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Sappho Cosmetics: Lipstick lesbians have a new favorite brand

Dorothy Snarker

Makeup isn't just for lipstick lesbians anymore — it's also for eye shadow, concealer, blush and powder lesbians, too. And, heck, non-lesbians are welcome to give it a try, too.

The makeup artist for The L Word, JoAnn Fowler, has launched a new chemical-free line of cosmetics with a little help from her famous friends. [Hat tip, Kleewyck2!]

L Word stars Mia Kirshner and Jennifer Beals were on hand for the launch of Sappho Cosmetics. The products include foundation, eye shadow, eye liners, lipsticks, glosses, blushes and powders in a variety of styles and hues. Color lines include Je Suis Mia, Luscious Leisha, Ravishing Rachel, Kate, Generous Jennifer and Provocative Pam. Wait, Kate Moennig doesn't get an adjective?

The makeup all meets the European Union's stricter requirements for safe cosmetics and are 100 percent chemical free and not tested on animals. Organic ingredients like jojoba, frankincense and lavender oil are used for preservatives. Heck, even the packaging uses recycled paper.

I applaud (more like a standing ovation) the line's healthy, environmental approach to beauty, but, um, Sappho? Seriously, Sappho? As in the Greek poet whose name has become synonymous with lesbians everywhere — that Sappho?

While the company hasn't explicitly targeted the lesbian community in its marketing so far, the name plus use of The L Word actresses in product names screams easy, breezy, lesbian.

Might I suggest more companies take such a direct approach to marketing to gay women? Come to Lesbo Depot for all your home improvement projects. Or try on Dykenstocks, the most sensible of sensible shoes. And, of course, Codependent Movers when U-Haul simply isn't fast enough.

Sappho Cosmetics are currently only available online. So, are you sold on Sappho? And, what gives, no Chapstick? I feel so left out.

Dorothy Snarker's blog

Submitted by

Dorothy Snarker

on October 21, 2008 - 4:00pm.

TAGS ::

SWEET!!

Submitted by

gato (916 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 4:45pm.

Im Down!!

________________________________________

Voogle A Voogle Plea

I must say, Ravishing Rachel

Submitted by

Lisa (34 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 4:53pm.

I must say, Ravishing Rachel sounds pretty good to me! The color line, of course. What else, haha.

where's tina?

Submitted by

Gaya (103 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 5:10pm.

why isn't there a line after laurel?

also, funny how only the straight actresses of the show showed up for the launching....

is Mia definetly straight?

Submitted by

Clara (824 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 7:58pm.

is Mia definetly straight?

Personally

Submitted by

Kimmaayy..! (725 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 8:21pm.

I think she's gay, or atleast bisexual...I have always thought that, don't know why...

~Homosexuality is God's way of insuring that the truly gifted aren't burdened with children -Sam Austin~

i remember that when WGN

Submitted by

Clara (824 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 9:57pm.

i remember that when WGN had on Liz Feldman (the best one EVER) and Liz mentioned how it doesn't do it for her when she's 99% sure the actresses are both straight (Nikki + Jenny) someone commented saying how that comment was funny to someone in the know

its hardly proof tho! but yeah someone apparently agrees and has inside knowledge

I read a fan interview with

Submitted by

Katascha (3 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 11:58am.

I read a fan interview with Mia Kirshner on thelwordonline.com where she implies that she is bisexual/gay. At least that's how I read it. Look at the last question... Here's the link:

http://www.thelwordonline.com/sho_chat_mia.shtml

Mia bisexual/gay

Submitted by

vegetarian430 (2 posts)

on January 7, 2009 - 12:32pm.

I read the interview and it certainly seems like she has some firsthand experience. I think I read somewhere she was bisexual, but maybe it was just the characters she played in various movies, etc. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part, but who knows? Where there's smoke, there's fire!

who didn't show up?

Submitted by

jomakeup (3 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 8:45pm.

actually all the L Word women showed up in support even Laurel!!!

I'm totally on board and

Submitted by

StunStatus (67 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 5:17pm.

I'm totally on board and Jennifer looks just Perfect in this picture

Viana Says:

"I'm tryna see what that be like? "

By the By No on Prop. 8

Show your support

www.detoxemporium.com/noon8

Shirts Hats & More

I'm in

Submitted by

IfOnly (285 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 5:16pm.

The link is ~~misspelled~~ ~~mispelled~~ ~~miss-spelled~~ wrong.

Yeah! Ravishing Rachel is on my bucket list.

Link Fixed

Submitted by

Dorothy Snarker (1625 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 5:32pm.

The link is all better now. Thanks for the heads up.

---------------------------------------------------
Why I Don't Sleep Much: Dorothy Surrenders

"kate doesn't get an adjective?"

Submitted by

girlfriendinacoma (8 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 5:38pm.

kate doesn't need an adjective.

nice...

Submitted by

Danielle (82 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 5:46pm.

we wrote like the same comment. Once my page reloaded, I saw yours. great minds think alike...

AMEN. i literally said this

Submitted by

Katie (218 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 6:06pm.

AMEN. i literally said this out loud when i read that.

us kates rock too much for descriptive words.

"Sometimes when i get homesick i hum the mr softee song"

Saphho?

Submitted by

roc (291 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 5:45pm.

Quote:

but, um, Sappho? Seriously, Sappho?

Hmm, maybe the hope is that they can siphon off some of Sephora's web traffic. All it would take is a slew of bad spellers and the Saphho line could quickly meet its sales target in a hurry.

Kate

Submitted by

Danielle (82 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 5:44pm.

Kate Moennig doesn't NEED an adjective. she's just that awesome.

laughs

Submitted by

playthemusic814 (243 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 6:53pm.

Quote:

And, what gives, no Chapstick? I feel so left out.

Me, too.

-------------------

~It means pride.~

I'm a Burt's Bees girl myself

Submitted by

Pugs (54 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 7:03pm.

But I'd probably give Sappho Cosmetics a whirl if they'd include some chapstick. :)

http://www.ComeTogetherGiftBaskets.com

Sappho Cosmetics: I'll give it a Try

Submitted by

Lunakiss (1775 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 7:13pm.

www.myspace.com/lunakiss7

I'm always looking for chemcal free make-up,eyeshadow,etc. I wonder some colors are for all skin types, I have dark brown skin, especially in make-up powder.

About time products cater to fem lezes.

Jennifier Beal looks ever so lovely.

i reckon they'll have and

Submitted by

Clara (824 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 8:04pm.

i reckon they'll have and range, I'm thinking maybe you gauge by which actress you look most like, 'cus they have Mia, Jennifer and Pam who all have very different colouring and looks.

edit: yeah seems so though not a massive range http://sapphocosmetics.com/powder-mineral/shop.html

Jennifer looks incredible in that photo, like more so than usual!

What about Ellen and Cover Girl?

Submitted by

Dana Rudolph (56 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 7:27pm.

Wait--isn't this going to compete with Ellen's promotion of Cover Girl cosmetics? How's a dyke to choose?

--
Dana Rudolph
Mombian: Sustenance for Lesbian Moms
http://www.mombian.com

i'll try it

Submitted by

kayla (31 posts)

on October 21, 2008 - 10:47pm.

although i am currently addicted to anything Dior..im willing to give anything lesbian a try...and I would love it if they had a lip gloss and called it Rose...after my wife of couse...she doesn't need an adjective either...id go for Tantalizing Tasha...but they're going by their real names and not the character names. smh

"I do know a little something about being pissed. I mean, it's all - You know, it's all just feelings, man. From females to friends to funerals... it's all about the feelings. I just want you to recognize the difference between what you feel and what's real"

you stepped in my geek zone here....

Submitted by

Phoenix (59 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 2:30am.

Nothing is "chemical free." Check the ingredients on those things and you'll find they're not even "chemical I don't know what the hell it is free."

No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always boom tomorrow.
--Susan Ivanova tells it like it is

Yeah but it's way better

Submitted by

starshideyourfires (246 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 4:12am.

Yeah but it's way better than what the majority of cosmetic companies are putting in theirs I'm sure!

Hee Hee My thoughts

Submitted by

jgrace1 (33 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 7:18am.

Hee Hee My thoughts exactly!

"Chemical free":- wait, so.....you're selling me a space vacuum? No thanks, I have one of those out back.

Ha Ha!

Cut Pic of Jennifer Beals though ;)

Nice!

Submitted by

Miss Banggg (24 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 2:39am.

Je Suis Mi and Luscious Leisha?

I'm in!

But wait, what about Kate?

A make-up line aimed at

Submitted by

starshideyourfires (246 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 4:16am.

A make-up line aimed at lesbians? An *eco-friendly* make-up line aimed at lesbians? I'm SOOOO in!

I really like the website, lots of in-depth make-up advice, the colours of the eyeshadow look lovely, although selling foundation over the internet is risky business - you really need to try before you buy with that kind of thing...

I checked out the site!

Submitted by

Nix (2 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 4:56am.

There are some great colors and I love that the products are both mineral based and not tested on animals.

Thank you ladies!

Nix

Why do chemicals get such a bad name?

Submitted by

faith_in_buffy (130 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 5:44am.

I am a chemistry student and I really don't get the problem with "chemicals", there are things in nature that can be just as nasty as things chemists make.

Not being tested on animals is really cool though. Also I like the fact they are not afraid to associate make-up with lesbians, its like yes we do wear make-up, we are women after all.

"My life's like a romantic comedy that's never romantic! Or comedic! My life is nothing like a romantic comedy!" - Caitlin (Cashmere Mafia)

Kate doesn't even need an

Submitted by

Radicalmind (242 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 6:17am.

Kate doesn't even need an adjective...it's brilliant.

I feel so lost when it comes

Submitted by

MetalManic (189 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 9:51am.

I feel so lost when it comes to make up, but now I have some incentive to go educate myself... Also, I find it odd that I heard about this new line from my straight sister, who is completely over the moon about this new product

Does anyone else think Jen

Submitted by

Lauren (275 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 10:33am.

Does anyone else think Jen Beals looks AMAZING in that photo? haha

Yeah I'm disappointed there's no Laurel :(

Maybe 'cause Leisha & Laurel both begin with L?...

Go here for my view on all things lesbian: http://allthingslesbeau.blogspot.com

Giving credit where credit is due!

Submitted by

Sista (69 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 11:13am.

Sappho.com Web site gives all the credit to Mia and Jennifer for the product line launch.

JoAnn Fowler, founder and CEO of Sappho Cosmetics has worked in the television and movie industry as a make up artist since 1989. Her credits include many films and television series and her list of her achievements includes an emmy nomination for "Reefer Madness" . Prompted by Mia Kirshner and Jennifer Beals of the L Word, we began researching cosmetic safety and as a result saw how desperately a line of makeup with full ingredient disclosure and adherance to the strictest safety measures was needed.

I suppose there might be a future interview here with JoAnn Fowler to find out whether the marketing plan includes more overt lesbian targeting....just a thought!

Seriously?

Submitted by

vagabond (4 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 12:44pm.

Ok,

I'm a lipstick lesbian. I wear makeup everyday, and I try to buy eco-friendly products not tested on animals. I love the idea of a makeup artist coming out with a line. I love being a target market with particular needs (will the lipstick smudge when it comes in contact with other lipstick?)

HOWEVER - why do all the names have to suck?

A.) They are embarrassingly cheesy - ~~like lesbians who still think it's the 90's~~.

B.) Femme lesbians are more than The L Word

C.) The over-promotion of The L Word for the line makes me feel like the products are compensating for something. I'll buy it because I like the color, not the character.

Please ladies I'm all on board, just rethink the names. We are better, smarter, and sexier than this.

No Laurel

Submitted by

little_angel (19 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 1:06pm.

why isnt there one with Laurel on it. Jennifer never fails to amaze me with her beauty. WAO.

Well

Submitted by

malintzin (5 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 1:53pm.

I gave a look at the site because when reading the article I thought the idea was interesting...

I find that we don't really know what the colors are and what will be the esthetic result when put on various type of skins.

Which can be okay for the eye shadows, lip sticks, etc.

even if it's deceiving not to receive the exact color we expected...

but when it comes to the foundations, conceilers, etc. it is very important to know the precise color we need

and I think that:"Je suis Mia"

Is a weird formulation. It doesn't sound as good in french as it would in english. If I had to present myself to someone in english I would say:"I am Marie-Claire" but in french I would say:"Je m'appelle Marie-Claire". Actually, it think that I would say:"My name is Marie-Claire" in english too because:"I am Marie-Claire" would sound familiar and akward. Anyways, my point is: it sounds weird to me.

I like the Ravishing Rachel name.

OUH LA LA

Initially I got started by

Submitted by

jomakeup (3 posts)

on October 22, 2008 - 9:20pm.

Initially I got started by writing a makeup course geared toward lesbians and the course will soon be downloadble from the website - including some tips for drag kings . Also for all you chapstickers there will be link to franca organics who make an incredible chapstick !

And you know you are right it should have been je m'appelle Mia however there is a long drawn out story regarding the names... The idea however to naming the foundations after the L word girls was because to start the line meant doing it online until retailers take up the cry for sappho. I thought that it would make it easier for customers to identify what skin tones they may be by comparing them to women that they see on television - each of the color of foundations were formulated and used by each of these actresses for the 6th season and because the names that i had chosen got slammed by legal at the last minute , each of the actresses came to me and said "use our real names" for which I was and am very grateful. Laurel was left out because the difference between she and Leisha's color was so minimal that we only needed one and Leisha was working the day of the name debacle and so there it is. Laurel will have a product of her own when we add new products. Sappho products are not just for lesbians they are for anyone you love - if you read some of the research then you will see why. I am a lesbian and figured we are all inundated with products daily, why not do something that actually benefits us instead of harms us. So there it is, I have made googobs of mistakes getting to this point and yeah i'm sure will make lots more and yeah some of the names are cheesy but the products have been formulated with integrity and I hope this comes through.