The Undeniable Power of Red Lipstick

Sophia Cuttita

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been obsessed with makeup. I can spend hours aimlessly gazing at the endless makeup products at Sephora, making a mental note to save up for each new product on my radar. Every morning, as I carry out my daily makeup routine, it would be criminal to leave my house without applying the necessities: NARS concealer, L’oreal Telescopic mascara, Laura Mercier translucent powder, Milk Makeup bronzer, etc. However, there is one singular product I never think to apply. Red lipstick.

I began thinking about the popularity of red lipstick, only to realize that very few, if any, of the individuals I encounter daily wear red lipstick (myself included). When I think of red lipstick, though, my mind immediately goes to iconic celebrity appearances. Whether it’s Taylor Swift, Marilyn Monroe, AOC, or Rihanna, the piercing red lip can be deemed as a tool of expression. But why do such charismatic women dare to wear red lipstick in the first place, while others avoid it?

Red lipstick is a classic representation of implied confidence, expressing boldness even if you are unsure. Scientists argue that an individual’s lipstick shade reveals more about their internal feelings than the color they prefer. By wearing red lipstick, it draws people’s attention to you, especially your mouth and the words that come out of it. The vibrant red color is a way to let people know that what you are saying is important and they should take notice.“Red lipstick is a source of strength,” vocalizes Poppy King, creator of Lipstick Queen. “You put it on and suddenly you feel more capable than you did without it.” The red lip is timeless, bold, elegant, and versatile all at the same time.

The versatility of red lipstick has played a huge role in its popularity throughout history. Unlike other makeup products, red lipstick is universally accepted to go with any style. Regardless if it’s a casual, fancy, or professional setting, the red lip adds a polished, bold look. If you’re going for a night out, red lipstick with a smokey eye adds a dramatic wow factor. Meanwhile, a red lip with a plain t-shirt and jeans is perfectly acceptable.

But why red? Why not pink, blue, or even purple lipstick? Unlike other makeup products that aim to conceal features we may be insecure about, red lipstick is the complete opposite. An act of boldness. This is because red is the color of life; the natural flush of blood that makes someone look healthy and desirable. Its direct representation of lust correlates with confidence and courage. Studies also illustrate that the color red can also create physical effects such as elevated blood pressure, enhanced libido, increased respiratory rates, higher levels of energy, and increased confidence.

From tomato red, scarlet, crimson, to berry and brown, there are countless shades of red lipstick to match the shade of an individual’s complexion. According to professional makeup artists, the key to finding the perfect red lip is considering your skin undertones. Thanks to its adaptable color, everyone can find the shade that fits them best. I believe red lipstick combats traditional beauty standards in America: light skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. Because of the different nuanced shades, textures, and finishes, there’s a red lipstick that’s a flattering, perfect fit for every woman. It creates an inclusive community- no matter your race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. A movement of women who feel powerful, valued, and self-assured.

Nevertheless, red lips can also be viewed as scandalous in society, as the color red is associated with sexual arousal. I want to specifically acknowledge that many Latina women are culturally identified based on their physical appearance and sexual attractiveness alone. Stereotypical “sexy” Latinas are typically curvy, wear red lipstick and gold hoops. To help prevent from possessing the label of “spicy” or “fiery”, many Latinas are told to keep quiet. However, red lipstick has stood as a symbol to fight back for Latinas. Take Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who wears her signature red lipstick to fight against political injustice, or Sofia Vergara who wears it as a boost of confidence. I encourage you to check out this website if you are intrigued to learn more about red lipstick in the Latinx community.

But how does red lipstick reinforce or challenge traditional gender expectations historically?

Throughout history, red lipstick has stood as a cultural weapon. After gaining popularity in World War 1 and the suffrage movement, it helped emphasize the image of a “modern woman”. To prevent this essay from getting too much into the early 1900s, I want to focus on its prominent role in WW2. If you are interested in learning more about the evolution of red lipstick, I encourage you to check out the history of red lipstick and suffragettes.

Specifically, during World War 2, wearing red lips was popularized as an act of womanly strength. Aside from the fact that Hitler famously hated red lipstick, the US government expected women to maintain their beauty as a patriotic duty. But why were women encouraged to wear red lipstick, while their male counterparts were fighting on a battlefield?

A direct statement against fascism, red-lipstick provided women a sense of self-identity and freedom. Author, Rachel Felder, describes wearing red lipstick for a woman in that era as linked to “a sense of feminine self-esteem,”. Although females were still paid less, in 1943 more than 310,000 women worked in the US Aircraft Industry (making up 65% of the industry’s workforce). I’m pleased to say that women played a crucial role in the war efforts and looked just as good doing it.

If you want to learn about the iconic Rosie the Riveter poster, please click the hyperlink I provided. Despite the poster initially being created as a tool to recruit women to join the workforce, it evolved into a framework for feminist groups.

On the other hand, historically, red lipstick has reinforced the stereotype that women are very materialistic. According to research, women are identified much more than men as the principal consumer in the household.

In various makeup advertisements in the 1960s, women are shown with red lipstick. I attached a Revlon advertisement from the 60s below, which depicts a highly inaccurate image of what fulfillment is for women. The woman in red lipstick is portrayed as beautiful, womanly, and feminine. Yet, the advertisement fails to look beyond material items, when in fact, during the 60s, women did not have “everything”. Women were still viewed as inferior and almost always fell into typical female roles. This ad suggests that women are so bubbleheaded, they wouldn’t recognize the social and political freedom they lacked. Instead, they would be satisfied with trivial makeup products.

With all this said, it brings me to pose the question: Does wearing red lipstick require confidence to wear or make you more confident as a result?

A common misconception is that women wear makeup to impress others. But I wear makeup to feel good about myself.

If I’m being honest, I’m not too sure exactly where my confidence stems from. What I do know though is that I don’t need red lipstick to feel confident. Maybe I’m too intimidated and don’t want to attract more attention to myself. Without even realizing, though, I’m conforming to women who may not feel bold enough to pull off a red lip.

However, I’m not opposed to wearing red lipstick in the near future. Although it’s beyond my comfort zone, I think everyone should take risks, no matter how big or small. For me, something as simple as wearing red lipstick is a great start.

At the end of the day, no one needs to know if confidence is a cause or the result of red-lipstick. Only you can decide!