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The Weekend Read✨Red Lips and Revolution: The Story of Lipstick

August 02, 2025

The Weekend Read✨Red Lips and Revolution: The Story of Lipstick

Jenny Goldsmith | Read in about 11 minutes

Hello!

There’s something oddly powerful about lipstick, isn’t there?

It might be small and easy to lose at the bottom of your handbag, but that little bullet of colour can change your whole mood. One swipe, and suddenly you’re a bit more put together, a bit more confident, like you’ve remembered who you are.

Lipstick isn’t just make-up. It’s a pick-me-up, a power move, sometimes even a bit of quiet rebellion. And for something that only takes a second to apply, it’s absolutely dripping in history, meaning and emotion.

So whether you’re the type who never leaves the house without your signature red or someone who’s only just found your nude, this one’s for you. Let’s take a proper look at how lipstick became one of the most quietly iconic things in your make-up bag.

A Quick Trip Through Lipstick History

Long before we were popping into Boots for a new lip colour on a lunch break, people were getting creative with colour. Ancient Mesopotamians used crushed gemstones to give their lips a bit of shimmer, while over in Egypt, Cleopatra favoured a deep red made from crushed bugs. A bit grim, but it clearly worked for her.

Jump forward to the Elizabethan era, and Queen Elizabeth I was wearing a chalk-white face and crimson lip combo. This look took off in a big way, with even the men in the Royal court opting for it. Back then, lipstick was a status symbol. The redder your lips, the more money and power you were presumed to have.

But like all things fashion-related, it didn’t stay in vogue forever. By the 1700s, lipstick had fallen out of favour. In some places, it was even considered dangerous and linked to witchcraft. Honestly, give women a bit of confidence and suddenly it’s a threat to society...

Thankfully, the 20th century came along and brought lipstick back with a bang. The suffragettes wore bold red lips as a political statement. It was striking, impossible to ignore, and very deliberate. Elizabeth Arden actually handed out lipsticks to women marching for the vote for a pop of red as a protest.

The Weekend Read✨Red Lips and Revolution: The Story of Lipstick

Hollywood, Heartthrobs and the Rise of Glam

The 1920s flappers didn’t hold back either. With their bobs, cocktails and scandalous hemlines, they weren’t just changing fashion, they were rewriting the rules. Deep, dramatic lips were part of that whole look: modern, fun and a bit naughty.

Then came the silver screen sirens. Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor: they made red lipstick feel like the ultimate in glamour. It was sexy, confident and completely iconic. No one looked quite like them.

The ’60s ushered in pale pinks and frosted finishes, the ’70s leaned into earthy tones and warm, bronzy shades, and the ’80s saw shades like fuchsia, coral and bright red. You name it, it was worn, probably with a bit too much blusher!

Then came the ’90s, where brown lipstick reigned supreme. Think Drew Barrymore, Winona Ryder, and that whole moody, grungy look. If your lipstick matched your coffee, you were doing it right.

Each decade and each look told a story. Lipstick doesn’t just change with fashion, it shifts with society.

Lipsticks in Pop Culture: The Shades That Shaped Eras

From Audrey Hepburn’s demure pink in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Uma Thurman’s bold red in Pulp Fiction, lipstick has played a starring role on the silver screen. When you think of Marilyn Monroe, her red lips were practically a character all of their own. That classic, slightly glossy carmine wasn’t just for show, it came to symbolise her bombshell persona - timeless and magnetic.

Then we had Madonna in the ’80s, pouting in matte red as she redefined feminine power and rebellion. More recently, shows like Euphoria have thrown the rulebook out entirely, with glitter lips, ombré shading, and glossy black all becoming part of the beauty conversation.

Lipstick at War: Defiance in a Tube

Did you know that during WWII, lipstick wasn’t rationed? Even with shortages left, right and centre, Churchill made sure lipstick production carried on. Why? Because it kept morale up.

It wasn’t just about looking nice, it was a symbol. Women wearing lipstick during the war weren’t doing it for vanity, it was a quiet way of saying, 'we’re still here'. It was a sign of hope, resilience and the British spirit.

In America, Elizabeth Arden created a shade called Victory Red for women in the military. It matched their uniforms and packed a punch. Meanwhile, women on the home front improvised when supplies ran low using beetroot juice, shoe polish or anything else that gave a bit of colour.

There’s something quite touching about it. A slick of red on the lips while the world was falling apart. A little reminder of who they were and who they still wanted to be.

Lipstick Around the World: Global Shades & Cultural Stories

In Japan, red lips have long been associated with geisha culture, carefully painted in contrast to pale white skin. In India, vibrant shades often accompany traditional dress, with lipstick playing a big role in bridal beauty routines.

In many African cultures, beauty rituals include colourful lip tints made from natural pigments, celebrating both heritage and identity. Over in the Middle East, rich berry tones and deep plums dominate, often paired with dramatic eye make-up.

No matter where you go, lipstick tells a story of tradition, expression, and belonging.

Behind every lipstick launch is a whole world of trend forecasting, colour theory and cultural influence. Cosmetic brands don’t just pick shades at random, they analyse fashion trends, seasonal palettes, and consumer behaviour. Some even draw inspiration from art, film or political movements. A certain pink might be lifted from a vintage Vogue cover, while a moody plum could be a nod to a popular TV character’s signature look. Global research teams test how a colour performs under different lighting and on different skin tones, ensuring that the shade doesn’t just look good in the tube but works in real life too. Often, a name like Firecracker Red or Velvet Crush is as carefully crafted as the shade itself, designed to evoke mood, story, and style.

What Lipstick Says, Without Saying Anything

We might not think about it too deeply when we’re doing a quick touch-up in the mirror, but lipstick speaks volumes. The shade you choose can totally change the impression you give or how you feel about yourself.

Red: Classic, confident and a bit daring. Worn by women who mean business.
Nude: Effortless and just-polished-enough. Looks like you’ve got your life together, even if you don’t feel like you have.
Berry tones: Moody, chic and a bit cool-girl. Great for those with a cool skin tone.
Pinks: Playful, fresh and flirty.
Unusual colours (blues, greens, blacks): Statement-making and unapologetic, you’re not here to blend in.

Sometimes it’s war paint. Sometimes it’s comfort. Sometimes it’s just because it makes your outfit look better. But it always says something.

So, How Do You Find Your Colour?

You know the one. The shade that makes you look like you’ve had a full night’s sleep and a holiday in the Med, even if you’ve had neither. This is where House of Colour comes in. Here are our top picks for each season:

Spring: Think fresh, warm, and light.

Best Reds: Brick, Geranium Red and Bright Red.
Best Corals: Coral, Smooth Soft Coral and Coral Blush.
Best Pinks: Geranium Pink, Strawberry Pink Shimmer and Petal Pink.
Neutrals: Springs look best in bright lip colours so a neutral won't work for you.

Summer: Think cool, soft and rosy.

Best Reds: Cherry, Matte Cool Red and Raspberry Wine
Best Pinks: Soft Peony, Rose Shimmer and Soft Rose Madder.
Best Plums: Iced Fig, Clover and Plum.
Neutrals: Rosy Nude, Copper Rose and Brown Summer Pink.

Autumn: Think warm, earthy and rich.

Best Reds: Ginger Shimmer, Matte Geranium and Deep Chestnut.
Best Corals: Copper, Coral and Smooth Soft Coral.
Best Rusts: Rust, True Terracotta and Shimmering Copper.
Neutrals: Autumn Shimmer, Bronze and Autumn Nude.

Winter: Think cool, bold and high contrast.

Best Reds: Carmine, Deep Red and Cherry.
Best Pinks: Deep Magenta, Dramatic Fuchsia and Raspberry Shimmer.
Best Burgundys: Soft Burgundy Rose, Berry and Raspberry Wine.
Neutrals: Winters look best in bright lip colours so a neutral won't work for you.

Top Tip: Try the lipstick on in natural light and look at your eyes. Do they sparkle? If they do, you're found a great shade for you.

Top Tips from the Pros: How to Make Your Lipstick Last

Now you’ve found your perfect shade, how do you make it stay put? Here are a few tips straight from our in-house make-up artist:

Start with smooth lips. Apply our Lip Rescue Polish which will exfoliate and hydrate your lips to leave a soft, smooth finish.
Use a lip liner that matches your lipstick. Not only does it define your lips, it stops feathering and bleeding, especially if you have lines around your mouth.
Apply one layer of lipstick, blot with a tissue and then apply another layer. This layering helps with longevity.
For extra long-lasting hold, a touch of translucent powder over a tissue pressed to your lips can help lock your lipstick in place.
And if you're wearing a bold colour? Carry it with confidence. That’s the real trick.

First Lipsticks and Favourite Shades

Ask someone about their first lipstick and you’ll nearly always get a story.

'Mine was a hand-me-down from my Mum. It was a pearly pink in a gold tube. Hideous colour. Loved it anyway though!' - Jan, 62

'I wore red for all of my university exams. It made me feel like I was in control, even when I hadn’t revised enough.' - Hannah, 23

'It was my 30th birthday. I finally found a lipstick that made me feel like myself. Haven’t looked back.' - Mani, 32

Lipstick is rarely just lipstick. It’s wrapped up in memory and part of our identity. It’s how we show up in the world.

Lipstick – Everyone’s Invited

One of the best things about lipstick right now is that there are no more rules. It’s for everyone, regardless of gender, age or style. With beauty influencers of all genders embracing bold lipstick looks, the whole idea of who should wear what is, thankfully, fading fast.

To help you navigate your best shades, we have put together a comprehensive list of the top 10 best-selling House of Colour lipsticks by season to help get you started, or to try a new shade or two.

If you don't wear make-up, wearing just a lipstick can really bring your face to life. Take our two-week challenge: wear your lipstick everyday, regardless of what you're doing, and after 2 weeks, don't wear it - you'll be amazed at the difference it makes to how you look and feel.

Click Here For Our Lipstick Colour Recommendations

Final Thoughts: It's Only Lipstick...Or Is It?

It's amazing, when you think about it, how something so small can do so much. Lipstick has been through centuries of change, from royalty and rebellion, to hardship and celebration. It's a little act of care, of expression and joy. Sometimes it's a quiet whisper and sometimes it's a shout!

So, what's your favourite shade? What's the one that makes you feel like the best version of you? Because sometimes, all it takes is a swipe of lipstick to remember who you are.

Enjoy your weekend! In next week's The Weekend Read, we are exploring supermarket fashion - the ins and outs of how supermarket fashion is giving the high street a run for it's money.

Best wishes,

Jenny & Judi xx