Taylor Swift’s mom rejected makeup artist’s first-ever attempt to do now-signature red lip

Taylor Swift has been one of the biggest pop stars in the music industry for well over a decade now, thanks to her unique musical style and aesthetic choices.
One of her most recognizable signature looks, however, hardly got the seal of approval from her mom, Andrea, after much insistence.
During a segment on “Today” Tuesday, makeup artist Gucci Westman shared the origins of the singer’s iconic red lipstick and how it almost did not happen.
Westman revealed to hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager that while doing Swift’s makeup for the April 2009 Allure cover, she noticed something missing in the singer’s repertoire.
And while Westman “really wanted to do a red lip” on Swift, the makeup pro had to convince the Anti-Hero singer’s mom before completing the look.
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“Her mom — if I’m allowed to say this — was like, ‘Well, Taylor doesn’t wear red,’” Westman claimed.
It took some begging, but Andrea finally gave in and Swift went on to wear her first-ever red lip.
“And the rest is history!” Hager said, to which Westman replied, “Look at her now!”
While the beauty expert—known for her work with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow—didn’t disclose the exact shade she used on the pop star, she revealed in 2021 that she entrusted Swift with the secret product.
“Taylor’s first ‘red’ #flashbackfriday from our 2009 @allure cover shoot, which was her first time wearing red lipstick,” Westman previously wrote on Instagram alongside several photos from the throwback photo.
“This look was inspired by Vargas girls & I sent Taylor home with her own tube afterwards.”
Since then, the 14-time Grammy winner has consistently adorned her lips with crimson red hues for nearly every red carpet event, magazine cover shoot, and awards show.
“I never really get too far from red lipstick, do I? I guess I just think my face looks worse without it,” Taylor told People in 2014.
“That’s pretty much the only rationale behind it.”