IT’S NATIONAL LIPSTICK DAY
Coco Chanel once said, “add more lipstick and attack.” Lipstick is the sword of beauty; drawn in scarlet, sheathed in rose, sharpened in soft nudes — synonymous with defiance, empowerment, enhancement and courage.
Through millennia, lipstick has long held the power to transfigure. It has a quiet assertion of presence, that despite passing time, still feels entirely modern.
In honour of National Lipstick Day, we celebrate the legacy of an icon. From Cleopatra's crushed carmine beetles to the waxy bullets tucked into the modern handbag, we chronicle its storied history, spotlight the timeless favourites and the rising stars, and speak to our in-house experts on the trends to watch and techniques to know.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Queens, Courtesans, Flappers and Feminists: Lipstick Through The Ages
Egypt and Iran – The First Chapter
The story of lipstick opens in ancient Mesopotamia. As early as 5,000 BC, women of the Sumerian civilisation — inhabitants of what is now modern-day Iraq — were pulverising semi-precious stones into fine powders, painting their lips, cheeks, and eyes. Centuries later, Aristocrats of ancient Egypt crushed the exoskeleton of female Cochineal beetles to create carmine — a cool, blue-toned red worn not only as a mark of wealth, but divine beauty and protection from evil spirits.
Ancient Greece – A Shade of Scandal
In ancient Greece, lipstick's close connection to sexuality took shape — seen as deceptive and the mark of a temptress, its use remained largely confined to courtesans.
The Middle Ages and Renaissance — From Sorcery to Sovereignty
A devotee of the lipstick, Queen Elizabeth I of England was often painted with porcelain skin, rouged cheeks and a slick of scarlet adorning her lips, crafted from cochineal, gum arabic, egg whites, and fig milk. However, prior to her reign, as puritanical beliefs gripped Britain, lipstick was viewed in opposition to religious teachings – a spell of sorcery, immorality and even an instrument of witchcraft. And, as such, its use was shamed into the shadows.
The War Years – Resistance and Rebellion
A bastion of femininity in an era of rations and restraint, Churchill chose not to curtail production of the lipstick during WWII, considering it a small, but critical part of the war effort and a powerful morale boost for women who were, for the first time, working in roles formerly reserved for men. It was during this time that the ‘notice me’ nature of the lipstick became both adornment and ammunition, echoing the resilience of the suffragettes (who painted their pouts in red) and acting as a subtle ‘V’ for victory to Hitler.
The Icons
As beauty fanatics, it’s only natural that we flirt with fuchsias, rendezvous with reds and wink at pinks. Yet, there’s always one lip colour – our most trusted confidante – who keeps our closest secrets, catches our tears, shares our laughter and stays by our side through life’s many chapters. These are our love letters to the eternal icons, timeless muses and stars-in-the-making.
Ashleigh, Head of Content: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in ‘Pillow Talk’ — “Seasons change, but a good lipstick is for life. The one that I turn to again and again is Charlotte Tilbury’s now legendary Pillow Talk — it’s the perfect nude-pink shade. It’s such a versatile classic, and it works with so many different looks. I chose Pillow Talk as my Wedding Day lipstick for a ‘soft glam’ vibe.”
Amber, Senior Marketing Executive: LANEIGE Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum in ‘Peach Glaze’ — “Launched just a few months ago, this has quickly become my go-to multipurpose lip product. It delivers the perfect hint of colour, high-shine finish, and smooth, hydrating texture that’s NEVER sticky. The unique doughnut applicator is also super sensorial, and unlike most glosses, it doesn’t even need a lip liner. Totally changed the game for me!”
Sophia, Senior Buyer: Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm and MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Colour Pencil — “I always carry the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm on me. It’s the ultimate 3-in-1 hybrid that hydrates, plumps, and gives the high-shine finish of a gloss! I adore the shades Haze, Slip, Rise, and my current go-to: Rouse. I’m also never without the Make Up For Ever Artist Colour Pencil. It’s a true multitasker for lips, eyes, and cheeks, but I mostly use it as a lip liner for quick touch-ups. Limitless Brown is always in my makeup bag!”
Sophia, Senior Copywriter: LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask in ‘Berry’ — “Sweet dreams are really made of this. Rich and deliciously scented, a little goes a long way with this nocturnal nourisher – plumping, smoothing and cocooning lips in pillowy-soft hydration by morning’s first light. An all-star for a reason, it’s like beauty sleep for your lips.”
Trend Watch
We sat down with our expert Buyer, Sophia Ghwedar, to get the inside scoop on the season’s standout lip trends — from the renaissance of high-shine glosses to the soft poeticism of blurred, demi-matte textures.
On All the Juicy Details of the Jam Lip Trend...
“This trend is a gorgeous nod to 2000s beauty and the Spring/Summer 2025 runways! I always love a glossy, soft fruit-toned lip as summer rolls in – it gives a burst of colour to fresh, tanned skin. I naturally gravitate toward glossy finishes during the warmer months. Adding a touch of shimmer-infused gloss or balm is also a go-to for creating dimension and fullness on the lips.”
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£21.00
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On The Just-kissed Charm of Rom-Com Lips...
“Soft demi-matte textures have been steadily emerging in recent months, with brands leaning into this formula as we head toward the latter half of the year. These are the perfect, forgiving finishes to achieve the Rom-Com lip trend. We adore that lived-in, ‘messy,’ effortless aesthetic. Saie’s Lip Blur is the perfect product to press onto the lips for that soft, pouty look.”
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Here Comes the Guava Girl...
“Guava Girl is more than an aesthetic – it's summer 2025’s total state of mind. Firmly at the forefront of this season’s beauty trends, it inspires sun-kissed, radiant vibes bursting with juicy, tropical energy. Think vibrant hues drawn straight from the iconic guava fruit, perfectly capturing its warmth, vitality, and effervescent glow. I love that this trend can be expressed through a stain, gloss, or tinted lip balm.”
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The Techniques to Know Now
On Extending the Staying Power of Your Lipstick...
“Perfect your canvas! Ensure your lips are always exfoliated and moisturised. I always use hydrating lip balms or lip sleeping masks in the evening to ensure my lip base is primed and ready. When it comes to shaping, lip liner is essential – it helps define your lips and adds fullness. For lipstick application, I prefer layering thin coats, blotting between each layer to build intensity and longevity. And for those nights when I need my look to last, I finish by setting with a light dusting of translucent powder.”
On Creating the Illusion of Fuller Lips...
“For everyday wear, I like to add subtle contouring with a lip liner that matches my natural lip tone—slightly overlining to give extra dimension. Then, I finish with a glossy product to catch the light and instantly make my lips look fuller and plumper. Don’t underestimate the power of exfoliating your lips once or twice a week, and applying a lip mask overnight to prime and enhance softness.”
