The author of the Maggie Hope Mystery series
writes about KBO, cocktails, code-breaking, and red lipstick.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Perfect Red Lipstick


"I live by a man's code, designed to fit a man's world, yet at the same time I never forget that a woman's first job is to choose the right shade of lipstick.
— Carole Lombard (photo by John Rawlings, 1939)

Red lipstick never goes out of style.

While British women during World War II had cosmetics rationed and often had to make do when items ran out (margarine wrappers for moisturizer, burned bobby pins for mascara, ink stamp pads for rouge), lipstick was kept in production because of it's supposed effect on morale. Despite the war (or because of it) sales soared.

While researching Mr. Churchill's Secretary, I definitely went through my own red lipstick phase. Favorites include MAC's Russian Red and Ruby Woo, Clinique's Retro Red, and Chanel's Red No. 5.

It's a bit much for the playground and preschool pickups, but I'll still put some on for Date Night with The Husband.

2 comments:

  1. Hey,Susan! Great blog! I visited the Churchill Museum and War Rooms in the Imperial War Museum fairly recently. Have you been there? Fabulous. I look forward to your book!
    Doris
    http://cwr.iwm.org.uk/

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  2. hi doris,

    yes, of course! the novel was inspired by a visit to the war rooms...

    xoxo s.

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