Hmm, just read an article at Reuters that multiple red lipsticks, from $5 to $50, contain significant traces of lead:
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics said tests on 33 brand-name red lipsticks by the Bodycote Testing Group in Santa Fe Spring, California, found that 61 percent had detectable lead levels of 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm).
Oh la la. That's not good. I want to wear some vibrant red lips this fall and winter, and I don't want to have to wonder what I'm putting on my mouth! I'll have to do some further investigations about what brands specifically are affected.
On the other hand, I lived in an apartment with lead paint for a couple of years. My roomate and I knew about it, and from the research she did at the time, she strongly believed that the only potential harm was to pregnant women and children. The article quoted above confirms that non-pregnant women aren't at high risk, but also quotes an expert on the fact that there is no "safe" level of exposure to lead.
I'll be curious to see the beauty world's reaction--whether or not this report is even picked up.
3 comments:
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!
I recall reading that Cover Girl, L'Oreal, and Christian Dior (!!) were among the brands that tested positive for lead. So many companies use the same formulas and ingredients that it probably doesn't matter whether the lipstick is high-end or from a drugstore.
My best guess is that a smaller, organic/natural company might make safe lipcolors, but I don't think we can be sure just yet.
If all else fails, we'll always have red Crayola markers.
Let's just eat lots and lots of Popsicles.
Dang it! My intended plan for the winter was to find The Perfect Red Lipstick (For Me). Guess I'm going to have to find some other mission. Or find out what the 39% of lead-free lipsticks were, and stick with those.
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