Lipstick; Your Most Beautiful Ally

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What if you were told that the simple act of applying lipstick holds the weight of rebellion, royalty and freedom? That every shade and swipe has silently empowered generations of women, and some men, to claim their autonomy, express their desires, and refuse to settle for being anything but extraordinary? Find out more in Lipstick; Your Most Beautiful Ally.

Step into Chanel’s Rouge Coco Playground at Covent Garden from March 21st to March 30th 2025, where luxury and freedom aren’t just invited, they’re celebrated. In this empowering space, lipstick becomes the gateway to grand expression; unapologetic, effortless, and entirely your own. 

Picture this: In the heart of Covent Garden, skateboards flit and dance by, an unexpected playfulness in the air. Chanel’s Rouge Coco Playground isn’t merely a pop-up; it’s a playground for the soul. Amidst the immersive experiences and playful performances, it’s not just testing out shades of Rouge Coco Baume or indulging in the perfect swish of Rouge Coco Flash, it’s about engaging in the act of self-liberation. Lipstick isn’t just a tool for beauty; it’s a tool for transformation. 

Chanel, Rouge Coco Playground (2025)

Why Lipstick? And why red lipstick, specifically? Why has it been, for centuries, a symbol of power, rebellion, and identity?

In 1770, the Parliament in England decided that women using lip and cheek tints to charm men into marriage weren’t just guilty of fashion; they were guilty of witchcraft. Yes, witchcraft. Women who dared to paint their lips red were seen as more than just coquettish. They were seen as witches. As manipulators of fate. That’s how potent red lipstick was, and still is. It wasn’t just a cosmetic choice, it was a statement. 

Fast forward to Queen Elizabeth I, whose flawless skin and vivid red lips became the standard for royalty and power. Although the red hue she wore was a lead-based, toxic concoction, she wore it with the grace of a woman who understood the grandeur of lipstick. It’s almost as if, to her, lips weren’t just for talking; they were weapons of influence. The red that was earlier associated with witchcraft was now a subtle reminder that she had control over her fate. That lipstick was, and still is, a crown for your lips. 

The Darnley Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I (2008), National Portrait Gallery, Wikimedia Commons.

Chanel’s Rouge Coco Playground offers you the chance to take your own crown. Here, lipstick isn’t just for the royal; it’s for the rebels, the dreamers, and the freedom seekers. The playground itself, with its breezy vibe, is a canvas where you’re the artist. It’s a place where lipstick isn’t just about colour; it’s about freedom, ease and expression.

Here’s a lesser-known fact; during the Great Depression, the economic collapse from 1929 to 1939, lipstick sales soared, leading to the birth of what is now called the Lipstick Index.

Whilst global markets were crumbling, lipstick became the ultimate affordable luxury, proof that even in the darkest times, a bold red lipstick could stand as a symbol of resilience. It’s a peculiar yet beautifully human truth; lipstick, with its few seconds of application, holds the power to transform not just a face but a mood, moment, and even life. 

And so, what happens when almost 7,000 people from all walks of life apply lipstick at once? They set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of lipstick applications in one place, a celebration of the democratization of beauty. Vice Cosmetics, in the Philippines, orchestrated the event with the motto: “Beauty for all.”. Lipstick was a shared joy, a collective act of individuality. Everyone, from children to adults, embraced the transformative power of lipstick application, turning it into a movement of equality. 

Chanel, ROUGE COCO 434 Mademoiselle.

Coco Chanel, ever the visionary, revolutionized beauty and freedom with her introduction of lipstick in the early 20th century. Before Chanel, lipstick was often seen as either something theatrical or something reserved for certain classes, but Chanel turned it into a symbol of elegance and accessibility. She was the first to create a refined, chic lipstick that wasn’t just about appearance; it was about empowerment.

In 1924, Chanel launched her first line of lipstick, introducing shades like “Rouge No.1” that the world is now all too familiar with. For Coco Chanel, lipstick was not merely cosmetic, it was an essential part of an identity; one that allowed her to express her personality, and embrace her own freedom, elegance, and allure.

Lipstick has always been a tool for the audacious. Just ask the rebels of history. Ask the Queens. Ask the women who stood tall with red lips in the face of a society that tried to silence them. Lipstick is the ultimate power move; quiet in its application, yet roaring in its impact. 

So go on ahead, claim your Rouge Coco and take your place in the grand tradition of those who refuse to be just ordinary. In a playground designed for freedom, the most powerful thing you can wear is your own self-expression. 

Chanel’s Rouge Coco Playground, running from March 21st to March 30th, 2025, will incorporate live skateboard performances and explore the different Rouge Coco collections (including the exclusive 2-Shades Customizable Set). Whether you book a 60-minute bespoke makeup service, or attend a 75-minute masterclass, you’re invited to experience the freedom of effortless beauty – all with the grandest ally you’ll ever need: your lipstick. 

Chanel Rouge Coco Playground, Covent Garden, March 21st to 30th. Opening Times:
Monday to Saturday: 10am-7pm.
Sunday: 12pm-6pm.

For further information on the Rouge Coco Playground, and to book a one-on-one make-up appointment, visit the rouge coco playground home page.
#RougeCoco, @Chanel.Beauty.

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