What's in a Name?

Frosted, matte, sheer, stain, shimmer, gloss and long-lasting: what does it all really mean? The names give an insight to part of the ingredients, which ultimately help create the unique color and appearance the lipstick will provide, so knowing which is which will give you the best results when picking a shade.

• Frosted lipsticks include a pearlizing agent that adds luster to the color. Bismuth oxychloride to be exact, which is synthetic pearl, and imparts a frost or shine.
•  Matte lipsticks are heavy in wax and pigment but lighter in emollients. They have more texture than shine.
• Cremes are a balance of shine and texture. (most popular)
• Glosses have a high shine and low color.
• Sheers and stains contain a lot of oil and a medium amount of wax with a tad of color.
•  Shimmers have extra glimmer, which comes from mica or silica particles.
• Long-lasting color contain silicone oil, which seals the color to your lips.
• Lip gloss contains different proportions of the same ingredients as lipstick but usually has less wax and more oil to make the lips shinier.

There’s an old 1959 song called "Lipstick on Your Collar," where lipstick was the giveaway that her boyfriend had been unfaithful, and according to a 1996 survey by Shisedo Cosmetics, 87% of American women admit to having left traces of lipstick in unwanted places on purpose. 

So whether you are guilty of this practice, or just want to get the most from your lip color, read the label to see exactly what type of lipstick you are getting to make sure it fulfills its purpose.

Read My Lips

Lipstick, in some shape or form, has been around for a long time and has always been part of a fashion statement. History tells us that ancient Egyptians used henna to paint their lips with a reddish purple mercuric plant dye called fucus-algin, iodine and bromine mannite. Little did the ancient Egyptians know that it was potentially poisonous, but no self-respecting Egyptian would leave home without it.


Makeup has not always held an accepted place in society as it does today. In fact, it has traveled a bumpy road to acceptance. According to Thomas Hall, an English pastor and author of the "Loathsomeness of Long Haire" (1653), led a movement declaring that face painting was "the devil's work" and that women who put brush to mouth were trying to "ensnare others and to kindle a fire and flame of lust in the hearts of those who cast their eyes upon them." In 1770, the British Parliament passed a law condemning lipstick, stating that "women found guilty of seducing men into matrimony by cosmetic means could be tried for witchcraft." 


In the 1800s Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup impolite because it was viewed as vulgar and something that was worn only by actors and prostitutes. So makeup took a backseat and paleness became vogue for almost a century. However all that changed during World War II, aided by the movie industry, which gave lipstick and face powder respectability. It became the patriotic duty of female citizens to "put their face on."

In the 1930s, leaders in the industry such as Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, opened their first beauty parlors, offerings services that ranged from facial massages to hair dressing and makeup tips. Although it's had a rough start, makeup has paid its dues to have a place in society, so ladies, go "put on your face"!

Fa-la-la Fall....Here We Come

Emerald green. Royal purple. Bright red. Glittering gold. Cobolt blue. These are just some of the colors for fall this year and be ready to see it on everything from clothing, shoes, accessories and makeup. When everything around us turns from green to gold, to brown, then bare, a little bit of vibrant color is the perfect way to look radiant and not dreary this season.

When pairing a bold color in a statement piece of clothing or an accessory there is no rule that says you cannot match your makeup to highlight (or compliment) that color, so if you want to be daring and draw some attention to your eyes, lips or nails with a little flash of fall (and winter) colors, then do it, because all the makeup manufacturer's are following suit and you will see a rainbow of colors available.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2010, was this past weekend in New York, and it set the stage with what's in store this season.