A lipstick is worth a hundred words
by Jessica M
Occasionally, when I’m touching up my lipstick in public, someone will sarcastically say, “You look fine.” That bothers me. I’m not gazing into my compact mirror to admire myself, but I’m not just fixing my lipstick out of insecurity, either. The whole ritual – the uncapping and swiveling of the lipstick tube, the gesture of application, the glance at my reflection – actually gives me a moment to focus my thoughts, to enjoy a few seconds of mental and emotional privacy. Maybe you need to be a dedicated lipstick-wearer to understand. I think the woman in this photograph would agree.
Image from the Library of Congress
by Jessica M
Occasionally, when I’m touching up my lipstick in public, someone will sarcastically say, “You look fine.” That bothers me. I’m not gazing into my compact mirror to admire myself, but I’m not just fixing my lipstick out of insecurity, either. The whole ritual – the uncapping and swiveling of the lipstick tube, the gesture of application, the glance at my reflection – actually gives me a moment to focus my thoughts, to enjoy a few seconds of mental and emotional privacy. Maybe you need to be a dedicated lipstick-wearer to understand. I think the woman in this photograph would agree.
Image from the Library of Congress
Labels: 40 Days and 40 Nights of Lip Service, Jessica's Reviews
posted by Annieytown @ 12:49 PM
7 Inspired Comments
7 Inspired Comments:
i agree with retouching lipsticks just to make myself looking more composed. but i can't for my life do that in the eye of the public. i have to have a quite moment in a private secured place. :)
I agree - "you look fine" I don't like this comment; I enjoy the application of my makeup actually all my beauty products. A lipstick and or gloss touchup - a little powder is one of those moments during the day when I regroup.
How rude of those people! No one has ever said that to me, and they would get an earful if they did. Something along the lines of, "Some of us don't settle for 'fine'," accompanied by a death-glare (or, alternately, a pitying look).
I totally agree with you, plus it is good manners to make sure you always look your best and that includes not having lipstick on your teeth!
http://clotheshorseok.wordpress.com
Makeup tends to be a highly ritualized practice, and humans find comfort& identity in their rituals. I love putting on llips and I don't care who watches.
I love how makeup is such a ritual thing. There's always method in what can even appear to be madness.
I love these comments! I think it all comes back to one thing... lipstick is something we do for *ourselves.*
Thank you, ladies. :)
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