A Lighthearted Look at the Evolution of Lipstick

From the berry-stained lips of cave women to the post-apocalyptic makeup manufacturer Urban Decay, lipstick has evolved but never lost its luster. It is an icon, a symbol of the feminine mystique.

“Read My Lips: A Cultural History of Lipstick” (Chronicle Books, 1998) pays homage to the precarious paint with a historical take on the business and psychology of colored lips.

Meg Cohen Ragas, an editor at San Francisco magazine, and Karen Kozlowski, a wardrobe stylist, wrote the lighthearted book. More than just lip service, it’s full of facts:

* In 1770 British Parliament passed a law condemning lip paint.

* On average, 92% of American women wear lipstick daily.

* In 1924, the New York Board of Health considered banning lipstick, fearing it might poison the men who kissed the women who wore it.

Packed with photographs of memorable lipstick moments in pop culture, including Mae West’s lip sofa, it’s a delightfulread for anyone who’s ever searched for “the perfect red.”