Traditional Lipstick vs. the New Generation of Lipstick | Cosmetics & Makeup

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Traditional Lipstick vs. the New Generation of Lipstick

Traditional Lipstick vs. the New Generation of Lipstick

One of the first signs of womanhood is applying makeup, namely lipstick. Millions of little girls spend hours practicing lipstick application in the mirror in the hopes of appearing older. Dating back to the ancient Egyptians and their use of henna dye to paint their lips, lipstick has come a long way, presenting more options than one can keep track of.

Lipstick has been around for more than 5,000 years, but didn’t really gain public popularity until the 16th century. At that time, lipstick was made of beeswax and red stains from plants. Lipstick became the must-have makeup item during World War II, when Hollywood movies were at its finest, with actresses and commonplace women using lipstick to “glam up” their faces.

Thanks to the efforts of beauty pioneers such as Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, the 1930s became the era for lipstick and other beauty items. In 1949, Hazel Bishop created the first “kiss proof” lipstick that provided long-lasting color.

By this time, the ingredients used to make lipstick included a variety of waxes, emollients, oils and pigments. To create lipstick, first the ingredients are mixed together, finely ground, and heated until it becomes a hot liquid. This liquid is then poured into cold metal molds where it solidifies and is chilled and the actual lipstick’s shape is formed. Afterwards, the lipstick is quickly put through a flame to shape and smooth it, adding a glossy finish. The tube that contains the lipstick is made up of a cover and base. The base is responsible for twisting and sliding, which pushes the lipstick up for application. The cover goes on top of the lipstick to keep it from getting smashed or broken.

As manufacturing techniques became more advanced, so did the formula for lipstick. More ingredients have been added to make this cosmetic item more skin-friendly. Old versions of tube lipstick had the tendency to dry out the lips, leaving a dry, flaky and unattractive appearance once the color faded. Now lipsticks contain moisturizers such as vitamin E and aloe vera. Adding sunscreen, amino acids and collagen ensure that lips stay soft, moist and protected from the damaging effects of extreme temperatures and UV rays.

Tube lipstick has been a mainstay for years and the demand won’t end anytime soon, as the makeup industry makes billions of dollars a year. However, as the times change, so do consumer tastes and the beauty industry is constantly working to cater to its audience.

The varieties of lipsticks are endless: sheers, mattes, stains, frosted and shimmer, to name a few. Not a fan of traditional tube lipstick? Then grab some liquid lipstick. Unlike tube lipstick, the color comes in liquid form and is applied with a special brush. This makes application easier to control and many come with added gloss so your lips get an alluring, glossy sparkle. Liquid lipstick comes in a variety of shades and unlike its predecessor, you’ll never have to worry about smudging or breaking the lipstick.

Every year the cosmetics industry introduces new lines, formulas and types of lipstick that cater to all tastes so whether you stick to your good ole fashion lipstick in a push-up tube or glide on your liquid color using a special applicator, your lips will continue to look fabulous for generations to come.

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