Pucker

I am having a love affair. With lipstick.

I have never really been a fan of lipstick until recently. When I have worn it, it was usually because it was mandatory. Stage make-up, that sort of thing. Don't misunderstand me, I have a plethora of chapstick tubes, lip balms, glosses, and tints lurking in the bottoms of nearly all of my purses. I just have never been much of a fan of the "real" thing.

But either because summer is starting, or I have been watching an unusually high number of Marilyn Monroe movies, or it could be that I bought this amazing shade of candy apple red nail polish, and by gosh, I wanted my lips to match! But whatever the reason, lipstick is now my favorite part of "getting-ready".

I think there is a ritual about putting on lipstick. I remember watching my mom put her's on, leaning close over the bathroom sink towards the lighted mirror, concentrating, hands of a surgeon. It was fascinating. (I also thought watching her put on mascara was interesting...but mostly just terrifying!).

So, I am curious...What's your lipstick ritual?

1) How do you pick lipstick? Color, texture, matte, or what?

For me, I loved this glossy dark orange in High School. I thought it matched (or paired well) with my dark red hair. But a classic red lip has always been a hidden favorite of mine. Generally, I just buy a color that appeals to me. Though, my go-to staple since 4th grade as been good ol'Bonnebell chapstick. 

This has also been a favorite of mine for many years

2) What brands do you like?

 I buy based on color and feel. Not brand specific.

3) How do you put it on? Do you start in the middle? Do you have a side that you start on? Top lip or bottom lip first? What's your method?

 I had to check! Bottom lip first, I dot the middle, work my way along the bottom ridge and then back up toward the curve of the lip. Then I rub my lips together, transferring pigment onto my upper lip. Then I lightly coat more lipstick on my upper lip, really just to define the edge of my lip. Then a light press together, and we are good to go! (Whew, that was detailed!)

4) Do you blot after you put it on? And on that note, how critical is this step? 

I only did this with my "stage" lips. But that was a whole other application process (involving face powder!) to get that lip color to stay put! 

5) Did someone teach you how to put it on, or did you figure it out yourself? 

Both my mom and my cousin Clara taught me. My step-mom can be credited with teaching my to apply liner. Hey, it was the 90s. If you could not apply burgundy liner and pair it with gloss, you were nobody. 

6) Did you ever put lipstick on when you were little and kiss a mirror in imitation of Ms. Monroe's classic pucker? 

Yes! Clara and I would do this for hours! We would use all different shades and kiss our mirrored closet doors. I think we were trying to make a mural.