When we look at the history of lipstick timeline, it is amazing to see how much this cosmetic beauty enhancer has evolved. Join us on a retrospective as we peruse this transformation, from ingredients, colors, and lipstick trends through the decades, to today’s tips and tricks to keep your lips looking plump, juicy, and irresistible.
History of Lipstick Ingredients
Approximately 5000 years ago, males and females in the Sumerian (southern Mesopotamia) and Indus Valley (South and Central Asia) were believed to be the first to create and wear lipstick. The Sumerians used crushed gemstones, whereas the Indus used Ochre for its yellow, deep orange, and brown hues. Ochre appears again in Aboriginal puberty rituals for girls. The history of red lipstick began when crushed bugs, like carmine used in Egypt, and red lac mixed with beeswax described in the Kama Sutra were used to give lips a red tint. The Egyptians also combined a red dye extracted from seaweed with bromine mannite and iodine, which was intended to indicate social status, but made people sick. Fish scales were often added to achieve iridescent shimmer.
In China, over 1000 years ago, beeswax was used to make a lip protectant, and aromatic oils were added later to make the mouth more enticing.
In 16th century England where Queen Elizabeth I used red stains from plants blended with beeswax on her lips to achieve bright red lips that upper-class women and actors wore. However, through most of the 19th century, cosmetics of this obvious nature were tied with prostitutes and actors and deemed unacceptable for respectable women.
In the 1850s, lead and vermillion derived from cinnabar (a type of mercury sulfide) were used to create red-hued lips, with a warning about the dangerous toxicity of both quickly following. Carmine from insects continued into the 19th century with lipstick reserved for actors and actresses due to their vivid, unnatural look.
Formerly only available for purchase in small pots, tinted papers, or paper tubes, in the 1870s, Guerlain created a lipstick inspired by the shape and composition of candlesticks. In 1884 he created a commercialized version of beeswax, castor oil, and deer tallow which appeared more natural, making it somewhat more acceptable to wear in public.
It wasn’t until around 1912, when petroleum-based formulations and the iconic metal cylinder tube came to market, that wearing lipstick became acceptable amongst fashionable American women.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, dark red lipstick was the most popular. In the 1920s, it symbolized independence to the Flappers and Cupid’s bow like Clara Bow, the “It” girl of the time. Interestingly, you could apply lipstick in public by now, but still not at dinner.
Elizabeth Arden introduced more colors in the 1930s, which sparked other companies to follow suit. This symbolized womanhood to teens of the time, but adults viewed it as a symbol of sexuality and rebellion. This became a point of contention between teenage girls and their parents who feared their daughters would be deemed “loose.”
During World War II, women dressed their best, donning red lipstick as part of the “Beauty is Your Duty” morale-boosting patriotic campaign. It was also a way to show resistance to fascism, as Hitler opposed red lipstick.
Red lipstick retook center stage in the 50s when Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor graced the silver screen.
History of Lipstick Color
Towards the late 50s, light shimmery shades became popular as the softer peach and pale pink lipsticks were considered more acceptable. In the 1960s, the white lipstick trend followed a la the Shirelles and Ronettes. And, by now, lipstick was deemed a sign of femininity that women wouldn’t leave the house without.
In the 70s, berry-inspired hues adorned peoples’ lips, with red showing up again and lip gloss making its appearance. There were even some blues and greens in avant-garde circles, and it seems that make-up never looked back.
In the 80s, mood lipstick, fuchsia, red, burgundy, and plum lips dominated. In the 90s, toned-down semi-matte, brown-tinged shades and chocolate lip liner with shiny pearl shades were de rigueur. Red made a comeback again thanks to MAC Cosmetics and Madonna, who epitomized confidence, sexuality, and rebellion, and grunge ushered in moody brick and wine-stained lips.
Jumping ahead to 2012, brightly hued neon and red lips were back in force, with the latter now championed by Taylor Swift. It was quickly muted with nude “less is more” lips around late 2014 and early 2015, a la Paris Hilton, followed by matte liquid lipsticks.
Lipstick Today
Whether it comes in a tube, crayon, liquid, or stain, lipstick is a staple in many people’s beauty regimen. While naturally sourced carmine and beeswax are still being used, many of the ingredients in lipsticks have evolved. Due to clean beauty trends, petrolatum, mineral oil, and other toxic ingredients are gradually being replaced by safe ingredients like candelilla wax, carnauba wax, ozokerite, olive oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter.
It is important to shop wisely, as studies have shown various levels of lead and other trace metals in top drugstore lipsticks. While no longer intentionally used, lead can show up due to natural occurrence in raw ingredients or accentual contamination. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have also been found in liquid lipsticks and other cosmetics.
Lipstick Trends 2025 Spring/Summer
In 2025, lipstick and lip care trends are embracing both bold aesthetics and nourishing formulations. Here's a look at the standout movements shaping the beauty landscape today:
Berry Tones & Monochromatic Looks: Rich berry shades—like raspberry, plum, and mulled wine—are dominating. These hues are being used not just on lips but also on cheeks and eyes for cohesive, monochromatic styles.
Velvet & Satin Finishes: The ultra-matte lip has softened into velvet and satin textures, offering a plush, blurred effect. This shift provides comfortable wear while maintaining a sophisticated look.
Lip Contouring for Fuller Lips: Lip contouring has gained popularity as a needle-free method to achieve fuller-looking lips. By using cool-toned liners and strategic shading, one can create the illusion of volume.
Coordinated Lip & Nail Colors: Matching lipstick and nail polish shades — dubbed the "beauty sandwich" — is a trend that brings a polished and harmonious look. Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber have been seen sporting this coordinated style.
Skincare-Infused Lip Products: Lip products now often include skincare ingredients to provide moisturizing, smoothing, and/or plumping effects. Keep reading to learn more!
Aging Lips
Your lips are one the first areas to show visible signs of aging, like lines and lip thinning. But what actually happens to your lip contour as you age? Repetitive facial movements and expressions, the natural aging process, lifestyle, and the environment can cause lip lines and other signs of aging around the lips.
Collagen loss, skin thinning, slower cell turnover, and the loss of moisture and facial fat that occur as we age lead to lip lines and thinning lips. The skin around the mouth is also subject to wear and tear caused by eating, drinking through straws, talking, smiling, laughing, and frowning. Smokers or those who haven’t practiced preventive skincare and sunscreen use experience lines earlier and more deeply.
Lips lose their rosy pigment as we age due to decreasing blood vessels in the vermillion border of your lips. Normal bone loss that occurs with age can create a slightly convex or caved-in look around the mouth, and there is an overall soft tissue redistribution too, which makes the lips appear less plump. To top things off, the upper lip lengthens, too!
Use pro-aging lip care formulated with revitalizing Marine Collagen and Micro-Retinol® to protect and repair the delicate lip contour can help you keep your plump, youthful-looking smile. And always avoid lip products with Mineral Oil and other Petroleum-based ingredients that contribute to skin thinning.
Lipstick Tips and Tricks
There are as many ways to apply lipstick as there are shades of lipsticks. Before you jump in, you’ll want to prep your lips first.
To prime your canvas for today’s trends, remove your lipstick nightly with the CleanRefresh Foaming Oil Cleanser on a cotton pad to remove highly pigmented lip color. Follow with the moisturizing Shea Butter-infused Rapid-Restore Lip Balm for soft, protected lips. Use a lip repair kit with moisturizing Marine Collagen, rejuvenating Micro-Retinol®, and lip-plumping Hyaluronic Acid weekly to gently smooth and enhance your lips. If needed, gently brush your lips with a clean toothbrush to banish flakey, chapped lips once or twice a week.
Now, choose your desired look or concern below and follow the directions for lips that are the center of attention:
A color wash or stain: Lightly tap and press lipstick over the lips within the lip line to keep the pigment sheer. Pat with your ring finger and blend to the corner of your lip. No liner needed! This “pat it on, tap it out” approach creates a soft, naturally enhanced pucker.
Amp it up: Use a lip brush with a little point for some definition on your cupid's bow and an opaquer look. Then, pick up product off the tip of your lipstick bullet, apply it with a sweeping motion across your lips, and blend into the corners of your mouth.
Line it: For a crisper, perfected, dramatic look, line your lips all over, resting your pinky on your chin for more stability and control. Then apply lipstick directly from the tube, aligning the tip of the bullet with the contours of your lips. If you prefer, apply lipstick or gloss with a stiff, short makeup brush with a pointed tip.
For long-lasting wear: Powder your lips, line, and blend the lip line with a brush. Fill in with a liquid lipstick or gloss and blend. Apply more liner if desired and re-blend. Choose a brownish liner and a peachy lipstick for a natural yet defined look. Set your artistry with a translucent powder for an even longer-lasting effect.
Prevent lipstick traveling: To keep lipstick from collecting at the corners of your mouth or transferring to your teeth, hold a cotton swab between your lips as you apply. Or insert a clean finger into your mouth and pull out to ensure no lipstick gets on your teeth.
For precision application: Use a concealer with a small brush or concealer pencil to clean around the lip line for a clean, sharp edge without lipstick “bleed.”
To make thin lips look bigger: Can't afford lip fillers? Fake a lip flip with these lipstick tricks for fuller lips! Holding your lips together, use a thin brown pencil to overline (meaning line above) your Cupid’s bow (the middle of your upper lip). Next, line just beneath your natural lip line in the center of your bottom lip. Join these lines to your natural lip line on the sides. Lightly blend and shade the borders, then fill in your lips with a nude gloss or lipstick that matches or is slightly lighter than your lip liner.
Here are some other pro tips to create even more volume:
Draw a line in the center, and apply a light-colored gloss on top to highlight, avoiding the border.
Apply a shimmer shadow directly above the cupid’s bow and the center of the bottom lips.
Apply a light brown shadow underneath your bottom lip to create the illusion of a fuller bottom lip.
Apply a small dab of concealer to the edges of your lip line for a crisp finish and an extra plumping effect.
For a gradient effect: Line lips and feather it in from the outer corners, apply a darker lipstick there and a lighter shade in the center, and blend, which also creates more fullness.
Natural no makeup-look: Overline your lips with a nude pencil that matches your skin tone, or better yet, your lip tone, going over your lip line a bit to give your lips more pow. Layer with a lip balm and blend. If you want just a little more oomph, add lip gloss in a natural shade on top.
Turn that frown upside down: Whether you were born with a naturally downturned mouth or gravity and muscular tension have pulled the corners of your mouth down, these lipstick tricks for downturned lips will help. Apply lipstick to the center of your lips and press your lips together. Smudge with your finger and blur out towards the edges, creating a soft, sheer, ethereal effect. Apply highlighter to your cupid’s bow and the middle of your bottom lip.
Have fun experimenting with these looks and consider trying these techniques out on your day off to find which ones you like, before “airing” your artistic abilities.
Want to maximize results for your healthiest skin ever? Visit Find A Spa for an oasis near you offering the Pevonia Micro Retinol® Lip Repair Treatment and boost skin health with a professional consultation for your ideal products and treatments.
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