From the runway to the office, lipstick has become a part of most women’s lives. We wear it to show our uniqueness, our vulnerability and our boldness (Bright red anyone?). A shade of lipstick can define us and our day. It can be the one thing that takes an appearance from average to unstoppable. We cannot absolutely identify who the first to wear lipstick was since our ancestors have been using multiple natural means to increase their attraction, but we know ancient Mesopotamian women were some of the trailblazers for it’s use. From crushed jewels to adorn their lips and eyes to the red coloring Cleopatra made from color extracted from crushed carmine beetles and ants, we have always been drawn to feeling of beauty this product brings. However, our story is going to begin with the first modern, man-made versions of lipstick. Ironically enough, lipstick was considered unladylike in the 16th century. Though moral and societal opposition to makeup in general was at its peak, our trendsetting sister in crime Queen Elizabeth I decided to darken her lips with plant-dyed beeswax. Due to her influence and the obvious contradiction of actresses being able to wear something deemed only suitable for prostitutes at the time, other women followed suit. Without further ado, enter late 19th century Paris.
The first lipsticks weren’t sold in tubes, instead they were covered in silk paper and made from oil, wax and Carmine dye and were applied with a brush. This first modern day lipstick was created courtesy of Pierre Francois Pascal Guerlain, a French chemist and physician in 1884, though his first beauty boutique had already opened by 1828. In 1870, Guerlain gave us the first refillable tube complete with push-up mechanism. Though growing in popularity, lipstick wasn’t considered acceptable (still only with the high fashion crowd) until 1912. According to a New York Times article from March 17, 1912, lipstick should be applied in a very specific manner. “Touch the lips slightly with a lip-stick, but do not make your mouth look like raw beef." The nerve of those raw beef women of night!
By 1915 the cylindrical tube was invented thanks to the ingenuity of Maurice Levy, just in time for the rise in popularity among the everyday female masses of England.
In 1923, that magical little swivel-up tube we have come to love and appreciate was patented by James Bruce, Jr. As photography progressed, lipstick finally became mainstream among women.
From 1940’s first meeting with the long-lasting, non-smearing lipstick thanks to American chemist Hazel Bishop,we have continued to improve the product and method of application for our much loved lipstick. As the product improved we were able to create empowering trends throughout years. The first that comes to mind are the make-you-melt-where-you-are ruby lips of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. Even Guerlain would say Oooh La La!
Up next in our three part series is eye makeup! For now, take some time to make yourself into a Taylor, Monroe or dare I say Queen Elizabeth I by treating yourself to a little online cosmetics shopping. One thing we have on our sister from the past is the opportunity to easily buy our beauty products online. Red, pink, coral! Oh my! Shop now.
