Why Only The Young Don’t Have Monopoly Over 'Red' Lipsticks

Red lipstick: it's not just another lipstick; it's a manifesto, a proclamation of confidence, and a declaration of independence. A bold stroke of red across the lips speaks volumes about confidence, fierceness, and individuality. From the glamour of old Hollywood to the boardrooms of today's corporate powerhouses, red lipstick has been the hallmark of fearless women making their mark on the world stage. However, as women reach a certain age, societal expectations often dictate that they should embrace neutral tones to signify maturity, and anyone who dares to rebel against this norm and don the red hue as a form of self-expression and empowerment at any age is subjected to judgy glances and comments about "acting their age."

Every woman has a personal story about her relationship with makeup, usually beginning in her teenage years and continuing through to retirement. While women from all walks of life experience ageing in their everyday lives, many feel empowered by owning their true selves and walking with a sense of pride through the use of makeup, such as red lipstick, not merely as a cosmetic, but as a matter of owning their age.

Yet, when a woman dares to deviate from societal norms influenced by the shades of patriarchy, sexism, and stereotypes dictating how a woman should walk, talk, and dress, she is subjected to harsh criticism, trolling, and judgment. 

At the recent SheThePeople 40 over 40 awards, celebrated author Sudha Menon shared her empowering perspective on the judgements that women face when wearing red lipstick after reaching a certain age, as well as how she refuses to bow down to anyone's judgmental opinions and proudly owns the red hue on her lips.

Sudha Menon's Inspiring Take On Embracing 'Red' Lipstick At Any Age

Menon recounted an encounter at a makeup store where a salesperson attempted to dissuade her from purchasing a red lipstick, suggesting that "aunties like her" should stick to brown tones. But Menon wasn't about to let someone else dictate her choices, especially not when it came to something as personal as her lipstick shade.

"I asked this little pipsqueak who was a salesperson, and I said, 'can I have that red lipstick?' And he looked up and he gave me the once over and he said, 'Ma'am, aunties like you prefer brown, right?' So I looked up at him and said, 'Did I ask you for your opinion? Am I your auntie?' So he was taken aback and I insisted I wanted my red. I went home, and I wore that red lipstick the whole day." 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SheThePeople (@shethepeopletv)

For Menon  and countless other women like her, wearing red lipstick isn't just about vanity; it's about reclaiming ownership of their age and identity. It's a refusal to be confined by arbitrary standards of beauty or societal norms that seek to diminish their sense of self-worth as they grow older. Instead, it's a celebration of every laugh line, every silver strand, and every hard-earned wrinkle as badges of honor, proudly displayed for the world to see.

Sadly, Menon's bold assertion of self did not end at the makeup counter; it extended to the streets, where she proudly wore her red lipstick, unabashedly defying the unspoken rules of age-appropriate cosmetics. Yet, the reactions she encountered ranged from bemusement to judgment, an attestation to the enduring stigma attached to women who dare to defy societal norms.

"Though I got a lot of, you know, sort of, my daughter, I think, rolled her eyes, but she won't dare say anything more than that. But I went for a walk with that red lipstick that day, and I realized a lot of people were like, 'Has she gone mad?'," Menon observes wryly, highlighting the dichotomy faced by women who refuse to conform. 

Women who dare to defy the status quo and assert their individuality are often met with raised eyebrows, unsolicited advice masquerading as concern, and, at times, outright hostility. A simple act like wearing red lipstick becomes a revolutionary statement, as a defense against the stifling expectations imposed upon them.

As Menon astutely observes, "A woman who tries to do what she wants is always either fast and furious or crazy." But perhaps it's precisely this audacity to chart their own course, to color outside the lines of societal expectations, that makes these women truly powerful. While we live in a world that seeks to diminish women's worth and confine them to narrow boxes of acceptability, women like Menon  show how they refuse to be contained.

So the next time you reach for that tube of red lipstick, remember Sudha Menon's empowering words: "Did I ask you for your opinion? Am I your auntie?" Wear that red lipstick proudly, not as a mere cosmetic, but as a symbol of defiance, strength, and unapologetic self-expression. After all, age should never be a barrier to boldness, beauty, or the freedom to be exactly who you are.