HOT TIPS : VERSATILE LIPSTICK HAS ENJOYED COLORFUL HISTORY.

Byline: - Daily News Wire Services

What single cosmetic makes a big impression, leaves a lasting mark, is worn regularly by 92 percent of American women and is the most commonly shoplifted?

Lipstick, of course. That information and much more is all within the pages of ``Read My Lips: A Cultural History of Lipstick'' by Meg Cohen Ragas and Karen Kozlowski (Chronicle Books; $14.95).

The authors trace the history of lipstick colors, from Cleopatra's time to the present, while acknowledging pioneers such as Maurice Levy, who designed the first American lipstick in a sliding tube, and Max Factor, who introduced lip gloss in 1928. It also highlights the recent introduction of ``Chubbies'' or ``Sticks'' - crayon-shaped combos of lip liner and lipstick.

They also take a look at the ingredients of lipstick (thankfully, arsenic is no longer used); the business of lipstick (MAC has raised more than $10 million to fight AIDS through the sale of Viva Glam lipsticks); and the lyrics to Connie Francis' 1959 hit song ``Lipstick on Your Collar.''

More lip service: While we're on the topic, women have known for years that a dab of lipstick smudged on the cheeks is a good substitute for blush and that blush can make an interesting eye shadow. Now cosmetics companies are catching on, offering items that do double and triple duty.

Clinique's Chubby Sticks, which can be used for both lipstick and lip liner, are one of the pioneers. Now you'll also find Triple Color Crayons from Chanel meant to be used for lips, cheeks and eyes; Cream Colour compact from MAC that is also for eyes, cheeks and lips; and Yves Saint Laurent's line of glitter cremes to be used on the face, body and hair. A plus to multiple-use products is they lighten the load in your cosmetics case.

Ear chairs:Under the cliche ``Now I've seen everything'' comes this little tidbit.

Now you can get earrings in the shape of Adirondack chairs. Just what you've always wanted. Made of sterling silver with wires for pierced ears, these little chairs may make your ears yearn for a rest.

Sold through the Wireless catalog, they're available for $39. They're item 59861. Call [phone].

For the kid with everything: Shabby Chic, known for a comfy, well-worn, imperfect approach to furnishings and accessories, is zeroing in on infants with its new Shabby Chic Baby collection.

The line, from Shabby Chic founder Rachel Ashwell, includes duvet covers, two-sided bumpers, dust ruffles, receiving blankets and fitted crib sheets made of the same material Ashwell uses in her highly popular T-shirt sheets.

The collection is available at Shabby Chic stores and at selected specialty shops and department stores.

Old standby: The space-saving Murphy bed is almost 100 years old.

Invented by W.L. Murphy around 1900, the bed that folds into a cabinet or closet can be found only in stores run by Murphy Bed USA, the manufacturer.

``They are not available in department or furniture stores,'' said Jack Hulse, South Florida representative for the bed company. ``We have some in stock, but most Murphy beds are custom made.''

Available in twin, full, queen and king sizes, the beds start at $795 for a twin and go up to thousands of dollars depending upon the wood and whether cabinetry, libraries and home offices are included, Hulse said.

The beds come with a foundation mattress designed for platform beds, ``so you are not sacrificing anyone's comfort for space,'' he said. When folded away, the beds take as little space as 16 inches, ``the width of a bookcase.''

For information on Murphy beds, call (800) 677-BEDS.

Natural wakeup caws: Used to be, if you wanted to wake up to the sounds of the rain forest - gentle rainfall, the call of tropical birds - you had to fall asleep in a rain forest.

Not anymore.

Now you just have to buy a new sleep machine/alarm clock from Westclox. The Dreamscape clock takes you to a different place with soothing natural sounds from a choice of three destinations: the rain forest; the country, with the sounds of crickets chirping and a rooster's crow; and the seaside, with the sounds of rolling ocean waves and a distant foghorn.

Morning toast: Out of your bed and onto your bathroom's ice cold tile floor. Eeek.

To keep your feet toasty come the cold weather, you can spend more than $100 on a high-tech pair of insulated boots. Or you can buy a pair of Dr. Scholl's Warm-Eze fleece insoles, trim them to shape and pop 'em in your current boots to help keep your feet warm and comfortable. They cost about $4.

Who needs shoes?: E.G. Smith's new Shoe Sock Collection is ideal for those times when you're feeling rebellious and want to wear something slightly outrageous, even if no one else is aware of it.

The gray, black and green tops of these socks look very ordinary when worn with regular shoes. However, slip your shoes off and it's socks with trompe l'oeil shoes.

Imagine the surprise at the bowling alley, your favorite Japanese restaurant or the next time you go to the gym.

Shoe Socks come in five styles - loafer, sandal, brogue, golf and slipper. Priced at around $20, the cotton knit socks are sized for men and women.

And footsies for Fido: So now, your feet are warm, dry - maybe even stylish. But what about the pooch's?

Dog boots have been around for a while, but the latest footwear for Fido comes from Toronto, where dog owner Marianne Bertrand conceived the idea for Muttluks - fleece-lined booties with leather pads on the bottom treated to resist water and salt. Stretch leg cuffs can be folded down for short legs and adjustable Velcro straps on top allow a snug fit. 3M's reflective Scotchlite on the straps make Fido's feet visible at night. Eight sizes fit breeds from Chihuahuas to Great Danes.

A set is about $36 and can be ordered by phone at [phone].