Wax lips is the name of a confectionery item made from coloured and flavoured food-grade paraffin wax, moulded to resemble a pair of oversized red lips. When a protrusion at the back of the item is held between the teeth, the wax lips cover the wearer's own lips, to so-called comedic effect. [Ed: The fact that these days there are human beings that have lips that look eerily similar may have impacted that effect somewhat.]

Wax lips were “invented” by John W. Glenn in Buffalo, New York, some time in the mid-20th century. The Wikipedia listing for the item claims that the original design was “proprietary” and subsequently patented by Concord Confections Limited in 2002. [Ed: Really?]

Concord Confections was acquired by Tootsie Roll Industries in 2004 and the lips are now produced under the “Wack-O-Wax” brand name. At the time of writing, you could still order them online HERE.

Wax lips are not typically eaten. “Refined paraffin wax” does not read as the most appealing ingredient. But, some people chewed on them like gum … and a minority claim to have actually eaten them. [Ed: Thank you r/70s subreddit.]

Wax lips were especially popular in the 1970s, and were a staple in candy stores, particularly in the United States, where they became heavily associated with Halloween.

Wax lips are whacky enough to have been referenced variously in the popular culture. One particularly amusing homage happened during the “Homer Badman” episode in season 6 of The Simpsons in 1994. A Wax Lips salesman confronts Homer with a claim that the lips are “the candy of a thousand uses”, but can only provide one use when challenged by Homer, i.e. “a hilarious substitute for your own lips”. He then retreats to a “basement” and hides behind the counter, leaving Homer to steal a bowl of said wax lips.

Story Idea: Bob Carey
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References

wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_lips
tootsie.com/candy/wack-o-wax/wax-lips
reddit.com/r/70s/comments/1cahnk7/wax_lips_anyone/

Images

1. Wax Lips. Credit: YouTube @emmymade
2. Box of cherry red Wack-O-Wax Wax Lips
3. Ingredients: Refined Wax, Sugar, Artificial Flavors, Artificial Color (FD&C Red 40 Lake), Soy Lecithin, Acesulfame-Potassium and BHT (to maintain freshness)
4. Wax lips family photo. Credit: fairiemoon.typepad.com
5. Wax Lips Salesman from The Simpsons, 1994
6. Video: The Simpsons - Wax lips scene with Homer