Day 19: Bésame Enchanting Lipsticks: Kiss me as if tonight was the last time
by Jessica M

Bésame Cosmetics’ name was inspired by the classic song “Bésame Mucho,” which was written by a young musician named Consuelo Velazquez in 1940 and has been recorded countless times by countless artists since then. All of Bésame’s products capture a classic, sophisticated glamour. The colors and textures of the makeup are sophisticated and often vibrant. Their packaging, with stylized red flowers on a brilliant gold metal background, is inspired by Art Deco style.

Bésame’s Enchanting Lipsticks have a semi-matte finish, a creamy texture and excellent lasting power. Their size is old-fashioned, too: they are tiny, compared to standard lipsticks, but their pigment is concentrated, and one swipe is usually enough. Some of the deeper and brighter shades are inspired directly by old photos of pin-ups and movie stars. My own favorite shades are Portrait Pink, a sweet, light pink for daytime wear, and Merlot, a rich, slightly brownish wine for dressier situations.

Last year, Bésame announced that it was planning to reformulate and repackage its products, and the company held a big sale in 2008. However, nothing else seems to have changed recently. Most shades of Enchanting Lipstick are still available on the Bésame website (http://www.besamecosmetics.com), for $12 each. (The other, sold-out shades can still be found on eBay and on Makeup Alley swap lists.) If anyone has an update about Bésame and its lipsticks, please let us know in the comments section!

Lipstick photo by Jessica M.