Makeup 

Lipstick

Is probably the most popular makeup item used by women, many of them say they wouldn’t leave home without it or that they feel naked when not wearing it. The lipstick is a symbol of femininity.

Throughout the ages and across all social classes lipstick has been in and out of fashion on a regular basis. It has been used as a mark of social status with the upper classes in Roman times wearing a different shade to those of a lower social status and it has been worn by both men and women. Egyptian women took small containers of lipstick with them in the tomb.

It has also contained ingredients such as lead which had a serious effect on health and well being. It has sometimes been regarded as improper to wear lipstick and in Victorian times it was frowned upon, particularly by the church and was only worn by prostitutes and actresses appearing on stage. In the early 20^th century suffragettes wore red lipstick as a sign of defiance towards men.

During World War 2 lipstick was worn as a morale booster and since the 1950’s it has been a staple item in every makeup bag and the cosmetic companies bring out new colours every season.

Colour has been applied to the lips using many different ingredients; ceruse a white lead mixed with crushed minerals to provide colour, wine dregs, red ochre mixed with resin and carmine or cochineal derived from a parasitic insect and vermilion a toxic mercury compound. 

Lipsticks are now made from a mixture of waxes, oils, emollients and pigments and they come in different forms, from the popular twist up lipstick, to a squeezable tube, to a glossy compact.  Some contain other ingredients such as collagen and sunscreen to plump and protect.

You can choose matte, creamy or high gloss textures and they come in a huge array of colours. Frosted lipstick has a pearly finish and this is achieved by adding an ingredient such as bismuth oxychloride, mica or silica particles.

Lipstick is used to accentuate the lips but may also help to even out asymmetrical lip shapes, or make the lips appear fuller or smaller. The colour you choose may complement your skin tone, blend well with other makeup, follow a fashion trend or make a bold style statement!

A lip liner should be applied first in a colour that co-ordinates well with your chosen shade of lipstick and then lipstick applied with a brush in one or two coats depending on the depth of colour required.