Of Lipstick and Other Low-cost Luxuries

My newest SisterDivas Magazine column, Of Lipstick and Other Low-cost Luxuries, is now available online: 

Sister Divas are a bit more cautious about how and where we spend our money these days. Whether we’re flush with cash or down to our last pennies, we’re buying less and hanging on to what we have. 

Studies show we’re not alone. When economic conditions are uncertain, most women tend to gravitate toward affordable luxuries, in lieu of more costly products and services. The experts even have a name for this phenomenon: The Lipstick Effect. Leonard Lauder, of Estée Lauder cosmetics, coined this phrase after noticing huge jumps in lipstick sales whenever the economy took a nosedive.

Can a low-cost tube of lipstick translate into a million-dollar smile? Yes, but not always. Let’s not gloss over the fact that we’re complex women leading complicated lives, and beauty isn’t all about cosmetics. Here, a collection of tips to help you look and feel like the royalty you are, even when you’re living on a pauper’s budget.

Read more…

Edited to add: The NYT also reported on The Lipstick Effect, albeit after my article was published. Heh, SisterDivas got the scoop! (Hat tip,

[info]dewabbit

 )

13 Comments

  3. That was great…and so true. I actually consider having the time to give MYSELF a manicure and a pedicure a luxury…so I’m saving pennies there, too. 😉

  4. I noticed Lula Belle has changed her lipstick. She has gone from fire engine red to natural. To broke even to get lipstick. By the way, do you think I ought to try out the Red Hot Red or the Pink Passion?

    • Have you ever treated yourself to a massage? I’ve had hot rocks massages, exfoliating massages, deep tissue massages…etc. But the best massage session I ever had was a hand and foot massage. Oh man…pure pleasure.

  6. Thanks, Melodye – I always wear lipstick, so that drew me right in. Great article – and thanks for all the links – I economize year round with splurges here and there, so I’ll see what else is out there.

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