Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos: A Contrarian Perspective s3 -Episode 5: Makeup Minimalism

Darlings, let’s paint a picture. But not just any picture – a portrait of power, painted with the barest of brushstrokes. I’m talking, of course, about Elizabeth Holmes and her approach to makeup, a study in minimalism that would make Marie Kondo weep with joy.

In the world of Silicon Valley, where the natural look often means yesterday’s t-shirt and a three-day stubble, Holmes carved out a unique space with her makeup choices. Or should I say, her choice. Because when it came to Holmes’ face, it was all about one thing: the lip.

Ah, the lip. That slash of red that became as much a part of Holmes’ signature look as her black turtleneck. It wasn’t just a lipstick – it was a statement, a war paint, a distillation of all the ambition and intensity that Holmes brought to her role as Theranos CEO.

But let’s back up a bit. Before we dive into the symbolism of that perfect pout, we need to appreciate the canvas it was painted on. Holmes’ face, in all other respects, was a study in bare-faced confidence. No contour, no smoky eye, not even a swipe of mascara. In a world where women are often expected to paint on a full face just to be taken seriously, Holmes’ choice to go virtually makeup-free was revolutionary.

This bare face served multiple purposes. First, it aligned with the image of the serious, no-nonsense entrepreneur that Holmes was cultivating. It said, “I don’t have time for a 10-step skincare routine. I’m too busy disrupting the healthcare industry.” It was an extension of her minimalist wardrobe – functional, focused, and free from frivolity.

But it also did something else. It made her look young. Fresh-faced. Almost innocent. And in the high-stakes world of biotech, where experience often equals credibility, this was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it emphasized her wunderkind status, the college-dropout-turned-billionaire narrative that so captivated the media. On the other, it could have undermined her authority, made her seem naive or unprepared for the monumental task she’d set for herself.

And this, my dears, is where the lip comes in.

That red lip was a power move of the highest order. In the sea of bare skin, it stood out like a beacon, drawing all attention to Holmes’ words. It was war paint, a sign that she was ready for battle in the boardrooms and labs of Silicon Valley. The choice of red was no accident either. Red lips have long been a symbol of defiant femininity, from the flappers of the 1920s to the victory red of women joining the workforce during World War II.

By pairing this bold lip with an otherwise bare face, Holmes struck a balance between feminine power and no-nonsense professionalism. It was a visual representation of the tightrope she walked as a young, female CEO in a male-dominated industry – feminine enough to be true to herself, but bold enough to demand respect.

The consistency of this look was key to its impact. Like her black turtleneck and blonde updo, the red lip became a part of the Elizabeth Holmes uniform. It was a constant in a world of variables, a small but significant way for Holmes to control her image and the narrative around her.

But let’s not forget the skill involved in maintaining this look. A bold red lip is not for the faint of heart. It requires precision, maintenance, and a certain level of confidence to carry off. In choosing this as her signature, Holmes was also sending a message about her attention to detail, her steadiness under pressure. After all, if she could keep her lipstick perfect through hours of meetings and presentations, surely she could handle the pressures of running a multi-billion dollar company, right?

There’s also a psychological aspect to the bold lip that’s worth considering. Studies have shown that wearing lipstick can make women feel more confident and self-assured. By donning her red lip like armor, Holmes was perhaps giving herself a daily boost of confidence, a war paint to face the battles ahead.

In the end, Holmes’ makeup minimalism was anything but simple. It was a carefully constructed image, a visual thesis on power, femininity, and disruption in the 21st century. It challenged our expectations of what a powerful woman should look like, and in doing so, became as much a part of the Theranos story as the technology itself.

So the next time you reach for your lipstick, remember Elizabeth Holmes. Remember that sometimes, the boldest statement is the simplest one. And that in the right hands, a single swipe of color can speak volumes.