A studious historical fiction author and blogger herself, she laughed and laughed.

But I was quite serious. You see, five years ago, when I started the long process of researching and writing THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, I found a gaping lack of information on the web about make-up throughout history. Particularly during the Restoration Period in England. There was a blog post or two. A few museum photographs. But few meaty facts. The main character of my novel was known as one of the greatest beauties at a court where both men and women wore cosmetics. Like most ladies, I myself simply love to have fun with makeup, so I considered it important to get beauty elements right in the novel.

I hit the books. Thankfully, historians before me produced a number of informative guides to the topic. If you decide to follow my posts, you’ll learn lots of nitty-gritty details about cosmetics during the Restoration and through the centuries.

But you’ll also find posts like today’s, where I succumb to one of my personal obsessions and talk about…you got it…lip gloss.

Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Naked Plum

This February I’m wearing a Bobbi Brown favorite. Naked Plum High Shimmer Lip Gloss glides on with a rich and opaque soft mauve-purple that suits green-hazel eyes. With just the right touch of shimmer instead of lacquered shine, and a hint of peppermint, it’s perfectly kissable for the month of St. Valentine’s.

What are you kissing with this month?