beauty

The vintage lipstick shades that have stood the test of time.

Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”.

If you want to pull off a perfect, vintage lipstick shade, why not wear a lipstick that was actually created in that era? In your local chemist or department store is a secret treasure trove of lipsticks that have stood the test of time and are still making pouts pretty today.

Here’s a glimpse of my favourite vintage lipstick shades. (Post continues after video.)

I first became fascinated with the idea of vintage lipstick shades when I read that Sylvia Plath, who wrote one of my favourite books, The Bell Jar, wore the Cherries in the Snow shade of Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick ($21.95). So, I went ahead and bought this classic shade, which had made its debut in 1953.

Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow

 

Then, in the throes of my Orange is the New Black addiction, I wanted to mimic Morello's retro red pout.

This meant that I also handed over my bucks for another Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in the Certainly Red shade, which perfectly resembles Morello's love-hungry pout. This lipstick has been on sale since 1951.

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Morello from "Orange is the New Black" loves lipstick, men and lying.

 

After that, for no reason other than to expand my vintage lipstick collection, I bought one more Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire and Ice - a bright, orangey-red, a shade which has been looking fresh since 1952. I skipped down to Chemist Warehouse, and snatched up this lipstick on sale for only $10.

I mean, if it's on sale, it's OK if I buy it and add it to my collection of millions of lipsticks, right?

Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice

 

Well, now I have an unabashed addiction to vintage lipstick shades. Rimmel's Lasting Finish Lipsticks ($9.95) in Coffee Shimmer and Amethyst Shimmer remind me of being a teenager in the '90s.

Rimmel's Lasting Finish Lipstick in Coffee Shimmer

 

L'Oreal's Colour Riche Lipstick ($21.95) collection is 30 years old this year, which of course means that I NEEDED to own the aptly named Intense Plum and the your-lips-but-better-and-sparklier Berry Blush.

L'Oreal's Colour Riche Lipstick in Intense Plum

 

My favourite lipstick from this retro-inspired spree is Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick ($20.95) in Ruby Tuesday. It's inpisired by Marilyn Monroe's favourite Max Factor shade and it's a gorgeous candy-apple red. The best bit? It stays on and stains while still feeling soft and moisturising.

Maxfactor's Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday

 

Do you own any of these vintage lipstick shades? Who's your lipstick icon?