Candy, I Can't Let You Go

2 comments

August 6, 7:40 PM

by Arika Casebolt, Baltimore Beauty Examiner

 

 

I had a routine. First I'd hit one beauty supply, then the other. Saving the best for last, I savored the little thrill in my belly as I strode through the heavy glass doors of  one of my favorite beauty meccas since adolescence. Yes that's right, I'm talking about Ben Franklin.

 Ben Franklin stores are few and far between nowadays. Some of them are exclusively craft stores, like the only BF in all of Maryland, In Easton. The Lexington Market one was the other kind, the variety store. There were two enormous levels, and downstairs held all my attention. Aisles and aisles of strange liquid eyeshadows that looked exactly like nail polish, real Chinese rice powder cakes in their pretty boxes, authentic Kohl that you put on the traditional Egyptian way (by placing the applicator horizontally between the eyelids and dragging it across) and loads of discontinued makeup and skin care.

The first thing I ever bought at a Ben Franklin was a giant Bonne Bell Lip Smacker. Sweet fancy moses, did I love those things. They cost $2.50 and were not the little Chap-Stick size sold today-remember the huge ones? My friends and I collected them, saved up our allowance to buy the Dr. Pepper or Chocolate Cherry flavors.

Since money is tight for everyone these days, I think that it's essential to treat oneself in small ways so as not to feel completely shlumpy and hopeless. Can't swing a vacation this year? Have a spa treatment and escape right here at home. No dough for schmancy restaurants? Get a pedicure for a fraction of the cost and something to show for it.

Had back surgery, just started working again and can't find any reasonable justification in scooping up all the new lip products on Sephora.com? May I suggest taking a little trip down memory lane and getting in touch with your inner preteen? How thrilling it was to have reached the monetary goal of $2.50, and the anticipation in the car on the ride to Ben Franklin was palpable. I am attempting to appreciate the simple things, and to that end I got myself a Bonne Bell Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker. Not the big giant kind, as they stopped making those years ago. Not at Ben Franklin, sadly,but you work with what you've got.

I am really digging my new lip look. The Dr. Pepper flavor is a really emollient balm that actually leaves a faint tint of raisinish-plum on the lips, moisturizes like mad and the surprisingly authentic soda pop scent and subtle flavor jostle loose a rush of memories; the aroma of awakening, of dipping my toe into the beauty pool for the first time. I didn't require costly, elegant formulas and packaging back then. A little lip balm was enough. And today, lip balm was enough.

True, I am using it with my Dior lipliner, but it's a step in the right direction.

   Subscribe   Feed

Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use