Matte lipstick is a type of cosmetic application for lips which is known for its ability to last all day and its lack of shine. Matte lipstick has gone through periods of popularity since it became common for women to wear lipstick in the early 1900s. Although there hasn’t been a hard rule, matte lipstick is usually preferred by younger women. The long-lasting nature of matte lipstick creates a drying effect which isn’t usually preferred by older women who tend to have dry skin. Additionally, it does not work well on the chapped lips of women of any age because it doesn’t contain any emollients, which are responsible for moisturizing the skin.
The first molded lip color in a stick form was developed around 900 A.D. by Abu al-Quasim al-Zahrwai, who was a Muslim from the Andalusia area of Spain. Modern day lipsticks are tubes of wax that have been molded and have oils and color added to them. Other additives differ based on the type of lipstick. Although beeswax is the most popular wax used in making lipstick, paraffin wax and carnauba wax is also used. Olive oil, castor oil, lanolin oil, cocoa butter and fat extracted from the brain of a cow are the most common types of oils and fats used to manufacture lipstick.
The low ratio of oil to wax in matte lipstick gives it its dull finish. Those who choose to wear matte lipstick will typically only find it available in rich and dark hues. Pigmentation for lipstick comes from a variety of natural and synthetic substances, which can include things such as the crushed shells of beetles, plant material and minerals such as lead and iron.
In addition to matte lipstick, there are three other types of lipstick that are made with different combinations of wax, oil, pigment and other additives. Lipsticks which contain a lot of oil and are very shiny are called gloss or glossy lipsticks. Because they come in lighter colors, gloss lipsticks are sometimes used in conjunction with matte lipsticks so the person wearing them can have rich color that is shiny too.
Crème lipsticks have more oil that matte lipsticks and less oil than gloss. They also contain more wax than matte lipsticks, so they tend to protect lips better. Many women prefer crèmes because they fall in the middle of mattes and glosses and come in both light and dark colors. Shimmer lipsticks are crème or shiny lipsticks that contain particles that reflect light, such as synthetic pearls, mica or fish scales.