Lina Lou C.

Berdijo

2OTB

Although it is unbeknownst to most people, lipsticks have been with the triumphs and tribulations of
women throughout thousands of years. Indeed, though lipsticks only served to give color and emphasis, it
essentially took part of the formation of the female identity. From being risqu to romantic, how lipsticks
came to be in tubes the world is so fond of today provides such a rich history that may both awe and delight
you.
The creation of lipsticks can be traced way back during the prehistoric period. Ancient
Mesopotamia was the home of the first lipstick known to mankind, or rather womankind, with the ancient
Sumerian to possibly invent and wear lipsticks. Gemstones were grinded and used to decorate their faces,
mainly on the lips, with glimmer and riches. Women in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, on the other
hand, regularly wore red tint on their lips for face decoration. However it was, in fact, the Egyptians that
greatly improved the manufacture of lipsticks. Royals and the high class used several types of lipsticks,
some with recipes that have poisonous ingredients; Cleopatra VII who would crush ants and carmine in a
base of beeswax. Carmine color became popular and was extracted from cochineal insects. And as the
inventions of the Egyptians advanced across Europe, the actors of the Greek and Roman Empire began
using it as well.
But its popularity incredibly declined in the Medieval Ages. During the medieval ages, when
Christianity was at its peak in Europe, the use of lipstick slowly faded. And as the Catholic Church
condemned the use of cosmetics, connecting the red lipstick with the devil, the manufacturing lipsticks
stopped.
It was not until the 16 th Century that lipsticks became famous, yet again, with the high class and
actors, as Queen Elizabeth Is bright red lips and white face became fashionable. After decades, lipsticks
were once more being made from a blend of beeswax and red stains from plants. But be that as it may, it

slowly lost the favor of the nobles and fell into the margins of society where it was only used by the low
class women and prostitutes.
Deception became strongly associated with make up during the 1700s. Red lipsticks were met with
controversy yet again when a British law proposed to the Parliament that a marriage should be annulled if a
woman wore cosmetics before her wedding day. The law reasons out that red lipsticks were made and
worn by women who are actually witches attempting to lure men into marriage.
Infamy among lipsticks did not disappear until the industrial revolution of the late 19 th century.
Lipsticks began to be commercialized. Actresses keenly used red lipstick to stand out on the black and
white films. Off the big screen, actresses like Sarah Bernhardt also began wearing lipstick, which was
applied with a brush, in public. Early 1900s Maurice Levy invented the first metal lipstick tube that deemed
convenient to carry. Soon, women accepted lipstick as an important part of their daily life and public attire.
Today, lipsticks are viewed as one of the most important fashion items. Since it can be cheap and
are easy to use, almost everyone wear them no matter what their status is. Countless of brands are fighting
for supremacy. Invention of new recipes and styles led more and more people to wear lipstick regularly.
More colors made it possible for women to distinguish themselves among others or with their icons, such
as Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, etc. The boldness it offers creates dramatic changes in the look and life of
the individual who wears it and subjectively gives confidence to women. Slowly it became a sign of
strength; of feminism.
Undoubtedly, the history of lipsticks is as rich as its colors we now see today. But as lipsticks
evolved, so did the society around it and vise versa. Not only did it change the way we see fashion, it also
influenced many cultures over the last centuries. Many implemented ideas, laws, and traditions surrounding
lipsticks. From using natural materials to the complex mixture of essential oils, pigments, it transcended

from being a means to color lips to the identity of women throughout time a noble, a follower of Satan, a
queen, a prostitute, a witch, an actress, and finally a strong being, confident, bold and independent.