One of the most common vintage lipstick shades is red. Considered the go-to shade for vintage Hollywood starlets, red lipstick is an evergreen color that works on every skin tone. Several red lipsticks that glamorous actresses from the 1950s wore in movies are still available today — many of which are Revlon.
One of Revlon’s oldest lipstick shades that is still available for purchase is the Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love That Red. Created in 1951, this shade is a classic, universally-flattering red lipstick that’s one of Marilyn Monroe’s favorites and suits various skin tones (via Laura Jane Atelier). In 1952, Revlon released its iconic Fire & Ice marketing campaign that came with a personality quiz, featuring a stand-out, fiery orange-red lipstick (per Allure). Bustle reports it was the first time a makeup ad empowered women to wear makeup to express themselves, rather than to impress men. Then in 1953, Revlon debuted Cherries in the Snow — the more sophisticated, raspberry pink-based red counterpart to Fire & Ice, according to Allure.
Another popular brand for the perfect red lipstick is Dior. Actress Grace Kelly often donned a crimson red Dior lipstick, which gave a look of timeless elegance (via CR Fashionbook). To get Kelly’s signature red, CR Fashionbook recommends trying Dior Rouge Lipstick in 999. Southern Living reports the shade was created in 1953 as a universal red that can be worn with all outfits and combined existing shades at the time.
