Frederic Malle: Lipstick Rose
The Best Vintage Lipstick Scent for Hacking the #NoMakeup Challenge
Candied violet!
No…
…makeup powder? Vintage lipstick?
Carnations!
Lipstick Rose is such a holy grail scent in the perfume community, that I had to try it as soon as I realized the scent of vintage cosmetics is something I need in life.
Lipstick Rose doesn't match the makeup smell of any specific product that I can recall, but is rather the general smell of a makeup bag/drawer/kit, filled with many products by many brands. It can give you the feeling of being glammed up, even on days when you aren't.
And feeling that we look great—just a little sexy or cool—is not a thing to be underestimated. Although I would never agree that appearances are a high-ranking source of personal value, I will vehemently argue that there is a lot to be said for celebrating who you are via the art of decorating yourself. Didn’t we all learn that as teenagers? Don’t we all secretly envy the bravery of cosplayers?
My experience with makeup started as far back as I can remember. I grew up sitting on my mom's bathroom sink, watching her put on makeup. I was always allowed to be curious and open it all up, carefully, to sniff it and admire the colors, textures and packaging.
Makeup scents, for me, are always very much tied to those memories of her: a mix of strength and prettiness that can seamlessly go from the grocery store to running errands or an evening out. A scent like this is a quick boost of confidence that you can easily slip on, even when you have a billion responsibilities to tend to.
We all have a right to be an absolute mess, especially when life gets overwhelming. But sometimes when we’re feeling our worst, something as seemingly silly as spritzing on a favorite scent or dabbing on a tinted lip balm can be a powerful confidence booster. Because burnout and depression are a thing, right?
Lipstick Rose is a scent for when you want to be the “super” version of yourself—the you who isn't fazed, even when the sky is crashing in, and who doesn't care what anybody thinks. It is unshakeable confidence in a bottle, and honestly? We all need that sometimes, even if we’re just going to the grocery store.
