There’s something almost mythical about red lipstick. Here, five writers attempt to unpack its power to shield, embolden, and transform. For Freedom Vivek Shraya Musician, poet, and author of I’m Afraid of Men A common stereotype about trans people is that they suffer from “special snowflake syndrome,” but I am actually quite content to be a pumpkin spice–loving, Ariana Grande– listening basic girl. Fashion-wise, the Canadian tuxedo is my wardrobe staple, and you won’t find playful purples, greens, or blues in my lipstick tower. My most exciting makeup decision (said without sarcasm) is choosing which shade of red I will paint my lips. Brick and wine tones for fall and winter, scarlet and fire tones for spring and summer, and rose tones with gloss for a gig or a shoot. If I feel adventurous, I might dabble in a soft pink, but at heart, I’m a red girl. At first glance, red seems like an obvious and perhaps even lazy go-to, an effortless boost of glamour. And yet many of my women fri