The History of Red Lipstick

 

(Image: The Everygirl)

A statement; an iconic look of beauty; a look that you know will be a showstopper the moment you paint your lips. Yes, we're talking about the classic red lipstick. From blood-orange to purple undertones, the red lipstick is an absolute must and a staple piece. But where did it come from?

 The origins of red lipstick is thought to be during Mesopotamian times, where both women and men crushed gems to create a variety of colours, favouring red. Ancient Egypt soon caught wind of the craze as Cleopatra was well-known to crush insects and use their blood for that perfect shade of scarlet.

From that point on until the sixteenth century, lipstick was not a sort after item as many people considered it to be suitable for low-class women and prostitution. Yet, paired with her signature pale ivory face, Queen Elizabeth I brought the look back.

During the eighteenth century, lipstick was to be avoided at all costs. A law was passed stating that women who wore make-up were in fact witches and that make-up was a form of decpetion. There were allegations that make-up was used to entice men into marrying them. 

After the whole 'you're a witch if you're wearing make-up' thing, the Industrial Revolution of the late nineteenth century brought back commerical lipsticks into fashion. The modern swivel-up tube was invented by Maurice Levy in 1915 bringing about the ease of manufacturing and low prices. The rise of photography and popularisation by film actresses such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor also brought lipstick back on trend.

By the sixties, innovators and chemists managed to create glossy recipes and the beauty industry started to pick out lipstick trends and new and exciting colours. Lipsticks and high heels were one of the biggest examples of femininity during this time. It was considered that if you didn't wear lipstick in the 1960's you were associated with mental illnesses and lesbianism.

Fast-forward to today and lipsticks - especially red - are the basis of modern fashion. We now have access to all types of lipstick; matte, gloss, liner, satin, cream, long-lasting, a type for everyone. And the red lipstick is still and always will be a go-to item that every woman, or man, should have within their beauty arsenal.