Pucker Up! It’s Time for Lipstick Etiquette

Next to lashes, lipstick is my favorite form of makeup. It’s bright, fun, and can take a makeup look from simple to fabulous in two quick swipes.

The history of lipstick is just as powerful as the makeup itself. During WWII bright red lipstick was used as an expression of patriotism for women. The color was also reportedly hated by Hitler, which made wearing the shade an act of defiance to Nazism. My personal favorite when it comes to a patriotic red lipstick is Own Your Empire by Maybelline New York.

Today, lipstick is still used as a form of expression and the perfect enhancement to any look. But when it comes to lipstick, we all know it can be a high maintenance form of makeup, as it often requires refreshing throughout the day. That may leave you wondering—what are the rules when it comes to lipstick?

Pucker up! It’s time for lipstick etiquette.

Where is it appropriate to apply lipstick?

The short answer is, IN PRIVATE. It is always most polite to refresh any form of makeup in the privacy of the ladies’ room, your car or another secluded location.

However, I know for the girl on the go, sometimes it can be hard to upkeep your look in complete secrecy. With that being said, it can be acceptable to refresh your lipstick in the company of very close friends or in front of others in your own home.

But when in doubt, applying lipstick in private is the best course of action.

How should drinking be navigated?

Drinking with lipstick on can be a hassle. To avoid making the rim of your cup or glass look unsightly with a plethora of lipstick smears, drink from the same spot on your glass.

Another option is to get a heavy-duty lip stain that won’t rub off easily when eating or drinking. One of my favorite liquid lip products is the Maybelline New York Super Stay Vinyl Ink line in the color Lippy.

What do I do if there are cloth napkins at a meal?

Be considerate regarding your lipstick application if you are having dinner at a friend’s home and know cloth napkins will be used. This would be a situation where it is appropriate to go light on your lips or forgo lipstick in order to avoid ruining their linens. A nice subtle lip color to whip out at a time like this is Trust Your Gut by Maybelline New York.

However, you can throw caution to the wind when it comes to napkins at restaurants. Restaurants have heavy-duty cleaners, so there is little concern about ruining anything with your lipstick.

I’d love to know your favorite lipstick brands and shades. Comment yours below!