And1370 BC when the queen of Egypt Nefertiti she was depicted in her famous half bust, which has come down to us keeping its original colors almost intact. Since then, its “Nefertiti lips“, The brick red lips, they have become the symbol par excellence of its eternal beauty.
So, the special one lipstick prototype it was none other than powder of iron oxidewith a very particular red – nude – brick color. A nuance that has returned to conquer social networks today.
Nefertiti lips, the trendiest lip shade of SS 2022
It is right at the period of Ancient Egypt that dates back to the very first introduction of the use of makeup, from khol to red lipstick. Ocher, red and purple, then, were obtained from natural ingredients, primarily from crushing of stones and from the fermentation of flowers and plants.
The result were saturated color cosmetic products which were used to paint the face of the pharaohs. And of the iconic Queen Nefertiti. Today, after more than 650 years, it is precisely the intense and deep color of his lips to be back in fashion.
Red color “iron oxide”: what is it?
What made Nefertiti’s lipstick shade so recognizable was iron oxide, a mineral-based powder obtained from hematite and maghemite. Their reddish powder, diluted with precious oils, gave life to creams colored from ocher to red, but also to a myriad of brown shades, when mixed with yellow.
Even today, these mineral powders they can be used in cosmetic formulations, because they have no health contraindications if used correctly and in doses recommended by international cosmetic standards. In lipsticks, theiron oxide produces a hue red natural and vegan at the same time. In the INCI, that is in the ingredient lists, it is recognized by the abbreviation CI.
Nefertiti lips, the tutorial by Erin Parsons
To draw attention to this specific shade of mineral red was Erin Parsons, makeup artist of Gigi and Bella Hadid and Maybelline Global Makeup Artist.
In a video posted on her Instagram account, the makeup artist showed off how to get the exact color from the stone that adorned Nefertiti’s lips.
There dust it is therefore used as an eyeshadow and blush and later – combined with oil – as a lipstick. The result is not just a trick ton sur ton but also the modern transposition of the oldest make-up in history.
The “power” of red lipstick
Color associated with the idea of strength, passion and seduction Red lipstick has also been used in history as an economic indicator .
Leonard Lauder, historical president of Estée Lauder in 2001 coined the concept of Lipstick Index, an index used for the sale of lipsticks. It was thus discovered that during times of crisis (after 1929, 11 September and after Covid-19) it is precisely this nuance that is among the most purchased, because it gives the wearer a sort of feeling of power.
Not only that, it was Coco Chanel who declared: “If you are sad, if you have a love problem, put on your makeup, put on your Red lipstick and attack ”demonstrating when power – emotional – had this coloring. Today the Red lipstick remains one of the cornerstones of the cosmetics industry, a symbol of female empowerment and one of the most famous colors of all time.
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