Various students of feminism have developed different definitions of the term “lipstick feminism”. The most powerful discussion begins with the roles of feminists who also took on the traditional roles and gender assignments that society imposed on women. Later, feminists found that they could enjoy traditional roles and gender identity while breaking through an incredible range of social barriers to opportunity and equality in work, opportunity, personal freedom, and civil rights.

These are the the stages of lipstick feminism and how the orientations of the feminist movement have changed over the decades.

The early feminist campaigns focused on the fundamental citizenship rights of women, beginning with the Womens’ Suffrage movement. The suffrage movement is best known for giving women the right to vote and predates the Civil War. The suffrage movement was closely tied to the Abolitionist movement, which took precedence until slavery ended.

After the Civil War and at the turn of the century, the states began to give women the right to vote. But there was still an imposed and limited role of women as submissive to men, living with limited freedoms and rights, and professionally limited to homemaking and maternal duties.

In terms of fashion, the corset was abandoned and the bra was invented.

It was not until after World Wars I and II that women were recognized as capable of doing jobs that were reserved for men. But even after their fantastic performance, true liberation was delayed until the major equality movements 1960’s.

In terms of fashion, the high heel shoe presented new challenges to walking around and maintaining foot health.

The social revolutions of the 1960s included the great gender and sexuality revolution, where society could no longer dictate sexual preference, gender assigned roles and gender appearance. Men wore long hair, androgynous celebrities were a hit, gays came out of the closet, and lesbians could choose to abandon a feminine appearance if they chose to. But many lesbians did not abandon feminine appearance and were called “lipstick lesbians”, who are not to be confused with “lipstick feminists”.

In terms of fashion, the bra was briefly abandoned, then restored when women realized that the bra is a truly functional item.

There was bound to be a backlash by the majority of women to any of the movements that called for abandoning feminine identity or feminine appearance. The vast majority did not take to wearing only gender neutral fashion or stop becoming mothers, home makers, wives and nurturers.

The rest of the 20th century was owned by “lipstick feminists. Women had the freedom to do they wished.

In terms of fashion, millions of Black women freed themselves of the hot comb and chemical relaxers. All women of color were freed of pressure to “look white”.

With a large influx of women into the military, the armed forces had to refine regulations for makeup, hair design, a little bit of a heel on the shoe and simple earrings. There are also uniforms that accommodate an active duty soldier’s pregnancy.

More importantly, the functions and roles of women in the military went through exponential change and improvement. Most of those military women were “lipstick feminists” as wives, mothers and soldiers.

A massive movement, led by “lipstick feminists”, served to change women’s lives through education and information. Betty Ford brought breast cancer and alcohol rehabilitation out of the shame and dark and into the light. Jane Fonda (even though she faked it with plastic surgery) led an exercise and whole body awareness revolution. Julia Child showed women how to be wives, spies, classic cooks, and successful professionals in their lifetimes.

In terms of fashion, getting healthy became as important as makeup and clothing. Word about alternative, holistic and organic medicine and a growing understanding of foods, environments and toxins became a fact of life for all categories of feminists.

Relationships with men, bringing up children and caring for elderly parents became open discussions. Women began to host or moderate radio and television programs that tackled all of life’s issues. Oprah Winfrey tackled just about everything that a woman can be, experience and tell the world about. Women psychologists and ministers helped women to better define their individual roles, life plans, spirituality, morality, their troubles, and their goals in life.

The appearance industries never stopped booming. Celebrities have always been at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs in theatrical and portrait makeup, surgical and chemical procedures, and other body embellishments. Average women are going for the latest in makeup design, plastic surgery, hair treatments, skin lightning, and exercise, even as they knock down more and more barriers to equality and opportunity.

Many advancements in cosmetics, clothing, footwear, accessories, and hair styling products were made specifically to support women’s active and ever changing lifestyles. This is because women still maintain their roles as caregivers, nurturers, and supporters while exploring  everything else that life has to offer.

Today, thanks to lipstick feminists, women are aware that much of beauty, health and happiness comes through educated eating, healthy lifestyles, preventive medical care and getting rid of bad habits like inactivity and smoking.

In other words, most women will never abandon the art, challenges and work of being feminine, nor will they take on a gender neutral appearance just to gain legitimacy as a supporter of women’s equality and rights. This is because “lipstick feminists” have historically been the leaders in expanding options for women. They eagerly fulfill the traditional roles of women, but will not allow society to limit their range of other activities in life.