Hello my name is Haley and I am a lipstick-aholic.

It’s the truth. My life revolves around the stuff. I hoard it, I obsess about it, I’m not myself without it, it’s where all my money goes… I could go on and on.

I don’t discriminate: lipstick, lip gloss, matte, glossy, dark, nude, I love it all. All my cups and water bottles are permanently stained, no one likes letting me have a sip of their drink, I’m not the helpful friend who has plain chap stick in their purse.

Loving lipstick is a lifestyle, and one I’m proud to live might I add. Here’s a little look into the real life of real, true lipstick lover.

8:00 a.m.: Wake-up and wash my face. Although I washed my makeup off before going to bed there is undoubtedly residual lipstick that comes off on my wash cloth.

9:15 a.m.: Ready to go. I would be on time if I left now, but I haven’t picked out my lipstick….

10:45: While going through emails I somehow (completely by accident I swear) end up scanning a promo email from Sephora and simply can’t help but click for more information.

12:30 p.m.: Depending on the lunch (who am I kidding, I mean regardless of the lunch) it’s time to go reapply.

1:45 p.m.: The afternoon is spent constantly refreshing my ever-present kyliecosmetics.com tab in the desperate attempt I can get my hands on the ever elusive lip kit by Kylie. I try to keep my obsession hidden, but I’m sure my co-workers know by now.

3:00 p.m.: Off the clock but on to more lipstick. While digging out my keys to my car I undoubtedly stumble across a poor, lone little lipstick that has sadly slipped into the deep dark abyss of my purse. The next 15 minutes are reserved for silent mourning for its temporary loss, a promise to keep better track of it, and of course trying it on. I have to make sure I still like it as much as I did pre-misplacement.

6:30 p.m.: Evening plans call for a change in wardrobe and therefore, a change in lipstick color.

8:00 .p.m: Sitting at a table full of drinks, no one is ever confused about which one is mine, no one wants to go anywhere near it…

8:30 p.m.: Quick trip to the bathroom, recheck, reapply.

11:00 p.m.: My poor pillowcases. Even though I’ve washed my face and brushed my teeth, when I wake up tomorrow there will most definitely be lipstick on my pillow case.

I have been wearing lipstick (outside of ballet recitals and ice shows) for quite some time. It has become a defining element of mine. I have had people come up to me and ask if I am sick or feeling under the weather simply because I’m not wearing lipstick. I don’t wear lipstick to conform to beauty standards nor to perpetuate any ideologies of what a “true woman” should look like. I wear lipstick because it makes me feel invincible. I wear lipstick because it allows me to leave my mark on the world in a beautiful and permanent kind of way. I wear lipstick because I love it.