When and why did women start wearing lipstick?

The ancient Egyptians probably invented lipstick. From their paintings we can see highly stylised and painted faces..

They left wigs, combs and other cosmetic devices. They used henna to paint their lips, a poisonous substance made of plant dye, iodine and bromine.

Lipstick was made of vegetable matter coloured with cinnabar, another poison. In the 1930's the US cosmetics industry was a dominant and profitable market.

In 1949 Hazel Bishop perfected long-lasting lipstick. The 'kiss-proof' lipstick was a great success.

Queen Elizabeth I and other women of her reign whitened their faces with white lead before applying red to their lips and cheeks.

The effect was dramatic red spots on a white background. By the 1800's, using 'rouge' was the domain of actresses/harlots.

I'm a woman and I simply wear it because I love it. I love makeup.

the early 50's to make them look sexy

Lipstick and Make up have been around since the Ancient Egyptians, But during the Edwardian, Victorian(And all those eras), they kept it to Prositutes and Actresses It wasn't intill the 1920's, that the Flappers started to wear lipstick, To Show off their rebeilious side, and whatnot.

Around 1950. To give their lips color. I use it myself, though I use a natural color.

women have been using "makeup" since ancient times. lipstick is used to bring color to the lips....which signifies health and fertility to men. it's the same reason why women wear blush.