![]() |
Courtesy of The Violet Files
|
In an exclusive new story on The Violet Files starring
supermodel and actress Amber Valletta, Rachel Goodwin transforms Valletta into a
time-traveling beauty, starting in ancient Egypt and ending with the powerful,
off-duty glamour of today. In 6 Ways to
Wear Red Lipstick, Goodwin recreates the hue's biggest moments throughout
history, and tells us how the beloved yet scrutinized shade made its mark on
beauty history.
“Red lipstick is more than just a
color, it has a voice,” says Chanel Makeup Artist Rachel Goodwin.
![]() |
Courtesy of The Violet Files |
With a penchant for beauty history and a wealth of
trivia-worthy beauty facts, Rachel reminds us there’s nothing more alluring or
enduring than a bold red lip. Here is Rachel’s Red Lip history and how to
recreate the best looks today:
ON THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN RED LIP:
Red is a color of passion, power and femininity. Its legacy has lasted
throughout history, starting from Queen Nefertiti’s bright, red lips. You won’t
see a statue of her without them.
ON THE 18TH CENTURY RED LIP: The
sensual flushed cheek and stained lip look, popularized by women of the
eighteenth century, is as effective now as it was in King Louis XV’s royal French
court. To achieve a similar look, apply red lipstick with your fingers to the
center of the mouth, press lips together, and blot away excess pigment with a
tissue. Dab the same lipstick onto cheeks for that just-pinched healthy glow.
ON THE 1920S RED LIP: Women
during the 1920s were exploring their masculine energy, it was the era of the
“la garconne” look with embellished lips and eyes and men’s clothes. There was
a feeling of rebellion and the idea of being vamp.
ON THE 1950S RED LIP: Red was
such a signature color of the 50s - it was beguiling. There was an air of
sophistication, particularly with the matching lip and nail look. That idea of
matching still translates to today. I think the most elegant, chic look is when
a woman has matching red lips and nails paired with a cotton t-shirt and jeans
or a black suit.
ON THE 1990S RED LIP: This is the
girl who cares but not too much. She’s the sexy rebel. It’s not an exact
science but she’s clearly slept in her makeup from the night before and in the
morning she’s touched up her lipstick just a bit - she looks like she didn’t
try, but she definitely did.
ON THE CURRENT RED LIP: The
texture has to be perfect: It’s both creamy and matte, and not too shiny. Wear
it with messy hair, almost no other makeup, and a leather jacket, and you will
feel like you can take over the world.
Read the full story, learn how to recreate alluring
looks with Rachel's exclusive tutorials and shop the looks!