History of Lipstick

Lipstick is a cosmetic product containing pigments, oils, waxes, and emollients that apply color,
texture, and protection to the lips.

Many colors and types of lipstick exist. As with most other types of makeup, lipstick is typically,
but not exclusively, worn by women. Some lipsticks are also lip balms, to add color and
hydration.

Although the name originally applied to the baton (stick) of material, within a tubular container,
usually around 10mm in diameter and 50mm in length the term has now generally transposed to
the material itself, regardless of method of application.
Early history

Ancient Sumerian men and women were possibly the first to invent and wear lipstick, about
5,000 years ago. They crushed gemstones and used them to decorate their faces, mainly on the
lips and around the eyes. Also Egyptians like Cleopatra crushed bugs to create a colour of red on
their lips. Also around 3000 BC to 1500 BC, women in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization
applied red tinted lipstick to their lips for face decoration. Ancient Egyptians wore lipstick to
show social status rather than gender. They extracted the red dye from fucus-algin, 0.01% iodine,
and some bromine mannite, but this dye resulted in serious illness. Lipsticks with shimmering
effects were initially made using a pearlescent substance found in fish scales.

During the Islamic Golden Age the notable Andalusian cosmetologist Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi
(Abulcasis) invented solid lipsticks, which were perfumed sticks rolled and pressed in special
molds, and he described them in his Al-Tasrif.
Ingredients

Lipstick contains wax, oils, antioxidants and emollients. Wax provides the structure to the solid
lipstick. Lipsticks may be made from several waxes such as beeswax, ozokerite and candelilla
wax. Because of its high melting point, Carnauba wax is a key ingredient in terms of
strengthening the lipstick. Various oils and fats are used in lipsticks, such as olive oil, mineral
oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, and petrolatum.

Lead and other trace metals are also found in many lipsticks. It is impossible to know whether
these metals are in the lipstick by looking at the ingredient list because they are not an intentional
ingredient added, but rather, an unintentional contaminant. These trace metals are naturally
occurring and accidentally get taken up with other chemicals that are used in lipstick production.
Lead and other trace metals will not be listed in the ingredients section of different lipsticks.
Look for lead acetate, chromium, thimerosal, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, sodium
hexametaphosphate on the ingredients list of lipsticks. These chemicals contain trace amounts of
naturally occurring metals, such as lead.

Lipsticks get their colors from a variety of pigments and lake dyes including, but not limited to
bromo acid, D&C Red No. 21, Calcium Lake such as D&C Red 7 and D&C Red 34, and D&C
Orange No. 17. Pink lipsticks are made by mixing white titanium dioxide and red shades. Both
organic and inorganic pigments are employed.

Matte lipsticks contain more filling agents like silica but do not have many emollients. Creme
lipsticks contain more waxes than oils. Sheer and long lasting lipsticks contain more oil, while
long lasting lipsticks also contain silicone oil, which seals the colors to the wearer's lips. Glossy
lipstick contain more oil to give a shiny finish to the lips.

Shimmery or frost lipstick may contain mica, silica, and synthetic pearl particles, such as
bismuth oxychloride, to give them a glittery or shimmering shine.

Lipstick is made from grinding and heating ingredients. Then heated waxes are added to the mix
for texture. Oils and lanolin are added for specific formula requirements. Afterwards, the hot
liquid is poured onto a metal mold. The mixture is then chilled. Once they have hardened, they
are heated in flame for half a second to create a shiny finish and to remove imperfection
Benefits of Lipstick

Beauty No matter what style of lip color you prefer (sharp, bold and dramatic colors, or more
natural and subdued shades that can be translucent), you will instantly feel more beautiful. If
your goal is to stand out in the crowd, be more beautiful, or you simply need a boost in your
confidence, lipstick is a perfect fashion tool for you.

Hydration Even though some older brands of lipsticks use ingredients that can suck moisture
from you lips, most of them are very conscientious about hydration and are made to preserve the
natural state of your lips. New brands of lipstick can often contain some form of moisturizing
additive, such as vitamin E or aloe vera.

Sunscreen Even in early 20th century, chemist and fashion designers came to conclusion that
sunscreen protection is important and that most people leave their sensitive lips up to the mercy
of the sun even if they are conscious about protecting the rest of the face. Lipstick manufacturers
then added sun protection ingredients to their products, enabling you to protect your lips from
sun, drying, wind, and other harmful and aging effects.

Good Lipstick

Posture Several studies have shown that women who regularly use lipstick have a better
posture in the later years of their life. With long and steady tradition of standing in front of the
mirror and keeping your posture and body shape in healthy conditions, women in the ages of 65
to 85 have significantly less problems with their posture and balance.

Other health issues Lips have very different composition then the rest of our skin. It lacks
melanin, substance that protects us from the harmful UV rays, and because of that wearing sun
protecting lipstick can greatly reduce the chance of skin cancer. However, only matte and opaque
lipsticks with SPF of 15 higher can be effective in this, but glossy and shimmery lipsticks works
in totally different way, actually attracting harmful radiation and intensifying the irradiation of
the lips.
Types of Lipstick

Satin (also known as sheer)

The thing about satin lipsticks is that sometimes they can be unintentionally misleading

Because most are diluted with oils, the true shade of the lipstick usually differs slightly from
what you see on the packaging so it tends to be somewhat lighter when applied to the lips.

For those of us with dry lips however, satin lipsticks are a Godsend as they keep lips moisturised.
Unfortunately, even though they are beautiful on, they offer very little coverage and need to be
reapplied on a regular basis.

The satin term means lips are left with a nice sheen, just not a gloss-level sheen.
Matte lipstick (also known as velvet finish)

When most of us think of matte lip colours, we immediately think of Kylie Jenner

Where once everyone tended to go for the glossies, Kylie made the matte look the go-to style.
And we cant thank her enough for it. Were obsessed with matte lipsticks!

The brilliant thing about matte lipstick is its longevity. A good matte colour will not only stay
put, it will also make lips look super smooth. Some will offer that fab velvety finish.

Matte lipsticks give full coverage and can make lips look slightly fuller, especially when
combined with the lip over-lining technique.
Liquid lipstick (also known as gloss lipstick /etc)

Heavily pigmented matte lip glosses are often referred to as liquid lipsticks.

Regardless of what you call them, they are designed to give lips lots of texture and as a result
they make thin lips appear slightly fuller.

Moisturising lipstick

If your lip balm is almost an extension of your arm, or if you suffer from dry chapped lips, then
you need to go for lipsticks with highly moisturising ingredients such as Vitamin E, aloe, and
Jojoba Oil.

While a moisturising lipstick will have a glossy finish, the downside of course is that you will
have to reapply regularly as they are not very long-lasting.
Cream matte lipstick

Cream lipsticks (or cream matte lipsticks) are quite waxy in terms of texture and even though
they give lips a smooth matte result, the formula is not as tough as a matte one.

The great thing about cream matte lipsticks is that they offer a high pigment while at the same
time being very moisturising and long lasting.
Frosted (also known as pearl) lipstick

First things first. Were NOT talking about those heavily frosted lipsticks that were in every
girls makeup bag back in the 90s. (Remember how every pop star used to wear those?)

No, what were talking about are the lipsticks that have a nice pearlised, almost slightly metallic,
finish. They reflect the light so your lips are left with a beautiful pigmented effect.

Some will even have a touch of shimmer in them making them the perfect lipstick for a night
time makeup look.

If you are going for a pearlised lipstick, be sure to get one that has moisturising properties as
sometimes the frosted effect can leave lips feeling dry.

Lip stain

Not quite a lipstick, but still deserves a mention here.

A lip stain (which usually comes in the form of a matte finish) is designed to be fuss-free making
it perfect for those busy days.