Horst P. Horst photo of model Muriel Maxwell for Vogue, 1939.
During the economic recession of the early 2000s, Leonard Lauder, then chairman of the board of Estée Lauder companies, claimed that purchases of cosmetics, especially lipstick, were inversely proportional to a country’s economic health. This notion, evident since at least the American depression of the 1930s and World War II, has come to be known as “the Lipstick Index”, equating an excess of small purchases, lipstick for example, to economic distress. The more lipstick sold, the worse the economy appears to be. .In 2020, the Lipstick Index, as economic indicator, appears to have failed – at least as far as purchases are concerned. In our new masked-up lives, lipstick is no longer as popular as they were just 6 months ago. Instead of offering something bright and beautiful they only serve to stain our mandatory masks. What once made us feel and look pretty now adds one more stressor to the overload. Perhaps a better indicator for Covid era economics might be Perfume Index.-Michelyn
The Lovers by René Magritte, 1928. *with Michelyn’s red lipstick kiss imprint apped by Michelyn
Those of us who love fragrance, continue to find solace in scent. In fact, the scent of lipstick might be exactly what we need to take our minds off our woes and lift our spirits. 2020’s “new normal” finds me wearing my lipstick NOT on my lips, but on my pulse points, via Juliette Has a Gun Lipstick Fever.
Juliette Has A Gun Lipstick Fever – French Kiss. Photo via Juliette Has A Gun ©
“…Juliette is armed because she affirms her personality. Juliette stands for the romantic heroine of Shakespeare; the ’gun’ is her weapon of seduction… her perfume of course.” – Romano Ricci from an interview with Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-chief of CaFleureBon, 2012.
Juliette Has A Gun Lipstick Fever premiered in June 2020, which as we know is a very different kind of summer than we have EVER experienced in our lifetimes. Although I have spent June and now early July social distancing and masking up, I am still trying to live my life with some semblance of normalcy. Lipstick Fever, designed and composed by Romano Ricci (grandson of Robert Ricci and great grandson of Nina Ricci) bolsters my mood with a sexy, focused streak of hot red raspberry, a kiss of sensual violet and ethereal iris. An exquisitely feminine fragrance, Lipstick Fever recalls the scents of face powders and cosmetics from years gone by. The perfume also conjures those not so long ago rituals – dressing for events and parties, and all the carefree fun I used to take for granted. The sweet-tart berries tinged with essence of patchouli, effect a remembrance of loves lost and won, passions fulfilled and frustrated.
Face Paint via Pixabay ©
As Lipstick Fever dries down, the vanilla absolute and powdery iris create a happy and sensual environment, a refuge and scented escape. The fact that Romano Ricci was able to imagine and bring to life such a beautiful fragrance at a time like this is a hopeful sign indeed! Juliette Has a Gun Lipstick Fever is a perfume, much like my favorite lipstick, suggesting desire and passion, capable of infusing my small, now rather dull world with vibrant life and a new, colorful scented excitement.
Notes: Raspberry, violet absolute, patchouli essence, iris absolute and vanilla absolute.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank EuroPerfumes (Eden Square) for the lovely travel spray of Juliette Has A Gun Lipstick Fever. My opinions are my own.
Gail Gross – Senior Editor
Juliette Has A Gun Lipstick Fever Bottle. Photo via Juliette Has A Gun ©
Thanks to EuroPerfumes (Eden Square) the US distributor of Juliette Has A Gun Lipstick Fever we have one 100ml tester bottle of Lipstick Fever for one registered CafleureBon reader in the USA only (you must register or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Gail’s review of Lipstick Fever. Truth… during the pandemic, do you miss wearing lipstick everyday. Draw closes 7/15/2020
This is our privacy and rules policy.
You can follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon @signorricci @official_europerfumes @juliettehasagun @azarsmith7
Available at Twisted Lily
We announce the winners only on our website and on our Facebook page, so LIKE Cafleurebon and use our Site feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume