Red, especially the red on lips, has a wide range of symbolic meanings to women, the beauty industry, as well as the entire world. Behind the glamorous appearance, red lips have been an important symbol of women's power in history

Going back in time, the ancient Egyptians wore makeup routinely and both men and women loved to dye their lips red. It is said that the influential Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra VII, bewitched her lover Julius Caesar with her iconic lush red lips. Later in the 16th century, Queen of England Elizabeth I, who was obsessed with lipsticks, invented her own exclusive lipsticks by using different ingredients such as cochineal, egg whites, gum Arabic and fig. Despite the lipsticks being so costly that ordinary people could barely afford them, a change was well underway.

 

One of the most significant moments in the history of lipsticks is the suffrage parade initiated by American women in 1912. Cosmetics entrepreneur Elizabeth Arden handed out red lipstick to 15,000 suffragettes during the march and encouraged women to wear red lipstick as a symbol of determination and courage in fighting for women’s rights.

During World War II, women were required to undertake more labour work. Even though resources were in short supply, women would wear the brightest red lipsticks at work to raise morale. In the 1950s, actresses such as Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor led the trend of wearing bright red lipsticks, which turned into the most sought-after lipstick shade all over the world. The late Queen Elizabeth II was also an out-and-out "red lips lover”. In 1952, she commissioned Clarins to make a bespoke red lipstick, named after her Scottish home, Balmoral, to match her red Robe of State worn at the coronation.

 

Red lipsticks are not just about outer beauty, but also a symbol of women's fighting for equality and their rights. Just like the famous quote from Coco Chanel, "If you're sad, add more lipstick and attack." For this year’s Christmas and New Year parties, put on a touch of eye-catching red, and make it the shade that speaks for you and your 2023.