HEY RED
In the 1960s, the concept of "natural" was revolutionary when it came to makeup. Today, natural beauty and clean ingredients are expected. In the ’60s, embracing the fresh-faced look was a huge departure from the heavily made-up styles of previous decades for tweens, teens and twenty-somethings. They began to use neutral tones. They wanted to enhance their features not hide them. They wanted the “natural look” in beauty and in fashion.
AND THEN THERE’S STEVIE!
I was the exception—I refused to conform to the natural trend. I rocked bold eyeliner, dramatic lashes, and gloriously awful blue eyeshadow. My signature look wasn’t just makeup; it was a statement. I wore my homemade “mod” outfits with pride—a plastic mini-skirt my grandmother sewed, a paper dress from a Coke distributor, brightly patterned Peter Max tights, and fishnet hose. (I’ve always been a bit of a tart at heart.) And, of course, my signature red lipstick.
It was my mom’s—Revlon 710, Orange Crush. I still wear it to this day, though it was discontinued three years ago. The search for the perfect stand-in continues, but try though I may, nothing quite measures up…yet.
Historically, red lipstick symbolized power, beauty, and rebellion. Back then for me it was a statement of glamour and confidence. Today, when I swipe on my beloved Orange Crush, it’s less about glamour and more about confidence and empowerment. The bold hue brightens my face, and with just a bit of mascara and a touch of blush, I feel put together, "finished."
Women ask me almost daily, “What lipstick are you wearing?” or say, “I wish I could wear red lipstick.” The truth is—anyone can. With so many shades of red out there, there’s at least three for every skin tone. If it feels unfamiliar at first, try wearing it around the house. After a few days, you’ll get so used to seeing it in the mirror that you’ll forget you’re even wearing it. And then, without thinking, you’ll step out into the world—confident, radiant, and completely at home with yourself. In RED LIPSTICK.