Making Up For The Lost Lipstick Years
Photo of Sandria Plummer by Claire Pepper. Hair & makeup: Louise Heywood
Spring into summer always feels epic. First come modest white snowdrops followed by the more strident daffodils. Pink and purple crocuses, irises and pansies pop out of grass verges and trees become encircled by billowing clouds of cherry or almond blossom. Last week, I spotted my first Red Admiral and a furry bee flew past my kitchen window. Summer really is on the way.
I never tire of these miraculous blasts of post-winter colour but this spring, they’re more welcome than ever. On Sunday, the clocks went forward an hour, gifting us sixty more minutes of daylight. And the sighs of relief that accompany this simple act of adjusting timepieces were deeper than usual because for the first time in two years, we were officially mask-free. It was on Jan 27th that face coverings were decreed no longer obligatory in indoor settings, in England (I’m still wearing mine on public transport and in shops and confined spaces). Although Covid 19 is still with us and we all have to learn to live with the virus, the fact we can now make an informed choice about protective coverings makes this British summertime feel like something of a homecoming and celebration. And what better way to mark not having to wear a mask than by applying one’s most defiant lipstick?
As nature reveals her dazzling rainbow, we humans seek out lighter, more colourful clothing to replace winter woollens. With make-up, too, we’re more inclined to turn up the volume to reflect the sunshine. We might dab on some blusher or twirl a mascara wand that isn’t black or brown. Instead of merging with the autumn shadows, we are drawn to the light.
For two summers, lipsticks have been relegated to the bottom of make-up bags. Well, what was the point in putting it on to have it smeared off by a mask? But this year, we can bloom with the blossoms. It was Audrey Hepburn who said, “On a bad day, there’s always lipstick,” and I know exactly what she means. Sometimes, it feels like wish fulfilment, a determination to have a good time. Or perhaps it’s the colour that ramps up our dopamine levels and lets the sunshine in.
Some research out there insists that brightly coloured lips are all about attracting a mate; that when we apply something called Calypso, Coral, Fiesta or Fire, all we secretly aim to imitate a baboon’s backside and send out some primitive sexual signal. No. The combination of wax, oil & pigment applied to our laughing gear does so, so much more. It makes us feel more positive and in control, lifts our spirits and reconnects us with our feminine selves.
2022 is time to make up for the lost lipstick years.
Nilgin Yusuf is a freelance writer. You can find her on Twitter @Nilgin and Instagram @nilgin_yusuf
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Discussion (27 Comments)
Cindy says:
Hi Mel, I wear a lip gloss in a wine/merlot color. I don’t like the feel of lipstick – too heavy looking on my lips. I wish you the best in finding a product that works for you.
Patrish says:
A pinky or coral toned ‘nude’ lipstick would look very good. MAC make some great colors.
A dot of similarly colored lipgloss in the middle of your bottom lip gives a great lift.
Hi Mel, I tend to wear a tinted lip balm but let me ask our resident beauty expert Jo GB if she has any tips…
Hi Mel (and Alyson) The most effortless lip tone that suits is usually your own – press your lips together a few times and that’s your best shade right there (should work for blusher on your cheeks too as it’s the blood flow near the surface that you’re mimicking). Once the shape & colour is naturally more defined with colour (I’m keen on pencils that match my own lip as these can last for hours without looking like a line – draw it in from the edge so there’s no demarcation line) – ‘plump’ artificially with balm or gloss – centre of bottom lip is always best for giving the illusion of something bigger (likewise dark on thin lips may make them appear smaller), or use a bit more glimmer if you can get away with it (depends on what clothes I’m wearing I find). I’m not into injectables – seen way too many heavy handed jobs … little tricks are far better). Bare Minerals have an amazing array of skin tone nudes for all ethnicities.
Mel says:
Thanks Jo (and Alyson), tinted lip balm is great (I use the Vaseline one in the cute pink tin) for every day. I went to a wedding last week and would have liked something a bit more glam. Lip pencil plus glimmer/gloss sounds very do-able. I’ll give it a go. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Like you, Jo, I’m not into the idea of injectables.
Julie Seddon says:
Did anyone on TNMA use Lipcote when wearing a mask and did it work? I only thought of it once mask wearing was lifted and kicked myself for not trying it when I was regularly wearing a mask.
I’ve found that putting on lipstick again really lifts my spirits, especially rediscovering my favourite colours.Mrs Tonia says:
I never stopped wearing lipstick these past two years even with masks. It brightens the face and I like the look and feel. Having quite dry lips all the time I always wear a balm under it. Newest finds as the Cicaplast ones from La Roche Posay and Avene. They really work well. I add some colour on top. A pinky or peachy tone. The Chubby Sticks by Clinique in a lighter and an intense version come in a good range of shades which can be built up and mixed together. The only ones I don’t use are the very long-lasting matte lipsticks which I find too drying.
Heather says:
I’m curious if you had your lipstick smudge while wearing a mask? And how you handled that? That is the issue I had with wearing lipstick during Covid. Even now, I still have to wear a mask sometimes, and when I do, I don’t wear lipstick.
julie says:
I have recently rediscovered my love for a red lip (when did we start to make everything singular, it’s ridiculous !) As my hair gets more grey I feel I need to add colour elsewhere. But every time I look in my super magnifying mirror now to apply it I will be thinking of the baboon’s backside!
Helen says:
A bit off topic, but does anyone know where Sandria Plummer’s earrings are from? Love them!
Hi Helen, They’re an old pair from from Toolally and not in the current collection but there are other nice, drop earrings available! And I really like Branch Jewellery – have a look at the ‘Oval Link’ style it’s quite similar…
kirsty stevens says:
I use those little tins of Vaseline Rosy lips. They cost £1 each and I have them stashed everywhere! They give a nice subtle, pinky glow, moisturise your lips and you can use the tins afterwards 🙂
Fran says:
How I love a lipstick! Having pale colouring ,fair hair,fair eyebrows and almost colourless lips ,lipstick has always been my saviour.Without it I feel I disappear. I am on my fifth day of Covid isolation and I’ve applied the gorgeously textured Rouge Hermes Corail Flamingo. I feel better already. Lifts my face and lifts my spirits.
Julie Bowland says:
I have been a lipstick devotee since buying my first Charles of the Ritz (whatever happened that brand?) lipstick for my wedding 37 years ago, I apply my favourite Maybelline Rosewood Pearl every day, all day. The only time it’s removed is at bedtime, the Dentists and the four times I gave birth (reapplied afterwards of course!) It has got to the point whereby my lips don’t feel right without it and I have emergency lippy stashed all over the place, even in my dog walking coat! If there’s one essential item in my makeup bag, it’s my lippy and I shall never be parted from it…
bev says:
Charles of the Ritz – I loved that brand. My favourite lipstick of all time was one of theirs, donkey’s years ago, called Bora Bora and it was The Best orangey red. I still miss it 35 years later!
Susannah says:
What is the fat content of a lipstick? I apply lipstick and by the time I’ve walked into town, it’s gone! Maybe I’ve eaten it and that explains the rotund hips?
Seriously whatever make I’ve tried it doesn’t stay on for more than half an hour. I love a matte lip but sadly it’s far too drying. Anyone know of a lipstick that stays on or, a matte lip that doesn’t dry out the lips.
Alyson, I’m sure you have an answer or know someone who does?
Fab photo by the way, a model who smiles, who’d have though it..Julie O says:
What a glorious picture of Sandra. I hardly ever wear ‘proper’ make-up (forbidden as a teenager, never discovered how to apply it properly, worked in settings where it wasn’t part of the culture etc etc) but I always wear lipstick. Gone right through the colour palette during my life, but in lockdown the shade I wore all the time was Mac’s Candy Yum Yum. I loved its vivacity and I always feel lifted when I put it on.
Gabrielle says:
My only comment on all of the above: Why are you not still wearing masks? The virus is having a resurgence everywhere. Just because of an ill-considered loosening of safety standards by a bunch of incompetent fools, I will not be ditching my mask anytime soon.
Hi Gabrielle, we are still wearing masks on public transport and in small spaces, as it states in the feature, and will continue to do so for as long as necessary. Agree that the safety restrictions were removed too soon in England, and we’re still continuing to follow the science – even if this government isn’t!
Hi Gabrielle – as much as masks are important, getting vaccinated is key. I live in a part of Canada where 44% of eligible people received their 3rd. dose (booster). Our government has done a poor job promoting the benefits of being vaccinated. Restrictions have loosened in many parts of the world – it is up to people to use common sense when going out and to determine their comfort level. Some will still wear masks, some won’t. Regardless of one’s views on COVID, we need to be kind and respectful to one another.
Lorraine says:
I love wearing lipstick, and really felt I missed it during the lockdowns.
I was brought up by a lipstick wearing mum, whose last request when entering hospital was for “my brightest lipstick darling”What a glamour puss your mum was! My mum – bless her – died in hospital with perfectly pedicured crimson toenails.
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I have thin lips which have only got thinner with age so I avoid lipstick. Apart from self-coloured lip liner, which does help a bit when I can be bothered to put it on, is there anything you’d recommend that doesn’t simply draw attention to the thinness?