A Short History of Lipstick

What with all the talk of nude and red and purple lips this autumn, I thought I'd do a quick post on the history of lipstick and which colors match which eras - I mean it's been useRd since the ancient Egyptians or even the Sumerians. We always talk about a decade coming back, but what about several centuries?

Ancient Egypt:
Although it was not yet in stick form, instead being a mix of oils and waxes with colors in a pot, the Ancient Egyptians wore blue-black and orange-red colors.

Ancient Greece:

Red and wine colored for most women. However, prostitutes wore all sorts of colors but they aren't exactly the ideal style icon in my eyes.

The Roman Empire:
During the time of the emperor Nero, his wife brought fucus into fashion. Fucus is reddish purple and was used alongside wine colors.

The Middle Ages:
Even though make-up was normally condemned, a white face and rose-colored lips was the only style considered somewhat acceptable.

Elizabethan England (Elizabeth I)
White faces but brighter lips. Elizabeth I thought make up could stave off death and cosmetics vendors were considered to be akin to magicians.

Baroque (1660-1789)
Men and women alike wore make up in bright colors - it was supposed to make you stand out from the crowd. Lips were to be pearl-like.

Thanks to Lime Crime and M.A.C. for the images.