National Lipstick Day
July 29
About National Lipstick Day
National Lipstick Day takes place on Wednesday, 29 July 2026. The day celebrates one of the world’s most recognisable beauty products and the confidence, creativity and self-expression that a swipe of colour can bring. It has become a favourite among beauty fans, with brands offering discounts and freebies to mark the occasion.
How to Celebrate National Lipstick Day
This is a day made for taking part, so here are plenty of ways to enjoy it:
- Wear your boldest shade – Reach for the colour you usually save for special occasions, whether that is a classic red, a deep plum or something bright and playful.
- Try a new colour – Use the day as an excuse to step outside your comfort zone with a shade you have never worn before.
- Look out for deals – Many beauty brands and retailers offer discounts, gifts with purchase or free lipsticks on the day, making it a good time to restock.
- Refresh your makeup bag – Sort through old products, dispose of anything past its best and treat yourself to a new favourite.
- Support independent brands – Discover smaller, independent and cruelty-free lipstick makers and give your custom to creators outside the big names.
- Host a lipstick swap – Gather friends to share, trade and test shades together for a fun, low-cost way to refresh your collection.
- Share your look online – Post a photo of your favourite lip and use the day’s hashtags to join the global celebration.
- Learn a new technique – Watch a tutorial on lip liner, ombre lips or long-lasting application to get more from your products.
What is National Lipstick Day?
National Lipstick Day is an annual celebration of lipstick and the role it plays in beauty, fashion and personal expression. It recognises a product worn across cultures and centuries, and it encourages people to feel confident experimenting with colour. The day is enthusiastically embraced by the beauty industry, which uses it to launch products and offer promotions, but at its heart it is about celebrating individuality and self-confidence.
When is National Lipstick Day?
National Lipstick Day falls on 29 July every year, which in 2026 is a Wednesday. The date is fixed, so it lands on the same day annually regardless of the day of the week. It is observed most widely in the United States but is increasingly marked by beauty fans and brands around the world.
The History of National Lipstick Day
The modern observance is relatively recent. National Lipstick Day was founded in 2016 by Huda Kattan, the makeup artist and entrepreneur behind the global beauty brand Huda Beauty. She created the day to recognise the cultural influence of lipstick and to encourage people to feel confident expressing themselves through colour. Since then it has grown into one of the busiest dates in the beauty calendar, with major retailers and brands marking it through sales and limited-edition releases.
Lipstick itself has a far longer story. Ancient Sumerians are thought to have decorated their lips with crushed gemstones more than five thousand years ago. In ancient China, lip colour was made using beeswax, while in ancient Greece tinted lips, often using berry-derived dyes, carried particular social meaning. Over the centuries lipstick has moved in and out of respectability, at times associated with status and glamour and at others viewed with suspicion, before becoming the everyday staple it is today.
The twentieth century cemented lipstick’s place in popular culture. The invention of the swivel-up tube in 1923 made it portable and practical, and Hollywood glamour turned bold red lips into an enduring symbol of confidence and style. National Lipstick Day is the modern continuation of that long love affair.
Fun Facts About National Lipstick Day
- The day was founded in 2016 by Huda Kattan, creator of Huda Beauty.
- Lipstick dates back more than five thousand years to the ancient Sumerians, who used crushed gemstones.
- Ancient Chinese lip colour was made from beeswax.
- The first swivel-up lipstick tube was patented in 1923, making the product far more portable.
- Red is consistently among the most popular and iconic lipstick shades worldwide.
- The day has become one of the biggest sales events in the beauty industry calendar.
Why National Lipstick Day Matters
While it is a light-hearted celebration, the day taps into something genuine: the link between how we present ourselves and how we feel. For many people a favourite lipstick is a small but powerful confidence boost. The day also shines a friendly light on the wider beauty industry, supports independent and ethical brands, and celebrates a form of self-expression that has crossed cultures for millennia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Lipstick Day?
It is an annual celebration of lipstick and the confidence and self-expression it represents. It is widely marked by beauty brands with promotions and is a chance for fans to wear, share and discover new shades.
When is National Lipstick Day in 2026?
It takes place on Wednesday, 29 July 2026. The date is fixed and falls on 29 July every year.
Who created National Lipstick Day?
It was founded in 2016 by Huda Kattan, the makeup artist and entrepreneur behind Huda Beauty, to celebrate lipstick and encourage self-expression through colour.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best lipstick looks on social media with #NationalLipstickDay and #NationalLipstickDay2026. If you enjoy days that celebrate style and self-expression, you might also love Fashion Day. Tag your friends and challenge them to wear their boldest shade.
Related Awareness Days
- Fashion Day – A celebration of style and personal expression that pairs naturally with a bold lip.
- National Beauticians Day – Honours the professionals who help us look and feel our best.
- World Black Beauty Innovation Week – Celebrates innovation and inclusion across the beauty industry.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
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