I received an interesting email from reader, Tuti quite recently. Here’s an excerpt with her question:-
Ohya, just an idea and I am so curious, maybe you can raise up the issue like: how many girls out there do really finish their lipstick and how many lipstick is enough? I think this is an interesting topic, especially for the group “lipsticks bandits”
Ah, Lipstick Bandits and fellow readers, have we got a conundrum on our hands!
What do you reckon your answer to Tuti’s question is? As for myself, its going to be tough questions to answer! LOL! But I’ll try. (If lipsticks aren’t your thing, weigh in anyway with your thoughts on lipgloss if that’s what you prefer 😉 )
Q1: Do I ever finish using my lipsticks?
Well, yes I have. This was back in the day when I’d only have 1 lipstick, or at maximum, 2. The ones I would regularly finish were initially by Maybelline and then by Kanebo T’estimo. These days, I’d be lucky to make a dent in any of them and its been the case ever since my collection started growing. I used to buy quite a few each time from warehouse sales so that was the start of a slippery slope 😛
The one lipstick I’ve been using a lot of, and which I keep in my bag at all times is Dior Addict Icone. Its a very versatile colour that I use for touch ups or when I forget to apply lip colour (yes it happens) and I love my Dior Addict lipsticks. Yet look, this is about all I’ve managed to use so far! 😛
Icone is on the left and Incognito is on the right to give you an idea of what a newish tube of a similar lipstick looks like. Hardly made a dent in it. Yet, its an achievement to even get it down that far 😛 Red lipsticks are worse. I wear them a lot, but the deeper and brighter colours are less wearable daily so those are barely used.
Q2: How many lipsticks does a girl need?
Ahem! You mean me? Ok I’ve lost count of how many I own. The answer I would give is “A Lot” because I have one for every occasion or tone LOL!
But as for how many a girl really “needs”, I’d say maybe 2 – one bright creamy colour for impact (think Red), and a lighter textured rose or pink or whatever colour gives you a brighter outlook, or that “My lips but better look”, for daily wear. A slick of lipstick can help you look a little more polished and brighten up your complexion in a jiffy 🙂
So that’s my answers to Tuti’s questions. How about you?
Have you ever finished a lipstick? How many lipsticks do you think a girl really needs? One? Two? Many?
xx Paris B
Raquel M. says
July 31, 2012 at 8:38 amI too must admit I can’t finish a lipstick these days and have far more than I needed to. Actually, some even look alike but I’d need a bit more than 2 in my bag. Definitely a red, a pink-ish faded color for everyday, a bright pink and a dark one! Maybe 4 were needed! The rest are lust, I think… x)
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 12:57 pmteehee… I have so many similar colours and yet, we can always find a nuance in each to justify the purchase right? Ah women 😉
LeGeeque says
July 31, 2012 at 8:43 amA girl should have as many lipsticks as she wants. Lipstick economy! 🙂
And yep, I’ve managed to finish quite a few lipsticks in my day. That includes lipbalm and lip glosses too. I’m lucky in a way a lot of them are given to me as gifts and they’re really colours that I love so it’s easy to finish them
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 12:57 pmYay for the lipstick economy! I read its now overtaken by the nail polish economy but since I’m not affected by that, I’m sticking to the lipstick one 😉 I guess you’re just diligent about reapplying. I get so lazy! 😛
germs says
July 31, 2012 at 9:04 amneed? thinking in terms of shades here: probably 1 red, 1 coral, 1 rose, 1 berry, 1 pink and 1 mlbb nude-ish shade for me!
want? as many as my wallet will allow me to 😉
i must admit though, ever since i started following beauty blogs my collection has grown a little too quickly and i have yet to even make a dent on any of them, which is pretty bad habit. but but but.. a girl can never have enough lipsticks!
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 12:59 pmHaha my collection grew out of hand when I used to go to warehouse sales and pick up Dior lipsticks at 3 for RM100. They don’t do it anymore but its how I cut my teeth on one of the best and never looked back! Naturally, trying to buy a full priced one really kicks me in the gut 😛 But you’re right. A girl can never have (and should never have) too many lipsticks 😉
Jacqueline says
July 31, 2012 at 9:08 amI have only once finished a YSL Gloss Volupte called Iced Lychee and that was a looooong time ago. As for how many lipsticks a woman should have, as many as she wants. I gave up trying to use up a lipstick before buying a new one because when I buy I almost never limit myself to one shade. I’m terrible.
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 12:59 pmIf I had to limit my purchases to using one up first, I think I”d never buy anymore. Ah well, whatever makes us happy yes? 🙂
Yani says
July 31, 2012 at 9:18 amLove posts like this 🙂 As for how many lipsticks does a girl need? As many as she wants! How many do I have? TOO MANY – and never enough!
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:00 pmHAHA Someday, Yani we have to see your collection, especially the REDS! 😀
Hanny Daforcena says
July 31, 2012 at 9:36 amI think the number is relative to the girl. I have about 30ish at last count. I will probably have more soon hahahaha!!! But yes a girl needs a bright shade and a MLBB one.
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:00 pmWow 30ish is a big number! But naturally not big enough right? 😉
Monstro says
July 31, 2012 at 9:38 amA girl needs at LEAST 3! One red based, one pink based, and one peach based! haha!
There needs to be one for every outfit, no?
In my lifetime, I’ve only ever finished 4-5 lipsticks. It’s crazy, too many lipsticks now! And all thanks to you, PB! 😀
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:00 pmOops! I’m a bad influence right? >.<
Lily says
July 31, 2012 at 9:57 amThe only lipstick I ever finished was a sheer red by Kanebo T’estimo. The texture was lovely and I died a little when it was discontinued. Who would’ve thought I’d have so many lipsticks now I end up giving it to my family and friends? I thought it would be a shame if I hoarded all the lippies and they end up going bad. So, share the joy we shall 🙂
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:01 pmYeah family and friends definitely benefit the most from some of my more impulsive purchases but I don’t think anyone’s complaining! 😉
kuri says
July 31, 2012 at 10:07 amHeh, I agree with germ: I need “1 red, 1 coral, 1 rose, 1 berry, 1 pink and 1 mlbb”, except I don’t really need a rose.
Ironically, I try to use up the colors that I don’t like much – because they are not necessary parts of my stash.
Even then, it takes a year or more to use up a lipstick…
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:02 pmWow Kuri, if i don’t like a colour, I hardly ever use it and then I end up tossing it or finding it a new home. Good on you for actually using it up 🙂
Lingzy says
July 31, 2012 at 10:14 amahh… i’m new with make up to be honest.. i started with ELF lipsticks cos they’re cheap.. then upgraded myself to Revlon, Rimmel.. and now.. Dior. Hehehe! All of them still look brand new to me. LOL. I use lip gloss more often.. but heck.. i buy lipsticks too! LOL!
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:04 pmI love your progression, Lingzy and that’s good taste! 😉
Ami S. says
July 31, 2012 at 10:22 amI think I use up more of my lipsticks just by swatching them every so often and admiring how lovely the colors look, haha. The only lip products I finish are tinted lip balms and treatments.
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:05 pmLOL! I thought that’s cute! Do you just swatch them to admire then, Ami?
Nikki says
July 31, 2012 at 10:40 amA girl…can have loads of lipstick because we’re crazy that way! hahahaha I know what you mean, for my personal collection of lipsticks, I can’t finish them at all! I’m not even halfway to most of them! But we, girls, can’t help it!
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:05 pmAh yes the curse of being female. More lipsticks than lips! 😛
sharon says
July 31, 2012 at 10:41 amWell I have finished about 3 lipsticks so far. Its not a major achievement by any means but at least I fully utilised them lol. I reckon the best way to finishing a lipstick is to stick it in whichever bag u are going out with and use them for touchups etc It would help if you could narrow down to the 2 lipsticks you want to finish first. Cos lipsticks are the first to go bad (other than skincare) among other makeup products. And it would not be a great idea to have a few weird smelling lipsticks in the collection 🙂 Btw lipglosses are the most difficult to finish up lol
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:06 pmGood on you, Sharon! I always have more or less the same lipstick in my everyday handbag for quick touch ups, even if its not the same colour as the one I walked out of the house in. It can sometimes be quite funny but I guess I don’t touch up enough 😉
beetrice says
July 31, 2012 at 11:11 amI think I’ve only ever finished 2 lipsticks in my lifetime – Clinique Tenderheart (OMG why did they discontinue this shade??) and Kanebo T’estimo (the first one I got from you!)…but as to how many a girl really needs, well…
One red, one nude (MLBB), one coral, one mauve, one pink, one rose, one berry…multiply that by matte, creme, glossy and shimmer finishes…so, about 28? 😀
That said, I’ve probably got way too many…but they’re all so purdy! 😛
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:06 pmHaha 28 sounds like a good number 😛
Honey says
July 31, 2012 at 11:56 amFor most people maybe 1 or 2, but for us make up addicts maybe 30 at least?!
One night my MIL came into my room and got a glimpse of my lippie drawer and she went “Oh my, you have SO many lipsticks!” She has not seen my nail polish collection yet!
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:07 pmLOL! Better don’t let her see your other collections eh? 😉 30 sounds like a fair number to include one of each colour family and texture 😉
plue says
July 31, 2012 at 12:05 pmi think i only finish lipbalms and maybe 1 or 2 lipgloss, but never lipsticks.
a girl can never have enough of anything me thinks lol! because that’s a good excuse to go on shopping tee hee
i think Tuti forgot to ask you if you have ever finish your blush, and how many blush does a girl need! hahahaha 😛
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:08 pmAh I can never finish lip glosses! But then I really don’t use them enough, much less lip balm LOL As for blushes. Erm lets not even go there eh? 😉
NikkiZ says
July 31, 2012 at 12:11 pmI dont think I ever finished a lipstick before..except for lipbalm :p currently im changing my lipcolour every week rather than everyday so i can let myself feel that ”i am using and make full use of my lipstick” and at the same time not make the other lipstick feel left out..me and my liptstick have a weird relationship like that..haha!
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:11 pmHaha I love how you care about your lipsticks’ feelings 😉 A weekly colour change is a good idea – it rotates your lipsticks well and lets you explore new colours too while using them up. Good on you Nikkiz
Shija says
July 31, 2012 at 12:20 pmI categorise mine with the pinks and coral… I stay away from the reds… I got about at least 50 lipsticks… When i notice i dont use a certain ones, i’ll pass it to my sis… She always says…” cantiknye colour nii… Thanx …” … Hihihihi
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:12 pmAh your lucky sister! 😉 At least its going to someone who will enjoy using it too. Pinks and corals are very pretty colours for lips!
Mira says
July 31, 2012 at 12:27 pmI’m not a lipstick bandit. I can say I have a moderate amount of lipstick. But back in the day when I have only 1 tube of lipstick, I do finished them. And only when I’m finished I bought a new tube. But now I have 7 Dior lipstick, 1 Chanel, 1 Shiseido and 1 Clinique. 10 in total, and yeah, I hardly even halfway done with each of them. Only 1 of the Dior, my fav one, I’m almost finishing it. I guess there is no such thing as too much lipsticks. I’m a perfume collector myself and I definitely won’t ever say that I have too much perfume. If we love to collect it, we just can’t never get enough of it. ^^
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:13 pmOoh girl, you have some very nice lipsticks in your collection! 7 Dior! Fave brand I’m guessing? hehe… And you collect perfume too! The bottles of some of them are so beautiful. I’d collect just for the bottles myself 😉
Jyoan says
July 31, 2012 at 12:58 pmLOL, haha, good topic. I do want to post my lipstick collection someday. I am not a lipstick bandit, but oh my gosh, I have a lot, and I can’t seem to stop the collection from growing.
I have never finished a lipstick. My very first, and very second, are only down to half right now. Totally still think my second is like the ultimate holy grail for me (GOSH 82 Exotic).
Definitely agree with you about Dior! MWS turned me into a Dior makeup fan. =PP I so love Holiday, that my tube is actually down slightly more than yours (in the photo shown). I just keep wearing it, and put it in my bag. Due to the sheerness of it, it runs down faster than my other lipsticks in general.
I am that kind who will go out and look for a new colour if there is a special event I need to attend. So I can’t say how many exactly I need. hahaha.
But I guess the most important one is a colour that totally matches your skin no matter what, yet must be a neutral colour that doesn’t makes you out of place no matter the occasion.
Totally agree that the perfect rose (for own skin tone) and perfect red are must-haves.
Paris B says
August 4, 2012 at 1:14 pmI think your lipsticks are mating, Jyoan! LOL… Am glad you are enjoying the Dior lipsticks – I personally believe they are among the best in the market and Holiday! That’s a lovely colour. Must agree with you too that a lipstick colour should match our skintone. No point trying something extra daring if its going to clash terribly like me and bubblegum pink!