Attractive lips stand out; no doubt about that ! Why not try to enhance the natural beauty of your lips! And give them a luscious and desired aura ! Women have always looked for this and will continue to do so….
History
Lips have always been in the spotlight !
Scientists have found that the size of somebody’s lips plays a key role in determining whether they are sexually attractive to other people. Basically , the bigger the better – but, in a warning to those who are thinking about opting for surgical enhancement, it is possible for somebody to have lips that are too big -:)
The very first signs of women colouring and accentuating their lips; lies about 5000 years ago; in the city of Ur, near Babylon. Semi-precious stones were crushed and smeared on the lips as lipstick.The ancient Egyptians; even though they used a bit different tools than nowadays – Their lipstick cosmetics was all about henna; crushed carmine beetles giving a deep red colour and ants used as a base / foundation; their means to put a bit of spark on their lips. They even used iodine and bromine to produce purple-red shine; in the meantime putting even their health at a risk.
Queen Elizabeth; during the 16th century; introduced the trend of chalk white faces; in combination with red lipstick. The main ingredients they used to produce lipstick was beeswax and plants. Although lipstick became suite popular during this time; lipstick faced a lot opposition as well from the church; proclaiming painting faces and lips was the “Devil’s Work”. This lead in 1770 to the British Parliament voting a law against using lipstick; arguing that women luring men this way into marriage; were considered as witches ! Even Queen Victoria in 1800 openly spoke against using lipstick cosmetics.
Mass production of lipstick cosmetics began well and truly at the beginning of the 20th century. The American Maurice Levy invented in 1915 the first metal container; very similar to the shaped ones nowadays. Lipstick cosmetics rapidly were available in different colours and by 1928 the first “glossy” looking lips were introduced by Max Factor (especially favoured and nourished by Hollywood actresses). Lip liner and lip balm soon followed. By 1949 women were ravished by the introduction of the first “kiss-proof” lipstick. It instantly became a big success.
Longer lasting and moisturising lipsticks saw their appearance in the Nineties; using new technological procedures and ingredients such as spa water, vitamin C, polymers, etc.. This evolution still continues with new ingredients being used and tested; ingredients such as iron oxides, waxes, vegetable oils, natural colours and many more.
New trends – the future for lipstick cosmetics : lipstick changing colours after application; depending on the acidity, moisture and heat of the skin; or even the skin type of the person who is wearing it ! Exciting future trends are metallic lipsticks, mirror lipsticks, lipsticks that stick to your lips; not to glasses and drinking straws.
Since ancient history lipstick cosmetics surely has had its fans and enemies. The history continues however since humans will always have a fascination towards lips and its cosmetics.
TO BE CONTINUED…
