Come back down to earth
OF ALL beauty products, lipstick is the one we should care the most about. Not what colour it is, or what the texture is like, but what’s in it. After all, it’s estimated that the average woman eats about four lipsticks in a lifetime.
And yet most of us slather on lipsticks without giving them a second thought, despite their abundance of colourants, acetate, parabens, wax, oils and, in the US, pig fat. That’s not to mention the fragrance that goes with most lipsticks — that strange, artificial, synthetic scent.
But there is no need to turn your back on lipstick. Increasingly, ethical beauty companies are turning to plant oils and waxes, natural pigments, and essential oils for fragrance. The choice is still reasonably limited, with not that many options around.
Why? Well, it may have something to do with the fact that natural lipsticks using natural colour pigments come in a reasonably restricted amount of colours — there’s a limit to what you can do with natural shades. But the choice is definitely getting better .
Green People is one company that goes all-natural with its lipsticks, €14.20, and they are increasingly being stocked in health food shops around the country, as well as online (greenpeople.ie). Made with natural earth minerals, they were the first certified organic lipsticks in Britain, and contain cupuacu butter and coconut oil.
Lavera’s star ingredient in its lipstick, €15, is rose oil, with added lime blossom and mallow, although the range of colours (there are only six) might not suit everyone.
Looking for something upscale and luxurious? Turn to the Organic Pharmacy, and their super-sleek lipstick, €22.65. The ingredients are top class, with shea butter, castor oil, green tea, grape, lemon and orange.
Of course, you don’t have to go for an organic product to cut out the nasties, many natural beauty companies have chemical-free products. Dr Hauschka’s lipstick, €20.80, has a good rich consistency, and keeps the lips well moisturised, with the emphasis on lip care.
Greek natural brand Korres excel at natural make-up products (particularly eye shadow) and the company has scored another winner with the mango-butter infused Sheer Colour Lipstick, €18.10. In a range of 11 shades, they give great colour too with eyepopping shades of fuchsia and orange red. Definitely one of my favourites.
Of course, it’s never a great idea to wear lipstick unless your lips are in top condition. The idea of lip exfoliation is pretty new, but it’s not as makey-uppy as you might think. Lush’s Lip Scrub, €6.75, is flamboyantly scented with a Bubblegum flavour that would almost knock you out it’s so strong, but it definitely does the job. The Body Shop’s Lipscuff, €12.95, is altogether handier and less messy, with its in-a-stick formulation. Just rub it all over your lips, as you would use a lipstick, and then wipe off the residue. It’s that simple. And to finish off ? For me, it’s got to be Origin Organics Soothing Lip Balm, €19, with a lovely scent thanks to coconut and vanilla oils.
Looking for something pure? Then this one fits the bill. It doesn’t use petrochemicals, synthetic colourants or preservatives. Some of the ingredients are fairly traded, it’s suitable for vegetarians, and the packaging is recyclable and non-air freighted. Beat that!
This upscale lipstick from The Organic Pharmacy is slimmer than it might be, but it still gives good coverage with just one application. The range of shades is more extensive than many other organic lipsticks. My money is on the Dark Nude, it’s a lovely everyday shade.
I like the Sheer Colour Lipstick from Korres, but if you prefer a lipstick with more depth of tone, then this is a good one to go for. Again, it’s quite slim, but it glides on and stays on for ages. It also has guava in it, which is a good source of vitamin C.
It can be hard to find a lip balm with just the right texture, with lots of formulations being far too oily. This balm is quite hard, but it warms up nicely on the lips and is very moisturising. Unlike many balms that wear off quite quickly, this one stays on for a few hours, and keeps the lips succulent.
Do you need a lip scrub? Maybe not, but they are very handy to have, especially going into winter when the condition of your lips generally starts to worsen. If you’re a regular lipstick wearer, it’s also a good idea to use a scrub.
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