When I was younger, about 12, someone told me that red lipstick and blush were supposed to mimic a woman who is sexually stimulated. Something about men finding it attractive to see women mimicking a subservient position had always put me off.
As a feminist, I’ve always supported makeup being an artistic expression, something creative and beautiful for women (or mostly women) to use as a tool and take back a certain power in what was intentionally used to oppress.
Initially, makeup was created for women to be perceived as more beautiful. It was used as an upgrade to their physical looks. A polish for a man’s shiny new toy. I’m incredibly grateful for that narrative being changed, and for makeup being something that feeds a woman’s emotional and artistic needs.
Although, admittedly as someone that adores makeup, I don’t know if I truly understand its origin of design the way I wish I did. I started doing some research on the topic and was shocked to see that my initial understanding of red lipstick was completely incorrect.
Red lipstick has always been used as a tool for women’s empowerment. Initially, women wore red as a symbol of their newfound independence. In 1912, when American women marched for equal rights (including the right to vote), suffragettes wore red lipstick to bring attention to their cause.
Inevitably, this became popular worldwide, and in the mid-20th century, women were seen wearing red lipstick as a symbol of their independence and becoming in tune with their sexuality (something that was initially completely rejected for women to do).
How saddening it was to have such a skewed understanding of such an iconic piece of makeup. Something I initially expected to be connected to women’s oppression is one of the largest symbols of our fight for freedom. Isn’t it interesting, how a product could hold so much power? You open your dresser drawer, and a tube of red lipstick that holds hundreds of years of pain and resilience sits there. Great design is having an everlasting impact on generations and is connecting you to history that you didn’t even know existed.