A kiss begins with a special moment, a kiss or a hug, which unfortunately sometimes results in a stain. Lipstick stains can be annoying, but they can also be dangerous. Most lipsticks are designed to last for hours on end, which is a fabulous invention, but we have to consider what chemicals are being used in lipsticks to create this long-lasting effect.

The ingredients in our precious sticks include a colouring, which can either be a soluble dye (stains the lips) or an insoluble dye (coats the lips). A fatty base controls how the lipstick feels and usually is made from waxes that come from plants. Beeswax, carnauba, lanolin, and paraffin are just a few of the oils or waxes used in lipstick production. Finally, a solvent is added that could potentially use chemicals including fatty alcohols, castor oil or polyethylene glycols.

A single lipstick container may carry very little chemicals, but it is estimated that we consume around 4 pounds of the stuff in our lifetime! When deciding on a lipstick to buy, make sure to read the ingredients. There are an assortment of fragrances and flavours added to the lipstick to cover up the tastes and odours of nasty chemicals. Watch out for FD&C or D&C followed by a colour and number. These are synthetic coal tar based colours that have been known to cause cancer in animals. If you have sensitive skin and lips, these could be especially scary as they have been known to cause skin irritations. Other ingredients to watch out for are parabens, perservatives used in lipsticks. They are as follows: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. Less common parabens include: isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts. Don’t forget to watch out for phthalates, used in fragrances and some lipsticks.

Why not opt for natural lipsticks, which are healthier and give you a much more beautiful colour? When shopping for eco-friendly lipsticks, look for ingredients such as jojoba, sunflower, chamomile, rosehip, and citrus. Stick to plant-waxes and beeswax. Make sure to thoroughly check the ingredients. Some lipsticks claim to be all-natural while they only have partly organic ingredients. Luckily, with our current go-green trend thriving, it’s easier than ever to stick to healthy lipsticks.

Here are some examples:

Aubrey Organics is just one of many brands that offer 100% all-natural hair and skincare products. They have a great, safe, organic, vegan lipstick line that’s perfect for people who want to be healthy or who just have sensitive skin.

Primitive Makeup offers a natural lipstick that also comes with a bit of scent, to those of us who appreciate it!

Alba, an organic cosmetic company, makes a lip gloss in mineral shades.

Burts Bees and Green Beaver offer Lip Shimmers in different colours.

Peacekeeper Cosmetics offers a mineral lip gloss.

Lavera offers a lip gloss with organic jojoba and vitamin E, for extra nourished lips!

For a not so strong look, try Dessert Essence Organics Lip Tints.

Whatever you chose, remember to do your research and have fun!