Queen Elizabeth asked Clarins to make special lipstick in 1953 – still on sale for £23

For the 1953 coronation, Queen Elizabeth wore the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, which was a deep red colour. The late monarch’s coronation was a landmark event and signified a turning point in people’s relationship with the Crown.

Many people went out and bought television sets for the occasion, so the late Queen knew all eyes around the world would be on her.

Queen Elizabeth II knew it was important to look her best for the crowds that lined the streets to see the state procession.

But there was also mounting pressure to photograph well for black-and-white television as well as colour film.

Therefore, she commissioned the beauty brand Clarins to create a personalised lipstick shade for the event which would match her red Robe of State.

It is reported that due to the colours of her Norman Hartnell gown and her natural skin tone, Elizabeth II decided to use a peach-tinted, liquid foundation.

Queen Elizabeth also requested a lipstick from Clarins that should be “pink to red” or as a “deep, ruby red with soft undertones” according to royal reports at the time.

The colours used in Queen Elizabeth’s make-up had to tone with the Coronation regalia, and the Robe of State was a very rich red.

The late Queen consequently wore a bespoke lipstick by Clarins in a classic, rich red.

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A similar version of the original lipstick from 1953 is still on sale from Clarins, known as Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick which costs £23.

After the Coronation, Cyclax released a make-up range “designed for the Coronation year”.

This included a ‘Pink Velvet’ Foundation, ‘Pink Velvet’ Powder, ‘Crown Jewel’ Lipstick and ‘Crown Jewel’ Rouge.

Many other brands jumped on this bandwagon, as women all across the world wanted the same lipstick as the radiant, young new Queen.

For example, Evron by Paul Duval released ‘The Coronation Lipstick’ in 1953 to a huge demand for the rich, red colour.

The Queen loved wearing lipstick and was a massive fan of Elizabeth Arden’s range of colourful lipsticks.

She continued to wear Clarins cosmetics throughout her life, reportedly loving the Ever Matte Mineral Powder Compact in Transparent Fair.

The late Queen was also caught reapplying her lipstick during the Royal Windsor Horse Show at her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.

In addition, the Queen apparently loved Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, and always kept plenty spare at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth also had a favourite nail varnish brand and rarely had unmanicured nails.

Daena Borrowman, the Marketing Manager at jewellerybox previously told Express.co.uk: “Royal women are not permitted to wear bright or dark nail paint on their fingernails. Only nude shades, sheer whites and light pinks are allowed. A firm favourite of the Queen’s was Essie’s ‘Ballet Slippers’.”

Elizabeth II often wore brightly coloured outfits as monarch, so it made sense she chose nail varnish colours that went with everything during her 70-year-reign.

source: express.co.uk