Edition #21: Lipstick Holders
These vanity staples can be used to hold anything your heart desires.
When you think of a vanity set, you usually think of highly decorated hair brushes, combs, and perfume bottles all lined up on a mirrored tray. It’s an iconic depiction of the complicated and delicate nature of a women as she gets ready for the day. The lipstick holder is an even more lost relic of the past, with most people not familiar with it. These intricately molded, carousel-like holders were designed to store lipstick bullets, but these days, I think they can be used for practically anything. The circular openings can easily fit everything, from a classic joint/cigarette display to makeup brushes — or lipstick, obviously.
Vtg 1950’s Hollywood Regency Brass Tulip Lipstick Holder 6” on eBay: Who wouldn’t want to store their lipsticks in a tulip?
Orange Paper Mache Lady Lipstick Holder on Etsy: There were a lot of paper maché heads while searching, and this was the least creepy of them (see below for the creepiest).
Vintage Lipstick Holder, baby blue ,Ceramic on Etsy: This reminded me of a tufted cushion that you’d see in a Disney animation.
Vanity Top Lipstick Holder Brass Heart by Gold Tone Products Hollywood Regency Matson Style on Etsy: The Matson company made many a vanity item in the mid-century, which were highly detailed and 24K-plated in a method called ormolu. I would say this is more toned down than a typical Matson but the simplicity is what makes it great.
Vintage Gresco Lipstick Holder Hollywood Regency Vanity Brass Metal Floral on eBay: The Hollywood Regency style was practically built around a women’s vanity set up! This one features floral work across the footed base and is more in keeping with the “Matson style”.
Vintage Gold Metal Lipstick and Cosmetic Holder Vanity Powder Room Makeup Organizer Floral Design Grand Millenial Hollywood Glam Props on Etsy: Another example of beautiful floral work, this holder has intricate loops of metal throughout the cylindrical spaces.
Vintage Sam Fink Goldtone Filigree 4 Tube Lipstick Holder on eBay: The Sam Fink Company was sold through Saks Fifth Avenue and included ornately detailed vanity items, compacts, and more.
VTG Ornate Hollywood Regency Metal Lipstick Holder Cosmetic Display Organizer on eBay: This is the perfect holder to repurpose for something more fun, since the handle makes it easily portable around a party.
Vintage Lucite MCM Rose Reverse Carved Lipstick Holder on Etsy: Most vintage lipstick holders were made from metal, but the lucite of the MCM movement wasn’t a stranger. The orange version of this is also lovely.
Ceramic Poodle Lipstick Holder with 2 Vintage Lipsticks, brown poodle, cute dog ,vanity decor on Etsy: I mean, it’s a freakin’ poodle. How could you not want this on your get ready station?
Honorable Mentions
What terms were searched:
Lipstick holders
Lipstick vanity storage
Vanity set
Welcome to Finder’s Keepers
This is the newsletter dedicated to leaving no vintage stone unturned. Each edition will cater to a rabbit hole that I fell down one night and include an assortment of vintage finds that make you question “Why did anyone own this?” followed quickly by “Should I own this?”
My method is simple: I attach a keyword or phrase to the item and go digging, spending hours each week combing through hundreds of pages of Etsy and Ebay bric-a-brac. It’s chaotic but satisfactory, like looking through every rack and bin at a thrift store for those that partake in the more visceral act of going in person. I like to sit on my couch.