Before we start looking at some unique vintage lipstick designs, let's go through a little history about who invented the lipstick tubes in the first place:
In 1884, the first commercial lipsticks were manufactured by the French Cosmetics company Guerlain. Their lipstick was made with deer tallow, beeswax and castor oil, then it was wrapped in silk paper.
In 1915, Maurice Levy of the Scovil Manufacturing Company invented the metal tube container for lipstick, which had a small lever at the side of the tube that lowered and raised the lipstick.
In 1923, James Bruce Mason Jr. of Nashville, Tennessee patented the first swivel-up tube and gave us the modern lipstick as we know it today.
In 1930, Max Factor invented and started selling lip glosses, which was once only reserved for Hollywood actresses, was now available to the masses. Hit by the great depression, lipstick was an affordable luxury for women in this era.
Now, I Listed some of the most interesting and Iconic Lipsticks from the past! Let's travel through time and take a closer look at these beautiful little objects that bring us such empowerment and feminity. According to Madeleine Marsh, author of "Compacts and Cosmetics," Red Lipstick "is in fact more than anything else about female strength."
"If you're sad, add more lipstick and attack!" – Coco Chanel
CHANEL - PREMIER ROUGE
Chanel launched her first lip colour collection in 1924. Unlike its mass counterparts, the creamy formula was ultra-pigmented, yet decidedly wearable. Mademoiselle, who was always keen on a classic crimson lip, even created her own bespoke shade.
Coco Chanel created a lipstick dubbed Premier Rouge. Its red was synonymous with strength. You wear lipstick just like you wear a dress. It’s more than just a simple accessory; it’s an accomplice for every second of a woman’s life.
HELENA RUBINSTEIN - ART DECO
Helena Rubinstein's lipstick in Red Poppy features a stunning Art Deco design. This bright-red, pre-war lipstick is so beautiful. It sums up the elegance of the Thirties. It’s an exquisite Art Deco design, a slim, silver-toned case with a sophisticated black background.
The one on this picture belongs to Makeup Artist and Collector Lisa Eldridge, her book 'Face Paint'; The Story of Makeup is a must-have for any beauty enthusiast.
LOUIS NICHILO - TOWER OF PISA
More jewelry than packaging, this Rare 1950 Italian lipstick case (from David Weingarten’s collection of souvenir buildings) was designed by jewelry designer Louis Nichilo.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is Gold plated with coloured stones for decoration, it is made to fit all standard lipstick refills.
I mean, what a stunning little Pisa of Art!
DIOR - CRYSTAL Obélisque
This Iconic Baccarat Crystal Lipstick Holder was made for Christian Dior in the 1950s. It was made to hold replaceable lipstick tubes.
Inspired by The Luxor Obelisks Monument, the pair of Ancient Egyptian obelisks located at Place de la Concorde.
This lipstick holder was given to Christian Dior's Clients in his Paris Showroom and symbolizes the Dior house!
SALVADOR Dalí -METAL LIP
This 1980s Salvador Dalí lipstick is a gorgeous silver bullet with a golden sculpted lip in the center.
Dalí went all out when it came to packaging, colour and even the shape of lipstick tubes.
So inspiring was his simple, yet incredibly different, lipstick tubes, that a certain A-list makeup artist took a little more than inspiration from the tube.
REVLON - COUTURINES DOLL
Released between 1961 and 1963 the lipstick Couturine Dolls were produced by Revlon. These ladies were customizable and came in 12 different designer styles, you could accessorize them by adding a chapeau or a rhinestone necklace.
Some were made to depict Hollywood stars like Shirley Mclaine, Marilyn Monroe and Bette Davis!
These Couturines belong to Makeup Artist and Collector Erin Parson, checkout her TikTok erinparsonmakeup.
They also made Couturines called 'Les Girls' which came out during the Holidays in 1962. Unfortunately back then they were not cruelty-free, Revlon made it a point to highlight the genuine mink, fox and chinchilla used.
These 'Les Girls' belong to The Makeup Museum.
PARK & TILFORD - MARTINI SHAKER
Late 1940s Park & Tilford, Distributors Fifth Avenue New York, made this red lipstick shaped just like a cocktail shaker and called it, Party Time! Presented in a gleaming gilt tube with red enamelled lettering, it came in gold metal and sterling silver.
You would simply pull out the top of the shaker to access your lipstick. Cocktail anyone?
PARIS DEPOSE - FIGURAL PIG
Very rare & unusual novelty pig figural lipstick holder Made of gold-tone metal this Piggy has a cute curly tail and tiny red painted eyes. To use it, you would simply pull out the head to reveal the lipstick tube.
Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, I would like to finish off by sharing a great Lipstick reference book called Lips of Luxury written by author Jean-Marie Martin-Hattemberg. I highly recommend it for any beauty enthusiast!
Now, what should I write about next?
Yours truly,
Mélanie
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