Is my make up obsession a little shallow, given the current rise of authoritarianism in the U.S.?

Granted, I often think it is. But going down the rabbit hole of all day news watching and TikTok scrolling of ICE arrests is sometimes just too much, even for me. Panic and going off the deep end doesn’t help anyone. So, I try to check in daily with the news, put my body at protest rallies, write Congress and vote with my dollars, while I wait for the Midterms!

Is it possible to resist Fascism with Besame Cosmetic’s “Victory Red” lipstick?

Why yes, it is! This classically beautiful red lipstick is a re-creation of the once upon a time, much loved and frequently sold out U.S. Government sponsored WW2 lipstick created by Elizabeth Arden in the 1940’s for women in the military. Indeed, “Victory Red” became a symbol of patriotism and resilience at the time, because both the Fascists in Italy and Nazi Germany discouraged women from wearing make-up, jewelry and even trousers.

I guess the “ideal Aryan” woman was supposed to just be uber feminine, au natural and wanting only one thing in life, to be a Mother (for which the Nazi’s awarded medals, which…..ahem, is sounding a little like the $5000 Baby Bonus bandied about today to address declining US population, all while disappearing brown people and importing white Afrikaners.)

A symbol of courage and resilience back then?

American women in the 1940’s were plainly and simply, boss bitches. While men went to war, they learned new trades and worked in factories for long hours, to support the war effort. This affected fashion and beauty in so many ways, from clothing, to how they wore their hair (See: https://youtu.be/bFNWedtXZxs) to prevent it from getting caught in factory equipment, to yes, even this very bold and powerful statement red lip, a big thumbing of your nose to the Nazis. So, take that Adolf!

And now?

This modern day “Victory Red” is coming at the perfect time. Simply put, the fact that there are so many historical parallels between today and the era of the 1930’s-1940’s is no longer hyperbole. It’s happening now people. So, maybe we need to look back at history to find our strength to meet the current moment and remember the brave women who came before us and did so much to save the world from Fascism.

Gabriela Hernandez, Besame’s CEO and Make-up Historian extraordinaire is meeting the moment with her lovely line of cosmetics. Born of her admiration for watching “the simple glamour of her grandmother’s beauty routine” in Buenos Aires, (see: https://besamecosmetics.com/pages/about-besame-cosmetics) her company specializes in recreating make-up from the 1920’s-1970’s.

Is it any wonder this is her obsession? Historians well know that the story of Argentina in the 20th century is one of coups and military dictatorships, which included widespread human rights violations and forced disappearances. Hum….now where else have I heard about there being Illegal arrests or detentions without due process, abduction and disappearance of people by state actors.  It does sound familiar, now doesn’t it? BTW, in case you are wondering, this is considered a war crime, or a crime against humanity under international law. Hum….something to think about collaborators.

But, what is particularly cool about this Special Edition lipstick is that it took Ms. Hernandez six long years to find an actual, original tube of it, so she could re-create it, sans the mercury and arsenic the original was likely laced with! Indeed, the nouveau “Victory Red” is 100% cruelty-free, long-wearing, filled with all sorts of nourishing ingredients and does not contain gluten, parabens, or mineral oil. Oh and it’s made in California, so no worries about any nasty tariffs, for Americans that is. It comes in a lovely retro box too, is encased in lush gold packaging and even comes with a vintage Victory pin, with “V” spelled out in morse code. Very cool. It’s gonna get added to the bag I carry around everyday with all my necessities!

My take aways

Will one little tube of lipstick change the world? No. But it can be a part of a larger movement. One that will need a lot of brave women. Are you one of them?

….And, as historian Howard Zinn once said:

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can quietly become a power no government can suppress, a power that can transform the world.” 

I don’t know about you, but I think victory is…just a matter of time.

Stay woke AF,

Ms. Sassy Pants