Traces of My Lipstick

Traces of My Lipstick is the third studio album by American R&B group Xscape. The album was released on May 12, 1998, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was preceded by the release of three singles: "The Arms of the One Who Loves You", "My Little Secret" and "Softest Place on Earth".

The album debuted at number 28 on the US Billboard 200 and number six Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA the on June 21, 1999.

Background and release
"Traces of My Lipstick" was the group's first album in three years after the release of their second album Off the Hook (1995). As with previous albums Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha (1993) and Off the Hook (1995), the album was chiefly produced by Jermaine Dupri with Manuel Seal, Jr. and Daryl Simmons, with addition production from Babyface, Joe Thomas, Warryn Campbell and Keith Sweat.

"All About Me" originally featured rap verses by Dupri and Foxy Brown that were eventually removed to avoid a parental advisory designation. Brown's voice can still be heard at the end of "All About Me" and the beginning of "All About Me (Reprise)."

Critical reception
The album was met with positive to mixed reviews from critics. Leo Stanley from Allmusic reviewed the album giving it a 3 out of 5 stating "On their third album, Traces of My Lipstick, Xscape pretty much follows the cue of their two earlier efforts, with only slightly diminished results. The group sounds as good as ever, bringing real soul and passion to their performances, but unfortunately much of their record consists of average, unremarkable material. There are enough strong songs (primarily the singles) to make the record enjoyable, but it simply doesn't have the same resonance as their two earlier efforts."

Singles
"The Arms of the One Who Loves You" was released as the lead single on February 14, 1998. The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number four on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart. It sold 800,000 copies, earning a gold certification from the RIAA. "My Little Secret" was released as the album's second single on July 7, 1998. The song charted at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart. "Softest Place on Earth" was released as the album's third and final single on September 29, 1998. The song failed to impact on the Billboard Hot 100 but did chart at number twenty-eight on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart.

Other songs
"Am I Dreaming" is a song by Ol' Skool featuring Keith Sweat and Xscape and was released on January 27, 1998. The song peaked at number five on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart.

Commercial performance
Traces of My Lipstick debuted at number twenty-eight on the US Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, lower than their two previous albums. It eventually received platinum certification by the RIAA for more than one million copies shipped to stores.

Track listing
Notes
 * $undefined$ denotes co-producer

Musicians

 * Babyface, Bobby Crawford, Sean "Sep" Hall, William "P Sound" Thomas - drums
 * Tomi Martin - guitar
 * Michael Thompson - guitar
 * George Wadenius - guitar
 * Babyface, Sean "Sep" Hall, Guy Roche - keyboard

Production

 * Executive producers: Jermaine Dupri, Michael Mauldin
 * Producers: Babyface, Jermaine Dupri, Joe, Manuel Seal, Jr., Daryl Simmons, Keith Sweat, Warryn Campbell, Guy Roche
 * Main performer: Xscape
 * Additional vocals: Jagged Edge, Daryl Simmons, Ol' Skool, Foxy Brown
 * Engineers: Brian Frye, Karl Heilbron, Chris Puram, Everett Ramos, Mike Seieizi, Brian Smith, Rich Tapper
 * Mixing: Jermaine Dupri, Tom "TK" Kidd, Neil Pogue, Chris Puram, Ron A. Shaffer, Phil Tan, Dave Way
 * Mixing assistance: John Frye, Kevin Lively, Alex Lowe, Thomas Rickert
 * Drum programming: Babyface, Bobby Crawford, Sean "Sep" Hall, William "P Sound" Thomas
 * Programming: Guy Roche, Joe Thomas