Lipstick sales are up more than 80% from this time last year, according to the latest figures from market research firm IRI (which tracks point of sale data at retailers). Well, why would we want to waste good lipstick, when it simply smeared into our face masks?

It seems we lost our lips (or at least forgot about them) for a while. But, lips are BACK. Front and center on our faces, so why not dust off those tubes and swipe on the color.

As you know, ladies, we didn’t get any younger over the past year. And, you also know, we do lose color as we age. I hate to say. So let’s be grateful that we, like our mothers before us, can replenish our youthful vibrance by adding a bit of lipstick and blush.

Here’s a quick refresher on lipstick from Quintessential Style, Chapter 9: Makeup Design.

• Lip color is largely determined by the fashion season. Shiny, matte, or bold colors may be en vogue one day and pale, soft, or nude lips the next. Always choose colors, not because they are “on trend,” but because the complement your skin and eyes. A lip color that has too much brown or ray in it can be very unflattering. And NEVER choose a lip color that is duller than you are!
• A tip for finding the perfect shade of lip color is to stick out the tip of your tongue and choose a shade (in your clarity and brightness) that matches it exactly. What could look more natural?
• Lipstick doesn’t necessarily have to match your outfit. Once you find your perfect shades of pink, coral, and red, you can wear them with anything–and even combine them for a custom look. They will soon become part of your artist’s palette.
• Not only do we lose color in our face as we mature, but our lips tend to fade as well. Lipstick shades that may have once been flattering can begin to look drab. The solution is simple-brighten up your face by brightening up your lip color.
• Lips tend to shrink as we mature. You can create the illusion of more fullness by using a lip pencil to slightly exaggerate your lip line.
• If your lipstick color seems too heavy or too deep, simply apply a bit of concealer over it to make it appear lighter.
• If using lip gloss, be careful not to use so much that it causes the edges of your lipstick to bleed. Try dabbing a dot in the center of your lower lip to add a bit of shine.
• Most importantly, when trying on lipstick, don’t just look at your lips. Look at your entire face to see if the color is truly complementary with your eyes and complexion.

And, thankfully, while lipstick sales are up. Here are two items that most retailers are trying to get rid of:

Hallelujah!