The Power of Lipstick
I just recently lost my mom, and this was my first Mother’s Day without her. My recollection of her remains vivid. Over the past three months, I have spent considerable time reflecting on our relationship and the valuable lessons she taught me. We did not always get along and I did not always agree with what she was trying to teach me. But there is one thing she taught me that I always return to: the transformative power of makeup, particularly lipstick.
When I was a little girl so many moons ago, I used to watch my mom put her makeup on. She was meticulous in her application: foundation, eyebrows, mascara, cheek color and lipstick. I was fascinated watching her and, as long as I can remember, I have been hypnotized by makeup. Eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, foundation, blush – you name it. But, there was always a special status for lipstick.
No matter where my mom went, she always wore lipstick, and it was usually red. I remember she had an assortment of reds, but her favorite was Revlon’s iconic Love That Red. Mom was a graceful, tall, slim, beautiful woman and that red was sooooo gorgeous on her. She wore it almost everywhere: the grocery store, watering the lawn, visiting her sister, parent-teacher conferences, and church. She always, always had lipstick on. And this is what she tried to instill in me. Like a bratty teenager, I resisted, naturally. Back in the day, shiny glosses were the rage and most of us liked those without much color. So, I would have some makeup on and a shiny gloss. And mom would say “Where is your lipstick? There is no color in your face”. I would roll my eyes and head out the door.
Fast forward 8 years and I was working in a professional environment for a very image-conscious company. So, then…I wore lipstick! Every color, type and form possible. I became the Lipstick Queen! I’m sure my mom would have been incredibly happy to see this, but we lived about an 8 ½ hour drive from each other, and we did not get together that often. But now, I was an avid lipstick wearer!!
Since we lived miles from each other, we talked on the phone very frequently. And I, being a newcomer to life’s experiences, would call her very often. We’d talk about boyfriend break-ups, failed job interviews, false friendships, wicked bosses, tight finances, and anything else that popped up on my young life’s radar. I would tell her I did not want to get out of bed in the morning or I didn’t feel like going to work. And her response was always the same: “Get dressed, put your makeup on, and do not forget the lipstick. You will get through this”. Well, she knew it. And I did get through all of it while I was wearing lipstick. So now, 50 years later, even on the days I am not feeling so great, I wear lipstick. I never go anyplace without it.
In the ensuing years, through her retirement and into subsequent old age, mom was never without lipstick. Toward the end of her life, she still wore lipstick, even if she was just in her chair watching TV or playing with the dogs. And up to the very last week of her life, you guessed it- she wore lipstick.
So, Mom, I miss you and wherever you are behind the pearly gates – you were right. I wish you were here to see what I’ve accomplished with lipstick. I do have a really beautiful red and this one would be perfect for you. Of course, I think of you every time I wear it.
For your own really beautiful red, click here
