Hola Amigas,
As consumers in 2021 and into the future, we are literally faced with decision after decision on a daily basis about the products that we purchase, use, display, and consume.
Most of the time we put great thought into the purchases we make, weighing out pros and cons, and going over every detail. For instance, when considering large, life-changing purchases like a new home, or car, or even an insurance plan, we don’t make those decisions lightly.
But sometimes, we are moved by emotion and our feelings become the driving force of our purchase power. We may see a beautiful piece of artwork, or piece of furniture. An amazing pair of shoes or an accessory may speak to us.
And then there’s our food choices. Besides the occasional indulgence or mindless consumption of half a bag (or more) of potato chips during a Netflix binge, I put a lot of thought into what I buy at the grocery store, and what I put into my body. Especially being a mom. What I bring home and serve my family at mealtime is a well considered process. I’m sure you feel the same. Choosing the most nutritious, clean, and healthy food is super important. And thankfully, by reading and understanding labels, and carefully choosing where and how we shop for our food, we can feel confident that what we’re consuming is safe and good for us.
But let’s talk about a product that can be a combination of all of the above. This product is usually something we purchase because of the way it makes us feel and the way it looks on us. Like other similar items, purchasing this product is often greatly fueled by the way it’s advertised. And with how clever and effective the advertising world can be, this product is often an impulse buy.
But this product is not only an accessory, not only something you “wear”, or display. It’s not only an artistic or creative expression of yourself. It is something you consume, indirectly.
Lipstick.
Like all other cosmetics, fragrance, beauty and body care products, lipstick is absorbed into our skin. But unique to lipstick is the fact we are literally putting it on (and ultimately in) our mouths. It is estimated that the average woman consumes up to 2 kilos of lipstick over her lifetime! The reality is… your lipstick ingredients, the ones you are indirectly eating, can either be harmful or beneficial.
Informed decision making and great care should go into choosing our lipstick. To make it easier, let’s talk about a few of the best ingredients to look for when purchasing your next favorite lip color, and a few of the worst offenders to steer clear of.
First, 3 beneficial ingredients to look for in lipstick:
- Organic waxes. Sometimes called structuring agents, waxes give lipstick its solid structure and are a necessary ingredient. But not all waxes are created equal. When choosing lipsticks, look for organic wax as an ingredient. Both organic food and cosmetics must comply with both USDA and FDA regulations, which leads to a product that is not only pure; free from harsh chemicals and synthetics, but also safer to use.
- Good fats. Various oils and fats are used in lipstick to give it its spreadability. Shea butter and/or avocado butter are two excellent ingredients to look for. Both butters are a rich source of numerous fatty acids and antioxidants, are super nourishing, and can provide topical skin-soothing benefits. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and can assist in healing and preventing chapped lips.
- Antioxidants like vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and has been shown to promote cell turnover and regeneration. Using it on dry lips brings new cells to the surface faster, and vitamin E is regularly used as a dietary supplement, so it is completely safe to ingest.
Fortunately, safety testing and regulations on cosmetics continue to improve. However, that does not mean there’s not nasty stuff still out there. It just means we can be more discerning consumers.
Here are 3 harsh and offending ingredients to avoid in lipstick:
- Lead and other metals. Even in small amounts, lead and various other metals pose significant health risks when ingested. Some of the known effects include neurotoxicity linked to learning, language and behavioral problems; reduced fertility in both women and men; hormonal changes and menstrual irregularities.
- Parabens. Because parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in our bodies, they can totally disrupt our own hormone systems. This can lead to female and male reproductive issues, including infertility and interference of hormone production.
- Animal derived ingredients. So, what exactly are we eating if animal derived ingredients are present? How about crushed up insects; lanolin (a.k.a. sheep grease secreted by the sebaceous glands of the wool-bearing animal...Eew!); and hive products from the increasingly threatened bee, just to name a few. But as important… by choosing a lipstick free of animal derived ingredients, you are choosing, if even indirectly, to reject animal exploitation.
Well, there you have it. I hope you feel armed with some really valuable information for choosing your next lipstick. But I’ve saved the best part for last. As you may already know, I’m preparing to launch my new lipstick line, Amarosa Lip Collection by PerlaRose. I’m more than happy to tell you that my lipsticks do not contain any of the above offending ingredients, and ARE formulated with the 3 beneficial ingredients we explored, among others. All of my lipsticks are:
- VEGAN
- FREE OF PARABENS
- NON-TOXIC
- CRUELTY-FREE
- MOIST AND HYDRATING
- ULTRA-COMFORTABLE WEAR
- HIGHLY PIGMENTED COLORS
- PROMOTE SUPREME LIP SUPPLENESS
By choosing my lipstick, your lips will not only look and feel supple and beautiful, you can rest easy that none of the bad stuff, but all of the good stuff is in your new favorite PerlaRose lip colors. More launch news coming soon.
Contact me with any comments or questions.
Hasta la próxima,
Perla
