Latest news with #redlipstick
Vogue Arabia
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
Why Red Lipstick Will Always Be My Power Colour
A bright, blue-toned red lipstick has been my signature for the last fourteen years. I found my first in a serendipitous encounter at a M.A.C Cosmetics store. I walked in with no specific agenda, a sales assistant pulled out a few colours for me, including one called 'M.A.C Red' (nope, not Ruby Woo), I saw what it looked like against my fair skin and was instantly intimidated, wondering if it was too promiscuous a shade for a sixteen-year-old. A woman shopping alongside saw it on me and instantly said, 'If I was you, I would buy that. It looks amazing.' I did, and I've never looked back. While teenagers today experiment with beauty and truly own their choices, that wasn't necessarily the case in 2012. It took a few wears for me to get over the self-judgment and really embrace the fact that beneath the doubt, it made me feel fantastic and like a more confident version of myself. Little did I know that three years later, I would dive into a career in the beauty editorial space, and that my red lipstick would become a defining part of my personality, at and outside of work, eventually leading to the launch of my Instagram community called The Red Lipstick Club. Red lipstick: Cultural significance Red lipstick has been a symbol of oppression, wealth, power, seduction and even witchcraft over time. Historians believe that the Egyptians were some of the first creators and users of red lipstick, one made from crushing insects, for Cleopatra. During World War II, women were specifically told to avoid wearing red lipstick, and they went on to swipe it as an act of rebellion. In 1912, during the suffragettes movement in America, protestors wore red and Elizabeth Arden handed out free tubes of red lipstick to women marching along Fifth Avenue in New York City. Marilyn Monroe always had her signature red lip on, Grace Kelly loved her Rouge Dior 999 since the mid 1950s, Madonna wore M.A.C's Russian Red all through her iconic 'Blond Ambition' tour in 1990, and Taylor Swift often has a red pout on (Nars' Dragon Girl is said to be her go-to). Safe to say, red has always been, and continues to be, in vogue. How to find the perfect red lipstick Finding a red that feels true to you definitely takes some experimenting. We got Bianca Louzado, a Mumbai-based celebrity and bridal makeup artist to share her take on doing it right. 'I think the perfect red lipstick announces your identity, attitude and emotions, all in one swipe. The secret to knowing and wearing the right kind of red lies in understanding your skin's undertone. If you have a cool undertone such as pink, red, or bluish hints, invest in blue-based reds like cherry hues or a classic ruby palette. Warm undertones are skin with golden, yellow, olive, or peach hints, making orange-based reds like tomato or brick tones your perfect pick. If you have a neutral undertone where warm and cool are balanced, most reds will suit you.' If you're someone who enjoys creating custom shades, she recommends having a tiny collection of assorted reds, to mix and match shades and thereby achieve your perfect red. There truly is a red for everyone, no matter your skin tone. All it takes is some trial and error, and a small dose of confidence to wear it outdoors. You'll feel the difference and wonder why you never wore the power colour in the first place — I know I did, and will continue to swipe it on till kingdom come. Looking for the next red lipstick to invest in? Pick from our luxe edit. Prada Monochrome Soft Matte Lipstick in R127 Carminio AED210 Hermès Hermès Rouge Hermès Satin Lipstick in Rouge Casaque AED320 Givenchy Givenchy Le Rouge Interdit Intense Silk Lipstick AED212 Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in 104 Passion AED220 Christian Louboutin Photo: Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte Lipstick in Rouge Louboutin 001M AED210
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Flight attendant reveals the real reason they wear red lipstick
A former flight attendant has revealed a little-known reason why female cabin crew wear red lipstick - and it's more than just a fashion statement. Heather Poole, who spent two decades flying for a major U.S. airline, revealed in her memoir, Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet, that the bold red lip once served a surprising purpose. During her time in the air, red lipstick was part of official grooming standards, but it also had a specific safety function. According to Poole, the distinguishable shade was worn so that passengers could read flight attendants' lips during an emergency. She explained that in a loud, chaotic situation, passengers might not hear what flight attendants are saying, but they could see their lips moving. The idea is that a vivid lip colour can assist in non-verbal communication, a critical tool when trying to direct panicked passengers toward exits or life-saving equipment. She also suggested that the colour red projects authority, giving the impression that flight attendants are 'in control' of the situation. However, veteran flight attendant Sydney Anistine told Reader's Digest she's 'never heard' of lipstick being used for safety purposes, adding: 'These days, if you see someone wearing a bright lip, it's just a style choice.' Kristine Eksteine-Nizka, a longtime cabin crew member and travel writer, agreed, noting that for many airlines, especially luxury carriers like Emirates, the red lip is more about branding than safety. She said: 'Emirates has a specific makeup look that the flight attendants need to adhere to - they even have makeup training for their girls.' Still, the image of the glamorous, perfectly polished flight attendant has deep historical roots, with lipstick being 'serious business,' according to Poole. In the golden age of aviation during the 1950s and 1960s, airlines like the now-defunct Pan Am enforced strict appearance codes. Former Pan Am stewardess Sheila Riley recalled how makeup choices were micromanaged. She said: 'If you were caught wearing, say, blue eye-shadow or scarlet lipstick you were told to wipe it off because they wanted us to look natural and wholesome.' The airline even mandated Revlon's Persian Melon lipstick and matching nail polish - incidentally, the make-up brand's founder Charles Revlon was on Pan Am's board of directors at the time. Elsewhere, travellers have discovered a hidden detail in the Virgin Australia staff uniforms that few have noticed. The cherry red uniforms might seem identical at first, but there's a glaring difference between those worn by flight attendants and guest services agents. Flight attendants wear a lilac and deep purple neck scarf along with a winged pin, whereas ground staff wear a purple and red neck scarf and do not have a specialised pin. While millions fly the airline everyday, many weren't aware of the subtle difference in the uniforms. Virgin staff recently shared a video revealing the differences and debunked common myths.
