What is femininity? What defines our understanding of gender and sexuality? These questions are at the heart of Washington University in St. Louis professor Eileen G’Sell’s new book, “Lipstick,” which explores the surprisingly complex cultural weight of a seemingly simple cosmetic item. Published by Bloomsbury Academic as part of the “Object Lessons” series, G’Sell’s work delves into the intersections of self-adornment, gender, sexuality, and power dynamics.
The book launch, scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, will be hosted by Washington University’s Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department, Association for Women Faculty, and Office of Public Scholarship. “Lipstick” isn’t a beauty guide, but rather a critical examination of how lipstick—and the act of applying makeup—reflects and reinforces societal expectations surrounding womanhood. It’s a conversation G’Sell hopes will extend beyond beauty enthusiasts and spark broader discussions about gender norms.
The “Object Lessons” series, co-founded in 2013 by Christopher Schaberg and Ian Bogost, focuses on the hidden lives of everyday objects. Schaberg, currently the director of Public Scholarship at WashU, and Bogost, the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor and a Faculty Fellow at WashU, envisioned a collection of short books that analyze the cultural significance of the mundane. According to the series’ website, topics range from golf balls to shipping containers, jet lag to whale songs, offering diverse perspectives on the world around us. Learn more about the series here.
Exploring the Weight of Lipstick
G’Sell explained that the idea for “Lipstick” stemmed from a conversation with Schaberg in 2023, where she expressed admiration for the “Object Lessons” series. “He said, ‘Well, you should write one!’” she recalled. The choice of lipstick as her subject was deliberate. “Lipstick is such an iconic, but also contentious, object—and it overlaps so well with larger conversations about gender, sexuality, femininity, feminism, and power,” G’Sell said. She also noted her personal connection to the subject, stating, “I also happen to have long loved lipstick, such that I thought my personal story and voice would be relevant.”
The book is based on a series of interviews with nearly 100 women and gender-nonconforming individuals, ranging in age from 18 to 78 and representing diverse backgrounds from around the globe. G’Sell distributed a survey in the summer of 2024, seeking a wide range of perspectives. “I wasn’t aiming for quantitative data,” she clarified, “Rather, I was looking for voices, stories, and perspectives that differed from my own.”
Beyond Beauty Culture
G’Sell emphasizes that “Lipstick” isn’t about advocating for or against wearing makeup. “The book is not advancing the idea that everyone should enjoy lipstick or that everyone should wear it,” she stated. “Like all vestiges of femininity, lipstick is fraught! That’s why it’s exciting to write about.” Her aim is to challenge assumptions and encourage readers to critically examine the societal pressures and expectations surrounding feminine adornment. G’Sell’s previous work, including poetry published in Poetry magazine and essays in publications like The Baffler and The Los Angeles Review of Books, demonstrates her commitment to exploring these complex themes.
The book launch event will feature a panel discussion with WashU faculty and students, focusing on the themes explored in “Lipstick.” G’Sell will share excerpts from the book, but the event will primarily highlight the voices and perspectives of those featured within its pages, including many of her former students.
Eileen G’Sell is a Teaching Professor in College Writing at Washington University in St. Louis, having earned her MFA there after receiving a BA from Knox College and an MA from the University of Rochester. She also serves as a movie critic for The Hopkins Review and frequently contributes to publications like Hyperallergic and Reverse Shot. In 2023, she received the Rabkin Foundation award for visual arts journalism.
As “Lipstick” enters the conversation, it promises to offer a fresh and nuanced perspective on a seemingly simple object, prompting readers to reconsider the complex relationship between self-expression, gender, and societal expectations. The book is scheduled for release in early 2026 as part of Bloomsbury’s Object Lessons series.
What are your thoughts on the cultural significance of everyday objects? Share your perspective in the comments below.
