The History of Red Lipstick: A Timeless Symbol of Femininity

Ah, red lipstick – my favorite makeup accessory. There’s just something about a bold red lip that instantly makes me feel more confident, more feminine, and honestly, a little bit unstoppable. It’s that pop of color that pulls a whole look together, whether you’re wearing head-to-toe glam or just jeans and a tee. And honestly? Red goes with everything. Period.

I knew I was going to be a red-lipstick girl from the time I was a kid. I used to watch old Hollywood movies with my mom, completely mesmerized by the women on screen: so glamorous, so poised, and always rocking the perfect red pout. From Marilyn Monroe to Dorothy Dandridge, these women owned every room they walked into – and their lips did too.

Recently, I was watching a documentary on YouTube about the 1940s (yes, I’m a little bit of a history nerd lol), and I noticed how red lipstick was everywhere. Like, every woman was wearing it. I figured it might have something to do with patriotism and wartime morale, which totally made me want to dig deeper. Why red? Why not pink, or peach, or any other shade? So if you’ve ever swiped on a red lip and wondered why it just hits different, here’s a look at the history of red lipstick and how this little makeup essential became a major statement.

The history of red lipstick

Let’s take it way back. Red lipstick has been around for centuries – like ancient civilizations kind of centuries. Cleopatra? Red lip icon. She apparently made her lip color using crushed bugs and berries (yep, beauty was pain even then). In Mesopotamia, women would crush gemstones to add shimmer to their lip products. So yeah, red lips have always been a thing.

But it wasn’t until the early 20th century that lipstick became more mainstream. In the 1910s and 1920s, thanks to the rise of silent film stars like Clara Bow and Theda Bara, red lipstick became a beauty must-have. It symbolized rebellion, femininity, and allure all at once – basically, everything we still associate with it today.

Women choose red

By the time we hit the 1940s, red lipstick wasn’t just popular – it was essential. Women were wearing it daily, whether they were heading to work, going on a date, or just running errands. Red had become the go-to color, and part of that had to do with the cultural moment. Hollywood played a huge role, too. Think about the Golden Age starlets: Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly. Their signature red lips weren’t just makeup looks – they were statements. If you wanted to feel like a movie star, you wore red.

Wartime and red lips

During World War II, red lipstick became more than a beauty trend – it was patriotic. Women were encouraged to wear red as a symbol of strength and resilience. It was seen as a way to boost morale and show that women could still be beautiful and powerful in tough times. Even the U.S. government got involved – some red lipstick shades were literally created as war efforts (hi, Victory Red by Elizabeth Arden).

Red lips became a form of resistance and pride. It wasn’t just about looking pretty; it was about showing the world that women weren’t going to fade into the background.

Red lips in advertisements

Vintage beauty ads? A whole vibe. From the 1950s on, red lipstick was everywhere – in magazines, on billboards, and on every glamorous housewife in commercial land. Brands like Revlon and Max Factor capitalized on the red lip craze, promising elegance, allure, and just a touch of scandal. These ads made red lipstick synonymous with sophistication. You weren’t just buying a tube of color – you were buying confidence. Power. Sex appeal. And the messaging totally worked, because red lipstick never went out of style.

Red lipstick now

Fast forward to 2025 and red lipstick is still that girl. Sure, we’ve got more shades and finishes than ever (glossy, matte, satin, velvet – you name it), but the classic red remains iconic. Celebs still rock it on red carpets, makeup artists still swear by it, and brands continue to drop new reds every season. Whether you’re into Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint, MAC’s Ruby Woo, or NARS’ Dragon Girl, there’s truly a red for everyone.

And if you’re still in a vintage mood, why not step back in time and check out my post on the 1923 Prohibition Bar in Las Vegas? It’s like a speakeasy time machine – and who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to wear your red lipstick there too.