Controversial Ingredients
Regardless of what you spend, when you think about lipstick, you probably think about the color and how moisturizing it feels. But in fact, in recent years there has been some attention focusing on what your lipstick is actually made from. Some widely circulating reports have called attention to the fact that lead, crushed beetle shells and even cow brain tissue is contained in some of the popular lipstick formulations you can find on the market today. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the lead amounts are minimal, the brain tissue is no longer true and beetle shells are quite safe. All in all, the word is that most lipsticks being sold today are very safe. If you feel concerned, though, you can find many natural or eco-friendly alternative lip products.
Putting Color To The Test
If you aren’t sure what color to try, some professionals suggest trusting that Mother Nature knows best and therefore, sticking to a color that is quite close to your natural shade, only a bit deeper or more enhanced. When shopping in a drug store where the package is sealed, your best bet is if there is a color swatch or the lipstick lid, to hold this up to your face near the door, where the most natural light shines in. Then look in a mirror to see how it works on you, or better yet, ask a friend.
What To Pick
In addition to the wide range of colors you can find when it comes to lipstick and the different price points, the finish you prefer can also give you a variety of choices. Here are some of the popular formulations you can find:
Matte Lipstick
This lipstick is rich with pigment, which makes it a good choice for darker shades. It also deflects the light and has more staying power than some of the shinier formulas, which means you don’t have to continually touch it up throughout the day. However, if your lips are older or very dry, this may not be the best option to buy.
Cream Lipstick
This lipstick is a bit creamier than a matte because they contain more wax. This allows them to go on well but they can also make lips feel somewhat dry.
Frost Or Shimmer Lipstick
This lipstick contains pearl, mica or silica particles, which reflect the light and give a shimmery shine that can be appropriate at night.
Lip Gloss
Lip gloss is a lipstick that is heavy with oil and often contains flavors and scents as well, making it appeal to a younger audience. This product usually gives a transparent look with lots of shine. It wears off very quickly, though, but make your lips feel great each time you reapply.
Long-Wearing Lipstick
This usually comes in two parts: a base formula that contains the color and a cover gloss. Generally you apply the base first and allow it to dry, then use the gloss to seal in the results and help them last for a long time. While this may sound like an appealing option to keep your lipstick on all day long, the formula can be very drying and may not work for every skin type.
Lip Plumping Lipstick
This contains ingredients designed to irritate your lips and make them swell. While this sounds like a strange attempt, the results can be similar to getting collagen injections to achieve fuller, pouty lips. You can find lipsticks that contain lip plumping products right in the formula so you only need to use one product, or you can buy a lip plumping gloss that you can apply on top of whatever lipstick color you buy.
