Lippenstiftmuseum

In Wilmersdorf, in the Bavarian Quarter, star make-up artist René Koch runs the world's only museum dedicated to lipstick. The private collection in his salon apartment ranges from the Baroque period to the present day, transforming a cosmetic classic into a piece of cultural history.

The Lipstick Museum: Cultural History in a 200 Square Meter Old Apartment

Those looking for truly curious museums in Berlin will find what they’re looking for at Helmstedter Straße 16. Star make-up artist and make-up artist René Koch operates the world’s only Lipstick Museum in his salon apartment, equipped with wood-paneled double doors and crystal chandeliers. Since 2009, it has been a permanent institution in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, in the Bavarian Quarter.

More than 200 Exhibits from Centuries of Beauty History

Over 200 exhibits can be viewed personally at the private Lipstick Museum in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, guided by René Koch himself. The exhibition displays exhibits, posters, and recipes from the Baroque period, through the 19th century, as well as the silent film, sound film, and color film eras, up to the post-war period and today. It goes far beyond pure cosmetic history. The history of lipstick is closely linked to the fashion world and the celebrity business of the respective era.

Particularly noteworthy are the rarities from the film world. The collection includes gemstone-studded lipsticks, historic make-up cases, and former everyday products such as the GDR people’s lipstick. In between, oversized lipstick sculptures rise into the air, including one by Salvador Dalí with his signature. Furthermore, the collection features over 150 kiss prints from popular divas such as Milva, Mireille Mathieu, Bonnie Tyler, Ute Lemper, and Hildegard Knef.

By Appointment Only, But Personal

The Lipstick Museum opens exclusively by prior appointment. An appointment is required for a visit, with René Koch personally welcoming visitors. Group tours for up to 15 people are also possible. During his tours, Koch shares many interesting stories and celebrity anecdotes. For example, the make-up set colored with louse blood from the silent film era or the powder compact of actress Lída Baarová, who had an affair with Goebbels, are part of the tour. So, for those looking for a more curious museum in Berlin, here you will find genuine contemporary history that you can’t touch anywhere else.