Becoming A Lipstick Enthusiast: What, How, & Why
Womanhood and lipstick have been inseparable since the beginning of time. The American novelist and nonfiction writer Anne Lamott once observed that, while happiness is the best makeup for a girl, “a little lipstick is a close runner-up.” And after over six years of wearing lipstick, gifting lipstick, and fielding a vast array of lipstick-related inquiries, I can confirm that these words are indeed true.
When I was a young teenager, my grandma gave me my first lipstick on the way to a family gathering. I wouldn’t necessarily don that particular shade of bright pink nowadays, but it was important to me at the time because it was my first ticket to growing up, and beginning to become a woman.
It was also the day that I crossed the threshold from a lip gloss lover to a firm lipstick devotee (some might say "fanatic"). I started perusing the colourful offerings of Covergirl and Maybelline whenever my mom took me out shopping, and lipstick quickly became my preferred finishing touch for both fancy occasions and in the everyday.
Since then, I have managed to collect sixteen different tubes of lipstick, ranging in colour and texture. I have been inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s soft pink shade in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the diverse colour palette worn by Taylor Swift throughout all of her albums.
I have come to love how women all around the world, from politicians to writers to stay-at-home moms, don lipstick every day, and are consequently influencing other women to try bold new shades and wear what best accentuates their confidence.
Lipstick doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can be tricky when you are figuring out where to start. With that in mind, I have compiled my thoughts on the what, why, and how behind lipstick- buying it, wearing it, and living into the elegance and confidence that it offers us.
The what…
I have four particular favourite brands of lipstick, each with their own accompanying shade. All of these products range from $8-12, yet are certainly not lacking in quality despite being purchases of the drugstore variety. They are generally sold both online and at cosmetics stores.
Burt’s Bees Matte Lip Crayon
Burt’s Bees offers this moisturising lipstick that is both matte and radiant. While it isn’t the most long-lasting on this list, it doesn't feather during application and manages to look fresh for several hours. I have generally been most drawn to the shade “Redwood Forest” because it is a beautiful wine colour that isn’t as dramatic as some deeper reds but is also quite elegant.
Maybelline Super Stay 24 Liquid Lipstick
This lipstick shares the same pro and con: it really, really doesn’t budge once you put it on. However, if you are frustrated with lipstick that constantly rubs off and are eager to find a lipstick that is both bold and stylish, I do encourage you to try it out, as it will stand the test of eating, kissing, or drinking. My favourite shades at the moment are “Everlasting Wine” and “Relentless Ruby”.
If you are on the lookout for something a little more glossy and a little less matte, I suggest looking for Maybelline’s Lifter Gloss, as these are hydrating, vibrantly tinted, and never leave your lips feeling sticky.
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Colour Stick
Neutrogena has been one of my go-to cosmetic brands for almost a decade, as it offers a wide variety of makeup and skincare products. The MoistureSmooth Colour Stick (my personal favourite is the shade “Wine Berry”) is very gentle and moisturising. While it isn't as enduring as the aforementioned Maybelline products, it’s still one of those rare types of lipstick that leaves your lips feeling refreshed and healthy.
This lipstick is particularly necessary during winter months, as it won't dry out your lips even more than they already are.
Covergirl Simply Ageless Moisture Renew Core Lipstick
This Covergirl lipstick, in the shade “Devoted Red”, has been a more recent discovery for me, and I was really glad to find a lipstick with skincare-inspired ingredients like Hyaluronic complex, coconut oil & Vitamin E. It is hydrating, has minimal feathering, and is long-lasting without being impossible to remove at the end of the night.
I have tried far more expensive lipstick that cannot meet all three of these standards, so without a doubt, this one is a $9 essential for every modern woman’s purse.
The how…
01 | Perhaps the greatest recommendation that I can offer is this:
Whatever you do, do not swipe lipstick. At least, do not swipe it more than you have to. Gently dabbing lipstick onto your lips is ultimately much more effective and it allows you to have greater control concerning the intensity of your chosen colour.
02 | Use a tissue to prevent lipstick from bleeding onto your teeth.
This is a very common phenomenon for both lipstick amateurs and aficionados. It happens to all of us, and often at the most unfortunate times, so you are certainly not alone if it happens to you. However, you can help to prevent this faux pas by wadding some tissue up, placing it into your mouth, and smacking your lips together after the initial application. The lipstick that generally sticks to your teeth will rub off onto the tissue, instead.
03 | Keep experimenting!
If you find a brand and shade that works for you early on, that’s wonderful, but don't get so attached that you stop giving yourself the opportunity to discover additional finds. I wouldn’t have a list of my favourite (and not-so-favourite) lipstick if I hadn’t spent my fair share of time testing out different options and determining which ones I preferred.
You won’t discover what lipstick really suits your fancy until you spend some time dabbing it on, discontentedly rubbing it off, trying another shade, and repeating this process until you have discerned what you like and what you don't.
The why…
Why not? I have had many conversations with friends and acquaintances about lipstick, and a common concern brought up is this: “I don’t want to seem too formal.”
Perhaps this concern originates from the reality that younger millennials and members of GenZ don’t tend to wear lipstick on an everyday basis anymore. Perhaps this concern stems from watching a lot of PBS Masterpiece’s period dramas, where the women of the 1920s are generally dressed to the nines with a bold lipstick to match.
But why does this sort of formality- having a carefully put-together outfit with a vibrant lip colour to match- have to be a negative thing?
The benefits of wearing lipstick outweigh these potential concerns, at least in my opinion. First of all, lipstick can both dress up or dress down an outfit. Adding a vibrant red lipstick to jeans and a white button-up can enhance this casual and laid-back ensemble, and it can also accentuate your confidence before an important meeting or presentation.
Nothing feels nicer than finally deciding on a signature colour; lipstick can also help you feel awake and confident on an off day, and you are almost guaranteed to receive sweet compliments from your friends when you start frequenting your favourite shade. And also, while I don’t generally support retail therapy, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that a little lipstick run can really turn a difficult day around.
If lipstick makes you feel polished and professional, wear lipstick. If lipstick always stains your coffee mugs but you want to keep wearing it, keep wearing it (and email the resident lipstick lady in your life for her recommendations on brands that won’t stain your beverages as much). If lipstick makes you happy and brings you a little more cheer each day, wear lipstick.
Case in point? If you love lipstick, wear lipstick!
