Did you know that the average woman will ingest 6lbs of lipstick over her lifetime? The statistic does vary according to what you’re reading but nevertheless, the fact is we’re eating some of it. If you are going to be eating lipstick, surely you want it to be made of natural and organic ingredients rather than things like petroleum and synthetic waxes and preservatives.
Historically however, natural lipsticks have always been a bit on the dreary side lets face it. Brown, shimmery colours and pearly pinks don’t do a lot for a lot of people. It has always been hard for natural brands to compete with MAC for example with their vast array of colours and textures. Thankfully this is changing though due to amazing brands such as Ilia and RMS, who have been making organic beauty modern. Their use of clean ingredients to create lovely textures and bright colours has shown that you really can have a great lipstick that is good enough to eat!
There has still been a gap though, most colours still seem to be shiny. I love shine, however a good matte lipstick is always needed in my kit. Step in French organic skincare brand Absolution with their Sweet and Safe Kiss Lipsticks to fill that gap. Launched last year, they are a must for any green make-up artist or just anyone who likes lipstick. They are amazing.
They are a mix of natural and organic ingredients such as carnauba wax, shea butter, sweet almond oil and calendula extract. So all nourishing and soothing for delicate lips.
Made in collaboration with esteemed French Make-up Artist, Christophe Danchaud, there are three red and three pink shades. The rich pigment is brilliant, you can layer the colour to a bold intensity. There is some synthetic colour in there I’m sure, I tried to find out how much but without much luck. Purists might frown on it but I’m guessing it’s the minimum amount possible. It’s all about compromise, these beautiful shades make me very happy. They are described as semi-matte, so there is still a slight sheen but still the nearest to matte so far. I found that applying straight from the bullet worked well and then I sharpened edges with a brush. The application is really smooth and the colour comes easily.
I’ve been trying them out for you…(ignore my less than smooth hand!!)
Starting from top row left to right –
Rose Petale #7 is a fresh pink. When I initially put it on I thought it was too candy pink but it really grew on me. It is a very wearable pink that will brighten your complexion, perfect for spring.
Rouge Bordeaux #1 is your classic deep wine red with blue, almost purple undertones. I really liked this shade on me which surprised me as I’ve never worn a dark colour before. I think it looks deeper and richer in real life.
Rouge Coquellcot #16 is a bright poppy red. It’s an orange red, I love the colour but it didn’t quite love me. I’m very yellow toned but have a lot of red in my face so the colour didn’t sit quite right. It would look amazing on an olive skin. I felt like it has slightly less pigment than the other two reds. Orange reds can make teeth look more yellow…
Rose Franc #19 is a bright fuschia pink with blue undertones. Perfect for making a statement.
Bois de Rose #11 is a really great everyday pink. It is a great colour for enhancing natural lip colours.
Rouge Theatre #8 is a deeper blue red. I love this one, a good strong bold classic red.
All six of the Absolution lipsticks are really wearable colours, they’ve done such a good job in creating them. All of them are in my kit and I think will become firm favourites and staples in there. Also need to wear them myself I think…
Has anyone else tried them? What’s your favourite?