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Nowadays, red lipstick is often seen as sexy, but in the past, it had a very different meaning. During World War II, it became one of the ways Europeans and Americans showed their resistance to the Germans. In this article, I’ll explain exactly how that came about.
The historical role of red lipstick for female soldiers
That red lipstick became so popular during World War II was largely thanks to Hitler himself. He was known for disliking cosmetics on women, but red-painted lips were especially offensive to him. Meanwhile, his wife, Eva Braun, loved makeup and frequently wore red lipstick.
As soon as Europeans and Americans heard about Hitler’s disapproval, red lips quickly became a symbol of defiance against the Germans. Propaganda campaigns were launched encouraging women to wear it. Even British Prime Minister Winston Churchill asked women in his country to wear red lipstick. In the United States, a special makeup line was created for female soldiers, which included red lipstick and blush.
Cosmetic brands, of course, saw this as a golden opportunity to capitalize on. New lipsticks were given names linked to the war, such as Victory Red, Victorious, Combat, and Regimental.
The impact of red lipstick
This was not the first time women used red lipstick to display resistance and strength. In the early 1900s, it was also worn as a symbol of civil disobedience, which became especially visible during protests for women’s suffrage in 1912.
Elizabeth Arden, the founder of the eponymous cosmetics brand, handed out red lipsticks during women’s rights demonstrations. Soon, this movement spread to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and women began to wear red lipstick during protests.
It is thought that this was one of the reasons Adolf Hitler despised it so much. The resistance and power that red lipstick symbolized were repugnant to him. And you didn’t need to tell the enemy twice.
If you want to wear such red lipstick too: the Victory Red lipstick from the advertisement in this article is still being sold. It’s by Besame Cosmetics and is shade number 1941. It’s quite popular and often sells out, but for true enthusiasts, it’s an interesting item for your collection.
Best regards,
Aileen