History of emergence of lipstick

As lipstick during different eras changed: Ancient East, Antiquity, medieval Europe, Modern and Latest times. The interesting facts from lipstick history.

Female lips were always object of admiration for men. Poets and musicians compared them to petals of roses, and artists tried to report sensuality and beauty of maiden lips on the cloths. Such attention to female lips was explained by emergence of lipstick – the integral attribute of beauty and coquetry of the true lady.


Ancient world

History of lipstick is the way paved through the millennia. For a long time women sought to emphasize the beauty and appeal. It is known that else in Mesopotamia – cradles of the Euroasian civilization, tried to obtain bright color of lips by means of the semiprecious stones iskroshenny in powder.

In Ancient Egypt graceful thin lips of bright red color were fashionable: it is possible to be convinced of it, having looked at the beauty Nefertiti's portraits. Lip colors did of mix of bromine, iodine and red seaweed. And still added a carmine to lipstick – the pigment received from a dried insect of the cochineal insect.

Cleopatra was a big fan of lipstick: the queen used mix from red ochre and hematite. Egyptians did not wish to leave lipstick not only during lifetime: even they took it in a next world with themselves. Antique beauties tinted lips color fat clay, Old Russian women – juice of raspberry, strawberry and beet.

Middle Ages

In the 17th century lipstick was done of more sparing components: beeswax, extracts of plants, geranium petals. After the French perfumers added to the colourless fragrant ointment made for the cardinal Richelieu, dyes court ladies paid attention to it also.

Thanks to the queen Elizabeth I bright red lips in combination with pale skin became fashionable. And in the 18th century, at court of Louis XVI, not only the woman, but also men used lipstick: with its help emphasized contours of lips that they were not lost in moustaches and a beard.


However medieval Europe was full of contradictions. In the middle of the 17th century the Christian church condemned cosmetics use. Women with painted lips were called witches and doomed to eternal torment in hell. The fact of coloring of lips was considered as crime, and lipstick – "the tool of a devil" by means of which unmarried girls tempted men. The law adopted by the British Parliament in 1770 said that these not pious persons deserve burning on a fire for sorcery.

It is interesting! Lipstick shades which were preferred by women changed depending on the country and an era. Bright pink color was very popular in Renaissance – with rich Venetians. Used gold paint in ancient India (photo). In black color made up lips of the African. And nude style when lips completely merge with skin, Egyptians thought up.

Modern times

Lipstick began to take a modern form at the end of the 19th century.


1883 is considered in the afternoon the lipstick birth in a tube: the French perfumers in Amsterdam presented at an exhibition to the whole world the find – lipstick from cervine fat in the form of the tiny core wrapped in a silk rag. The novelty was immediately got by the Legendary Sara Bernhardt (photo) fascinated by her seductive, bright cherry shade. However, lipstick in a tube cost so much that for most of women was unattainable luxury.

The latest time

Valaz Lip-Listre lipstick from the queen of cosmetics Elena Rubenstein became the real revolution in the world of fashion: it cost only several dollars. So on counters of perfumery shops lipstick, available at the price, appeared. Producers of "treasured tubes" among which Elisabeth Arden, Elena Rubenstein, Max Factor competed with each other for the right to make the woman fashionable, beautiful and unique. There were new colors of lipstick, its texture was improved, producers thought out more convenient forms of tubes. Max Factor invented lip gloss, and Elisabeth Arden founded Institute of beauty that taught women to knowledge of use of decorative cosmetics.

Post-war years

After World War II the small magic tube could be found in a handbag of each woman. And when in 1947 Paris presented to the world "lipstick that allowed to kiss", under the name "Le Rouge Baiser" ("A red kiss") that except firmness had also other advantage – a rich color palette, women began to make up lips not only for an evening exit, but also in the afternoon, for example, to walk on shops.

Production of lipstick it was constantly improved, and in 1949 it was automated: Americans constructed special machines for production of plastic and metal tubes.

The big role in popularity of lipstick was played by film actresses, among them Gloria Svensson, Asta Nielsen, Mary Pikford, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Lara Turner. All women sought to imitate them, and the popularity of lipstick grew impetuously.

And let in Soviet period the range of lipstick was very modest, but today there are no restrictions. In cosmetic shops – lipstick for every taste and a purse. Cleopatra would envy modern women.

Time erases borders, changes outlines of the cities and dictates new rules. Walking through centuries, lipstick changed and changed. By invariable it was necessary only – to do its purpose the woman beautiful.

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