Society has a long-running love/hate relationship with lipstick, and vacillating perceptions of the women (and men) who wear it.
Numerous governments over the centuries, including the British Parliament, have gone so far as to attempt to ban the makeup. And the iconic beauty product even ignited incredibly territorial demands from women like Elizabeth Taylor, who allegedly forbid the wearing of lipstick by any other women working on her film sets.
In celebration of National Lipstick Day (July 29), we pulled together all the mind-boggling facts you should know. We promise, you'll never look at a tube of red lipstick the same way again.
Advertisement
1
Lipstick Might Have Implied You Were A Prostitute
Getty
Early in the Greek empire, red lipstick or lip paint signaled that a woman was a prostitute, given that most women during that time typically went without makeup.
2
A Lipstick Ban Was Briefly Considered
Getty
In 1650, Parliament attempted to ban the wearing of lipstick or as they called it "the vice of painting." The bill, ultimately, did not pass.
3
Lipstick Was An Indicator Of Social Rank
Getty
During the Roman Empire, lipstick was used to indicate social status. Even men wore lip paint to suggest their rank.
Advertisement
4
George Washington Wore It
Getty
George Washington would occasionally wear lipstick. And makeup. And a powdered wig.
5
Some Thought Lipstick-Wearing Should Be An Offense Punishable By Law
Getty
In 1915, a bill was introduced into Kansas legislature that would have made it a misdemeanor for a woman under 44 to wear makeup because it "created a false impression."
6
The Queen Had Her Own Signature Shade Made
Getty
Queen Elizabeth II commissioned her own lipstick shade to match her coronation robes at the 1952 ceremony. The soft red-blue was dubbed "The Balmoral Lipstick," named after her Scottish country home.
Advertisement
7
Lipstick Allegedly Caused Diva Moments
Getty
Elizabeth Taylor loved her red lipstick so much she apparently demanded that no one else on her movie sets could wear it.
8
Winston Churchill Would Not Allow Lipstick To Be Rationed
Getty
During World War II, all cosmetics except for lipstick were rationed. Winston Churchill decided to keep lipstick in production because he felt it had a positive effect on morale. Needless to say, lipstick sales did well during the war.
9
80 Percent Of American Women Wear Lipstick
Getty
In the mid-2000s, a poll found that 80 percent of American women wore lipstick, about ten percent more than French women.
Advertisement
Related
Before You Go
