In a 2009 interview with Allure showing behind the scenes of Taylor Swift’s photoshoot, Gucci Westman said her goal was “an updated Vargas-girl look, with a strong mouth and beautiful skin.” (“Vargas-girl” seemingly refers to the women painted by Alberto Vargas for publications like Esquire and Playboy.) Allure also said Westman gave some red lipstick to Swift for her to take home, which the makeup artist confirmed on Instagram in 2021.
Although Swift has sometimes rocked different lip colors, her go-to seems to be red. In 2011, when Swift did a beauty Q&A with fan-submitted questions for Allure, she shared the secret to her red lipstick that always seems to last. “There are tricks I’ve learned from makeup artists on shoots,” Swift said — and although she didn’t give Westman a shout-out by name, it’s likely she was one of the artists being referred to. The “Maroon” singer continued, “They put on the red lipstick, then blot it with a tissue, then they put powder over the tissue and sort of press it onto your lips. Then re-apply. It turns it into a stain that lasts much longer.”
It’s unknown what red lipstick Swift wears day-to-day, although there’s definitely been speculation on what the various brands could be.