I’ve never really cared too much for the phrase ‘lipstick lesbian’.
If I were a lesbian, it would feel like an insult. Lesbians who wear lipstick are evidently more acceptable to society. I guess if you don’t like something, you try and dress it up. It might be an American thing. Europeans don’t have those issues.
For the record I’d like to say that I know my fair share of lesbians, some wear lipstick and some don’t. They are all very nice people. I’m not sure where that phrase came from, but I am sure it’s off the mark. Lipstick has nothing to do with being an acceptable lesbian, character does.
It appears that lipstick has a more important purpose; evidently it is an economic indicator of our economy.
I wrote a piece http://tinyurl.com/3h2kssl last year about wrinkle cream and how we, as women, will spend our last dime on it no matter how broke we are. It seems the economy is depending on it.
Time Magazine recently ran an article entitled “The Lipstick Index” in which it pointed out that when the economy is in the dumper, makeup sales, particularly lipstick, soar; which is exactly what happened in the 2001 recession.
Here’s the bad news: lipstick sales are up 14% this year, and nail polish, which has become the watchdog indicator for financial turbulence has risen a disturbing 54%. All this leaves one to believe that we are potentially in for a double dip recession … again.
At least someone is making money. Estee Lauder just recorded its best North American sales in a decade. It only goes to prove that while we might all be going to hell in a hand basket, we are going to look damn good when we arrive.
In light of this news, I’m not sure what we are supposed to do; do we run out and buy lots of lipstick or do we stop buying it all together?
All I can say is I don’t want to be down and out, unemployed, or broke without a stash of my Pink Passion lipstick.
Lesbian or not, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.
Now that’s a fun visual!
Kesha Brown - I sometimes wonder where terms like these come from myself. Some jealous idiot created it 🙂
Though I don’t contribute to the lipstick fund, I do buy a bunch of lip glosses so really it’s no different!
btw: I have an affair with nail polish in any economy LOL 🙂
Fun post!
~Kesha
Tammy - Kesha, I also am a huge contributor to the nail polish fund. Oh my gosh, I must have at least 30 bottles. I’m ridiculous. By the time I want to wear a color, it’s usually all dried up. Lipstick, not so much. I find a couple of colors I like and that’s good enough for me. Could be my confidence … or just me being lazy. You be the judge. At any rate, I think I am not a very solid economic indicator! Thanks for posting!
Cynthia - Just buried my mother yesterday. She would always say, “if you’re feeling down, put on a little lipstick and you’ll feel better”.
Tammy - Cynthia, I’m so very sorry. Your mom was right … lipstick does help us to feel better. I never walk the dog without it. I may not have any makeup on and my messy hair is in a clip, but hey, I’ve got my lipstick on so I’m rocking it. Thanks for posting. Sending good loving thoughts your way.
Kellie - Always have that little tube or jar of gloss of color magic in my purse. Like American Express …never leave home without it! It’s my little pick me up and cheaper than BOTOX!
Suerae Stein - Maybe it’s because I live out in the boonies, but I’ve never heard that term before and I can’t imagine what it means. Just another label. I think my daughter is contributing to the nail polish increase trend! Thanks for a great post – you always make me think! ~ Suerae
BlueHost Code - Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!
Jeff Davidson - I definitely do not contribute to the makeup economy indicator. However, I remember in the past that the length of a woman’s hemline was an indicator of prosperity.
Not certain how or why some people come up with term or expressions that have absolutely nothing to do withthe intended target! Oh well.
Tammy - Jeff, I have a feeling there is probably not a lot you can relate to in this post about lipstick and lesbians. But isn’t it interesting that lipstick and nail polish have become such economic indicators. Yes, I remember when it was said that when the economy is down, hemlines are up, and vice-a-versa. I do believe we are dating ourselves a bit here, and I agree with you, I have no idea either how these silly indicators get started. Until then, I keep buying lipstick and nail polish. Just doing my fair share. Thanks for the post!