Lipstick

Lipstick is a cosmetic substance for the lips that is richer in color and texture than lip gloss and has the primary purpose of applying color to the lips. Most lipsticks are red or reddish, which has the effect of simulating the appearance of sexual arousal, which naturally increases blood flow and reddens the lips in fair-skinned people, and hence making the wearer appear more sexually attractive, but with modern pigments lipstick is available in practically any colour or shade.

Related Topics:
Cosmetic - Lips - Lip gloss - Color - Sexual arousal

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A typical lipstick contains many chemical ingredients, principally pigments, oils, waxes, and emollients. Perfume and/or flavoring may be added to cover the odors and tastes of the other ingredients.

Related Topics:
Pigment - Oil - Wax - Emollient

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Lipstick does not have a particular origin. It was used around 5,000 years ago in ancient Babylon,when semi-precious jewels were crushed and applied to the lips and sometimes eyes. Ancient egyptians extracted purplish-red dye from mercuric plants, which resulted in serious illness. Cleopatra had her lipstick made from crushed carmine beetles, which gave a deep red pigment, and ants for a base.

Related Topics:
Babylon - Egyptians - Cleopatra - Beetles

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Queen Victoria declared makeup impolite because the prostitutes were usually the only ones who painted their faces. It was also forbidden to wear makeup before marriage, lest the woman tricks her husband into thinking she was beautiful, only to discover she was not.

Related Topics:
Queen Victoria - Makeup

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Lipstick began gaining popularity during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who made blood red lips and stark white faces a fashion statement. Lipstick was a blend of beeswax and red stains from plants by that time. During WWII, it gained respect by the movie industry, when it became a duty for female citizens to "put their face on".

Related Topics:
Queen Elizabeth - Beeswax

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As with most other types of makeup, lipstick is typically, but not exclusively, worn by women.

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