Red Lipstick - A Tool Of Witchcraft To A Symbol Of Feminine Power

A fearless ally of women throughout history, the red lipstick has transformed from a tool of witchcraft to a symbol of feminine power, notes Moshita Prajapati

- Moshita Prajapati

The ritual of staining one's lips with a red tint can be traced back to the women of Mesopotamia, who applied crushed precious stones on their lips to achieve a rust hue. Then there was the legendary beauty, Empress Cleopatra of Egypt, who reddened her lips using cochineal, which derives its deep carmine color from pulverized beetles, finishing with fish scales that added a luminous touch to her crimson pout. Lip gloss of the ancient times, if you will!

Women have been reddening their lips since centuries in the quest for a perfect pout. Unlike nudes, peaches, and pinks, the red lipstick carries with it an emblematic siren call of sex appeal and glamour. Christian Louboutin is known to have commented, “When a woman wears red lips, it means she is confident. She is taking control of how others perceive her, and that message is very powerful. It is also a fierce signal to say, ‘Look at my face’.”

CRIMSON QUEENS

While working on her book,