year and a new makeup routine!
Red is one of my signature shades. For years it was my first choice in lip colors. I have 3 different MAC lipsticks in my purse at all times. In the past I have not experience much success with Fashion Fair lip sticks; however, I would love to try the new ones especially Intrigue. I envision it giving me a warm glow.
I love a deep blood red lip, although being chocolate, I have to be careful with too much orange undertones. I would love to try Femme Fatale!
i love red lips and i would definitely want to rock out Siren because I love reds with blue undertones. they look so great on me and they make your teeth look super white in photos!!! 🙂
I am most excited about the Siren color! I have seen it in stores, and it is a beautiful rich color! I have been scared of red lipstick for years. I have “generous sized” lips, and have always avoided bright colors because they draw more attention to my lips. But at this point, I sick of being scared! I want to embrace what I have and rock a shade that would really do my complexion justice. I am ready!
I’ve tried and tried the red lip, but I have never fallen in love with it. Like the other commenters, I was recently re-inspired by Sade who looked FABULOUS in concert. I’d like to try “Forbidden.” Maybe I need something deepish.
Like a lot of these other commenters, I haven’t found a red that really makes me stand out. Well…I’ve found reds that make me stand out for looking a mess. LOL. But I think I’d be down to try Siren, that color is hot—pun completely intended. But furthermore, this entire collection is that FIYAH! These reds with these grays, WOO! *fans self* Even if I don’t win, I’m putting this color combo into action. Thanks girl!
I absolutely love Fashion Fair Products, I remember the very first lipstick that I ever wore was “Chocolate Raspberry”, I was about 18 years old or so, so that had to be around 1986-1987; I love “Chocolate Raspberry” by Fashion Fair until this day.
I’ve always wanted to a explore red lipsticks, but, never found one that I admired against my cocoa-red complexion, so therefore I’ve never indulged. I’d love to find a red lipstick that blends/matches well with me, because I find red lipstick so sexy, luscious and inviting.
If I were given a choice of any lipstick to try of Fashion Fair, I’d try the “Femme Fatale”, because I was so blessed to be one of the very few people whom was able to try “All Of My Purple Life” lip-gloss designed by Afrobella & produced by MAC (Summer 2011), and absolutely fell in love with the effects of a purple lip against cocoa-red skin.
Afrobella is one of the most fashion forward and informative blogs ever; I mean this sincerely from the heart, Love-Ya Doll…
I am most excited to try the Forbidden brown/red, it sounds spicy!
I have learned to rock a red lip when I am feeling particularly bold and confident. I would love to try Forbidden and Liquid Silver.
OMG my boss and I had this conversation this morning. She was saying she was going to do it, but didn’t think the job was ready for her red lips at our office party lol and told the story of a friend who’s mother told her “we” don’t wear red. I told her I just learned to embrace red having always thought I was too pale for it. One day I put on a red shirt and then went a little crazy (red coat, red shoes lol) but I still have not found the right red for the lips. My first real lipstick (not that green, turned bright neon pink stuff) was Fashion Fair Brown Sugar so I’d love to win and give Siren Call a try.
WOW looks like fashion fair is not just my mothers make up anymore! I’m going to have to try that Siren, nothing like a red lip to warm your look up in the blah winter months
I love a red lip, to me it represents your confidence. I like to rock a red lip while dressing down and the lip is the major focus. I also like to wear a red lip with a n after five simple black dress and not much jewelry. I love the Forbidden (Brown Red)
Thanks for the give away and happy holidays
I have tried a red lip before, but I only seem to do it on FANCY SCHMANCY nights. I would like to try more colors to see how I can integrate them possible into more of a “regular” routine.
Gosh i’m so fond of Fashion Fair! When I first started wearing makeup back in the 70’s, Fashion Fair was the only cosmetics company that offered foundations for women of color. I gratuated from HS in ’77 and remember wearing Copper Blaze to my prom. It’s the exact color of my skin and to this day i’m still wearing it.
When I got married in 1985, I wore Tropic Pink lipstick for my wedding photos. The photos were awesome with this beautiful irridescent pink color on my lips. I’m trying to step out of my comfort zone and try some Reds but I’ve yet to buy them because… I keep wondering if it’s age appropriate for women in their 50’s.
If I had to try a Red lipstick from this new collection I would definitely try “Forbidden.” It’s a deeper Red and one I could definitely pull off at a church function without the stares.
I do LOVE a red lip, on special occasions that is, something about it just makes me feel too sexy for my own good when wearing:-) I would like to try the femme fatale…I became a lover of purple ever since “all of my purple life”. I used to wear Fashion Fair wayyyyy back in the day.. I was a “brown sugar” girl, with Sam Fine there now, I need to take another look..Thanks Bella for always bringing all things LOVELY to my attention
Well, i’m a fan of red lipstick on other people. I never can seem to find one that looks good on me. I would love to try Forbidden, the color description sounds like it could work for me .
I would love to try the Femme Fatale!
I actually had an aversion to red lipstick, or really any lipstick until recently. I was in a stage productions that required I wear red lipstick, and after wearing it every day for two weeks, it really grew on me! lol
I love Fashion Fair – they have been around for a long time. So glad to see Sam Fine on their team.
I absolutely love rocking a red lip. I’m excited to try Siren. I believe every woman should have herself a fav red lipstick.
Omg, I always wanted to try a red lipstick! Im excited to try Siren!
Luv that fashion fair is making a come back, and Sam Fine is the perfect person to be doing this. Did a show with the beautiful Ethiopian model Maya Haile in Addis last year, she looks gorgeous. I am always scared to rock red bold lips, but have always wanted to. I would love to try out the Femme Fatale;)
In the past I have been a bit hesitant about wearing a red lip. I have full lips and when I put red lipstick on I always feel like the look ever fuller than they really are. But I’ve gotten over that and I’m ready to rock a red lip!!!!
I am looking forward to trying Forbidden and Femme Fatale.
I love the boldness and the beauty of a red lip. It speaks out that the individual has personality and it also accentuates the fullness and the beautiful shapes of our lips as women of color. I am excited to try the lipstick in Siren!!
I love red lips. I’d love to try intrigue.
I’d love to try this. I’ve never worn make-up before and so it would be a new and fun experience. I think that trying these new products would help me girl-up and give me a break to think about myself.
I absolutely love rocking a red lip! I would to try Intrigue since I have been searching for an orange/red lipstick.
I personally am scared to try red lipstick because I have always seen such horrid outcomes on other. I would love to try Intrigue, it will definitely have me make a stance for the new year
I personally am scared to try red lipstick because I have always seen such horrid outcomes on other. I would love to try Intrigue, it will definitely have me make a stance for the new year to show the fiery side of me.
Siren…is all I can say. I have been looking for the perfect blue red to enhance my golden skin tone…I have’nt been able to find a red that I have fallen in love with, that makes me feel like a Natural woman. I hope to be a winner 🙂
This collection looks absolutely STUNNING!!! And as an FDNY emplyee I love SIRENS!!! Lol so it seems just as edgy, revving and bold as the job I do daily!
How do I feel about rocking red lipstick? Hmm…that’s a good question. I’ve never rocked red lips. I’ve always admired red lips on women. To me it’s an unspoken symbol of fierceness; bold, audacious lips that demands attention without commanding it. I’ve never tried red lipstick, but that’s a side of myself that I’m ready to tap into. Winning this give-away would give me the perfect opportunity to unleash everything that is “HarrietLaJade.”
I’ve always wanted to try wearing red lipstick but I’ve yet to do it. I can’t seem to find the right shade to match my skin tone. The red lip is definitely something I want to try in the new year. Red is such a bold and beautiful color, and I’m making some changes to step up my fashion style and me personally – I want to take more risks. Winning this giveaway would be the perfect package to begin my journey of the “bolder” me in 2012.
I admit, I always hide in the safe zone and prefer lip glosses and nice, boring, muted lipsticks over red lipstick. (I guess because they are safe choices.) Still, the recent Cherry Blossom post got me thinking “It can’t be that difficult” and besides, it’s time to step up to the plate and try something new in 2012. I’m most excited about the Intrigue shade because I’m a fan of red and orange in my wardrobe. So, let’s see if I can add those colors to my faves lipstick list!
I have always been a lover of red lipstick and lipgloss. I am an NW45 who has never had fear of rocking bold color in her makeup regimen. I would love to try the lipstick shade in the collection titled ‘Siren’. It sounds sensuous and risque.
I’m most excited to try the Intrigue lipstick. And a red lip makes a statement that you’re bold and confident; I’ll rock it to work, church, the grocery store…a woman should be fierce at ALL TIMES!
Fashion Fair, a black family gem! My mama still loves her Brown Blaze Glo!
I am no stranger to rocking a red lip, so that’s no biggie, but I would love to try the Femme Fatale and see how a purple looks on me!
i have never worn a red lipstick ecuase basically it hought with my skin tne i never could and the ones i didn try looked all kinds of crazy on me so i am ver excited about trying fashion fairs red lipstick especially siren
Thank you. A very good article. It is very useful to read. if friends going to read this article.
I was always scared of a red lip, but I love it in my 30s! I would love to try Deep Purple! xo
I’m a litt nervous yet excited about rocking a red lip! It’s almost as if I’m venturing into a whole new world. The color I’m most excited about is femme fatal, the berry color is to die for!
This past year I lost my groove, but I fully intend to get it back in 2012. And I would love to rock the Siren since I have golden undertones in my skin. Never rocked a red, but I can’t wait to try it out.
I would love to rock a red lip, and would like to try Fashion Fair’s Intrigue lipstick
Cynthia.Richardson@azbar.org
looking forward to trying the Forbidden lipstick. I’ve tried some reds in the past, and people said it looked too bold. As a recent naturalista, (3 months yay!) i’ve found that I want everything about me to be big, bold, and sexy 😉
I love love love LOVE rocking red lipsticks… I love rocking any lipsticks actually. But a nice, pretty red does so much for your outfit or spices things up, when your not so dressed up. I believe it takes confidence to rock a red lip, and you must try different reds to find the perfect one. I would most be excited to try the color Intrigue. I think that would be a pretty color on me, and hopefully I win, especially since I didn’t receive any Christmas gifts this year, but I did get to move In new home.
Everyone tells me that I shouldnt do a red lip because i am dark skinned but i wanna try just for that reason. Why not go against the norm? I am excited to try femme aswell because purple is another daring color
I have become very bold with my eyeshadow rocking acid bright colors but I have yet to get bold with my lipcolors. I would love to gey my hands on red lip products marketed towards WOC.
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I was invited to a Ball and put on makeup for the first time in a long time. I forgot how fun it is to get all made up;with five kids there’s never really a reason to put any on. My husband loved me in makeup so I’m doing it more now. I would love to win this set to step up my makeup game.
Ooh weee, I would love to try Siren, nothing like making a statment without having to say a word.
Hi Afrobella,
I said in another post that I’m nervous about red and looking for a great one. I’d love to try Fashion Fair and see if I can rock these reds. They all look fantastic and that Femme Fatale is calling me. Can’t you hear it…
I too am nervous about a bright red lip, but I would like to try the forbidden.
I love me some brown lipsticks so I would love to try the Forbidden lipstick