Since the year my school uniform featured a light grey jumper and I realised I could cheer it up with The Body Shop’s lip ink in taupe I have been a fan of red lipstick. In a sea of clear lip-gloss and over plucked brows I stood out with my blood red matte lips. In my black and white yearbook photo I look like some goth who’s peculiarly observant of the ‘Focus on One Feature’ make up rule, in black lipstick.
My aunt mentioned recently how all eyes would home in on her reddened lips when she joined any feminist group in the 80s and 90s. Make up was apparently not compatible with the notions of equality and choice.
My aunt mentioned recently how all eyes would home in on her reddened lips when she joined any feminist group in the 80s and 90s. Make up was apparently not compatible with the notions of equality and choice.
But red lipstick is the ultimate in defiant make up. Not the pounds of black eyeliner inexpertly smeared on the lower eyelids of the teenager desperate to rebel. To see a boy or girl’s eyes lined with kohl is no big deal. To see either with crimson lips would draw the eye. Red lipstick demands attention.
Google red lipstick and there is a list of articles; Do Men Like Red Lipstick (conclusion: who cares), How to Apply Red Lipstick (conclusion: application to your mouth is best) and this. When I started to wear red lipstick I took great pleasure in telling everyone it was to honour the suffragettes, who wore it as a sign of emancipation. Cosmetics queen and Helena Rubenstein foe, Elizabeth Arden was a great supporter of the suffragist movement, Arden marched with suffragists in 1912 on Fifth Avenue, New York.
Sadly The Body Shop lip ink pen met a sad demise, lately GOSH, L’Oreal (Body Shop owners) and Revlon have brought out their own products with similar inkiness. None of them in the glorious dried blood colour of 90s Body Shop glory years. So instead, here are my new Swear Buys (geddit?)
Google red lipstick and there is a list of articles; Do Men Like Red Lipstick (conclusion: who cares), How to Apply Red Lipstick (conclusion: application to your mouth is best) and this. When I started to wear red lipstick I took great pleasure in telling everyone it was to honour the suffragettes, who wore it as a sign of emancipation. Cosmetics queen and Helena Rubenstein foe, Elizabeth Arden was a great supporter of the suffragist movement, Arden marched with suffragists in 1912 on Fifth Avenue, New York.
Sadly The Body Shop lip ink pen met a sad demise, lately GOSH, L’Oreal (Body Shop owners) and Revlon have brought out their own products with similar inkiness. None of them in the glorious dried blood colour of 90s Body Shop glory years. So instead, here are my new Swear Buys (geddit?)
1. The Body Shop lip liner in mahogany (yeah I know, I have the make-up habits of a right on teen)
3. If you’re going to go with the above you will need Lip Cote It dries your lips out like crazy so be sure to apply lip balm at night after your routine make up removal, cleanse, tone and moisturise. Which I know you do every night. Don’t you. Without fail. Thought so.
4. A more reliable red colour that will last all day is 24 Hour Superstay Colour. For a bright red go for Red Passion, for a deeper colour then Cherry Pie is for you. Whichever colour you pick these shades can be spotted from a distance.
5. Bourjois Rouge Hi-tech in Rose Pixel. This is no longer on the website so you should snap this up when you see it. This is great for those new to red lipstick as you can build this up from a light and natural rouge to a lively red.
6. Barry M lip gloss in cherry glitter. Careful with this one, it will get all over your front teeth. Apply, check your teeth in the mirror, get a friend/family member/acquaintance/bar staff to check your teeth the rest of the night after every application. It’s glittery though, which makes up for everything.
Squeamish Kate
Squeamish Kate
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