Favorite Things #14: Ranking my Lip / Bag Combos
And my dream combos
Hello All,
I’ve always been the type of person who leaves things in their bags, pockets, etc. I think of it as a surprise for next time, even if it’s an old pen from the restaurant I used to work at or a business card from a restaurant I’ll never go to again. I find it somewhat comforting to know that I always have wire headphones or a tissue handy. The most ~exciting~ part of finding what’s in my bag is, of course, the lip products! In every single bag I have, I have a lip product. I’ve found it interesting to analyze why this specific product was in this specific bag. See my combos below, and how I rank them in terms of compatibility:
Bag: STAUD TOMMY BEADED BAG BLACK MILLEFIORI
Lips: Goop Clean Nourishing Lip Balm Trio in Garnet, Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat in Hot Cherry
Compatibility Review: This is my favorite bag and one that is surprisingly versatile. The Goop lip balm in Garnet is a perfect lip for the daytime, and the sheer red lip gloss is perfectly sassy for a night out on the town. Rating: 5/5
Bag: My mom’s old Kate Spade bag, shop similar here
Lip: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Brown Sugar
Compatibility Review: I almost sold this bag to The Real Real, but I’m so glad my mom convinced me not to. It’s a perfect everyday bag. It fits a waterbottle, a book, etc—one that is perfect for running errands or going to a workout class. It’s interesting, however, that I decided to throw in the very trendy Summer Fridays lip product, that, honestly, I haven’t tried out much yet. I do think this bag would work better with something like an Aquaphor (classic), the Goop clear balm (elevated classic), or the Glossier balm dot com in birthday cake (outdated but still relevant to me). However, using this balm before running into a hot yoga class makes sense to me, somehow. Rating 3/5
Bag: Susan Alexandra Mini Merry Bag
Lip: MAC Satin Lipstick in Brave
Compatibility Review: I was shocked to find this lip in this particular bag, but then I remembered the last time I wore it was on Christmas Eve, where I rummaged through the key draw and found this lip product of my mom’s. It feels pretty elegant of me to use a LIPSTICK, and one from MAC no less, and this bag is not about elegance. It’s not about practicality, either. There’s no zipper or button, and it barely holds my phone. So, there’s no need for a practical lip in here. I think I should trade the lipstick out for this sparkly purple lip gloss, because why not?! Rating: 2/5
Bag: My mom’s Old Kate Spade
Lip: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in Hope
Compatibility Review: I love this bag, though the zipper is broken, and every scarf or little trinket has fallen off of it. One was the Susan Alexandra Cherry bag charm—one cherry broke in Paris, and the second one broke in my friend Kira’s room. I held onto my Grandma’s black and white polka dot scarf for as long as I could (It survived being dropped in Soho, and yet I lost it at a small hotel in Vermont at a wedding (still devastated)). There’s also a rosary still in it from my grandpa’s funeral 3 years ago, as well as a full pack of tissues. So, matching it with a fun little Rare Beauty lip oil doesn’t make the most sense. I’d put the MAC lip in this one, it fits the vibe more. However, this lip oil is light and barely there, so it fits the bill for a classic little black bag. Rating: 3/5
Bag: My mom’s old Kate Spade
Lip: Fenty Beauty Lip Heat, color unknown
Compatibility Review: To me, this is a perfect match. A tiny little bag (that has seen better days), and a discontinued lip gloss in the same color? This bag fits nothing except a gloss and some random tissues. I wore this to the Barbie movie. Rating: 5/5
Bag: Old Kate Spade
Lip: Kosas Sport LipFuel
Compatibility Review: This lip product was always in my knockoff Lululemon orange fanny pack, so I was shocked to find this in a travel bag I’ve used probably twice in the last 10 years! I bought this knockoff Longchamp bag at Cabazon, oh the memories I have at that outdoor mall! Though I think this lip is more compatible with a sporty little fanny pack I bring to yoga, I don’t mind the compatibility here. This is one of my favorite lip balms btw, along with the Goop one (in clear). Rating: 4/5
Here are two glosses that deserve a bag. I think this clear Kosas plumping gloss would go great in my cross-body leather bag, and this Jones Road one should go in something fabulous for the night time.
Finally, here are my dream lip/bag combinations:
Bag: Prada SS24, but I can’t find it on their site.
Lip: Violette FR Petal Bouche Matte in Cerise Désir
Compatibility Review: When I saw this bag I knew it would be something I would need to have, if I were rich and famous and needed a tote bag with a little gold head on it. This bag requires a dark lip, because if I was rich and famous I might need to put on an impromptu berry-stained lip in case I have paparazzi outside Sunlife after hot yoga or something, you know? This lip color was sent to me accidentally when I purchased Violette FR’s liquid eyeshadow, and who was I to send back this beautiful gift? It would be something to just throw into a bag like this, and buildable that it could work for any occasion (even a post-hot yoga look).
Bag: Bottega Veneta Mini Sardine in chalk
Lip: Tom Ford Lipstick in Spanish Pink
Compatibility Review: I’d literally do anything for this bag. Some people have moved on, but I’ve stayed here. I think proportionally it works best as a mini, but to each their own. I think you’d need to keep a pinky nude lipstick to keep in here, and what better brand than Tom Ford?
Bag: Khaite Axel Minaudiere in Antique Gold
Lip: Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Matte Lipstick in Vermillion (Warm Red)
Compatibility Review: I mean, this is a piece of art. Khaite (and The Row) represent quiet luxury to me, though nothing about this is quiet. I decided to pair this bag with a classic red lip. I was torn between MAC, Chanel, and Merit, but I decided that Merit also has that quiet luxury energy. You may disagree with this choice, I am open to feedback.
What are your lip/bag combos? Lmk. Have a great week! XO