Any Color As Long It’s Red

By Monika Kowalska

Red lipstick boasts a rich history, evolving from ancient adornment to a modern symbol of empowerment. Recent archaeological findings revealed a 4,000-year-old vial in Iran containing pigments similar to modern lipstick, demonstrating the enduring legacy of bold lips. Ancient queens like Mesopotamia’s Puabi and Egypt’s Cleopatra used vibrant lip colors to signify status and power, while in ancient Greece, red lipstick was associated with sex workers.

Over the centuries, red lipstick’s meaning shifted dramatically. In medieval Europe, it was viewed as wicked or even linked to witchcraft. Queen Elizabeth I revived its popularity among the aristocracy, but later, its use was stigmatized and even criminalized. In the 20th century. Red lips became a symbol of feminist rebellion, especially during the 1912 suffragette marches and later, of patriotic femininity during World War II. 

From Hollywood icons like Marilyn Monroe to contemporary figures like Taylor Swift, red lipstick has remained a beauty staple. Today, it continues to serve as a bold political statement, seen in protests in Nicaragua and Chile, reinforcing its enduring power as a tool for self-expression, defiance and identity.

There’s something almost magical about red lipstick. The moment it touches my lips, I feel transformed, bolder, sexier, more me. It’s not just makeup, it’s armor, it’s rebellion, it’s romance. And over the years, red lipstick has become my signature, my ritual, my unapologetic wink to the world. 

I wasn’t always brave enough for red. Like so many of us, I started with soft pinks and glosses, dipping my toes into femininity one sheer swipe at a time. Red felt too loud back then, too “look at me,” too dangerous. But the first time I dared to wear it outside the safety of my bedroom mirror, something changed. I saw a woman looking back at me, confident, elegant, a little mischievous. I fell in love.

What I adore most is how versatile it is. A matte red can make you look like a 1940s starlet, a glossy cherry evokes summer nights and clinking wine glasses and a deep crimson whispers secrets in candlelight. Red can say “I’m in charge” or “Kiss me” or sometimes both at once. Isn’t that delicious?

I remember one summer rooftop party in particular. I was wearing this little black off-the-shoulder dress, nothing too flashy, but the red lipstick? She stole the show. I caught the eye of a woman across the terrace. She walked over, introduced herself, and said, “I only came to tell you that your lipstick is doing everything right.” We ended up talking for hours under string lights, sharing secrets and sipping rosé like we were old friends. That’s the power of red, it starts conversations, turns heads, opens doors. 

Of course, there are rules, finding the right shade, prepping the lips, perfecting the cupid’s bow. But honestly? Sometimes I break the rules. I blot it with a tissue when I want that just-kissed effect. I swipe it on with my finger when I’m in a hurry and want that effortless, Parisian smudge. Red lipstick doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be you.

When I wear red, I don’t hide. I strut. I take up space. I laugh louder. I flirt more. I remind myself that I deserve to be seen, to be heard, to be desired. Even on days when I’m tired or doubtful or wearing the same pair of jeans for the third time in a row, red lipstick shows up for me. And I show up for her. There’s an intimacy in applying it, too. That slow swipe across the lip, the soft press of tissue, the little dance you do in the mirror after. It’s a ritual, a flirtation with yourself. And honestly? I wish every woman would fall in love with that moment.

To all of you reading this, whether red is already your go-to or still sitting untouched in your makeup drawer: try it. Try it on a random Tuesday. Try it when you’re cooking dinner. Try it when you’re crying and need a pick-me-up. Let that red speak for you when you’ve forgotten how. And if someone says, “Wow, that’s bold,” just smile. Say “Thank you,” and mean it. Because darling, so are you. 

Here’s to red lips and all of you who dare to wear them. 💋

Monika has been interviewing trans people in her blog, The Heroines of My Life, since 2013. Click here to see who she has interviewed lately.

Wearing Boston Proper

Carlotta, circa 1963

Playing with AI and Photoshop over the weekend, I tried creating vintage crossdresser photos with an early 1960's, Casa Susanna look. Carlotta (above) was my first attempt.