Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is all over the news right now (2026) because of the FX multi-episode film. But, so many of us lived through the fascination with—and newsworthiness of—her marrying JFK, Jr. and then instantly becoming a '90s fashion icon.

Personally, her style was the style I still covet. Clean, no-fuss, simple, neutral and especially black. The one curiosity, along with any item she wore, was her lip color. It wasn't until years after her passing that we finally learned of three lip products she wore. MAC's "Ruby Woo," Face Stockholm's "Cranberry Veil," and the infamous Bobbi Brown "Ruby Stain."

It was originally released sometime in the '90s, which means I was wearing it around 1995. I loved both this shade and "Plum Stain" (a favorite, I later learned, of Carolina Herrera). I wore one of these shades every day back then. But, as is normally the case, the Bobbi Brown stains were discontinued and, after much whining, some of the shades were reintroduced in a new "Sheer" formula. I never liked that version because there was some kind of minty ingredient that dried out my lips. Then, they disappeared.

Articles about Carolyn are always saying the Bobbi Brown Crushed Lipstick shade in "Ruby" is similar. It is not. I know because I tested it. The original "Ruby Stain" was a sheer lipstick that was super-buildable but not a heavy pigment. It wasn't a blur and it wasn't a gloss. It wasn't a bright red at all. It was red with a brown underbase, making it perfect for both work and night. Ruby Stain was the perfect formulation for the person who wanted to look polished but not overly made up. Perfect for CBK.

I've yet to find a true dupe for this formulation and—not even Face Stockholm's "Cranberry Veil." I have that, as well.

However, I held onto one original Ruby Stain. I will never let it go.