It all started with a simple post to alt.gothic.fashion on March 25,
1997
by Twilight:
ok people.
I know *damn* well that I'm not the only one.
I even tried to strike up a conversation with my friendly drugstore
employee
me: "So, do you ever just get the urge to go out and buy tons of makeup, or is it just me?" (as I slam my credit card down on the counter, amidst the plethera of purple eyeshadows and cool new nail- polish)
her: (looking me dead in the eye) "No, it's just you"
awww, comeon!!! I know I'm not the only makeup whore out there!! Who else
squeals when they see a new shade of eyeshadow, nevermind the fact they
already have 17 similar shades. But no, this one's *different*.
It's *special*
It has that little glittery type stuff in it!!!
ok, fess up people. Who else on agf is a makeup whore!! Male and female!
Whips and Kisses--
Twilight, who bought a new stick of her favourite
eyeliner, 5 new
purple and silver eyeshadows, and a really cool bottle
of blue
nailpolish
with silver glitter in it
*bounce!*
Yes, this was the start of a phrase that is now a well-known part of the
AGF vernacular, as gothy-types around the world identified with the need
for new makeup.
It has been noted that Christabel is usually attributed with coining the phrase, since she was an AGF regular quite well-known for her makeup reviews of fancy department-store lines. Although Twilight was the creator of the phrase, Christabel showed her support by following-up to the original post:
*waves hand*
It's definitely not just you. ;)
"Makeup whore". I *like* that. I think we need
t-shirts made
up.
(And I don't know about you, but I *recruit*, dammit. I've gotten a former granola-grrl friend to the point where she now is a more-than-slightly gothic cosmetic junky. And I've got another victi^H^H^Hconvert waiting in the wings... *insert sound of evil laughter*)
In total, there were 44 responses to Twilight's search for those like her, who simply cannot do without as many shades of [insert favorite color here] eyeshadow/lipstick/whatever as possible.
1997 was indeed the year of the makeupwhore, as multiple threads were started with the term as the subject, and goths from far and wide came to the goddesses (and gods) of AGF for makeup assistance. A simple search using deja.com will result in many hits, such as an example here, which searches for the term "makeup whore" in that year.
As time went by, the words "makeup whore" or the single-word "makeupwhore" came to mean anyone who possessed a great deal of cosmetics, or someone who just loved to play at makeup counters, whether they bought anything or not. There is, however, a distinct difference between the makeupwhores of AGF and the cosmetic-loving ladies at alt.fashion. Although AGFers might try out colors based on recommendations they heard from their fellow makeupwhores, the cosmetics purchased were not limited to high-end items, since budgets were usually an issue. The main key for an AGF makeupwhore was to find the best colors and best quality of items at the best prices, but only if *she* (or he) liked it. On the other hand, alt.fashionites seem to be known for "lemming purchases", where everyone will buy an item because of peer pressure, and the cosmetics discussed on their group seem to stay on the more expensive side. AGF makeup-buyers, however, aren't afraid to purchase knockoffs of popular colors, as evidenced by many posts on cheaper brands similar to Chanel's "Vamp" lipstick or their "Ciel de Nuit" nail polish.
Along with the makeupwhore has come abbreviations of makeup terms, most notably calling nail polish "nailie" and lipstick "lippie". Although there was some discussion on AGF as to why the names came about, it was agreed upon that they weren't used for their "cuteness"- it was just easier to type so we could get on to the good stuff about the wonderful things that had been purchased, and dwell instead on the color and quality.
There are also many reviews of cosmetics that have been posted to AGF over the years, which has led others to find makeup that suited them and was worth their hard-earned money. Usually the word "review" and the brand or item will appear in the subject line, although recently (late 1998 into 1999), the tag [review] has been used. Again, deja.com proves itself a useful tool if you're interested in a new item of makeup, or even an old line, as it can trace back discussions on alt.gothic.fashion from the mid-1990s.
These reviews are also what helped to create the recommendation sections of the newsgroup's FAQ (frequently asked questions), which is highly recommended reading for those just starting to read the newsgroup. Between our FAQ, deja.com, and simply reading alt.gothic.fashion on a regular basis, new and old makeupwhores alike can revel in the fact that they are not alone in their search for the perfect purple lipstick.