It’s important to know what is lipstick made of, where it comes from, and if they are the best beauty products for you.
The most popular lipsticks have changed a lot over time, but from the start of using this beauty product to today, it’s still the fastest way to elevate your glamour game.
Whether your favorite lipstick color is a classic red, such as the NYX Professional Red Velvet, a great nude, like the Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Un-nude, or anything in between, there are a ton of options you can go with today.
>>Read also… Why are my lips always dry and peeling?
But as consumers have grown more in tune with sustainability and healthy living, we’ve also demanded to know more about the cosmetics and skincare products we use.
What is lipstick made of?
Lipstick is made of three basic ingredients: pigment, wax, and oil. The pigment is the color. Wax provides the lipstick shape, texture, as well as helps the mixture stick to your lips. The waxes can help keep the skin of your lips from drying out. Waxes also keep the final ingredient, oils, from separating from the lipstick mixture. Oils provide moisturizing and anti-bacterial properties.
Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
- Liquid Matte Lipstick: This highly pigmented liquid lipstick features a long-lasting, no transfer formula and leaves a flawless matte finish in super-saturated shades ranging from classic red to nude to bold and bright
- Easy Application: This lipstick features our unique arrow applicator for a more precise application with a flawless matte finish that will last up to 16 hours.
Fun fact: Your Perfect Nude Lipstick is Actually the Same Color as Your Nipples!
Fish scales
Lipstick contains fish scales. The ingredient under discussion is called pearl essence. (Some sources give this as “pearlescence.”) It’s the silvery stuff found in fish scales that are used in some lipsticks, nail polishes, ceramic glazes, etc., to make them shimmery.
Fun Fact: Women who wear lipstick consume 24 milligrams of the stuff a day. Those who reapply several times a day take in 87 milligrams!
Beetles
A red dye is extracted from the females of a scaled insect species found in Mexico and Central America. It’s been reported that more than 70,000 of these beetles are killed to produce just 1 pound of dye, which can be found in many cosmetics and other products.
Pig Fat
Apparently, more than 50% of lipsticks in the United States contain pig fat. Other ingredients over the years have included fish scales, synthetic pearl particles, olive oil, mineral oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, and petrolatum. Sure, we are only applying it to our lips.
Best Selling Lipsticks for 2023
- The Houses of Colour Riche: Introducing four vibrant lipstick families of Reds, Berries, Pinks and Nudes. Choose from lipsticks like bold red lipstick, vibrant mauve lipstick, bright pink lipstick, and your lips-but-better nude lipstick
- Moisturizing Lipstick Formula: Smooth your lips in just 1 coat with 75% caring ingredients like Argan Oil & Vitamin E. Our lip stick leaves lips feeling soft and moisturized for a long lasting lipstick look that doesn't smudge, smear, migrate or feather
- For The Ultimate Lip Make Up Look: Start in the center of your upper lip, work from the center to outer edges, following the contour of your mouth. Then glide across the bottom lip. Available in 52 lip makeup shades, pair with Colour Riche Lip Liner
- The Houses of Colour Riche: Introducing four vibrant lipstick families of Reds, Berries, Pinks and Nudes. Choose from lipsticks like bold red lipstick, vibrant mauve lipstick, bright pink lipstick, and your lips-but-better nude lipstick
- Moisturizing Lipstick Formula: Smooth your lips in just 1 coat with 75% caring ingredients like Argan Oil & Vitamin E. Our lip stick leaves lips feeling soft and moisturized for a long lasting lipstick look that doesn't smudge, smear, migrate or feather
- For The Ultimate Lip Make Up Look: Start in the center of your upper lip, work from the center to outer edges, following the contour of your mouth. Then glide across the bottom lip. Available in 52 lip makeup shades, pair with Colour Riche Lip Liner
- Perfectly Matte: Achieving a flawless, color-intense matte finish is just a swipe away with Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink liquid matte lipstick. Get up to 16 hours of wear with this liquid lipstick in shade Exhilarator for a true ruby lip color
- Iconic Longwear Formula: The long lasting formula of this highly pigmented liquid lipstick gives you super saturated color in a smudge-free, matte finish. Color locks in, feels and looks fresh all day, with no transfer
- Sculpt With Precision: Get effortless, smooth application every time with the unique arrow applicator. This matte lipstick glides on easily for comfortable all-day wear. Removes easily with Maybelline Super Stay Eraser lipstick remover
- 2025 ALLURE BEST OF BEAUTY AWARD WINNER: Drench your lips with sheer, shiny color in just one swipe. It’s been a viral sensation for a reason.
- MORE SHEER, SHINY SHADES: Now including 10 new fan favorite bring back shades; highly addictive & suitable for a wide range of skin tones.
- NOURISHES LIPS: Gives you the hydration of a balm + the shine of a gloss. Delivers 41% more moisture instantly. Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe & Rose Quartz.
- ULTRA-GLOSSY TINTED LIP OIL: Drench lips in an addictive sheer wash of ultra-glossy color with this revitalizing tinted lip oil.
- NON-STICKY FORMULA: The ultra-plush, XXL applicator slicks on a comfortable, non-sticky formula with a fresh minty scent.
- INFUSED WITH NOURISHING INGREDIENTS: Infused with nourishing oils such as apricot oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil and pomegranate oil.
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Claudia Faucher is a full-time fitness training expert and lifestyle blogger. She is also been a certified Les Mills BodyPump instructor for the past 5 years and a fitness instructor for over 20 years. Claudia is a personal trainer and creates fitness training programs for seniors and people of all ages. She likes to use her skills and experiences to help others on their fitness journeys.
Last update on 2025-12-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API