Highlights
- Taylor Swift's iconic red lipstick look was introduced in 2009, transforming her image and branding.
- Makeup artist Gucci Westman claims credit for the look, with Taylor's mom initially skeptical.
- Taylor's red lipstick became a phenomenon, driving sales and fans wanting to imitate the look.
Taylor Swift's red lipstick is an iconic part of her image and branding today, but it wasn't always that way. In 2009, Taylor took that first leap into the bold but iconic makeup choice, but not everyone was a fan.
One makeup artist takes credit for launching Taylor into her first Red era — literally before Red — but admitted that Taylor's mom wasn't initially keen on the idea. Taylor let the art (along with her music) speak for itself, and her red lipstick became a phenomenon that crops up everywhere in the fandom.
Makeup Artist Gucci Westman Claims Credit For Taylor Swift's Iconic Red Lip
Taylor's makeup artist transformed her look in 2009
Today, it's hard to remember a time when Taylor Swift didn't rock red lipstick. Yet the beauty staple was only introduced into Taylor's repertoire in 2009, when she posed for an Allure cover. While chatting with Hoda and Jenna on Today With Hoda & Jenna, makeup artist Gucci Westman discussed Taylor Swift's first red lip moment.
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Westman said she had the idea of slathering Taylor in red lipstick simply because she hadn't seen the young starlet wear the color before.
Though she happily recounted the birth of Taylor's biggest makeup moment for an interview, Gucci Westman didn't give away all of Taylor's lipstick secrets. Westman also noted in an Instagram throwback years later that she sent Taylor home with her own tube of red lipstick, but didn't say what brand it was.
Westman may have started the trend, but she's far from the only makeup artist to slather red lipstick on Ms. Swift. In 2022, Pat McGrath — the makeup artist behind Taylor's "Bejeweled" video, 2010 Met Gala, and 2022 VMAs looks — said that Taylor is the ideal canvas for a red lip look.
Pat used three shades of lip pencil for "Bejeweled," plus her seeming trademark Elson lip color.
McGrath also sells a product called "The 'Taylor-Made Lip Kit'," which includes a MatteTrance lipstick in Elson (Blue Red) and a PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil in Night Fever (Bright Pink). McGrath calls this Taylo's "on-set lip duo," which seems to suggest that Taylor wears the color combo for performances.
The red lipstick became a trademark of Taylor's, but it also drew attention to her mouth; fans worried over Taylor's smile even after she had her teeth fixed. Today, she seems to have a shiny new smile to go along with her bold lipstick.
Taylor's Swift's Mom Was Not Happy About The Red Lipstick
Andrea Swift argued in favor of a more neutral style for Taylor
The red lipstick clearly caught on, and Taylor began wearing it more often, leading fans to start imitating the look. But there was one thing that could have stopped the entire phenomenon from happening: Taylor's mom.
Gucci Westman recounted that during Taylor Swift's fated Allure photo shoot, Taylor's mama was apparently the only naysayer in the bunch. Andrea Swift reportedly told Westman that "Taylor doesn't wear red."
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There was no context provided, so it's unclear what, exactly, Andrea took issue with. Not to mention, Taylor was an adult at the time, so while her mom's input was considered (and likely her dad's, as Taylor has close relationships with her parents), the star didn't have to abide by a certain set of rules.
Nor was it considered "scandalous" when Taylor donned red lipstick (in contrast with other teen-turned-adult stars like Miley Cyrus' makeup moments).
Fortunately, Andrea didn't put up too much of a fuss, and, as Gucci Westman noted, "The rest is history."
Taylor Swift's Red Lipstick Is Iconic: Even Google Has Taken Note
Taylor has driven red lipstick sales into the stratosphere
When it comes to their makeup looks, Swifties want nothing more than for life to imitate art. That is, they want to imitate Taylor's blood-red lipstick — at least, according to Google.
In 2021, when Taylor released Red (Taylor's Version), her album art featured Swift wearing that trademark red lippie, and fans were immediately all over it. Searches for "what red lipstick does Taylor Swift wear" skyrocketed 800 percent, although the baseline was probably high already.
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Interest spiked again in 2023, likely due to her Eras tour as well as her Grammy appearance — Taylor not only announced the 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department, but also wore her now-signature red lip while accepting her fourth Album of the Year win.
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