Beautyland: Lip Service - What's In Your Handbag?

by Joyce Cho


In talking to a number of women, between 18 and 60 years, The Beauty Review has found that one group of women carry a lip product that they are happy to reapply on their lips through the day regardless of what they're wearing.

Then, there's the other group of women who carry one or two (and sometimes more) lipsticks and glosses which have been selected carefully to match their outfit of the day.

Andrea, 18, university student: I so love matching my lip colour to my clothes and carry anything from one to three lip glosses in my handbag! It all depends on what I'm wearing. My current favourite is a Lancome bronzey lipgloss.

May, 40, painter: I carry with me a Lancome lipstick in a coral-reddish shade that's close to my natural lip colour as well as a Chanel gloss. For evenings out, I'd match my lip colour to my outfit - maybe coral or red or pink - and carry that specific lipstick in my bag.

Imogen, 19, uni student: I love changing my lip colour to match my clothes or mood. Today, I'm wearing an intense red because it's such a gloomy day; yesterday, it was a frosty pink to go with my flowery sundress. Tonight, I'm going clubbing and I'll wear a matte dark plum shade because I'm feeling dangerous! I love Nars and MAC lipsticks.

(Beautyland: Lip Service - What's In Your Handbag?)

Sarah, 32, nail artist: I like frosted colours and carry in my handbag a pretty glimmery shimmery pink lipstick from the new range by Shiseido.

Madeline, 50, greeting card designer: I keep a Dior frosted mauve lipstick in my bag and it matches my colouring. When I'm out in the sun, it's just lip balm with a sunscreen.

Sofia, 50, language teacher: I love my Red Earth lipstick. I keep it in my handbag and apply it in my car when I arrive at my destination.

Natalie, 39, writer: I change handbags every 2-3 days but the lipstick stays the same. I also carry a gloss and mini lip pencil. I loathe long-wearing lipsticks and I'm happy to reapply my lipstick throughout the day! Once I finish the lipstick, I replace it with a different brand. I've never bought the same thing twice - too many products out there to try in my lifetime. Currently, it's Diorific Hula Hoop and Napoleon Lip Lacquer.

Peggy, 60, retail manager: I only use Clinique lipstick. I match the shade to my own colouring and even the climate. Living on the Gold Coast now, where the weather is pretty much the same year round, I use the same neutral colour. Before moving here, I would adjust my lip colour to reflect darker winter clothes and textures and then lighten up for summer. But it's always been Clinique.

Morgan, 24, real estate agent: I have to wear a navy blazer and scarf for work so I keep my lipstick fairly neutral - it's Bloom at the moment. When I'm not working, it's just a slick of Bloom lip gloss. I think that colour's been discontinued!

Final Notes:
It seems that younger women are more likely to wear bright toned or frosted lip glosses and change these around in their handbags to reflect their outfits. Older women are more likely to wear a lip colour that matches their complexion rather than what they're wearing. The Beauty Review would love to hear from readers. Which group do you belong to?
Email: beauty@thebeautyreview.com.au