Revlon’s Iconic Red Is a Symbol of Empowerment

Revlon’s Iconic Red Is a Symbol of Empowerment

By: Sophie Smith 

As we approach the holiday season, we enter the most popular time of the year to sport a scarlet-stained pout. Many cosmetic brands have curated red shades that are a signature aspect in completing a festive look. Revlon’s “Cherries in the Snow” has remained an iconic hue for over seven decades. 

The red lip has always been a social statement. Red lips have been used to convey a multitude of meanings throughout history, but the cosmetic choice grew in international popularity as the women’s rights movement spread around the globe. “Cherries in the Snow” first appeared on shelves in 1953, named after a dessert that consists of angel food cake and whipped cream topped with cherry pie filling. The original ad for the lipstick and matching nail polish was one of the first cosmetic advertisements to focus on female desire instead of promoting the male gaze.

As described in one of Revlon’s first promotions for “Cherries in the Snow,” the shade is “strange and reckless.” Until the launch of this shade, most reds fell into the same category of a classic blue-toned red, but Revlon’s creation is much more complex. The shade is described as a dark fuschia, leaning towards raspberry. Vintage beauty collectors have compared first-edition tubes with modern-day production and the shades and formulas are still remarkably similar. The most prevalent difference between the lipsticks is the less glamorous packaging we see today compared to the 1963 gold version. 

Makeup is meant to be used as a form of self-expression, sometimes even being referred to as “war paint.” “Cherries in the Snow” is not solely a beloved lip shade, but a revolutionary part of self-empowerment. Be bold this holiday season while wearing a complimentary red lip. 

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