6 Classic Lip Colors To Channel Your Favorite Female Icon

6 iconic lipstick colors, now with a touch of green.

Meet Nancy Wake, the “White Mouse” of World War II. Described as “one of the most effective and cunning British agents working in German-occupied France during World War II,” Wake hid Allied servicemen in her home, parachuted into enemy territory, and knew how to wield a machine gun. Also, she traveled nowhere without her Chanel lipstick.

That’s some iconic color.

Today, sans machine guns, we’re privy to the classic colors of old. Be it nude, coral pink, or classic red, the green beauty industry offers up a bevy of iconic colors. Here are our favorite picks for archetypal lips.

Classic Red by Lavera ($19.00)
Think Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck and other classic stars of the silver screen. Made with certified organic ingredients, Lavera’s “Red Berry Charm” provides a vivid, intense color with almond oil and Shea butter. The company commits to offering up natural cosmetics which are certified natural by BDIH of Germany.

 

Nude by Ilia ($24.95)
First encouraged by flower power in the 1960s, a natural sheer nude now suits any occasion. Ilia offers up “Nobody’s Baby,” a color made with 85% certified organic ingredients. It’s so silky that you don’t even need a gloss for sheen: in fact, it’s designed to act as a lip balm at first swipe. Free of synthetic preservatives, fillers and petro-chemicals, it also comes in a recycled aluminum case. Ilia is also cruelty-free.

 

Foxy Brown by Living Nature ($26.00)
1970s screen legend Pam Grier inspires us with this classic warm tone. Today, Living Nature continues the trend with all-natural ingredients. Offering up an iridescent sheer color with “Warm Rocks,” this hydrating lipstick is cruelty-free. Made with natural botanicals of New Zealand, the company provides a comprehensive guide to their ingredients.

 

Coral Pink by Jane Iredale ($20.00)
Bright, coral pink made a splash in the 1980s when preppy handbooks deemed pink and green the hottest color combination. Jane Iredale takes this festive hue into the 21st century with “Erin,” an iconic coral at home in Newport, Rhode Island or California. This silky, conditioning color is also free of dyes and synthetic preservatives.

Punk Purple by Afterglow ($24.00)
Debbie Harry, Joan Jett, and Pat Benatar made girl rockers cool in the 1980s. Today, we’re paying homage to these power players with a deep purple pucker. Afterglow offers up “Merlot” for some organic lip love. Made with 100% natural ingredients, Afterglow promises that their product is made with no parabens, nanos, bismuth oxychloride, gluten or talc.

 

Gold Shimmer by Primitive ($17.50)
Want to add a 1970s glam disco sheen to your lips? Check out “Taj Mahal” from Primitive, a vegan and versatile gold shimmer that’s perfect for layers or to stand alone. Primitive offers up clean and pure ingredients, providing a silky color made with Shea butter and jojoba oils. This lipstick is also cruelty-free.

Image: cerromijares

Katherine Butler

Katherine Butler is the Beauty Editor of EcoSalon and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.