As I got nearer and nearer to this lipstick step in my 1946 grooming routine, I started doing a little research. Here's my question: Was red truly the hottest color of the '40s when it came to lipstick? I mean, I know we see a lot of red lips in modern movies set in that era and on WWII reenactors - but I've always wondered if that was true to reality. So I set forth on a completely unscientific survey using vintage lipstick advertisements for sale on eBay...
My completely unscientific results? Red was hot, hot, hot - it was all over the place! In fact, I think I only came across two or three ads (out of about 40) for non-red lipsticks. And they were in the deep pink family. There were all kinds of reds, from brown reds to clear reds to blue reds. And - most wonderfully - lots of lipsticks christened with names evocative of the times, like Patriot Red, All Clear Red, Furlough Red, Mrs. Miniver Rose, and Victory Red. How could a gal resist?
I embarked on several trips to the cosmetics aisle and came away every t
ime overwhelmed by all the choices. How to pick the right red for me? I may have taken the easy way out, but I finally settled on a shade by Almay called "Red." Plain ol' Red. It's probably what you'd call a true red - without any undertones. And a matching lipliner.
ime overwhelmed by all the choices. How to pick the right red for me? I may have taken the easy way out, but I finally settled on a shade by Almay called "Red." Plain ol' Red. It's probably what you'd call a true red - without any undertones. And a matching lipliner. I've had lipstick issues since I was about 22 and worked for a woman who always had some garish color smeared across her lips. (She used to try and match her lipstick to her brightly colored blazers.) Well, the lipstick usually ended up on her teeth --- and I've had an aversion to it ever since. Nothing brighter for me than a shaded lip gloss on special occasions. Needless to say, I had no idea how people would react today to my new lips. Here's the rundown:
Co-worker #1: "Ooh, pretty lipstick!"
Co-worker #2: "You're wearing lipstick? Fancy-schmancy."
Co-worker #3: "Look at your lips!" *kissing sounds*
Co-worker #4: "You've lost weight."
Well, I have lost 4 lbs. That's official as of this morning. I'm back down to 190, and that's after about six days without any ice cream or frozen dairy treats. Connection? You tell me... What's funny is that I could've sworn the lipstick made my face look a little fatter than normal when I left the house this morning. Maybe I was wrong!
17 comments:
Making sure you have the'right' red lipstick for your skin tone makes all the difference. I'd tried loads over the years, and they washed me out. Finally I went to a department store and asked a proffesional at the Chanel counter... the one she recommended is perfect.
I hope that once you get used to it, it's a good confidence boost for you :)
Yes, red was the color and the women in my family never side stepped from it. I remember growing up even my sister used it in the 50's-60's. I my self still love red but true red of the 40's is almost shocking to us today. Have fun with it after all it is make-up. for fun! The choices them were not so many and we are over welmed today with choices. narrow it down as you said but by going to a professional. Or seek out a Mary Kay professional as you can try many and the lipsick is only 13 dollars a tube and they come to you. Even if you use it nearly every day it lasts for a year or more. no animal testing either. Any change will cause mixed reactions. It is about what you feel when you wear it. we are at war wear you red badge of courage.
I have always loved lipstick since my grandmother let me try hers (Revlon Darling Young Red, a color no longer made) and now find I look ill without some extra color on my lips.
The little extra something probably helped Coworker #4 see your diet and exercise results. You are probably smaller than the scale shows due to some muscle building. If you think it made your face look fat, it is likely you're just not used to the look and something seemed "off," or perhaps that shade is not for you. Play around with some bluer or more orange shades too to see what you like. Cheap lipstick like Wet N Wild is good for this as you get an idea of what colors work but aren't out more than a buck for the experiment.
Peaking at your blog for the first time today and it is so much fun. My MIL and her friends still wear those reds from the 40s. I had to laugh at the dieting. I love to bake so dieting is a no win situation with me. I must gain and lose the same 10 pounds every years for the past 30 years. Drives me nuts:)
Joyce
i hated lipstick for years.
I never wore it.
But now I have about 6 shades of red and a few coral.
I am convinced, nothing pulls together and outfit better.
Even on my worst days like during my cycle, and skin is broken out I feel to bloated to be pretty, slap on some red lipstick, and presto changeo!
i feel like a million bucks.
good post!
I think red lipstick is perfect for all faces and makes any look so put together. I bet you look stunning with your red lips.
♥Darla
MAC's lipstick is very thick and stays on well similar to that of lipstick from the 1940's.
I'm so glad someone else has discovered the magic of red lipstick. I'm 34 and have been wearing red lipstick since high school. So classic! Really, is there any other color?
Finding the right red isn't easy though, I've got the lipstick graveyard to prove it.
Red was more popular for evening while deep pinks were more common for day. I think though that enough retro women wear red all the time that day use of red is fine.
A great trick for keeping red lipstick on your lips: Put a petroleum free lipgloss on before you start your whole make-up routine.* Put on your make-up, leaving your lipstick as the last thing. Blot any excess lipgloss, line your lips with a lipliner that matches your red lipstick, then fill in your lips with the liner. (This base of lipliner keeps your lipstick locked to your lips.) Apply your lipstick and then blot. (A lot of ladies swear that the key to locking in your lipstick is by applying with a lip brush, but I just apply it straight from the tube). Apply a second layer of lipstick and blot again. I swear by this application for sticking through a meal and drinks. It has been tested at weddings, bars and parties alike.
* The reason for petroleum free is because petroleum based glosses don't actually nourish your lips, they simply give your lips a top coat that does nothing to heal your dry lips.
I hope this helps!
I am borderline obsessed with red lipstick and post about it on my blog. I think it's very flattering when you find the right shade.
Do you have cool (pink) undertones or warm (goldish) undertones to you skin? Something to think about when buying make up and clothes. Have fun experimenting to see what is best for you.
i'm a mac red gal myself... russian red
nothing perks you up on a bad day like red lippy...
Wow, so many red lipstick fans... Fans of red seem to be super passionate about it, too!
First, let me apologize for being so late in responding to your comments on this post. I had some babysitting to do for my nieces last night and a party this evening. I'm just getting around to catching up.
I did learn from several sources online that skin with a rosy undertone looks best with a blue-red while skin with a more yellow undertone looks best with a brown-red. I think I have a rosy undertone to my skin, so I'd like to try out a blue red at some point. I like the idea about finding a way to test lots of different colors - cheap lipsticks, Mary Kay samples, etc.
Joyce, welcome!!! I'm so glad you found us! Dieting is not much fun, is it? I don't do a whole lot of baking, but occasionally something for breakfast - I'm making a corn-bread tomorrow morning - or something for the dessert for my vintage dinners on Sunday nights. I try to either cut the recipe down in size or cut the thing in individual portions, freeze them, and dole 'em out here and there. That way, I get to enjoy the home baking and don't feel like I need to get a whole batch eaten before it spoils!
Listen to me, only 4 lbs. down and I'm doling out diet advice.
:)
Kathy, thank you for the detailed instructions on application. I have certainly been leaving a lot of red marked coffee cups and water glasses about these days! I like the idea about filling in the lip with lipliner - not just lining it. Do you blot between coats with tissue or something special? Years ago, I remember hearing something about blotting with powder.
Bonjour Madame, I'll be checking out your blog!
I see I am late to this one. Red lipstick in the 1940's was called "The Red Badge of Courage" as it was often expressed by radio and advertising for ladies to wear it. It allowed one who now had to do man's work with no time for primping to have that mark of feminity and it was said to be a good sign for returning GI's and those coming home for good. To show that women were still around. I think many women of that time would have put it on in the morning as normally as you and I brush our teeth. It became second nature. I have three shades of red, one actually called vintage red and two shades of pink. One darker and one a bit frostier. I now need to add a coral frost to my collection, as I had originally thought this a 60's color, but Marilyn in The seven year Itch wears it throughout the movie. Now that it is summer I am wearing the pink more, as I am in a summer holiday area and think that would have been the 'casual lip color' with red in the evening for dress up dinners.
Jitterbug,
I used to wear nothing but red lipstick when I was younger and Kathy's tip about filling in your lips with the liner does help! You mentioned powder and I used to use that to help set my lipstick. Here's how I used to do it:
1) Fill in your lips with the red lip liner.
2) Apply a thin coat of red lipstick.
3)Separate a facial tissue (or toilet paper) so that you have a thin layer that you can see through, and press it to your lips.
4) With a small makeup brush, dust some loose powder over the tissue making sure that a small amount goes through the tissue and onto your lips.
5) Carefully peel off the tissue, apply another coat of red lipstick and blot with a tissue.
Now, I usually just fill in my lips with whatever color lip liner I like that day, and top with some of elf's spf 15 gloss. Doesn't last nearly as long though so I have to take my liner and gloss with me! *grins*
50sgal, that coral frost sounds fun. I've found myself really paying attention this week when I'm looking at magazines to what color lipstick women are wearing. It would be fun to have a variety of colors to choose from - even if only a variety of reds.
Hairball, thanks so much for your step-by-step instructions! I've begun filling in my lips with the liner first, applying lipstick, blotting with tissue, then applying a second coat. I suspect even dabbing some powder onto that first coat with my fingertip would be of help in "grabbing" that second coat and holding onto it.
Jitterbug - I do blot with tissue between lipstick applications. I normally do one application, one blot with tissue and then another and a lighter blot with tissue. I've heard the same about dusting with powder to "seal" the lipstick. I did it for a while but found it too drying on my lips. I've heard it works fine for others, so try it out. I just have dry lips all the time, even without lipstick. If you want to "blot" with powder I would highly recommend having a separate brush for dusting your lips. Make sure to get a very soft one; if it is too stiff it will ruin your lipstick application.
-Kathyc
Ooh, Kathy, I can see what you mean about drying your lips. I've been been using the cleansing cream on my lips as well as my face in the morning to try and keep them moisturized as well. (Rinsing well, of course!)
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