History of Lipstick Regulation in America 1950s and 1960s (6)
In this post I’m going to talk about lipstick regulation in America during the 1950s and 1960s.
In case you missed my introductory blog post, you can read it here where I explain what I’m pursuing in this blog. This blog post is the sixth part of the history of lipstick regulation series. You can read the first blog post here, the second blog post here, the third blog post here, the fourth blog post here, the fifth blog post here, and the article referenced can be found here.
This blog post will be a little different, and more visual. I am trying out new blog post styles, so I hope this will be more visually appealing.
1950s
In the 1950s, lipstick became more than just a cosmetic product; it became a symbol of femininity and conformity. This blog post explores the rise of lipstick as a ubiquitous and essential item during this era. We will delve into its popularity, marketing tactics, product developments, and the regulatory changes that accompanied its widespread use.
1. The Popularity of Lipstick:
Statistics from the 1950s reveal that nearly all American college girls and 98% of all American women wore lipstick, making it an integral part of their daily routine. Women began owning multiple lipsticks to coordinate with various outfits, leading to a significant increase in sales and spending on lipstick.
2. Product Developments
Lipstick manufacturers focused on improving comfort and wearability. They experimented with lipstick formulas, reducing ingredients like carnuba and beeswax to enhance comfort. New shimmering and white lipsticks were introduced, adding variety to the available options. Liquid lipstick also emerged as a modern alternative.
3. Marketing Tactics
The 1950s saw intense competition among cosmetics companies, resulting in what became known as the “lipstick wars.” Companies employed aggressive marketing strategies, including free samples, gifts with purchase, and launching lipstick shades more frequently to create a sense of urgency and encourage frequent buying. Revlon’s iconic “Fire & Ice” advertising campaign, featuring model Dorian Leigh, gained immense popularity during this decade.
4. Regulatory Changes
As lipstick gained prominence, both federal and state regulatory bodies became more interested in its safety and labeling. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) played a significant role in enforcing regulations against misleading claims made by lipstick manufacturers. State and federal regulations aimed to ensure the safety of lipstick and other cosmetics, leading to the adoption of the Uniform State Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Bill and amendments to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
5. Cancer Risks and Color Additives
In response to growing concerns about the safety of color additives, Congress passed the Delaney Amendment, which imposed a zero-tolerance policy for carcinogenic additives in processed foods and cosmetics. Additionally, the Color Additive Amendment introduced the first federal pre-market approval requirement for cosmetics, specifically regulating the use of color additives.
The 1950s marked the era of lipstick’s cultural dominance, with its popularity soaring among women of all ages. Lipstick became a powerful symbol of femininity and conformity. As demand increased, manufacturers focused on product improvements, while cosmetics companies employed aggressive marketing tactics. Concurrently, regulatory bodies addressed safety concerns through state and federal regulations, ensuring the use of safe color additives in cosmetics.
1960s
The 1960s was a decade of significant social and cultural changes, but the world of lipstick remained relatively untouched. While other institutions experienced turmoil, lipstick maintained its status as a symbol of femininity. This blog post explores the trends and advancements in lipstick during the 1960s, as well as the regulatory challenges faced by manufacturers.
The 1960s saw minimal changes in the world of lipstick, with trends centered around natural looks and glittery frosted shades. However, regulatory challenges arose with the introduction of stricter regulations, leading to clashes between the FDA and the cosmetics industry. These challenges primarily revolved around the classification of lipstick as a color additive and the delisting of certain colors. The impact of these challenges would continue to unfold in the following decades.