Tuesday 28 June 2011

Concepts: Lipstick/Lip balm.


As Jedward sang in the year's Eurovision song contest "I got ma lipstick on, na na na na na na"...wise words from wise men. I jest, of course. Lipstick, however, in my life, is a necessity- sure, maybe when you're bumming it round the house you can go au naturel, but whenever I go out, putting lipstick on makes me feel...well...complete. A finished portrait. Lipstick gives confidence, boosts a dull complexion, and makes you feel far "dressier" than before. All in all, it makes the finished package.
So, here is the complication of my reasons and opinions as to why I think LIPSTICK/LIP BALM is good.

20 REASONS WHY LIPSTICK/LIP BALM IS GOOD

1. If you've ever had chapped lips, you'll understand that you only need one answer to this question...I'm just writing twenty to make a point.

2. Wearing a bright lipstick gives a feeling of confidence.

3. Lipstick can add a splash of colour to even the beigest of outfits.

4. Wearing a bright lipstick can brighten a dull complexion.

5. If, like me, you're not a fan of heavy eye make up (damn you hooded brows) then lipstick is a more than brilliant comprimise.

6. There are so many colours and brands to choose from, you could literally wear a different colour lipstick every day of the year (oh...if I had the money).

7. There are now several ranges of lipstick that are kiss-proof. So you can pucker up without looking like a six year old playing in her Mum's make-up draw.

8. There are a million and one different lip balm flavours to choose from- from chocolate to honey to cherry.

9. Both lipstick and lip balm are pocket-size, so you can always have one with you on the go.

10. There was a time in Britain where wearing lipstick was considered contreversial and "brazen"...go on, be a flirt.

11. Lipstick colours are a great and simple way to express yourself- black lipstick being a prize example.

12. Prices vary greatly with lipsticks and lip balms, from around 50p-£15, it's great for every pocket.

13. Lipstick and lip balm is sold EVERYWHERE. Well, almost everywhere.

14. Wearing lipstick is oh-so-sophisticated.

15. A brightly coloured lipstick can bring focus to your eye and hair colour, complimenting them and making the colours stand out more.

16. Marilyn Monroe was a huge fan of lipstick. Need I say more?

17. Wearing lipstick brings more focus to your mouth, and therefore, people are more inclined to look and listen to you when you speak.

18. Wearing dark lipsticks can make your teeth look whiter.

19. As lipstick is matte, it won't cause hair to stick to your mouth in a windy gale...a la THE DREADED lip gloss.

20. Don't worry chaps- it's not just for women...It's now very common for men to wear both lip balm AND lipstick. Chapped lips aren't a discriminatory problem you know.

20 FACTS ABOUT LIPSTICK/LIP BALM

1. Lip balm or lip salve is a waxy substance applied topically to the lips of the mouth to relieve chapped or dry lips, angular cheilitis, stomatitis, or cold sores.

2. Lip balm often contains beeswax or carnauba wax, camphor, cetyl alcohol, lanolin, paraffin, and petrolatum, among other ingredients. Some varieties contain dyes, flavor, fragrance, menthol, phenol, salicylic acid, and sunscreens.

3. Dry air, cold temperatures, and wind all have a drying effect on skin by drawing moisture away from the body.

4. Lips are particularly vulnerable because the skin is so thin, and thus they are often the first to present signs of dryness.

5. Lip balm was first marketed in the 1880s by the creator of ChapStick, Charles Browne Fleet, though its origins are commonly traced to earwax, which was used as lip balm prior to that.

6. There have been urban legends that substances in some lip balms promote addiction or dependency. Lip balm manufacturers sometimes state in their FAQs that there is nothing addictive in their products or that all ingredients are listed and approved by the FDA. Snopes found the claim that there's substances in Carmex that necessitate reapplication, such as ground glass, to be false.

7. Notable lip balm brands include: Bag Balm, Blistex, Burt's Bees, Carmex, ChapStick, Eco Lips Organic Lip Balm, Labello, Lip Smacker, Lypsyl, Montagne Jeunesse, Vaseline, Nivea and Avon.



8. Lipstick is a cosmetic product containing pigments, oils, waxes, and emollients that applies color, texture, and protection to the lips.

9. As with most other types of makeup, lipstick is typically, but not exclusively, worn by women.

10. Ancient Mesopotamian women were possibly the first women to invent and wear lipstick. They crushed semi precious jewels and used them to decorate their lips.

11. Cleopatra had her lipstick made from crushed carmine beetles, which gave a deep red pigment, and ants for a base.

12. Lipsticks with shimmering effects were initially made using a pearlescent substance found in fish scales.

13. Lip colouring started to gain some popularity in 16th century England. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I bright red lips and a stark white face became fashionable. By that time, lipstick was made from a blend of beeswax and red stains from plants. Only upper class women and male actors wore makeup.

14. In 1770 a British law was proposed to the Parliament that a marriage should be annulled if the woman wore cosmetics before her wedding day.

15. Throughout most of the 19th century the obvious use of cosmetics was not considered acceptable in Britain for respectable women, and it was associated with marginalized groups such as actresses and prostitutes.

16. When Queen Victoria took the throne in 1837, she banished lipstick. It was considered brazen and uncouth to wear makeup.

17. The first commercial lipstick had been invented in 1884, by perfumers in Paris, France. It was covered in silk paper and made from deer tallow, castor oil, and beeswax.

18. In the 19th century, lipstick was colored with carmine dye. Carmine dye was extracted from Cochineal, scale insects native to Mexico and Central America which live on cactus plants.

19. A study in 1937 survey revealed that over 50% of teenage girls fought with their parents over lipstick.
 
20. By the 1950s, movie actresses Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor helped bring back dark red lips. A 1951 survey revealed that two-thirds of teenage girls wore lipstick.

20 WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH LIPSTICK/LIP BALM

1. Vaseline
2. Chapstick
3. Petroleum Jelly
4. Pink
5. Red
6. Moisture
7. Boujois
8. Chanel
9. Make up
10. Colour
11. Health
12. Attractive
13. Sophistication
14. Women
15. Brands
16. Fashion
17. Burt's Bees
18. Nivea
19. Benetint
20. Novelty

20 OPINIONS OF LIPSTICK/LIP BALM
(In response to the previously posted question 'What is your favourite brand of lipstick?' by Rach in OZ, via Yahoo Answers)

1. I like Revlon Super Lustrous. Any others you can recommend?- Rach in OZ, via Yahoo Answers.
 
2. Well, i like maybelline, avon, and i looooove The Body Shop lipsticks!!!, i also strongly reccomand you The Body Shop lip butter! it's great (shine, moisturize...everything)!- Taste the Rainbow, via Yahoo Answers.

3. Cover girl it won't come off when you drink or kiss- ladyoh, via Yahoo Answers.

4. I prefer gloss to lipstick. And I love Bed Head!- boredgal, via Yahoo Answers.

5. Revlon is nice but i like any color looks good on me and long as it not cheap matrial but lipsticks are getting expensive:(....alomost 8$ for a piece- ?, via Yahoo Answers.

6. Mary Kay - MK Signature Creme Lipstick- juicy, via Yahoo Answers.

7. Definetely, Revlon. It stays on all day and comes in a great variety of colors- peaceful light, via Yahoo Answers.

8. Revlon super lustrous is good...
also maybelline liquid diamond shine is rocking...- coffeeandu, via Yahoo Answers.

9. Mary Kay or Avon- ajw, via Yahoo Answers.
 
10. MAC and mark products from Avon- Tizzy, via Yahoo Answers.

11. Clinique- putali, via Yahoo Answers.

12. Stila & Mac- jmp, via Yahoo Answers.

13. I am in love with my Arissa lipgloss, goes on great and not super sticky! (Bought mine at Walgreens on clearance, but it's usually only about 4 bucks)- ?, via Yahoo Answers.

14. Maybelline diamond shine- tammy g, via Yahoo Answers.

(In response to the previously posted question 'What is your favourite lipstick?' by Isabella, via Yahoo Answers)
15. I have a few but I love the Dior Addict High Shines and Ultra Shine lipsticks and I love MAC slimshine lipsticks. My fave lipbalm ever is La Mer- Isabella, via Yahoo Answers.

16. For sure Charming by Smashbox
The perfect nude with a little bit of pink its perfect for anyone I love it! Goes great with a smoky eye :-)- Shawnnie, via Yahoo Answers.

17. I like Lancome- Robert C, via Yahoo Answers.

18. I like clinique the best. :]- Lonelystrawberry, via Yahoo Answers.

19. I love MAC Slimshines too :}
But my all time favourite is the Mac Viva Glam lipstick- breathenatalie, via Yahoo Answers.

20. Mac slimshine are really good- Suzie, via Yahoo Answers.

20 IMAGES OF LIPSTICK/LIP BALM





I used to LOVE this stuff. Aww, what the heck...I still do. Yum, yum.

Haha! Love this idea- great branding and packaging.

Lovely vintage- style packaging. Starting to collect pots like these.

The best lip balm I have ever used, no doubt. I would eat the pink grapefruit version out of the tin if it were more socially acceptable.




I like the idea of showcasing all the different colours together- if I were to go on to develop this theme as a project, I could easily create pantone swatches of different lipsticks. Could be a fun idea to work with...








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