Ten interesting facts you didn’t know about lipstick

There is something utterly irresistible about lipstick. An item so small, historically thought to be indulgent, has shown to be deeply ingrained in our culture. Lipstick proves itself time and time again.

During World War II, when resources were scarce and incomes were diminished, the sale of lipstick skyrocketed. After the 9/11 attacks in New York, the New York Times reported that lipstick sales in the state had almost doubled. Even the covid-19 pandemic, which sees us wearing face masks that cover our mouths, can’t hold lipstick back. In May of this year, CNN reported that lipstick sales in the US had increased by 80% in 2021.

Known as the Lipstick Effect, this phenomenon has been well-documented: The theory is that when faced with an economic crisis, consumers are likely to treat themselves and indulge in smaller luxury goods, like lipsticks.

Of all the colour cosmetics on the market, lipstick has the biggest feel-good factor. There’s something about applying your favourite lip colour that not only transforms your appearance, but also your mood.

How much do you know about the lipstick in your handbag? We’ve rounded up ten interesting facts you probably didn’t know:

The first commercially-available bullet lipstick was produced in 1870, but both men and women have been applying colour to their lips since ancient times.
In Ancient Egypt, both men and women wore lipstick as a status symbol.
On the contrary, in Ancient Greece, lipstick was rejected by the upper classes and was reserved for prostitutes. It became law that prostitutes had to wear it, in order for men to be able to identify them. Sex workers caught without lipstick would be prosecuted for “improperly posing as lades.”
Lipstick was popular among men and women in Ancient Rome, but contained toxic ingredients like lead, iron ore and focus (a type of algae) which had a harmful effect on their health.
Some of the first ingredients used to create lipstick were animal fat, ox marrow, beeswax and crushed gemstones.
The world’s first long-wear lipstick was developed by a female chemist named Hazel Bishop, who created the formula while working in a dermatologist’s lab after World War II.
The first swivel-up lipstick in a tube appeared in 1923.
Greta Garbo is considered the first celebrity to popularize lipstick.
It is estimated that a women spends an average of $1780 on lipstick in her lifetime.
Red lipstick is believed to be the most youthful shade because the stark contrast between red and all skin tones is associated with youth.

Lipsticks have come a long way, and today we are spoilt for choice in terms of formulation and colour. wet n wild has a wide range of lip products available to suit every need. Did you know, that in a study that tested over 400 lipsticks, wet n wild lipsticks came out on top as the brand with the least (or no) lead content? The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics detected no lead in wet n wild lipsticks!

wet n wild Megalast Lipsticks (R99.95) have become a favourite lip product among beauty lovers, editors and celebs alike.

This 4-hour, longwearing lip colour leaves a semi-matte cream finish in one stroke. Glides on easily with rich, velvety colour that doesn’t cake, feather, or bleed. Made with hydrating skincare ingredients: Hyaluronic Microspheres provide extraordinary adhesion to lips, an exclusive polymer complex offers cushion-like feel and texture, and natural marine plant extracts coenzyme Q10 and vitamins A & E help smooth lips.

Benefits: