You know V-day is coming up quickly. I’m not going to actually use the V word less I jinx myself and have Jesus for a valentine again this year. Yes, boys and girls, I have high hopes for romance this year. . . dammit, I said it. Oh well, I may as well reveal the first stage in my madcap plan to have a slammin’ Valentine’s Day.

Phase 1: Practice Your Pucker

I’ve been V-testing various shades of red and diligently applying them to my already perfected pucker. Let me tell you a little something about lipsticks–-they’re not all created equal. If you’re not up to speed on lipstick, read this real quick then come right back here.

Troubling, isn’t it? Makes you wonder what they put in lipstick to make it stay on all day. There are so many types of lipsticks–lip balms, lip creams, lip liners, lip glosses. Have you ever wondered what chemicals go into making lipstick?

The basic ingredients are coloring, which is a dye that stains the lips, and a fatty carrier, which is usually a wax such as canuba, beeswax, or lanolin. The carrier will determine whether the lipstick feels hard or soft. Sometimes, fragrance and flavoring are added and lately sunscreen has become popular.

According to Skin Deep, lipsticks often contain a number of hazardous chemicals, including coaltar, petroleum-derived mineral oils, and synthetic perfume and flavoring. Some synthetic coal-tar based colors (FD&C or D&C) have been found to cause cancer in animals; also, many people experience allergic reactions such as skin irritation and contact dermatitis.

Another group of chemicals that can act as allergens—parabens—are sometimes used as preservatives for lipsticks. Parabens have several names—methylparaben, and ethylparaben.

Yet another dangerous group of chemicals found in lipsticks are phthalates. They are used as solvents and are not labeled on cosmetics. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors suspected of causing birth defects, endocrine (hormone) disruption at low levels, as well as kidney and liver damage at higher concentrations.

Afterglow lipstick does not rely synthetic ingredients, their products generally contain botanicals such as—

• Organic Jojoba Seed Oil
• Organic Aloe Leaf Extract
• Organic Apricot Kernel Oil
• Organic Beeswax
• Organic Vitamin E

Remember to check claims of natural and organic on cosmetic labels. Look for any of the unwanted chemicals mentioned above. Some natural products may have part organic ingredients but still use chemical additives.

Reference: Read My Lips A Cultural History of Lipstick