Beauty can come at a cost, but toxic lead in lipstick may be taking it too far.

According to a study conducted by UC Berkeley researchers and published in a recent issue of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, high levels of toxic heavy metals, including lead, were found in some of the leading brands of lipstick ingredients.

The study comes after a 2012 FDA review of 400 major lipstick products in which the agency declared the levels of lead posed no serious threats because there is “limited absorption.” But, in a statement, lead study author Sa Liu, a UC Berkeley researcher in environmental health sciences, says “I believe that the Food and Drug Administration should pay attention to this,” adding, “Our study was small, using lip products that had been identified by young Asian women in Oakland, CA. But, the lipsticks and lip glosses in our study are common brands available in stores everywhere. Based upon our findings, a larger, more thorough survey of lip products—and cosmetics in general—is warranted.”

The Berkeley study found that women who are frequent lipstick users risk overexposure of lead as well as exposure to chromium, aluminum, cadmium, and manganese—all of which have toxic implications for women, particularly if they’re pregnant or nursing.

Among the top 20 offenders, according to the study, are some of the leading brands: Cover Girl, L’Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon, Avon, and Sonia Kashuk. Burt’s Bees, a long-time natural brand favorite, which is now owned by Clorox, also appeared on the list with its lip shimmer.

Want to avoid toxic heavy metals in your lipstick? Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database for safe alternatives. Or, make your own.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: zitona

The post Kiss Me Lead: Leading Lipstick Brands Contain High Levels of Lead appeared first on EcoSalon.

Back in the day when I wore makeup with nary a green thought in my mind, one of my favorite products was from a certain well-known brand with the words “longwear” and “lip color” bandied about the tube. Why? Because I could put it on in the morning and have “longwear” lip color all day. Sure, who knows what kind of chemicals I was sinking into my lips – I had lipstick that no drink or food could kiss of my choppers. And you know what? I loved it.

Then I got green. Suddenly, I wasn’t so comfortable painting my face with something that could permanently mark up leather. After throwing out – excuse me, recycling – half my makeup bag, I let go of my long-lasting lip wear. And just that much more color went out in my world. Okay, just my on lips. But still.

Then I heard about the advent of Josie Maran’s Lip and Cheek Stain Magic Markers.  Was it possible that the world of natural (or I should say, “more natural”) cosmetics was offering up its own version of the lip stain? Investigations were immediately implemented, and here’s what I found.

Packaged in a recyclable stick, Ms. Maran’s Lip and Cheek Stain is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates. It does have Sephora’s “natural” seal of approval. This means that it has high concentrations of antioxidants, botanicals, essential oils, fruit extracts, minerals or more. Yes, I agree that this is all rather mysterious. Maran’s Lip and Cheek Stain is designed to “flush” lips and cheeks with a natural-looking stain, and it is available in six colors. Each shade is named after a dance, a nod to Josie’s stint on Dancing with the Stars.

And it all sounds promising, right? But does it work? Cue drum rolls and green fairies – yes, yes it does! Not only does it work as well as the longwear products of old, (my old – they’re still thriving on the market,) Josie Maran’s lip stain provided lasting color. It also worked well on my cheeks, giving me a rosy glow I hadn’t seen since middle school. But be careful with the product – it is a stain. Meaning, if you go out of the lines, you will be scrubbing to get it off.

Want to know more? Here’s Josie herself talking about her lasting Lip and Cheek Stain.

The post Stain Your Lips and Cheeks, Naturally? appeared first on EcoSalon.