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Friday, December 4, 2009

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The economy is in the toilet—naturally, you'll start wearing lipstick

editor

There was a story in last week's New York Times about how the sales of lipstick—not gloss—are an economic indicator and how, in tough times, women in this country turn not only to just smaller indulgences to quell their retail fix, but specifically lipstick. At first I read this and felt the same way I did about the whole "dresses are dead" thing. Like, "Oh, New York Times, you style prophet, tell me Oracle, what else will I wear next year?"
But then I realized I'm actually way, way, way tired of lipgloss. I'm sick of it's glossiness, it's very celebrity slickness and I'm especially over how it gets stuck to my hair.

According to the article, you will be buying lipstick for three reasons:
1. It's a small indulgence, "an inexpensive treat meant to substitute for a bigger-ticket item."
2. It's a "morale booster like Charlie Chaplin films were during the depression"
3. Women wear lipstick, “to put forward an image that they are more alive and more vibrant, and not as down in the mouth. It’s part of the uniform of desirability and attractiveness."
Will you make the switch? To a 1940s red perhaps?
Source: NY Times

Related: makeup, lipstick, lipgloss

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Comments 21-29 of 29
  • cowabunga's Avatar
    Posted by cowabunga Fri May 9, 2008 3:43pm PDT

    Actually I hate lipstick, it makes my lips feel dry and with lipgloss, you can just slick it on and your lips feel perfect. (That's unless you put too much on.)

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  • Bbee's Avatar
    Posted by Bbee Sat May 10, 2008 2:53pm PDT

    Oh, RED? .... wow, okay ... even if your 43? RED?

    If you say so .... I just don't want to look my great Auntie Blanch after a martini too many! LOL!

    No, I'll give it a shot .... thanx for the tip.

    Report Abuse
  • Maggie Basore's Avatar
    Posted by Maggie Basore Sun May 11, 2008 12:44pm PDT

    Mary Kay began her empire based on that exact rationale from the Great Depression & WWII era.

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  • Debra's Avatar
    Posted by Debra Mon May 12, 2008 6:33am PDT

    I recently stop wearing makeup due to economics, but I still have to buy my lipstick...I think I will buy a new shade today on the way home from work...

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  • Lisa's Avatar
    Posted by Lisa Tue May 20, 2008 6:25pm PDT

    so glad that lipstick is back! I think that it looks classier than gloss. I also find nail polish a very nice and affordable cheep, quick fix.

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  • Lisa's Avatar
    Posted by Lisa Thu May 29, 2008 11:38am PDT

    I'm all for red lipstick. Just make sure that you get the type of red you want. Some reds look red in the tube but turn fuschia on you, or orange, or even purple. If you can get samples all the better. I love Chanel's Star Red as a perfect 1940's look. Also, if you want to go withthe 40's retro look, get the matching red nail polish and do your nails 40s style. Leave the little crescent above your cuticle uncovered and then paint the rest of your nail. You don't want hte nail to be too long, no mor than a 1/4 inch past the end of your fingertip. And a squarish oval shape looks great.

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  • G's Avatar
    Posted by G Thu May 29, 2008 10:23pm PDT

    I my self wore lipstick for years . Now I feel it is too heavy and ages me . I like a softer warmer, more natural as I get older. Much pretter look.Ill keep my gloss thank you very much.

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  • icey's Avatar
    Posted by icey Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:43pm PDT

    you know i don't even wear lipstick i just use lip gloss and there is a proper way to aply lip gloss so it doesn't look like you've been eating greasy chicken all day long did you know that sheep wool and fish scales are in lipstick???? remember that next time you put it on!!

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  • GloriaL's Avatar
    Posted by GloriaL Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:20am PDT

    Mary Kay Cosmetics has a great way for you to help Women and Children by buying an "Apple Berry" lipstick. Not exactly red but a color that looks great on women of all shades.

    Visit http://www.marykay.com/glewis35/company/appleberry/default.aspx?ab=sm_appleberry

    to support the cause.

    "Through a new charitable initiative called Beauty That Counts™, Mary Kay will donate 100 percent of its profits from the sale of Mary Kay® Creme Lipstick in Apple Berry from May 2008 through the end of the year to charitable organizations that support women and children – just part of our Pink Changing Lives corporate commitment to change the lives of women and children around the world."

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Comments 21-29 of 29

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