Dear Velvet Babes,

Let me tell you a brief history of Revlon’s Bachelor's Carnation and how it became so famous. It all began after the war. World War II to be exact.

During WWII, cosmetic companies shifted their focus from producing makeup to producing bullets and other war needs. While some brands continued to produce cosmetics, they had to create new formulations due to wartime ration, which led to the scarcity of ingredients. They also made sure to introduce items that had a patriotic flair, such as a compact designed to match your sweetheart’s military uniform. Revlon in particular had manufactured first aid kits and dye markers for the U.S. Navy. They even received the Army-Navy "E" Award for their excellence in producing these items.

After the war ended, on September 2nd, 1945, cosmetics companies everywhere were able to bring their focus back to makeup and beauty. This led to a resurgence of the makeup industry. Six months after the war, in March of 1946, Revlon released Bachelor’s Carnation lipstick. Inspired by the deep red of a carnation flower, and sold as the perfect shade to be worn for their men when they arrived home from war.

Revlon held a press party for the new shade and even partnered with department store, Bonwit Teller (a high-end department store at the time), to create carnation inspired outfits for their window displays. During the press party men were given fresh carnations to wear on their lapel, creating a fun way to match their sweetheart’s lips. Bachelor’s Carnation lipstick came in two different formulas. Lanolite regular and Lanolite “non-smear type” lipstick, a lipstick that really had staying power. Revlon went on to released Bachelor’s Carnation not just as a lipstick, but also as a nail enamel and later as a fine face powder with a pink hue.

Marilyn Monroe’s connection to the now infamous lipstick began when her makeup came up for auction in 2016. Along side her dresses, hats, compacts and other lipsticks, was a tube of Revlon’s, Bachelor's Carnation. The lipstick, that was well loved and adorned with a stunning crystal cap sold for $18,750.00. It is thought to be the exact lipstick shade Marilyn wore in Niagara, according to makeup enthusiast, Erin Parsons. 

Revlon would later discontinue this gorgeous bright fuchsia shade. Fortunately, here at Velvet Cosmetics, we have replicated the shade and lipstick tube once used by Marilyn herself. Taking great care to hand-make each lipstick, hoping to give you a glimpse into the past.   

                                                                                              Xoxo,                                                 Velvet