Thursday, February 17, 2011

"I put on some make-up/And turn on the eight-track/I'm pulling the wig down from the shelf"

The Song: "Wig in a Box," The Polyphonic Spree. Words & music by Stephen Trask. Track 9 of Wig in a Box, 2004.
When/how acquired: Purchased MP3, 2007.
Listen/watch here.

I had errands to run and friends to see in Portland yesterday, and stopped off at the Maine Mall to spend a gift card a friend/client had given me for Christmas. I never go shopping, and can't remember the last time I visited the Macy's in South Portland. I needed a new winter coat; I needed new turtlenecks to replace the ones that have become so desperately shabby; I needed socks and underwear and all those things I never replace until they are frayed and holey.

I used my gift card to buy a tube of Chanel lip gloss.

I can't remember the last time I bought expensive makeup; several years ago, certainly, before some conference where I knew I'd see a young man who had captured my affections. (Makeup didn't help, by the way. In my experience, it never does.) I don't lead a life that requires much makeup, except when I go on stage, and I have enough stage makeup to last a while.

But I saw the Chanel display, and remembered a wonderful tube of Chanel lipstick I used to have, years and years ago when I had disposable income for that kind of thing. I stopped at the counter, pulled out a tester in a shade I liked, and tried it on the back of my hand. It was bright, and shiny, and made the world around me seem brighter and shinier.

"I'll take it," I said, and handed over my gift card.

It's completely indefensible. Self-indulgent. Reckless, even. But if the result is that I go out looking for opportunities to wear my lip gloss in public, that might not be a bad thing.

5 comments:

Claire said...

I just spent $50 at sephora.com on face powder. Makeup is so hard for me to resist at times--I'm drawn to things that are organized by color anyway, so I feel I'm already at a disadvantage when it comes to controlling my spending there.

I did not know this CD existed and will have to check it out. You've seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch, right?

Ellen Clair Lamb said...

Of course! I love this CD, which is a tribute album to benefit New York's Harvey Milk High School. I will send it to you.

I too am a sucker for things organized by color, which explains my many attempts to knit over the years. I can't resist walls of yarn for sale, and always think that this time I WILL make something useful.

Unknown said...

Good for you!

Lynne said...

I'm so glad you indulged in something for yourself!

Sue Lin said...

Purchase totally defensible and lovely.