Long before lipstick became a symbol of glamour, it was about identity. Ancient Greeks viewed lipstick more than a cosmetic item. Respectable women were expected to appear natural, while bright lips were associated with courtesans. But here’s the twist: those same courtesans were the ones who perfected early lip pigments, using crushed mulberries, red iron oxide and even cochineal insects to create deep berry stains.
Rome took things even further. Lip colour became a status symbol, worn by elite women and even some men. Wealthy Romans used lip salves made from beeswax, olive oil and red pigments to signal refinement. Some may have viewed lipstick as frivolous, however it more on the practical side. Lipstick symbolized who you were, what you owned and how you wanted to be seen.
In the ancient world, lipstick wasn’t just beauty. It represented power, class and performance.
Medieval Europe:
Lipstick Becomes Dangerous, Forbidden, and Feared
Then came the Middle Ages, and that changed everything. Beginning with lipstick, oh how you fell from grace.
What had once been a symbol of status became a symbol of sin. The Church declared that altering one’s face was an act of deception, a tool of the devil and a threat to moral order. Women who wore lip colour were accused of witchcraft, seduction or sorcery. In some regions, laws were passed claiming that a woman who “painted her face” could be tried for tricking a man into marriage.
Wearing lipstick was rebellious. It was a secret and a risk.
Women still tinted their lips, however they did it discreetly, by using berries, wine sediment or homemade balms. The bolder the colour, the bolder the statement. Wearing lipstick in the medieval era wasn’t about beauty. It was about defiance.
I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?
Face by Stace 