Red Lippy May: A Bold Splash of Identity and Awareness

RED LIPPY DAY - has grown.

We now have a big campaign through MAY each year.

However, you can have your own #REDLIPPYDAY any day of the year.

DONATE HERE

But it’s not just about lipstick - it’s about identity, expression, memory, and pride.

In care homes, small things can carry great meaning. A familiar shade of lipstick might remind someone of their wedding day, a night out dancing, or the confidence they once felt stepping out into the world.

Red Lippy May gives us a beautiful opportunity to explore these memories, start conversations, and celebrate the unique lives of those we care for.

For many people, especially women, lipstick is a part of who they are. It’s a daily ritual, a symbol of self-care, and sometimes, armour.

It can give a boost of confidence, a sense of pride, and a reminder of self-worth - even when memory is fading.

And let’s not forget the many men who love to wear lipstick too - whether as cross-dressers, drag performers, or entertainers.

In theatre, film, and television, makeup is a tool of transformation, and red lips can evoke showbiz sparkle and joy.

Do your residents have a make-up bag that's being ignored? Give a gentle nudge to care staff, asking them to offer a gentle make-up session as part of their getting ready for the day routine. Some may want a full look, others just a touch - but the act of offering this care can bring comfort and connection.

Rev-up your activity schedule:

Theatre & Performance Reminiscence

Talk about stage shows, pantomimes, or films your residents remember.

Did any of them perform?

Use photos of iconic red-lipped characters like Marilyn Monroe or Danny La Rue to spark conversation.

Memory Moments: Dressing Up

Invite residents to share stories about how they used to get ready for a night out, what their go-to makeup was, or how they felt when they wore their favourite outfit.

Include everyone - some men might surprise you with stories of theatre days or dressing up for fun.

Confidence Corner

Create a little photo booth with red-themed props and encourage playful photos.

Make it optional and inclusive - nobody has to wear lipstick to take part, but everyone should feel welcome.

Link to Dementia Awareness

Red Lippy May is a great starting point to raise awareness about how dementia can affect a person’s sense of identity, and how we can support them to retain and express it.

Encourage staff to reflect on how small daily rituals like makeup, clothing choices, and grooming can continue to matter deeply.

It’s more than lipstick

Red Lippy May might happen once a year, but the thinking behind it matters every day.

Identity doesn’t disappear when someone moves into a care home. The lipstick they choose, the clothes they wear, the way they like their hair, the routines that help them feel like themselves, these things still matter.

And sometimes, something as simple as a lipstick can open the door to a story we might otherwise never have heard.

Looking for more ideas about meaningful, person-centred activity?

I now write Care Home Activities Matter, my online magazine for Activity Coordinators and care teams, with practical ideas, reflections and resources to help you look beyond the activity and notice the person.

Read Care Home Activities Matter →https://carolinebenham.substack.com/