Ancient Civilizations
Historians consider that the first instances of colouring lips red can be traced to the women of Mesopotamia between 8000–2000 B.C., who adorned their lips with crushed semi-precious stones. Ancient Egyptians used crushed beetles and ants to create red colouring for lips, eyes, and cheeks. The Egyptians also used a mixture of iodine and bromine to colour their lips, however, this mixture could prove to be lethal and, according to legend, led to the coining of the term ‘kiss of death’. Red was used as a status symbol for many ancient civilisations and lower classes were forbidden from adorning the colour.
Medieval and Renaissance Period
During the European Medieval period, makeup, specifically painting the lips, foretold death and many religious groups condemned it for ‘challenging God and his workmanship’. Pastors even denounced painting of the lips as the ‘devil’s work’. However, Queen Elizabeth I popularised colouring the face red and secured its place as an intrinsic part of Elizabethan fashion as it distinguished the class of English citizens.
1900-1930s
Makeup, by this time, had finally become socially acceptable and early suffragettes paraded the streets of New York adorning bright red lipstick. After many centuries of male authority posing restrictions on women’s use of makeup the red lip had become a symbol of female rebellion.
1940s
During the Second World War women were encouraged by cosmetic brands to wear lipstick shades of ‘Victory Red’. An advertisement campaign for Tangee lipstick during the war declared, ‘No lipstick…. will win the war. But it symbolises one of the reasons why we are fighting—the precious right of women to be feminine and lovely under any circumstances.’
1960s-1970s
The 1960s saw a huge decrease in the popularity of red lip colour due to the more natural beauty. In addition, some feminist groups condemned lipstick for having the sole intention of pleasing men. However, later with the arrival of the disco-era glamour, cherry red glossy lips were revived.
Red lipstick has been, and will continue to be, a timeless staple for many women, whether it may be a personal confidence booster or a simple accessory. With a history rooted in the campaign for women’s rights it is a simple display of power and can be recognised on many women in positions of power today such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.