For some of us, red lipstick can double up as a make-up product as well as caffeine for our confidence. Red lipsticks are more than just another product in your make-up pouch, because they go way back in time in empowering women. In fact, they became a symbol of rebellion, strength and power in the late 20th century, specifically during the Suffragettes movement, which revolved around the idea that middle-class, property-owning women in America should be allowed to vote. Whilst peacefully protesting for their rights, women wore red lipstick and the reason is simple: The colour was both feminine, daring and powerful, and was a hue that had serious shock value. The protestors wore red as a sign of defiance and independence and over time, it became a symbol of rebellion. It helped shine the spotlight on the fact that women were taking their power back from a society ruled by men, one swipe of colour at a time.
The origin of red lipstick
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The history of red lipstick is a chaotic one. Many historians believe that it originated in southern Mesopotamia in 3500 BC, whereas others insist that lipstick was the work of ancient Egypt where Cleopatra wore a red, waxy paste made of crushed insects on her pout.
Regardless of its source, wearing red on your lips has always carried a number of connotations. For some, it can be a sign of political alliance or a declaration of social status and for others, a confidence and mood booster or a show of wealth. Did you know, women often wore red on their lips as a tactic to terrorize and scare men? Hitler was someone who hated red lipstick and as a consequence, women in the Allied countries wore the colour to protest against fascism.
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Another factor that popularised this colour was that as the protestors marched past Elizabeth Arden’s makeup store in New York, the American businesswoman and founder of the cosmetics empire herself handed out free red lipsticks to everyone. Over the next few years, she was commissioned by the Government to formulate two shades of red, one for the women in the military and another for the civilians. In fact, it was touted as ‘patriotism in a handbag.’
Red lipstick as a political statement today
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Even today, we see women wearing this colour to make a political statement. For example, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez–who is constantly under scrutiny for wearing a red lip–discussed how people pay more attention to what women in politics wear versus men. She mentioned how a female politician caring about fashion is thought to be frivolous, but how she carries and presents herself is one of the most important decisions she makes. Wearing a red lip makes her feel bold and confident, and reflects her culture as a Latinx person.
In Chile in 2019, almost 10,000 women protested on the streets while wearing black blindfolds, and with red scarves and lips in a bid to condemn sexual violence and in 2018, Nicaraguan women and men wore red on their lips and uploaded photos on social media to protest against the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega.
In North Korea, it is believed that the youth show their protest against the totalitarian state by wearing makeup, red lipstick and unapproved hairstyles.
A 2017 study by the Harvard University, USA found that women who wearing lipstick can feel more confident and have higher self-esteem which in turn helps their cognitive functions. Ask any women about the colour of lipstick that she thinks exudes confidence and I bet she'll say red! Besides just being a cosmetic product, this shade pushes people to notice that you are in control and sends a strong signal: 'Look at my face and hear what I'm saying!'