Its meaning is fluid and ever-evolving, ranging from classic femininity to a bold affirmation of individuality and defiance. The discovery of trace pigments in a 4,000-year-old vial from Iran adds further depth to its legacy, highlighting its historical significance and enduring appeal. Today, "red lipstick --- a potent statement piece.".. allowing individuals to express their personality and individuality in a range of interpretations and emotions.
Its history as a symbol of power and beauty is well documented in various artifacts and written accounts throughout history... offering a compelling source for understanding the evolution of this iconic makeup.
In The News:
From its early use by prostitutes in ancient Greece to a symbol of glamor in Hollywood, rouge lips has long been associated with beauty, power, and rebellion.
With evocative names such as “Dragon Girl” and “Cherries in the Snow” and worn by the likes of Cleopatra and Taylor Swift, red lipstick has endured as a timeless emblem of beauty and power. The recent discovery of trace pigments—a mix of vegetal wax and powdered minerals—resembling modern lipstick recipes in a 4,000-year-old vial from Iran only adds to its legacy.
Today, red lipstick continues to be a statement of confidence and glamour, but its meaning is fluid and diverse. For some, it represents classic femininity and sophistication; for others, it's a bold assertion of individuality and defiance. Its allure lies not just in its hue but in the myriad interpretations and emotions it evokes.
Red lip coloring dates to 3500 B.C . when ancient Mesopotamia's Queen Puabi (aka Shubad) used a concoction of white lead and crushed red rocks to stain her lips to symbolize her status in power. The trend caught on: archeological excavations revealed that many wealthy Sumerians were buried with lip colorants stored in cockle shells. Aristocrats of ancient Egypt favored red ochre mixed with resin to fashion bold red lips. Queen Cleopatra preferred carmine, a deep red pigment extracted from cochineal bugs.
In ancient Greece, red lips were associated with sex workers, who risked punishment for “improperly posing as ladies” if they appeared in public without their designated lip paint made from ingredients as various as mulberries, seaweed, sheep sweat, and crocodile excrement, according to Sarah E. Schaffer , author of “Reading our Lips: The History of Lipstick Regulation in Western Seats of Power.”
In England, red lipstick was thought to possess the power to repel malevolent spirits. Queen Elizabeth I , a fervent believer, famously adorned her lips with a custom crimson hue made from cochineal, gum arabic, egg whites, and fig milk. Her regal endorsement sparked a trend, and red lipstick surged in popularity during her reign (1558-1603).
