It’s the beauty product that can take you from zero to sexy in a few seconds and is loved by women the world over – red lipstick. A crimson pout screams Hollywood starlet and every fashionista knows how much fun it is to play around with finding your perfect shade. But where did the trend for red lips come from and how has it changed over the years? We take a look back at the history of one of beauty’s best-loved products.
Red lips were first recorded in ancient Egypt, where both men and women took a liking to crushing precious jewels and insects to use around their mouths. However, the ingredients used were often harmful and led to serious illnesses and even death. As the trend developed, safer ways to make lipstick were found and by the time Britain’s Queen Elizabeth I took a liking to the product, it was made of beeswax and plants.
Whereas the fashion for red lips can be traced back over a long period of time, the handbag-friendly tubes we all know and love took a little longer to be developed. Before this, lipstick was wrapped in silk paper and was pretty messy to transport. In 1923 the swivel stick that’s still used today was produced and companies such as Chanel and Elizabeth Arden soon jumped on board.
As the celebrity culture developed, so did the focus on what they wore and which beauty looks they favoured. Marilyn Monroe became known for her sensual red pout along with other starlets like Rita Hayworth in the ‘50s. It wasn’t until the ‘80s, when Madonna sported the shade, that MAC introduced their first line of lipsticks. The popstar wore the Russian Red shade, helping it enjoy global success.
These days, the A-listers love of red lips remains as prominent as ever.
Taylor Swift proudly announced she’s “always” wearing the colour, even naming her latest album and tour ‘Red’. The face of Rimmel London, Kate Moss, created her own red lipstick for the brand, infusing it with black diamonds for a “timeless look”.
Rihanna is a big fan of a scarlet pout and recently created RiRi Woo in collaboration with MAC, a matte take on the brand's classic Ruby Woo shade. The lipstick proved a huge success, selling out just three hours after its release.
The colour is everywhere today, with most beauty labels boasting several red lipsticks under its name. With so much choice, it’s best to head to your favourite brand’s beauty counter and get some advice on the shade to best suit you.