Lippy Love During COVID

If there’s anything that can brighten my day (other than my animals or 'framily') it’s a quality, bright lip adornment.

When my boss’s house burned down and I didn’t know what else to do, I headed out and bought her favorite lipstick for her, because lipstick makes everything a little better.

When I’m feeling fat or dull or sad, I’ll head to the MAC counter to see what’s new in lip colors and textures. I’ve gone from neon in the 80s to sombre burgundies and browns in the 90s, and then to oranges and soft plums in the next decade.

These days, I’m defying all the fashion rules and wearing the brightest red, fuchsia, and coral I can find. I even wear Chanel Rouge Noir black lip gloss, because it’s one of the coolest colors and textures I’ve ever experienced. I wear it with confidence.

And so the other day, after 43 days of whatever-it’s-called distancing, I decided it was time to think about lippy again.

Before the pandemic, I’d decided that bright pink and orange coral were going to be my color accents for spring and summer. I’m of the mind that one purchases quality, seasonless clothing and accessorizes with makeup and accessories. In early March, I landed a gorgeous new scarf that artfully mixed my new fave colors. And just as the pandemic hit, I bought a stunning pair of coral/orange earrings from my favorite local boutique.

I was set. Whenever I was able to return to the outside world, I was ready. Except for one thing.

Lippy.

Back in the fall, I’d discovered a lovely Stila lip gloss called Beauty Boss Payday. It was a ‘fuchsia with pink and purple shimmer’ and the irony wasn’t lost on me. I was no longer a boss, and as a writer and contract laborer, I really didn’t have a payday. But when I slid this vibrant glassy polish across my lips, I felt like a million bucks. The color said ‘pow’, the gloss said ‘saucy’, and I have to say, I rocked it. This hue embodied pure joy.

When I decided to search for a bright and happy coral to accompany my new spring accessories—just after COVID-19 hit us hard—I turned to Stila once again. I discovered a perfect ‘bright coral with blue and hot pink shimmer’—and its name? Empowering.

Right. On. I thought. Empowering. We all need a little empowering right now, and I’m gonna start with my favorite makeup. That’s right. A lippy.

And so I pulled out my credit card, clicked the ‘purchase now’, and my order was confirmed. Oh, it would be mere days before my lips reflected the bright hope that was spring and flowers and all things cheery.

Except.

Really, Catherine? I pondered to myself. Uh, where are you going to wear that comely coral? Where the hell do you go these days?

Oh yeah.

I’m not going out. My office is our second bedroom. I wear my office pyjamas until 10 a.m., then I finish my coffee, brush my teeth, and put on my fabulously broken-in extra-large sweatpants and whatever clean t-shirt gets pulled out of the drawer. Earrings? Ha. Matching anything? Come on, you’re killing me. Pants? Maybe, maybe not.

But yep, lippy is a priority. Lordy, save me from myself. I’m dying over here.

Because even when I dare to enter civilization, it looks like I’ll probably be wearing a mask. Like, over my mouth. My beautiful, coral-tinted smile, hidden by a utilitarian piece of fabric. What a waste.

Unless fabulous lippy beneath a mask is like a sexy bra under a second-hand sweatshirt. No one but I know it’s there, but it makes my heart gallop with glee nonetheless.

So if I decide to wear my Empowering lippy while foregoing pants—well, at least I managed to get half dressed. And these days, that’s good enough for me.

I can smack my lips together and know I’m Empowered and maybe tomorrow it’ll be Payday.

And that, along with my shiny new lippy, gives me hope when I need it the most. I’m betting that before the warm seasons wane, I’ll be able to don my buoyant, joyous lippy and show the world just how happy color can be.