by Luka Watabe

A Revolution in Our Handbags:
The History of Lipstick

Lipstick is one of the most useful tools that many of us use every day. For a vintage look it is a must have item to add a touch of colour to the face. Lipstick is sexy, special, and the act of applying it is something of a ritual. Though the shapes and colours of lips change depending on the era, lipstick has remained a focus of our painted faces. 

Many women in ancient cultures took advantage of the power of lipstick. As far back as Ancient Rome, women coloured their lips to accentuate their features. The famously beautiful Empress Poppaea used crushed seaweed to paint her lips red. In 16th century England, Elizabeth I popularised the famous stark white face and red lips. Powerful women throughout history have had distinctive looks that emphasised their beauty and status. 

It wasn’t until the 20th Century that use of lipstick became affordable and accessible to the average woman. In 1915, the first tube lipstick was produced, a simple metal cylinder that would slide over the cosmetic. This invention was improved upon in 1923 with the swivel-up tube, an innovation that we still use today. This revolution in form factor led lipstick to become an accepted and common look for modern women.   

Hollywood was also a major influence in changing public perception of make-up and popularising the use of lipstick. The cinema industry was always busy creating the next silent film star, and many of them had an iconic lip shape. In the 1920s, Clara Bow appeared with her exaggerated Cupid’s bow and rose bud lips. In the 1930s, the fashionable look moved on from charming to mysterious with Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo, women who sold a thinner, longer bow effect along with their thin, arched eyebrows. In the monochrome world, dark lines and shapes were more obvious. Controlling this balance created their artificial and stunning beauty. 

Despite the outbreak of World War II, the 1940s saw sales for cosmetics continue to increase, even throughout rationing. American women spent $20 million on lipstick, equivalent to $360 million today. Hollywood also went from strength to strength with more and more technicolour films being released. Classics such as “Gone With The Wind” starring Vivien Leigh had the power to showcase more detail on the screen and lip shapes became more natural with bright, healthy colours. 

The 1950s saw the rise of one of the most influential vintage icons, Marilyn Monroe; her blonde bombshell look always accompanied by a scarlet pout. She, along with popular actresses such as Audrey Hepburn, pioneered a combination between strong eyebrows and over-lined lips that still look beautiful to this day.  

The history of lipstick is one of changing shapes and colours. It’s purpose, however, remains unchanged. Through our lips we express our thoughts, our emotions, and our desires. Lipstick allows us to emphasise every one of these. With it, we fearlessly show the world our identity, our sexuality, and our power. 

Follow Luka Watabe

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Leave a Reply