Splurge on the high-end crimson lipstick you’ve been eyeing this July 29, National Lipstick Day! Lipstick has likely been around for thousands of years, made out of an insane array of items, from gemstones to crushed bugs. It has also come to symbolize so many things for women particularly through the eras, and still is an important part for many makeup routines today. It’s no wonder that it’s so common to hear the phrase “I feel like I’m naked without my lipstick!”
When is National Lipstick Day 2025?
Every girl’s go-to makeup item and the power of a set of stained lips is celebrated on National Lipstick Day on July 29.
History of National Lipstick Day
National Lipstick Day is a super fun celebration of all that lipstick has done for us — life is just so much more fun with it! It also has a far more interesting history than you might think.
The first people to wear lipstick were likely Ancient Sumerians. Crushed gemstones decorated not only their lips, but eyes and face as well. Lipsticks in some form also caught on in ancient China with beeswax, and in Ancient Greece, where courtesans wore berry-derived dyes on their lips.
The popularity only grew in 16th-century England, where a bright white face and hyper-crimson lips were worn widely to steal Queen Elizabeth’s look. It was used only for courtesans and actors and considered uncouth to be worn by the general public.
By the 19th century, the first commercial lipstick made of deer tallow, castor oil, and beeswax had been made in France — and lipstick absolutely took off. The US quickly caught on, applying lipstick with a brush rather than a tube. In WW2, lipstick was scarce, and started to be packaged in plastic and paper tubes. The first long-lasting, no-smear lipstick was also invented during this time!
The number of shades of lipstick have exploded since the early 20th century, when colors were limited. Each decade brought its own new style and popularized new shades. In the 1970s, fun colors like sparkling navy blue and frosted lime green were even introduced!
Today, makeup videos and “get ready with me’s” dominate social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Some makeup artists rise to huge fame and make their living off of recommending different lipsticks and trying them on for their viewers. The lipstick industry has grown into a huge player in makeup and offers a chance for users to express themselves through makeup!
National Lipstick Day timeline
The first lipsticks recorded in human history are created by crushing gems in Mesopotamia.
A French company called Guerlain first makes lipstick for the market using deer tallow, castor oil, and beeswax.
Lip-gloss lipstick is invented by Max Factor.
Lip Smackers are created by Bonnie Bell and is instantly a hit with young girls.
Traditions of the Day
Never underestimate the power of lipstick! The right shade is always a confidence booster and empowers people by making them look and feel their best. Whether it is red, pinks, or nudes, there is a holy-grail lipstick shade for everyone, and we mean EVERYONE!
All kinds of lipstick shades are experimented with today and collections are expanded with new additions. Those who shy away from wearing bright colors on a normal day can grab this opportunity to get out of their comfort zones and opt for a bold lipstick to dazzle their friends and co-workers. In the spirit of the day, some girls get their first lipsticks and others who have never worn lipstick have a great excuse to try some on.
Makeup brands showcase their iconic lipsticks on social media and there is an increase in lipstick-centered videos in YouTube’s makeup community as well. There are numerous lipstick textures or shades available now, so it is customary to try something different today. We never say no to more lipstick, anyway!
By The Numbers
$1,780 – the amount the average woman spends on lipstick in her lifetime.
$62,000 – the price of the most expensive lipstick in the world — Guerlain’s KissKiss Gold and Diamond lipstick.
110 grams – the weight of the 18-karat gold tube of the most expensive lipstick in the world.
199 – the number of diamonds encrusted on the tube of the most expensive lipstick in the world.
80% – the percentage of American women who wear lipstick regularly.
25% – the percentage of women who don’t leave the house without lipstick on.
1912 – the year when feminists painted their lips as a sign of emancipation for the Suffragette movement.
7.3 – the average number of seconds men stare at red lipstick.
2.2 – the average number of seconds men stare at bare lips.
$380 million – the amount raised for HIV/AIDS by MAC through the sale of their Viva Glam lipstick line by 2015.
National Lipstick Day FAQs
Are there any good deals for National Lipstick Day?
Tatscha, Tarte, Smashbox, and Anastasia Beverly Hills all have particularly good deals on their products today — but many more makeup retailers (like MAC) are participating!
Where can I find some natural and healthy lipstick brands?
Some of the most organic and least-hazardous lipstick brands include Eco Bella, 100% Pure, and BITE Beauty — but there are many more! It’s always a good idea to do your research on the brand before picking your product.
Are there other national makeup holidays?
Yes! National Lash Day on February 19th brings mascara deals, and overall National Makeup Day on August 4th also discounts many brands and types of makeup!
National Lipstick Day Activities
Purchase that color you’ve been eyeing
We know makeup can get super pricey. But what better way to celebrate how absolutely fun it is to rock a purple lipstick than picking one up today? Even if you don’t want to buy the high-end stuff, it’s crazy how much a new drugstore-brand color can brighten your day.
Post a makeup tutorial
With the rise of makeup videos on Instagram and Youtube, there is no shortage of inspiration. Craft your perfect look and pick out a few shades to try on for your followers.
Check out the history - and the label
Did you know lipstick used to be made with whale blubber? You might be surprised to learn it’s still made from some pretty gnarly ingredients — like animal fats. Check out your lipsticks at home and make some green choices about what to buy.
Take the National Lipstick Day Quiz
5 Facts About Lipstick That Will Blow Your Mind
The science of smudges
The intrepid female chemist Hazel Bishop discovered how to make smudge-proof lipstick after working at a dermatologist office in WW2 — we owe our long-lasting pouts to her!
Not a cheap hobby
Of the $15,000 the average woman spends on makeup in her lifetime, $1780 of that goes to lipstick.
Lipstick as freedom
Many early feminists, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Charlotte Perkins Gilman, painted their lips as a symbol of emancipation during the 1912 NYC Suffragette Rally.
Wartime Staple
Though most makeup production was halted during WW2, Winston Churchill kept lipstick in production because he felt it boosted morale.
Pricey Pouts
For $62,000, you can rock Guerlain’s KissKiss Gold and Diamonds Lipstick — it features 110 grams of 18-karat gold, and is set with 199 diamonds!
Why We Love National Lipstick Day
It’s an excuse to get gussied up
Okay, so maybe you don’t get a day of work off in observance of National Lipstick Day — that’s totally fine! Top your makeup look off today with a bright, show-stopping lip color, and when your coworkers ask why you’re dressed up, you can let them know just what day it is!
It’s the perfect opportunity to buy a new color!
Like we said before, there is no better excuse to splurge. There’s no way you have every color of lipstick yet — and that burgundy is just calling your name.
It’s a great confidence booster
According to a study by the University of Michigan, women who wear red lipstick are stared at significantly more than women with bare lips — and we all feel that. Rocking a bold lip can make all the difference in the world in your confidence.
National Lipstick Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | July 29 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | July 29 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | July 29 | Thursday |
| 2028 | July 29 | Saturday |
| 2029 | July 29 | Sunday |
National Lipstick Day related holidays
National Lipstick Day Featured Video
Celebrate National Lipstick Day!
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