An enduring beauty classic, sales of lip colour have received a boost over the last two years thanks to a combination of the recession-caused ‘lipstick effect’ and catwalk approbation. But not every lipstick is a winner in environmental terms. Recent research by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has revealed that a staggering 61 percent of lipsticks sampled contained lead, with the worst offenders named as Proctor & Gamble, Revlon and L’Oréal. Then, there are the 10,000 other chemicals that are routinely used in the manufacture of lipsticks. Among them are potential carcinogens such as butylated hydroxytoluene, along with coal tar dyes and oil by-products. Luckily, avoiding the worst offenders is easy – just switch to one of our five favourites instead.
Essential Care lipstick in Rose Parfait, £18
The only make-up range to meet both Fairtrade and Soil Association standards, Essential Care’s lip colours are 100 percent natural and 86 percent organic. Synthetic colours and carmine are also excluded in favour of shea butter, plant oils and mineral pigments. While the colour range is limited, the shades available are all ultra wearable and hugely pretty; none more so, than our favourite, Rose Parfait. A robust pink; it’s perfect for adding some English rose appeal to your look.
www.essential-care.co.uk
Lavera lipstick in Sunset Orange, £10.90
If this season’s focus on brights has left you shuddering, check out Lavera’s pretty orangey-peach shade for a gentle take on the trend. Free from artificial colours, preservatives and parabens, the moisturising texture is thanks to a large dose of organic jojoba oil, while colour is courtesy of mineral extracts. Thanks to the mineral content, it works as a natural sunscreen to boot.
www.lavera.co.uk
Bare Escentuals bareMinerals 100% Natural Lip Colour in Red Velvet, £14
A gorgeous velvety crimson shade that’s ideal for adding a little oomph to a pared down daytime look, Red Velvet is the pick of Bare Escentual’s extensive mineral-based lip colour range. The longest lasting lipstick we tried; like the brand’s other shades, it’s 100 percent natural and ultra-softening thanks to the inclusion of Monoi D'Tahiti oil.
www.bareescentuals.co.uk
Dr Hauschka Lipstick in Soft Coral, £19.95
Voted ‘Best Natural Brand’ by Sunday Times readers in the Sunday Times Style Beauty Awards, 2010, Dr Hauschka lipstick is free from parabens, phthalates and other harmful additives. Pick of the bunch is Soft Coral, a delicately pretty peach that looks great with a golden tan. One word of warning though: it contains lanolin [made from washed wool] and carmine [cochineal] so isn’t suitable for vegans.
www.drhauschka.co.uk
Aveda Nourish-Mint Sheer Mineral Lip Colour in Sheer Rhubarb, £11
Part of its newly relaunched make-up range, Aveda’s Nourish-Mint Sheer Mineral lip colours combine a gentle conditioning formula with a hint of colour, making them the pick of the bunch for day. Sheer Rhubarb is a pretty, ultra-natural looking pink with added organic spearmint and vanilla, so it tastes good as well. The packaging has also been redesigned to minimise waste.
www.aveda.com
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