♥ the only lipstick you should use is love.

image via ffffound!

a bold red lip is meant for no shrinking violet.

a rouge pout stands out in a sea of nude, bare lips,

beckoning one to watch the mouth as it speaks,

and listen closely.

the red painted lip

packs a powerful punch

of social symbolism,

walking a thin, red line between

signifying empowerment& strength to the wearer

on the one hand,

and total female degradation of character right down to a pair of

sexually charged, perky red lips–

on the other.

while most women want to believe and feel the former,

they should also be aware of the latter.

wearing red lipstick is something that continues

to make one look instantly beautiful and effortlessly chic.

with just one swipe of color (and a lip liner first. always.)

one can become eternally fresh,

even while wearing one of the oldest trends.

cleopatra wore a deep red lipstick made

of crushed beetles during the egyptian period.

rosie the riveter most likely wore elizabeth arden's

"montezuma red,"while working in the factories

during world war II.

image via glamour.

marilyn monroe's red pucker is so iconic that

following her death in 1962,

andy warhol reproduced her lips over and over again,

paying homage to that unattainable kiss that every man wanted.

image via a cup of jo.

andy warhol 1962 print via nytimes

madonna claimed mac's russian red was her favorite lipstick in the 80's,

and {mwah!} it's still a best seller today.

and even robert palmer's mannequin like,

back.up band of red–lipped rocker chicks

have a look that is instantly recognizable.

robert palmer's simply irresistible.

gwen stefani's sultry scarlet pout has proven that she's more than "just a girl."

gwen stefani in july elle.

and dior's latest ad, starring siren marion cottilard as "the lady red,"

as well as the innumerable red lips spotted on the runway this season

solidify the sassy red.painted lip as the look for fall {+ forever!}

image via wwd.

salvatore ferragamo fall 2009 via bazaar.

giorgio armani fall 2009 via bazaar.

gucci fall 2009 via bazaar.

moschino fall 2009 via bazaar.