FROM BARBARA

- How do you put on your lipstick?

Quickly! No mirror (unless it’s a special occasion and I’m wearing a darker color).

- Do you paint your top or bottom lip first?

Top right starting from center, then top left, also from center, then bottom, right-to-left-to-right

- Do you push your lips out or tighten them over your teeth?

Tighten them over teeth

- How long does it take you to apply your lipstick?

About ten seconds, normally. But if it’s a special occasion and I’m wearing a darker color, I might use a lip pencil first, to outline the edges and fill in the insides first. This gives the lipstick a base, which lasts longer after the lipstick on top of it wears off.

- Do you stick with one color or do you use different colors for different occasions?

I use one basic, light color for everyday. I have a darker one I use for special occasions, but I like to look in a mirror for that one, because it’s more obvious if I mess it up. Also need to check to see if any got on my teeth. If I’m expecting to be photographed or on TV (like, singing in a chorus that’s going to be televised – this was an issue many years ago, when I sang in Boston), I use the old trick of a little Vaseline on the front teeth, which is supposed to avoid this problem!

I usually use a Clinique color. Now, there is one color I really love, from Lancome, that I wore for years, but their prices have become so sky-high that I’ve stopped buying it, just out of protest. Ridiculous!

- What does wearing lipstick do for you?

Gives needed color to the face, and also moisturizes. If I’m not going to be around people, I just use Chap Stick. I’m a Chap Stick addict, and have on in my purse, my desk, my bedside table, the car…in my pocket… everywhere!

- How many lipsticks do you have?

One that I use regularly, another that I use occasionally, plus a collection of glosses that came from Who Knows Where, then I don’t use much at all. A bit too gloppy.

- How many do you actively use? How many are just gathering dust?

One active, one occasional, three glosses gathering dust.

- Do you carry your lipstick paraphernalia in a special bag?

Nope – just in a special section of my purse, with a few other things.

- When did you start wearing lipstick?

Early teens

- Who taught you to put on lipstick?

No one actually taught me, but I used to watch my mother put on lipstick, and sort of followed her technique.

- What is your favorite color and brand?

The one I really like but refuse to buy any more is Lancome “Sugared Maple.” The one I actually use is Clinique “Sugar Bean.” The Lancome occasional one is “Henne” – I think it came in one of those free sample bags.

- Do you have a funny lipstick story?

No, but I’ve always thought it was interesting to see the shape into which women “whittle” their lipsticks as they use them! My godmother, many years ago, wore hers to an almost perfect point. My mother, who always wore Clear Red, wore hers flat, as if someone had sliced it off with a knife, straight across. Mine is at a modified angle.

- What will happen to your lipsticks when you die?

They will probably go to hell with me, in my handbasket…

- New Orleans style, no doubt, with "When the Saints Go Marching in" playing full out!  Thank you, Barbara, for answering every question on the list.  I'm nominating you for Lipstick Saint.  No, Chapstick Saint! 

AFTER CHRISTMAS BRUNCH AT THE CORREAS

After a marvelous gourmet brunch at the Correa's in Hawaii Kai to celebrate Christmas, as well as, their son's graduation, I immediately pounded on the ladies who might be re-applying lipstick after eating.  Since many of the guests were neighbors who had no other plans after brunch than to walk back to their homes, my success rate was less than stellar: I caught only 2 out of the  9 or10 women present in the act. Some had not brought any lipstick with them and others left before I could ask them questions or take photos. But I went ahead and quizzed the few remaining women about their lipstick routines anyway.  The first one to oblige was Eriko.

Eriko's favorite lipstick is Kanebo, a Japanese brand.

She uses the no mirror, lower lip first technique.

Eriko uses lipstick because "skin pale, need color to make more healthy."

Thank you, Eriko, for being the first to volunteer.

* * * * * 

Barbara was kind enough to let me photograph her, but did not have enough time to answer any questions.

Looks like she is a no-mirror and top lip first gal.

I'll email you my questions, Barbara, and post them later.

Thanks for letting me at least take pictures.

* * * * * 

Both Tien (left) and JoAnn (right) apply lipstick once, when they apply their make-up.  That's it for the rest of the day unless they go out at night.  They use lipstick as a moisturizer and to add more color to their face.

Tien moisturizes first, starting with her lower lip.  Then, if she has time, she'll outline her lips with a lip pencil before applying her lipstick on with a brush.  Brushing it on makes it more even, she says.  She then presses her lips together and, if the color seems too bright, she will use tissue to blot some of it away.  She started wearing lipstick when she was 17 or 18 years old.

JoAnn's favorite brand is Revlon.  She uses one basic lipstick color for every day.  But she also keeps a red, pink and neutral color for times when what she is wearing calls for a matching lip color.

* * * * *

Beata (left) and Patty (right)

Beata uses lipstick when she goes out, except she didn't today.  She used to have many lipsticks until she discovered MAC, a lipstick and gloss product, that once applied, lasts all day.  That's all she uses now, MAC in burgundy color.  

She uses lipstick to make herself look nice.  She says, "Lipstick brightens my face and makes me look less tired."  She adds, "My students told me (she teaches French), 'Don't wear black and please wear lipstick.' "  How's that for getting advice from your students?  

Beata started wearing lipstick at 18 and gave me a tip on avoiding getting lipstick on your teeth.  "After applying lipstick," she says, "stick a finger in your mouth, wrap your lips around it, and any excess lipstick will adhere to your finger and not get on your teeth."  Aha, the blotting finger method!

Patty was not allowed to wear lipstick until she turned 16.  One day, not yet 16, she came home from school wearing lipstick and got berated by her Dad.  "You don't want to know what he said." she laughs, "It was bad."

Patty uses various brands (Max Factor, Revlon, Clinique), but only colors in the coral section.  She has 8 lipsticks at home and (organized woman that she is) she keeps one tube in each purse.  Since she owns 8 purses, that adds up to 16 tubes of lipsticks.  

She starts with Clinique's All About Lips moisturizer (top left first), then outlines her lips with a lip pencil.  She does not use lip gloss because she does not like that sticky feeling.  When she is on the Mainland, she applies chapstick before going to bed.  Both chapstick and lipstick are to keep her lips from drying out.

Patty feels that putting on lipstick should be done in private, but if it's done at the table, one should do it unobtrusively by covering the action with a hand.  Using a mirror is definitely out of the question.

So, what do you think?

Should putting on lipstick be done in private or is it okay to do it at the table in full view of everyone?

THE KIKI METHOD

GENERAL APPROACH:

Bottom lip first.  Mouth slightly open  No mirror.

REQUIREMENTS:

Elastic lips.

Ability to effortlessly move upper and lower lips sideways and independently from each other.

FIRST STEP:

Moisten lips with Aveeda lip balm in the following sequence:

 Tighten left half of lower lip by pulling it to the right.

Apply lip balm to left half of lower lip

Then tighten right half of lower lip by pulling it to the left. 

Apply lip balm to right half of lower lip.

Then repeat all the above to apply lip balm to upper lip.

SECOND STEP:

Repeat the same lip gymnastics, but apply lipstick this time.

Aha, there is a difference though:

The mouth must be held in a much more open position.

THREE HOURS LATER:

Play it again, Sam...

Oh, and let's not forget....

 

The lipstick paraphernalia bag!!!

LIPSTICK STORIES & COMMENTS

From susanne:

Great shtick about lipstick! 

Did you know that the average woman will consume almost 4 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime?  By that I really mean consume, as in eat!  We may as well consider lipstick a food.  Therefore, be sure you are getting clean, non-toxic lipsticks (available at your health food store) because there are all sorts of nasty chemicals in that tube, including heavy metals like bismuth and lead, along with other ingredients that can alter hormones and cause.... well, need I go any further?  You get the picture. Our kissing partners will appreciate a cleaner kiss as well.

Years ago, The Honolulu Advertiser did a piece on the shape of women's lipsticks -- that is, the resulting shape of the tip as it is applied over time.  Apparently is says something about the psychology of the person.  A soft round tip means the woman is tender and caring, flat might mean boring, while blunt means she is a practical, balanced and tells it like it is.  There are apparently many variations. 

 The hook!

When at lunch with my sister several years ago, after our meal she took out her lipstick to re-apply.  I immediately noticed that she displayed the ever so weird "hook." I never believed that a hook was possible so I just had to take this photo!  What does it say about her temperament?  Well, even she admits she's just a little crazy.  What's more, after examining my own lipsticks, I realized that there are multiple personalities applying color to my lips!

From wallyzworld:

Ha! Funny.  What's next?  Women putting on deodorant.... How many swipes?  How long after shaving? How to keep it off the clothes?


From kanadabasics:

Fun site & idea.  I remember my mother as always wearing deep red lipstick and dark pencil brows (her makeup regime started & stopped with the 1940s it seems).

Me, when I'm not ill, I 'have my slap on' as they say colloquially in the UK, graduating from very pale teen gloss back in the day to the use of lip liner (gawd, I used to have lips... where did they go?) and a few colors mixed on with a lip brush with a dot of shine bottom lip.  I ease into the day with coffee and make-up routine, the likes of which my own daughter totally eschews except for every now and again when I will hear a "Oh god, I want a true deep Dior red."  Drama queen!

I read somewhere you're supposed to throw out a lipstick after a few months due to germ contamination.  Ha!  My tubes of color mostly came free from 'special offers' and are so - um -'matured', their cases are ringed like trees.  

I think I want a job making up names for lipsticks.  Seriously.  In my case right now I have: Dubonnet, Think Bronze, All Heart, Pinkberry Stain, Bamboo Pink, A Different Grape & Guava Stain.  I'd go more literary.  Off the top of my head: Hemingway's Hint, Kingsolver's 

Kolor, Artful Austin. Sure you could come up with more!

From blacktess:

I discreetly use the slightly-open-mouth, no mirror, one-color style when in public; before jetting out the door in the morning, I use clear gloss applied with fingertip, rub lips together until somewhat absorbed, then do the lipstick thing, all with mirror. My problem has always been, and remains, age-appropriate color. The main thing, now that I'm 64, is using ENOUGH color. Everything seems to be fading out. Which raises the existential question: At what point do we begin to visually disappear? There could be some real advantages in this.

From inpeace:

I just ran into the bedroom and looked at my lipstick drawer. Got the same tubes you have, sister. I think I'm gonna throw out a bunch of em when I get back from Florida.

From sunny:

Loved it ... particularly the photos, but generally the whole concept.  Leave it to AA to know about lip foundation.  Who knew?  

Ode to the Lips

Lips, full, red, and supple

Lips, shrinking, fading, smearing

Lips, parting for sumptuous food 

Lips, forming to express words

Elastic flesh, kissing, smacking, whistling tunes

Blessed are the lips that gets adorned with the stick

EIGHT WAYS OF PUTTING ON LIPSTICK

1.  NO MIRROR - One Step Method

Lips open

* * * 

2.  NO MIRROR - One Step Method

Lips Closed

 * * *

3.  NO MIRROR - One Step Method

Distort your lips

Best done with eyes crossed

* * *

4.  NO MIRROR - Two Step Method

 Paint it on, then finesse it with...

... your pinky finger!

* * *

5.  WITH MIRROR - One StepMethod

 * * *

6.  WITH MIRROR - Two Step Method

Using two different colors lipstick

First fill in lips with the lighter color red...

...then outline with dark red

* * *

7.  WITH MIRROR - Three Step Method

Preparation & Finishing

 Pull out red purse with lipstick and mirror

 Paint upper lip

 Paint lower lip

 Blot by pressing tissue paper to lips

 Blot by pressing lips on folded-over tissue paper

* * *

8.  WITH MIRROR - The AA Method

 Cover lips with lip foundation

 Outline lips with dark lip pencil

 Apply lipstick

 More lipstick...

Then slide lips together and finish with re-outlining lips...

photos of the last two steps will be added some other time...

Perfection!