The Hidden Meaning Behind the Lipstick Selection in ‘The Substance’

Our favorite thing about film is how skillfully hidden easter eggs can be woven into its stories. The Substance features a special one for beauty lovers, allowing makeup to add another layer to the narrative. One scroll through 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 and became viral with Gen Z and 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, which is popular with more mature generations.

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.