It started when I was about five years old. Bonne Belle Lip Smackers were my gateway drug. I loved how it made my little lips so shiny and smooth—I’d apply coat after coat until I achieved a *very* slight hue of color. If you know Lip Smackers, you know that it takes a LOT to get any color payout. But it didn’t matter. It made me feel fancy and grown-up and I was hooked.
My favorites were the Dr. Pepper and Bubble Gum flavors, because both soda and gum were strictly forbidden indulgences in my house growing up, it made the act of slathering it on even more satisfying in my little mind. I kept these tiny treasures hidden from my younger siblings in a pencil box in the back of my closet after my brother (age 2 at the time) took a bite right off the top of my beloved Dr. Pepper. I was mad about it then, but now I totally get it. It just smelled and tasted so good, right?
From there, I expanded into Hello Kitty’s kid-friendly line of cosmetics. As a reward (read: bribe) for getting good grades, my mom would take me down to the Sanrio store in Diamond Bar and let me choose something. Sometimes it would be a pencil box or a fancy pen, but most of the time it was a little lip gloss or small pan eye shadow. But it didn’t matter that they didn’t really show up on my face. I loved the girly packaging, the smell and the make-up-ness of it all.
More than three decades later, I am still obsessed with all things beauty—and for many of the exact same reasons. I love the intricate design and packaging, the range of colors and promise of new products. Now, it is also about the thrill of the hunt and scoring a good deal or finding a dupe for a high-end fave.
Lip Smackers are still an everyday favorite. Made with beeswax, lanolin and sesame oil—the multiple moisturizers and special emollients protect and keep your lips soft and shiny. Who knew that they were actually good for your lips? I keep a stick or two tucked away anywhere I might need it—in my purse, at home, my desk at work and in the car. You could follow their trail and find me, just like Hansel and Gretel. Without a doubt, it’s my “trapped on a desert island and can only bring one item” thing. Honestly, I’m probably one more watermelon biggie away from needing an intervention.
But it’s that same deep-rooted insanity that got me here, writing my very first post on my very first beauty blog: Lashes and Cake. I figured that if I am already thinking and talking about it all of the time anyway—I might as well write it down.
In the weeks and months to come, I plan to share some of the best and worst of the products I have tried—from the very best nude lip to the worst mascara ever (here’s a hint: it’s super expensive and melted like poison into my eyes.) Join me on my misadventures in at-home hair color and perfecting the DIY gel manicure.
I want Lashes and Cake to be a lifestyle and beauty spot for real women with real jobs and real lives and real budgets. Like Goop, but let less goopy and less Gweneth-y. A place where we ALL can share our swear-by faves and biggest fails. If you have ideas about content, or are interested in writing a guest post, just let me know.
Welcome home, fellow beautyholics.
Lashes and Cake 
I bought several packs of lip smackers for the kids at Christmas. I may have kept one or two for myself….
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Me too! I found donut flavored!
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I remember the Dr Pepper sticks
I can’t wait to read what you have to share.
Best wishes Lashes and Cake!
Mama Patti
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Thanks Mamma Patti!!!!
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Yippee! I’m so excited to see this! Secondly, how have I not seen the donut lip smackers? I’m constantly buying them “for my nieces” (with one or seven extra for my desk).
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Yea!!!!! If you look at my “about me”?! It links to them. I am obsessed!!!!! Thanks for coming by!
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I’ve never even heard of a Watermelon Biggie! I have to have some. Where can I buy it?
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Chris–there is a link to the Lipsmackers.com in the story if you click on Watermelon Biggie. But I see them ALL the time at Target with the other lip smackers. Thanks for coming by and reading.
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Congrats! Cheers to mascara wishes & cake dreams! I’m already hooked & can’t wait to read the next post. Xoxo
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Thanks!!! I know you do the fiber lashes, right? I haven’t tried them but would love to look into it more.
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I love it! Love everything about it! The name is perfect and I can’t wait for my next fix I will find reading your blog! I’ve graduate to EOS and am obsessed with constantly u twisting that beautiful pink ball and rubbing it all over my lips- but I totally get the Dr. Pepper lipsmacker obsession.
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Thanks Kari–I LOVE the EOS packaging but it makes my lips feel bumpy. I must be allergic or something:(
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Congrats, Pam! Can’t wait to follow the beauty fun and can’t wait to talk my fave, mascara!
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Thanks, Jane. I am a mascara junkie too. What’s your favorite and why? I’m kinda into the idea of a “cocktail” where are start with one kind and finish with another. I am sure that will be a post.
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Pam, this is awesome! I’m excited to read your next blog! Are you going to IMATS next weekend? It’s the perfect place to feed your addition. I’ll be there Saturday.
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Hi Marisa! Thanks for coming by. I remember talking makeup with you on the showchoir bus. I dont even know what IMATS is. Googling it now❤️
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Secret here about me..I have to use four different kinds of mascara since my lashes are so darn thin so if you have or run across a secret for me please post about it. I’m not good a applying false eye lashes or I would. Most of them are overkill also. Help Lashes and Cake!!
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What a fabulous intro! Congratulations to the start of Lashes and Cake. Love love the name.
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Thanks for coming by Katie. I need to do a Japanese Maple shout-out!
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