Makeup Artist Recalls Introducing Taylor Swift to Her Signature Red Lip

Taylor Swift‘s got that red lip, classic thing that you like — all thanks to Gucci Westman. While appearing on Today With Hoda & Jenna on Tuesday (April 2), the makeup artist revealed that she was the first to introduce the pop star to crimson lipstick back in 2009, inadvertently creating what became her signature look.

According to Westman, Swift’s now iconic look started on set of the singer’s 2009 Allure magazine cover shoot. “I remember I really wanted to do a red lip on her because I hadn’t seen her in a red lip before,” the beauty mogul recalled.

“And her mom, if I’m allowed to say this, was like, ‘Well, Taylor doesn’t wear red,'” she continued. “And I was like, ‘Please, can I just try?’”

The Westman Atelier founder added, “Look at her now … That was her first red.”

In the 15 years since that moment, red lipstick has become one of the most recognizable pieces of Swift’s image — second only to her blonde locks. In recent history, the “Anti-Hero” singer sported the shade at this year’s Grammys and the 2024 Super Bowl, as well as most of the stops on her global Eras Tour.

Red lips are so quintessential to Swift’s persona, she’s even known to include references to the style in her music. “I can see the flames on my skin/ Crimson red paint on my lips,” she sings on Reputation‘s “I Did Something Bad,” and on 1989‘s “Wildest Dreams,” she describes “red lips and rosy cheeks.”

Watch Westman tell the story of Swift’s first encounter with red lipstick below.