A Little History on Lipstick (+ a New Favorite Kind)

February 29, 2016

Burt's Bees Lipstick

Burt's Bees Lipcolor I wit & whimsy

Burt's Bees Lipstick I wit & whimsy

Lulu Frost Pins @meghandono

Ever since I can remember I loved lipstick. I think it was the visits to my grandma’s where she’d let my sister and I dress up in her fanciest clothes and she’d apply just the smallest amount of rouge to our lips and let us wear all her costume jewelry. I loved those days and have such fun memories from them.

In preparation for today’s post I got to thinking about the history of lipstick. It’s something that seems so personal to each woman when it comes to picking a brand or a shade. It has to feel good and look good. It has to make you feel confident and ready to seize the moment.

So what did I learn? Lipstick actually dates back to BC. Ancient Mesopotamian women are the first known to have been credited for its use, having ground up gemstones to decorate their lips. At one time it was considered lower class in the 1500s but then Queen Elizabeth I restored its popularity as she paired red lips with her fair skin. It surged when Sears Roebuck’s catalog started offering rouge for both lips and cheeks and in 1915 the first metal lipstick tube was created. (Prior to this lipstick was wrapped in silk paper and therefore wasn’t very easy to throw in your clutch and carry around.)

Lipstick remains one of the number one selling cosmetic products around the world and has been found that even in a recession, we women will always shell out for a new tube of our favorite trademark shade.

Nowadays I don’t feel fully put together until I have a lip color on. For work I often go for a more neutral lip or more often a bright yet soft pink. For shooting outfits I often lean towards a more bold, saturated lip.

In the above (last) photo I’m wearing Burt’s Bees new lipstick in Ruby Ripple which is the perfect burgundy shade (a favorite color for winter). Like many of their products, these lip colors are super hydrating, providing 8 hours of moisture to your lips. They give full-coverage, come in 14 shades and are made with 100% naturally moisturizing ingredients like moringa and raspberry seed oils to help soften and condition your lips all day long. A win/win for this girl who often suffers from the dreaded flaky winter lips. I literally have some lip colors I just can’t wear this time of year because they are too drying or seep into my cracked lips (oh the horror!) If you want to check out + purchase the Burt’s Bees shades head here.

Do you have a favorite go-to shade? Do share!

Thanks to Burt’s Bees for partnering on this post.

[Bekka Palmer Photography]

 

comments +

  1. Merritt Beck says:

    I can’t live without my lipsticks! That color looks stunning on you!

    xx
    Merritt
    The Style Scribe

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *