Read My Lips
Did anyone else’s grandmother’s teach them you can’t leave the house without wearing lipstick or was that just mine? I vividly remember her purposely turning the car around immediately if she realized she accidently left the house without it. This happened all throughout my childhood as it was the only makeup requirement.
Thank you to beauty blogger Huda Kattan for declaring July 29th National Lipstick Day. I think my grandmother would be proud.
During my grandmother’s own teen years and in her 20’s lipstick was viewed as a symbol of womanhood with the young crowd while many parents saw it as an act of rebellion and heavily associated with prostitution. In fact, red lipstick was the favorable color amongst the suffragettes due to it’s rebellious ties. For them, red lipstick was a symbol of hope, power and strength. These differences in generational views created an uproar among many households.
The social acceptance and symbolism of lipstick has undergone many transformations on both ends of the spectrum.
For the ancient Egyptians, red lipstick was an indicator of social status within the upper class.
In the 1700’s red lipstick was outlawed by the British government on the basis it was being used as a form of witchcraft to seduce men into marriage. Similarly in the United States, a marriage could be annulled if it was found that a woman wore red lipstick during courtship.
In the early 1900’s lipstick was only allowed for women of nobility or actresses while on stage.
Today lipstick is viewed as an expression of femininity and is widely accepted in society.
The History of Lipstick
It is believed that the history of lipstick began 5,000 years ago. Archaeological sites concluded that Ancient Sumerians were the first to wear this cosmetic staple; making lipstick by mixing crushed gemstones and jewels with waxes and oils. A lot has changed in the formula, packaging and styling of lipstick throughout history.
Cleopatra - Cleopatra was a makeup pioneer amongst the ancient Egyptians. She was often sighted with red painted lips made from crushed beetles, an ingredients that can be found in lipstick today.
Maurice - By 1915 Maurice Levy invented the metal cylinder containers lipstick was sold in. These cylinders had a tiny lever on the side you could slide up to push the lipstick up and down among each use. However these metal tubes were replaced with plastic during World War II.
James - In 1923 James Bruce Mason Jr. patented the swivel up tube that is continuously used in modern day cosmetics. Lipstick became a permanent staple in women’s daily makeup looks during this time.
Helena - Helena Rubenstein invented the Cupidsbow lipstick in 1926 influenced by achieving the desirable look introduced by silent film actress Clara Bow.
Max - Max Factor invented lip glosses in the 1930’s which became a huge hit in in the film industry. He wanted to create a shiny lip product that could be visually seem in black and while movies.
Elizabeth - Queen Elizabeth I was known for her signature look despite it being taboo. She showcased the red lip and alabaster skin trend during her reign in England. Wearing lip color at this time was said to be the work of the devil. This lipstick was made from beeswax and red plant dyes worn only by upper class women. Queen Elizabeth II even created her own custom shade of lipstick for her coronation on June 2, 1953. The shade was called ‘The Balmoral’ by the brand Clarins; a deep red shade that matched her ceremonial robe.
Hazel - It was also during the 1950’s organic chemist Hazel Bishop successfully created “kiss-proof” lipstick. The lipsticks, priced at one dollar each, sold out in it’s first day of sales.
Bonnie - In 1973 Bonnie Bell introduced the world to “lip smackers’. A variety of lipsticks packed with flavor.
One in Every Color
In the 1920’s red was the most acceptable color on the market but that changed by the 1930’s when Elizabeth Arden introduced a range of shades and encouraged companies to sell lipsticks in variety packs. Today lipstick is sold in a vast a ray of shades, from beige neutrals, baby pinks, bright oranges, cherry reds, deep purples, dark blacks and even neons.
Berry - Many lipstick colors come in shades of berry. Homemade lip rouge was once created with mulberries, lemon, rose petals and wine. I wonder if this ancient ingredient list is what inspired the popular berry collections.
Honey - Classic neutral shades are often found under the label shade Honey. This shade usually varies from a dusty peach to a rosy neutral.
Plum - Deep plum shades became desirable for women during the Great Depression.
Rose - While red is the most sought after color of lipstick, Rosie pink shades are a close second.
Ruby - In the late 90’s M.A.C Cosmetics introduced the shade ‘Ruby Woo’, a bright cherry red that had a blue undertone. This color arguably became the most famous lip shade in history.
Violet - Violet purple lipsticks saw an increase in use during the 80’s as the trends shifted to darker matte shades.
From Brands to Babies
Brands of all sorts have influenced the baby naming community and the cosmetic industry is no exception.
Guerlain - In 1884 French perfume company Guerlain became the first company to commercially produce lipstick. Their formula was made with deer tallow, beeswax and castor oil wrapped in silk paper.
Dior - In the 1950’s fashion designer Christian Dior released his own lipstick as an added touch to his crimson gown collection. His most notable shade was Rouge Dior #999.
Bobbi - In 1991 makeup artist turned entrepreneur Bobbi Brown launched her own cosmetic line that included the release of ten various lipsticks. Her lipsticks became an instant success as she met her monthly goal within her first day of sales.
Charlotte - Charlotte Tilbury launched her cosmetic brand in 2013 becoming one of Britain’s favorite lipstick guru.
Ford - Tom Ford released his own line of lipsticks in 2014 called ‘Lips and Boy’s’ which are all named after the inspirational men in Ford’s life. The line of names include modern day trendy choices Holden, Rory and Cooper. Top of the charts names Jack, Henry and Oliver. Worldwide wonders Alasdhair, Guillermo and Didier. Ford even included his own son’s name in the lineup, Alexander.