diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index dbb92987..edbca4cd 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ Emacs
 
 Face customization is easier
 
-  New faces `notmuch-search-flagged-face` and
-  `notmuch-search-unread-face` are used by default by
-  `notmuch-search-line-faces`. Customize `notmuch-faces` to modify
-  them.
+  New faces `notmuch-tag-unread`, `notmuch-tag-flagged`,
+  `notmuch-tag-deleted`, `notmuch-tag-added`,
+  `notmuch-search-flagged-face` and `notmuch-search-unread-face` are
+  now used by default. Customize `notmuch-faces` to modify them.
 
 Ruby Bindings
 -------------
diff --git a/emacs/notmuch-tag.el b/emacs/notmuch-tag.el
index a3f0c52a..ec3c964d 100644
--- a/emacs/notmuch-tag.el
+++ b/emacs/notmuch-tag.el
@@ -56,9 +56,23 @@
 					  (string :tag "Custom")))
 			    (sexp :tag "Custom")))))
 
+(defface notmuch-tag-unread
+  '((t :foreground "red"))
+  "Default face used for the unread tag.
+
+Used in the default value of `notmuch-tag-formats`."
+  :group 'notmuch-faces)
+
+(defface notmuch-tag-flagged
+  '((t :foreground "blue"))
+  "Face used for the flagged tag.
+
+Used in the default value of `notmuch-tag-formats`."
+  :group 'notmuch-faces)
+
 (defcustom notmuch-tag-formats
-  '(("unread" (propertize tag 'face '(:foreground "red")))
-    ("flagged" (propertize tag 'face '(:foreground "blue"))
+  '(("unread" (propertize tag 'face 'notmuch-tag-unread))
+    ("flagged" (propertize tag 'face 'notmuch-tag-flagged)
      (notmuch-tag-format-image-data tag (notmuch-tag-star-icon))))
   "Custom formats for individual tags.
 
@@ -90,15 +104,17 @@ with images."
   :group 'notmuch-faces
   :type 'notmuch-tag-format-type)
 
+(defface notmuch-tag-deleted
+  '((((class color) (supports :strike-through)) :strike-through "red")
+    (t :inverse-video t))
+  "Face used to display deleted tags.
+
+Used in the default value of `notmuch-tag-deleted-formats`."
+  :group 'notmuch-faces)
+
 (defcustom notmuch-tag-deleted-formats
-  '(("unread" (notmuch-apply-face bare-tag
-				  (if (display-supports-face-attributes-p '(:strike-through "red"))
-				      '(:strike-through "red")
-				    '(:inverse-video t))))
-    (".*" (notmuch-apply-face tag
-			      (if (display-supports-face-attributes-p '(:strike-through "red"))
-				  '(:strike-through "red")
-				'(:inverse-video t)))))
+  '(("unread" (notmuch-apply-face bare-tag `notmuch-tag-deleted))
+    (".*" (notmuch-apply-face tag `notmuch-tag-deleted)))
   "Custom formats for tags when deleted.
 
 For deleted tags the formats in `notmuch-tag-formats` are applied
@@ -118,8 +134,15 @@ See `notmuch-tag-formats' for full documentation."
   :group 'notmuch-faces
   :type 'notmuch-tag-format-type)
 
+(defface notmuch-tag-added
+  '((t :underline "green"))
+  "Default face used for added tags.
+
+Used in the default value for `notmuch-tag-added-formats`."
+  :group 'notmuch-faces)
+
 (defcustom notmuch-tag-added-formats
-  '((".*" (notmuch-apply-face tag '(:underline "green"))))
+  '((".*" (notmuch-apply-face tag 'notmuch-tag-added)))
   "Custom formats for tags when added.
 
 For added tags the formats in `notmuch-tag-formats` are applied