National Lipstick Day–unstashing the iconic pout through the decades
- Team Unstash
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Let’s kiss and tell, shall we?
From retro reds to beach nudes, lipsticks went from being merely makeup to a form of self-expression and identity. A lipstick shade could emulate your individuality and mood without uttering a single word, thus becoming a tool of empowerment in an otherwise male-dominated society.
In many ways, the lipstick became synonymous with the beauty and glamour industry, though not without endowing women who wore it with a sense of self. As years passed by, the palettes expanded and made way for unique moods, tones and experiments, and there’s been no turning back. Whether it’s the frosty pinks or grungy greys, every era is marked by a signature style and what better way to celebrate this beauty essential than decoding its evolution through the decades!
1920's–the "flapper girl" era
The end of World War I led to newfound freedom and cheerful celebration, thus giving rise to popular Jazz clubs and society pubs. Through this emerged an icon–the bold-spirited flapper girl. Her signature pout and smokey eyes became a major trend. Overdrawn cupid’s bow lips and slender brows were the norm. Fiery reds and mellow nudes sold like hot cakes, with no in-between.
Relevant products – YSL Roughe Pur Couture in Subversive Ruby
1930s–the "doll eyes" era
This era was marked by a soft, almost doll-like aesthetic. Loose curls and beach waves were framed the face, with fluttery lashes and dark lip colours. When an occasional wing appeared, lighter lip shades were chosen to retain a balanced look. The light-dark combination was to be followed at all times. The focus was always on the eyes, not the lips; the prominent pout was exchanged for a more natural lip outline, while the face makeup remained minimal, with a delicate sheen to enhance femininity.
Relevant products – Givenchy Le Rouge Deep Velvet Lipstick - N 19 Rouge Santal
1940s–the "lip and cheek tint" era
War had broken out. Resources were scarce and makeup was the least of priorities. As men went to war, women were left behind to fend for themselves. Professional attires demanded a practical yet polished appearance. Cost-effective and easy-to-apply products were on the rise. This is when lip stains came into play–the perfectly wearable alternatives to the full-coverage lipsticks. Women no longer had to worry about smudging their lipstick.Victory rolls became a popular hairstyle. While the the makeup remained minimal, a more chiselled look was preferred, with higher blush placements and adequate contouring.
Relevant products – Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain - Rose
1950s–the "Marilyn Monroe" era
The 1950s dawned with transformed women. Empowered by intellectually demanding wartime roles, they found their voices, asserting their rights as domestication's grip loosened. Into this vibrant era stepped an icon: Marilyn Monroe. This glamorous diva didn't just wear red lips; she made them a statement. Red meant bold, it meant freedom, and fierce individuality. Her signature look—perfectly arched brows, a subtle sweep of eyeshadow, and the insane popularity of a delicate flick of eyeliner—defined an age where beauty was a declaration of newfound power.
Relevant products – MAC Retro Matte Lipstick - Ruby Woo
1960s–the "Audrey Hepburn" era
In the swinging Sixties, Audrey Hepburn redefined glamour with an understated elegance. Her signature look chose soft sophistication over loud drama. For lipsticks, this meant bidding goodbye to the bold reds in exchange for delicate, peachy-pink hues, which added to her natural beauty without drawing too much attention. Soft coral-pinks and warm nudes favoured her attires. She paired them with defined eyes and elegant brows to truly captivate.
Relevant products – Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Velvet Liquid Lipstick - Peach Amber
1970s–the "gloss it up" era
The psychedelic era of the 70s was loud, bizarre, and heavily influenced by the counterculture movement. Disco was more than just a music genre; it had become a powerful movement. Dramatic eyeliners, bold eyeshadows and voluminous hair were the fashion hype. Neutral glam also reigned in the beauty scene. Glossy nudes were worn during the day while evening looks were dialled up with bolder shades like cherry reds. Nudes and muted brown lips were even matched to foundation shades for a natural look. Layering gloss on red or nude lips was the final step in creating a signature pout, making it a must-have makeup bag essential. Soft corals, inspired by sunset hues, also came into vogue in the form of tinted lip balms. These colours defined dynamic statements made by the women of the 70s.
Relevant products – Elizabeth Arden Lip Lipstick - Living Coral 24
1980s–the "more is more" era
The 80s were all about being big, bold and banging. It was a mindset that rejected subtleness. Being over the top was the mantra followed by most. Pop culture was taken over by experimental looks and loud colours. Neon eyeshadows, bold lips and face-framing bangs shaped the fashion aesthetic. Popular lip colours included dark reds, fuchsia pinks and shades of purple or magenta. The classic red lip also experienced a renaissance. A perfect pout was incomplete without layers of some high-shine gloss; the more the better! The 80s taught us a makeup lesson on how to embrace the "more is more" trend like a boss—flashy, frivolous and fantastic!
Relevant products – Terry Refill Rouge Opulent Lipstick in Pink Palace
1990’s–the "chocolate lips" era
The 90s saw dark lip liners writing a vivid lip story during the decade. The makeup trend shifted from bold and colourful to muted and matte. The era became luscious with rich browns, melted mochas, and brick burgundies. Thanks to actress Jennifer Aniston's signature brown pout in Friends, MAC's Paramount became a popular shade. Hints of neutral gloss created nostalgia, but the lip movement had shifted to mostly matte lips paired with defined liner and neutral eyeshadows—a trend that worked for everyone. The lips of the 90s are timeless, iconic and have never really left us, successfully resonating with today's makeup sensibilities.
Relevant products – M.A.C Macximal Satin Lipstick - Espresso Yourself
2000’s–the "Y2K gloss era"
Move over matte because gloss is back! The 2000s were full of glamour, shimmer and shine. The Y2K trend features full eyebrows, sparkly eyeshadows, coloured eyeliners and shiny lips. Lip gloss has again become the star of every makeup look. Super defined lips are donning high shine nude or light pink shades. Brown lip liner has not lost its popularity and contrasts beautifully with the lighter lip shades. The Y2K trend is futuristic in nature and also adores bold hues of metallics and brighter tones—a staple on the red carpet. Frosty lip shades and milky toned glosses also create that extra juicy finish that we are still obsessed with. Today’s palette is a lot more flexible and there’s no other way we’d have it!
Relevant products – FAE BEAUTY Glaws Gloss - Giving
Whichever the era, the lipstick has always been a girl's best friend and will continue to be! Which look was your favourite? And which shade are you donning this National Lipstick Day?
Also Read: AI as the Beauty Consultant