Playboy founder Hugh Hefner was known for his strict rules and preferences when it came to his Playmates. Recently, Holly Madison, Hefner’s former girlfriend, shed light on one of his alleged “control tactics.” In an interview on the “Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe” podcast, Madison revealed why Hefner hated when Playmates wore red lipstick.
According to Madison, she believes it was a control tactic used by Hefner. However, when she was new to the Playboy Mansion, she wore red lipstick a couple of times, and Hefner didn’t say anything about it. Madison explains that new girls were treated well, and their choices weren’t scrutinized initially. She likens it to a cult, where new members are treated better to entice them to join and feel bonded.
When Madison had been dating Hefner for about six months and was living in his bedroom as the main girlfriend, Hefner felt that he had the authority to confront Madison about her red lipstick. Madison recalls Hefner disliking the color because he believed it made the women look older.
Hefner’s preference for young and fresh-faced women was rooted in the concept of a Playmate that he had developed in the 1950s. He wanted them to have a youthful and natural look, contrary to the more sophisticated style of the time, which he described as “somebody’s older sister.” Hefner favored a skimpy and fresh-faced appearance, which he believed embodied the barely legal aesthetic he desired.
Madison and Hefner dated from 2001 to 2008, after which she moved out of the Playboy Mansion. Hefner went on to marry Crystal Hefner and remained married until his death in 2017 at the age of 91.
This revelation adds to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Hefner’s reign over the Playboy Mansion. It showcases the extent of control he exerted over his Playmates’ image and how he enforced his preferences. Madison’s interview gives us a glimpse into the underlying reasons behind Hefner’s aversion to red lipstick and sheds light on the culture within the mansion during her time there.
