I didn't see Toddson's link so I have no idea how it was used in context, but I usually read it in the same way ita does, FWIW.

Steph, take care of yourself. We all have moments when it all becomes too much.

(Oh good. Now I have "Black Boys/White Boys" running through my head. "Beautiful as girls....")

Sung by Nell Carter (and others) in the movie!

Being high yellow I probably have extra sensitivity to the line. It makes me angry. Perspective.

I've never thought the "darker the berry" thing was anything but a comment re: race. And I'm pretty pasty. I think I heard it for the first time in Fame.

I didn't see Toddson's link so I have no idea how it was used in context

It was an article about lipstick, and how darker colours rock. So it's a perfectly fair literal usage--just that I've never seen it used literally, and I have had it used as a direct insult towards me (not that it isn't an insult to me even when not aimed my way, if used racially).

Later on the same author does mention skin colour ranging to ebony, so it's not like she didn't think about skin tone when writing.

I don't think I've ever heard that phrase used in any context. Interesting.

The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice.

I always associated that with berries get darker as they ripen.

I was hoping the article would name the colour of lipstick used in that illo. Not that I think it would work on me, precisely. A bit too much blue.

looks at illo again

ita, it could be Chanel Vamp, or MAC Diva. It's too red-toned to be MAC Bing, which is the current "cult hit" limited-edition lipstick. If you're after a color like that, also take a look at Revlon Black Cherry.

(What? Plei knows nail polish, I know dark lipstick.)

Hmm. Maybe I will visit Sephora. Not that I should be spending frivolous money...

I have to say, when I was little I always wanted to be chocolate brown, and when I thought of makeup it was deep purple lipstick on a milk chocolate face. Perhaps I'm bringing that to the article too.

What? Plei knows nail polish, I know dark lipstick.

You say that like it's not some sort of superpower.

I just figured out how to identify the "I feel like crap" I've been feeling all day. I feel hung over. I've got a headache, I feel like gravity is suddenly three times stronger than usual and keeping me from moving around too much, every time I do wake up I guzzle about three glasses of water, and it almost hurts to try to get my eyes to focus on anything. But the last time I had any alcohol was one beer several days ago. This is just weird.

You say that like it's not some sort of superpower.

Superpower, obsession, either description works. The amount of lipstick I've accumulated while looking for the perfect dark pomegranate wine shade sometimes even frightens me.