The 1940's was an era brimming with patriotism, optimism, and red bold lips. "Beauty was your duty" and considered an act of patriotism during WW11.
Elizabeth Arden, famous makeup artists and women's activist, was approached to create a lipstick specifically designed for women in service. In 1941 "Montezuma Red" was created. Why red? Adolf Hitler hated red lipstick, thus red lipstick was seen as sign of patriotism. Red lipstick was not only worn by American women but in all the Allied countries. It became a statement against fascism.
The origins of red lipstick can be traced to the Sumerian region of southern Mesopotamia, circa 3,500 B.C. It was there that the red rocks were crushed into powder to tint the lips red. In the 1700's, red lipstick was outlawed in England on the basis that women were using cosmetics as a tool to seduce men into into marriage.
No comments:
Post a Comment