Secret Lipstick: a pipe that passes for make-up
Left on a table or dropped into a bag, this one draws no attention at all: a small tube with a cap, a gold band and a coloured tip that mimics a lipstick wound up out of its case. Only when the cap comes off does it become clear what it really is. The body is metal, it measures around 7 centimetres and it weighs about as much as a real lipstick, so you barely notice it in a coat pocket or a make-up bag.
That size tells you what this pipe is for. It travels well and disappears into a bag, but it is not built for a long session at home. The bowl is small, so you will refill more often; in exchange, putting it away takes no thought at all and the cap keeps the contents in place. Note the finish: this model is produced in several colourways, so the one you receive may not match the photo exactly. It is meant for adults, and you know better than anyone which rules apply where you are.
Heat and handling
Metal carries heat far faster than glass or wood. Keep the flame short and hold the pipe by its coolest part, because the metal near the bowl gets hot within seconds. Let it cool for a moment before you put the cap back on, otherwise you trap both the heat and the smell inside. A small gauze screen in the bowl stops loose material being pulled through and saves cleaning work later.
Cleaning and storage
Take the pipe apart and leave the pieces in isopropyl alcohol for half an hour. Run a pipe cleaner or a cotton bud through the channel afterwards, rinse with warm water and let everything dry completely before reassembling. Do this regularly, because residue lifts off metal easily while it is still fresh. The Avalon Magic Plants headshop also stocks the Skeleton metal pipe, a pipe shaped like a nut and bolt, corn cob pipes, glass one hitters, grinders and cleaning brushes. Every order leaves our warehouse discreetly packed.
