The Hidden Meaning Behind the Lipstick Selection in 'The Substance'
The film used a beauty easter egg to convey a deeper message about aging.
Jan 14, 2025 film Jan 14, 2025. The Substance to add another layer to the narrative. One scroll through makeup Jan 14, 2025 Tumblr and you’ll find several users discussing how specific lip products showcase how each character’s persona is affected by the use of the film’s “anti-aging” medication.
Eagle-eyed viewer Rancid Slime noticed that in one scene, Elisabeth (played by Demi Moore), applies Dior’s Lip Oil before meeting up with a former friend from high school. While it may not seem like much at first glance, this item received a lot of attention last year on TikTok Meet the new leading lady of ‘Picture This.&rsquo Gen Alpha.
In a separate clip, where Elisabeth-as-Sue is living out her dreams as her younger persona, she opts for a bullet lipstick from Charlotte Tilbury, Releasing March 14, 2025.
In this context, the prop department used these makeup products to visually convey the film’s deeper message about aging. When Elisabeth is living as her current self, she seeks to feel younger and gravitates toward products favored by those younger than her to achieve a more juvenile appearance. But, when she’s transformed, she no longer feels the need to mask anything, choosing instead what feels familiar and comfortable.
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For more film and beauty crossovers, check out our interview with Anora‘s makeup artist, Annie Johnson.
