In my last post, Necessities vs. Luxuries, I pondered buying luxurious lipsticks for my sisters as a Christmas gift. I received lots of feedback regarding lead, which it turns out, is a contaminant in many red lipsticks! 

I went to the government’s FDA site to read about this, and while they have set a limit on just how much lead they think is allowable in lipstick (and in candy!) some companies exceed their limits. According to The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, “lead builds in the body over time, and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels.”  While nobody has reportedly died of lead contamination from their lipstick, I personally want my lipstick unleaded! 

In my meanderings, I found two sites in particular that I really enjoyed, and want to pass along to you. The first is:  www.Eco-Chick.com   and the second: www.thedailygreen.com  They have  lots of healthy information that is well presented and relevant!

I found many luscious red lipsticks, in all shades and price-points: Dior’s Replenishing Lip Color in Red Premiere  $26 (pictured, above right). Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze in Watermelon, $17 (online).  MAC’s Viva Glam 1, $14.  The Body Shop’s Lipcolour in Garnet, $12. Revlon’s Super Lustrous  in Love That Red and Bed of Roses, each $7.50. And available in most drug stores – Wet n’ Wild Mega Color’s Cherry Blossom for just $1.99!   Jane Iredale’s lipsticks are available in a few places here in Austin, all are lead-free and wonderful. (photo left, by Starre Vartan).  Now you can buy a beautiful red lipstick for yourself, or as a gift, and know that you CAN be beautiful and healthy!  And speaking of  ‘sexy at our age’, another appealing site I ran across, and you must check out, is Penelope Whiteley’s page, “Aging Disgracefully.”   Or her website: www.penelopewhiteley.com  Today on FB she posted a great article on the shelf-life of our cosmetics. Yes, they can go bad in spite of the preservatives used in them.  This could be a great incentive to sort through our makeup bags, discard old products, and buy new ones with an eye toward updating, rather than replacing!  Products improve all the time, and many are multi-functional now. I am especially fond of BB Creams….beauty balms that are lightweight, like a tinted moisturizer, yet have line-diminishing capabilities (and who doesn’t want that???) along with sunscreen.  They are wonderful for those times when you just want to run a quick errand, but wouldn’t dare go out bare-faced!  (You wouldn’t go out bare-faced, would you?)  A little of your BB cream, some mascara, a swipe of lip gloss and you’re out the door looking pulled-together!

While I was in Dallas a couple of weeks ago, with my friend Ron Maddox –  he took me up to his studio and did a “mini-makeover” for me using BeautiControl makeup. First, it was a treat to have someone work on me, and second, I was surprised at how well the foundation rested on my skin; lightweight, yet covering and very natural!  As Ron applied it, he encouraged me to wear much more eye-makeup than I normally do. I loved his results, so I ordered everything we used and my products should arrive any day.  My Christmas gift to myself!   As soon as I am able to get a touch-up and trim at the salon. I think a new head shot is in order.  I can hardly wait!

Gina Lollobrigida

P.S. – If any of you are now inspired to rush out and buy a new red lipstick, please send me photos of you wearing your lipstick, or just fun photos of your lips, and I will post them here! (Please include the brand and color.)

Enjoy the snow ~

XO Donna