Lipstick Therapy

Over a coffee two of my girlfriends were discussing the effectiveness of lipstick therapy, ie. going and buying a nice lipstick to make yourself feel better.  And later that week I ran across a normally very sporty looking adult tap-student of mine wearing a pretty blouse and some bright lipstick, who explained to me that being in Italy for the Christmas holidays had inspired her to make an effort with her appearance.  She'd never owned a lipstick before but her friend (a real signora, she said) took her out to buy one and she described how much fun it was.

I'm not really a lipstick wearer as such (I always feel you can't kiss anyone when you're wearing it) but I am completely addicted to lip-balm and have it stashed everywhere so that I never have dry lips: one in either door of the car (so I can drive or be driven and still have ready access to lip-balm), one for my tap-bag, one by my bed, and of course a couple in the handbag.  Actually, I'm not really a make-up wearer at all, apart from the compulsory mascara for the short fair lashes, and when I thought about it some more, I realised that most of the lipsticks and indeed all other types of make-up I own, with the exception of the compulsory mascara, are hand-me-downs. My Mum or my sister will get something in a gift bag free with a moisturiser, or buy a promising looking lipstick and then decide it isn't quite their shade, and ask me if I'd like it.  Of course I always say ooh yes, that looks nice, and then only actually wear it about 3 times.

But what with one thing and another, I have been feeling a bit down and out, so I have been trying various treat-based therapies.  On Friday I took myself to see The King's Speech which I thought was magnificent, possibly my favourite movie ever actually, and today I had one of those Chinese massages in a shopping-mall which was very beneficial.  And a couple of days ago I was in a discount chemist shop purchasing an iron supplement when my conversation with friends came back to me.  I did run my eyes over the lipstick section but was almost immediately distracted by some purple eyeshadow and a purple eyeliner. And it seemed a shame to leave them in the shop on their own.


I've been wearing eye make-up every day since! I'm so fancy. It has been quite fun, mucking around with make-up. And you know what they say: a little bit of what you like will do you good. Seems to be working so far, anyway.