Cosmetics and makeup

Types and colors of lipstick

Lip paint or lipstick was already known in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. And this is more than 5000 years ago. In Egypt, it was made from animal fat, beeswax and red pigment. Lipstick spread from Egypt to Ancient Greece, then to Rome and so on ... Interesting recipes for lip coloring appeared. But, for example, from the early and late Middle Ages, many cosmetic recipes were lost, as women were forbidden to paint ...

In Rome, lipstick was made from cinnabar and red lead, which are poisonous pigments. The Roman philosopher and physician Claudius Galen was an ardent opponent of such lipstick.

In the 19th century, lipstick was in France in the form of a pencil. It was French perfumers who presented lipstick in a case with a piston mechanism. And finally, as we know it, lipstick appeared around 1920. We will not specify which of the best manufacturers of cosmetics made the greatest contribution and who owns the palm in the design of lipstick in a tube, as it is now - Elena Rubinstein or company Guerlain... The main thing is that each of them made a lot of efforts in the field of cosmetics, and in particular, decorative cosmetics.

What are the ingredients in lipstick?
It is based on waxes, oils and fats. In addition to decorative properties, lipstick also has hygienic, moisturizing and nourishing properties.

The wax provides strength, ductility and shape. The wax allows the lipstick to adhere easily to the lips. However, wax for many was a strong allergen, so now natural plant waxes are used instead.

The most commonly used oils are castor oil extracted from castor oil plants. But lipstick may contain other oils, such as coconut, olive, avocado, as well as lanolin, petroleum jelly, and mineral oils.

The fats used in the lipstick give it firmness and protect the lips from chapping and moisture loss. Of course, you can't do without preservatives. To prolong the life of the lipstick, antioxidants and preservatives are added to its fat base.

The gloss and durability of the lipstick are provided by polymers and silicate derivatives, which, like fats, protect the lips from moisture loss.

Lipstick colors and dyes
Carmine is used as a colorant in lipstick. It is also used in the food industry. Carmine is registered as a food additive - E120. It is obtained from red-brown insects - false scutes. The habitat of these insects is El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Azerbaijan, Armenia. The insects are dried, then a powder is obtained from them, treated with a solution of ammonia or sodium carbonate, and then filtered. As you can see, the process of obtaining carmine is quite time consuming. And besides that, the color of carmine can be changed from gray to purple-violet. That is why it is more expensive than other dyes.

Vitamins are also added to the lipstick, which protect our lips from inflammation and various kinds of negative influences from external factors. Most often these are vitamins A, C and E. Lipstick also contains sun filters. All components contribute to the preservation of health and youthfulness of the skin. A fragrance is also added, which creates a pleasant smell and eliminates the odors of raw materials.

The more oils and waxes in your lipstick, the better your lips will be moisturized. Waxes and oils, if the lipstick has the best moisturizing properties, are in the first place in the list of ingredients, that is, there are more of them in this lipstick than other ingredients. Pay attention to the expiration date. Lipstick can last from six months to five years. Such a big difference speaks about the manufacturer and about the quality of the product.If the lipstick changes its consistency or acquires an unpleasant odor, you cannot use it.

According to their decorative properties, lipsticks can be divided into persistent, matte and satin.

The durability of the lipstick is due to the presence of wax and water-repellent components. The presence of these ingredients allows the lipstick to stay on the lips for a long time without losing its decorative qualities. But persistent lipstick is afraid of contact with fatty foods. Therefore, before using such lipstick, you should wipe your lips well with a napkin, removing fat and moisture from the lips. This lipstick is washed off with the help of cosmetic milk.

Long lasting and super long lasting lipstick. This lipstick does not leave marks on clothes or glasses. It stays on the lips well and for a long time, does not blur and does not wear off. Resistant lasts up to 12 hours, super-resistant - up to 24 hours. You will say - this is the most convenient, you do not need to constantly correct, tint, look in the mirror. Yes, this is so, because long-lasting lipstick contains a dye that, together with a fatty cream base, penetrates deeply into the skin of the lips. And that is why it stays on the lips for a long time. But these lipsticks tighten the lips too much. There may even be a feeling of heaviness on the lips. What to do? Do not use long-lasting lipstick daily, especially if your lips are dry.

Therefore, in the latter case, use this lipstick only in exceptional cases. Although any company would argue that the composition of their long-lasting lipsticks are balanced with moisturizers, and they do not dry out the lips. But still, listen to your lips, they will tell you for sure whether you should use permanent lipstick all the time or not. Otherwise, these lipsticks are not harmful to health.

Matte lipstick also contains a large amount of wax as well as powder. It is because of the powder that this lipstick has a slight shine, and its color is deeper. It favorably emphasizes the eyes and freshness of the face. This lipstick can be called the standard of elegance. It fits well, intensely colors, but the lips may not feel quite comfortable. To visually not create a feeling of "dryness" of the lips, you can apply a drop of oil to the middle of the lower lip and rub it towards the teeth - to soften the mucous membrane. There are also nourishing matte lipsticks. They contain various fats and waxes. Matte lipstick is suitable for those with plump lips. But for those who have thin lips, she will not decorate.

Satin lipstick visually increases the volume of the lips. It is distinguished by shine and radiance, evenly lays on the surface of the lips, moisturizes them and makes them smoother. Satin lipstick is a moisturizing lipstick. It not only colors, but also softens the lips. It often contains cocoa or castor butter, coconut oil, chamomile extract. This lipstick is best used in spring and summer, but it wears out quickly.

Here we should also pay tribute to hygienic lipstick, which is absolutely necessary, especially in the winter season, as it contains nourishing, moisturizing, antiseptic components, as well as vitamins. Therefore, this lipstick helps prevent dry and chapped lips. This lipstick can also be used in summer if it contains ultraviolet filters that protect the delicate skin of the lips from the sun's rays. Its only drawback is that it does not give the lips a new shade.

Lipsticks from foreign manufacturers are divided into:
matte - matte, long-lasting, rich in color;
creame - oily, gives the lips moisture and juiciness;
frost - pearlescent;
sheer - transparent, like a shine (suitable for natural makeup);
satin - satin.