Incorporating a bold lip color in my makeup routine has always been a signature style for me. It is the perfect touch that can bring together an entire look. The classic red lip, in particular, has always been a staple in my lipstick collection. For women in previous generations, however, finding the perfect shade of red to suit their complexion was not the main concern of theirs.

Instead, it was a symbol of female empowerment.

The red lip was filled with controversy because it was rarely socially acceptable. For centuries, male authorities restricted the use of women wearing red lipstick for both religious and moral reasons. During the Renaissance, women who wore red lipstick were seen as sinful and were claimed to do the work of the devil. During the late 1700's, the British government passed a law that condemned women from wearing the scarlet statement on the basis that, "women found guilty of seducing men into matrimony by cosmetic means could be tried for witchcraft". The history of red lipstick gets even wilder in the 1800's when Parisian actress Sarah Bernhardt was caught applying red lipstick in public and it blew up to be a huge scandal.

Yet the turning point of how the classic ruby lips became a symbol of female empowerment was during the suffragette movement. These women were no longer seen as prostitutes and became known as a sign of boosted femininity. They joined forces in the streets; women wore bright red lipstick while fighting for their right to vote. It was a rebellion for social liberation against the morals of the previous generation.

The repugnance of red lipstick died out in the 1920's during the golden age of cinema. Silent film actresses were seen wearing dark garnet lipsticks that enchanted viewers everywhere. During World War II, women were actually encouraged to wear red lips as a sign of patriotism. The color allowed women to be seen and heard, and red lipstick became a defining statement of a woman's look.

Women were finally allowed to enjoy their sexuality, without the oppression of men. Today, I am fortunate enough to be able to wear lipstick without worrying about being accused of a being a prostitute, witch, or the devil's very own employee. And the next time I take out my favorite tube of dark red lipstick, I'll remember the progression of the woman's social life, and proudly wear it with confidence.