Look Sharp, Sconnie - Midwestern Fashion Nerd, Chronic Over-thinker

Lipstick Magic Trick.

What are you thinking right now?
[besides the fact that you never want to see my face this close up again]

That lipstick has magical powers??: 

Me too. 
hence co-opted as wand
ps: check out that knuckle hair
I swear, though.
It does.

Transforming young women into vixens while morphing older women into younger women is certainly a heck of a lot cooler than shooting spider webs out of your wrists. 

Ok ok,
It's not. 
But it's definitely still cool. 

Lipstick is this little tube of dichotomies:
I've always thought of it as high maintenance, but it's really the easiest insta-classy trick on earth.
It makes me feel twice as old, but research published last week proves that it actually makes you look younger. 
And I always associate a strong lip with wealth and confidence, but the "Lipstick effect" explains that "for every 1% increase in the unemployment rate, women buy $25 million worth more of lipstick".
So what gives?

Why is lipstick such a big deal?

Why are the feelings associated with a woman's first application of lipstick akin to those of other, less kosher acts? How can that slightly uncomfortable, very mature and yet effortlessly sexy feeling come from the simple act of tinting your lips?
Well, men (according to numerous studies) are quicker to approach a woman with a colored lip - a fact which Ms. Kahlo may have caused us to forget. 
Yet, lest we think that the color alone does the attracting, I think we should remember the mind that drove the hand to apply it. 
Drawing attention to the lip is obviously a pretty big move in terms of the type of attention that we're seeking. Even when paired with a scruffy sartorial showing, the focus on that facial feature can negate even the highest of high buttoned shirts.

In my opinion, it's less of an aesthetic appeal, and more of a psychological one (at least, at first).
per your semi-request: shirt: American Apparel, skirt: Anthro (on sale here!), boots: Jeffrey Campbell, watch: La Mer, necklace, ring: Karen London
And maybe - (I'm just freeballin' here) - just maybe - the decision to center the attention on such a crucial component of our person - our face (our mouths at that) signifies a shift in self-confidence that "it" bags, designer shoes, Apple Bottom jeans (heh) and Tiffany's necklaces once so conveniently masked.

The simultaneous ease (and affordability) of application and the gravity of it's signification certainly make lipstick an interestingly little cosmetic, 

eh?

Cheers.

Photos by Matt Engelhart




Facebook tweet this Pin It Share on Google+

6 comments:

  1. ShereeMarch 29, 2013 at 5:02 AM

    I LOVE a colored lip! I never did until recently ..I am obsessed with my bambi pink lip stain from KatVon D..I feel like I can throw it on with no other make-up and still feel put together..new discovery for ..I thought men hated lipstick..huh!
    sheree xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  2. MarianaMarch 29, 2013 at 5:09 AM

    I've always loved bright lips Especially when it started to pop up in spring summer '13 runway shows. Although I have see it (as you have mentioned) quite high maintenance. And so I look up to people who actually have the hand to put it on!

    x Mariana | www.goingteen.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  3. far and wild jewelryMarch 29, 2013 at 7:11 AM

    i love lipstick because it's basically the most low maintenance way to make yourself look just a bit more high maintenance. one swipe can change your whole face, take you from day to night, and give you an instant boost of confidence so really what's not to love?

    abigail
    www.farandwildjewelry.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  4. AnonymousApril 4, 2013 at 10:50 AM

    Great post. I'm glad I came across it on IFB's Links a la Mode.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  5. TRENDSURVIVORApril 4, 2013 at 10:51 AM

    Nice article. I love using lipstick. It boosts my confidence almost as much as high heels!
    See you in my blog, maybe.

    xxx

    Nina

    http://trendsurvivor.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  6. Erica | cupcakes and coffee breaksApril 6, 2013 at 8:28 PM

    This is a really cute post, and your photos illustrate it so well! I have a bunch of lippies, but I'm still nervous to wear them... like somehow I'll get it all over my teeth and then just look silly. I need to balls up and slap that stuff on asap, because I always think it looks SO GOOD on other people. Time to hop aboard that train!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
Add comment
Load more...

Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
about
facebook twitter instagram pinterest in udder news bloglovin polyvore subscribe Image Map

watch me

watch me
download the app to see me move
© Look Sharp Sconnie. Design by Lindsay Tratz. Powered by Blogger.