Lipstick has travelled a long and colourful path to the present day and there is an interesting connection between lip shape and the economic state of our society. Did you know the shape and colour of a woman's lips could be so telling of the times in which she lived? Read on for a look at evolving lip shapes from the 1920's to today.

1920's – Prohibition

A matte finish, heart shaped black or garnet red mouth was the lip style of the Roaring 20's.  In the age of the flapper, women go out to drink and dance and push the envelope of their independence.  Movie star Clara Bow popularizes the "cupid's bow" lip seen above.

Clara Bow

1930's – The Great Depression

A mouth drawn outwards with square edges emphasizes the stern, perfectionist appearance of the sober 30′s. Women, having witnessed the financial battery of the Great Depression, are thrifty and austere.  Movie stars like Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich were idols at the time, their steely and adrogynous appearance personified women of the 30's.  Lips colours were glossy redish brown.

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Greta Garbo

1940's – World War II

Full, red, glossy lips represented the courageous, self-assured women of the 1940's.  While the men are off fighting in the war, women go to work, getting jobs in factories and offices and giving them a newfound sense of indentity.  Lipstick becomes a symbol of strength, disguising inner sorrow during war-time.  Rita Hayworth and Bette Davis light up the silver screen playing independent, capable women.  

Rita Hayworth

1950's – Post-War

The 1950's were about rebuilding the country and the economy. A voluptuous mouth with the lip line extended beyond the natural shape is reflective of this period of reconstruction. The look is seductive and feminine with popular lip shades being bright red and pink.  Movie star Marilyn Monroe embraces sexuality, feminity and the voluptuous 50's lip.

Marilyn Monroe

1960's Flower Power

The rebellious 60's are characterized by Woodstock, the sexual revolution and the anti-war movement.  Listick is applied, but more discreetly than ever before as a symbol of rejection of traditional sex roles and conventional beauty.  Lip shape is large and colours are shimmering and neutral beige.  Brigette Bardot and model Twiggy are the beauty icons of the time. 

Twiggy

1970's – Disco Days

The disco look of the 70's represents a of self-confidence for women and bold lip shapes and colours mirror this. An outlined, shiny mouth represents the shimmering 70's disco look.  Gloria Gaynor and Diana Ross define this decade.

Gloria Gaynor

1980's Anti-Beauty

A dark, wide mouth represents the provocative punk look of the 80′s. Punk, as a musical statement and a culture, is the first anti-beauty movement. In fashion, women and men alike play with the idea of reverse gender roles. Think Boy George and Madonna in her "Like A Virgin" days. Lips are dark red, black or metallic.

Cyndi Lauper

1990's – Grunge & The Supermodel

A clearly outlined mouth painted in natural colors, either shining or matte, documents the grunge-turned-pop look of the 90′s. Internet, cell phones, Pearl Jam, plaid and hip hop set the tone for this decade socially and commercially.
 

The introduction of Supermodels- Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista- permeates women’s idea of beauty. Brown lipstick undergoes a revival.

2000's – The New Millenium 

It's still early in the new millennium but so far lips shapes have been quite natural and soft and warm lip shades like beiges and pinks have been popular.  Women seem to be embracing natural beauty more than previous decades as a new appreciation for the essentials is arising. 

Where will lip shapes go from here? One thing is for certain, as long as women continue to evolve in society so will how they express themselves through their makeup. 

image 1920's Magazine Cover/Clara Bow/Greta Garbo/Rita Hayworth/Marilyn Monroe/Twiggy/Gloria Gaynor/ Cyndi Lauper/ Cindy Crawford