The eyes might be the window to the soul, but the lips tell their own special story. This makes the shades we wear all the more important. It’s not just about the way we look; it’s about the connective power of certain hues and shades, passed down from generation to generation.
No one observes this rogue phenomenon quite like the lovely ladies of the Divine Nine. For them, the color of their lips carries years of legacy, scholarship, and dedication, reflected in their aesthetic conquests and poise alike. There are just certain colors that are culturally associated with certain organizations. AKAs are known for repping a soft baby pink, which captures the femm-forward essence these ladies are known for. On the other end of the rosy hue spectrum, we have the bright and bold reds, which basically belong to the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta.
Now, not all lip hues are created equally. For example, certain purple hues have blue undertones, making them the ultimate transition shade, while some pinks are pale enough to pass for nude. The range is endless, which can be exciting but also requires discernment when choosing your perfect pink or fiery red.
Beyond that, these lip shades should also speak to the stories that bind us from campus to campus.
Whether it be sorority whispers or secrets between sisters, lips and the lacquers that coat them hold a special place in the ritual-focused legacies of the Divine Nine. Below, we explore the cultural history of lip colors on the Yard and include a few of our favorite shades.
For the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha, pink represents the complexities of femininity, compassion, and love all wrapped into one rosy shade.
So, what better shade for the ladies of the pink and green than a light yet pigmented pink? Anastasia Beverly Hills’ “Kiss” lipstick is an easy-to-wear pink hue that can be built up for a bold look but is also subtle enough for day-to-day wear.
Delta is known for that signature crimson red hue. Since 1913, bold red lips have served as a statement-maker for the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta. The color embodies a bold elegance passed down from generation to generation. For that signature red, Pat McGrath’s MatteTrance Lipstick is a great option that maintains a rich, bold color, subtly muted by deeper pigments.
Zeta’s rep the blue and white with pride. While a full-on blue lipstick might trend more toward the avant-garde, there are some truly heavenly purple hues with blue bases that encapsulate the aesthetic spirit of Zeta Phi Beta. Gucci’s Velvet Matte Lipstick has a deep blue undertone that props up the purple hue, resulting in a robust shade that will make a statement on any Yard — homecoming or otherwise.
There is nothing like the regal aura of the color gold, something the women of Sigma Gamma Rho know better than anyone. But it can be hard to find a gold lip pigment that doesn’t overpower the rest of your look. Thankfully, our pigment queen, Pat McGrath, has something subtle yet glamorous enough for an everyday gold lip gloss. The Blitz Gold – glistening 24 karat gold pearl lip gloss is a long-wearing gloss that provides shine, pigment, and yard-ready glam.
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