I am hoping you can clear up a question for me.
I haven't had much luck with the AL lipsticks because the samples I tried changed color on me.

At first I thought it was me, until I got a sample of Oleander. It looked like a super (my lips but better) color until I applied it. Then it turned bright bright pink. The thing is, that when I pressed the remainder of the sample around in the closed baggie, it took on the same brilliant pink color and it never touched my lips or fingers.
So, I have to assume it wasn't my skin that made the color intensify. Am I seeing a color intensification due to (body) heat, or is there an ingredient that when it gets warm causes some pigments to brighten? My sample of Oleander never went back to its lighter shade when it "cooled" off. I am not having the same color change issue with the color washes, so I am hoping that if I can identify which lipstick ingredient changes color, then I can hopefully still find an AL lipstick shade that I can wear.

Thanks for any insight you might have.

Sue

I saw this post earlier but didn't respond because I have no idea why this happened. I don't have Oleander but I do have over a dozen of the lipsticks and didn't see this with any of them.

Maybe someone else here has some ideas.

Marisa

I don't know the answer to this with any certainty as of yet. But I do suspect it is the FD&C Dyes (main suspect Red 7 going pink/fuchsia). The reason I suspect these are, they are also in some of the Pure Blushes which intensify in coloration when warmed/buffed on the skin. (Though for most it isn't as obvious a shift with the Pure Blushes due to skintone differences and the fact that they are trace ingredients in the PBs.) They are also in some of the lipglosses, though I haven't tried the new lipglosses yet, some of the old ones did shift on some people. I'm also wondering if for some it's the Yellow one(s) that shift(s) causing the more orange appearance in certain shades (this one maybe more skin chemistry rather than temperature invoked).

Just take this as an educated guess on my personal part and not an official response from the company. If you want an official response, you should contact Amy directly with your query. amy@aromaleigh.com

HTH,
Ella

Sue, here is the information on the Oleander color taken from the lipsticks page of the AL website:
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Oleander- A mauvey/rose based nude creme. Perfect for cool toned "your lips but better"... (cool also cool neutral)Note: This color may intensify to appear a more brighter rose/pink when applied heavier, or on certain skin chemistries. For best "nude" results, apply in a single layer.
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For some reason, this particular color is very prone to color shifting, probably due to the combination of pigments used.

As far as the other lipstick colors changing on you, here is what I believe is happening. Our lipsticks do not contain all the extra ingredients found in most traditional lipstics. Because of this, it is much easier for the pigments to interact with an individual's unique skin chemistry.

I'm not sure there really is a solution for you here. You could try applying a fine layer of foundation powder on your lips before applying the lipstick, just to see if that provides enough of a barrier between your skin and the lipstick to prevent the color shift from occurring.

I am very sorry if it turns out our lipstick formulations are just not going to work for you. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing which colors will or will not work without sampling them, and I know you might not want to risk sampling all of them to no avail.

I wish I had a better solution for you.

Hi Amy,

Thanks for the reply....it has just been bugging me that I can't seem to wear the AL lipsticks.. I love the ingredient lists and the
descriptions, but can't seem to find a workable color for me. Such a bummer. I thought of trying some type of "foundation" on my lips before applying the lippies, but when the Oleander sample brighted just due to my mooshing it around in the bag, I figured my skin chemistry wasn't the cause.

Oh well.......guess I am "stuck" with AL lipglosses and colorwashes.

Sue

Hi Sue,

All lipsticks, regardless of manufacturer, tend to turn pink/fuschia on me, with the more pink, intense colors being the worst. However, I have found that if I use the warmer, brown-based colors, the color shift seems to be less noticable or moves towards an acceptable color. For me, AL lippies change on me far less than other brands, and the brown-based, neutral pinks look great on me.

sotisse,

Which colors in the AL lippies have you had good results with? Maybe I am looking in the wrong color family. I have only had one other lipstick by another company turn on me, but whatever caused the color shift, it resulted in the same screaming fuschia hue - pretty color - just not on me.

I am definitely open to suggestions, because I liked the texture of the AL samples I tried, and I really want to find a color that works.

Sue

I had the same problem with most of the lip samples I ordered...Azalea, Impatiens, and Lady morphed into that weird fuscia color. Spark was O.K., but too dark for my liking. My favorite was actually a free sample that I received with my order, Victoriana. It was such a nice natural color, I ordered a full size along with more lipstick samples. Even with the color changes, I am hooked on this lipstick , the chocolate/candy like taste and the smooth texture! Don't get discouraged, just keep trying different shades. With my next order, I am going to see if I like Laurel, Sheen, and some of the other more neutral work better.

The skin on the lips contains proteins capped with an alkaline amine group, structurally similar to ammonia. These compounds, when in contact with a weak acid, such as lipstick pigment, can cause the lipstick to "change" color. If you remember in high school chemistry, you would often use a pH indicator called phenolphthalein. It is a weak acid, analogous to the pigment, and its corresponding base is bright pink. When it is in contact with an alkaline material, it turns pink-red. So, those prone to lipstick color change are probably experiencing an "excess" of alkaline protein on the skin, causing the color to change. Also, any soap residue, food, etc. can do the same.

Hope this was explained as simply as possible.

Juandria

Claus...I posted the same thing about Oleander!! haha. I posted it in the product feedback.

I just read a post from Jane suggesting to use a lip balm or sugar to tone down colors that are to bright, etc. Look for Marissa's post titled "NOOOO". Thats where Jane gave her idea about sugar/lipbalm. I'm actually waiting for her to reply because I'm baffled by the sugar suggestion!! haha

Hello,

I have 2 great suggestions.

First, Aster turns bright pink on me, and Impatiens does too.

I love Impatiens when I first put it on, but it goes bright bubblegum pink on me within a few minutes. WHat works for me is to apply a very light layer of rum first, and then apply impatiens. Then, the color stays true to the tube color.

Aster is just bright on me. I apply Thistle over the top of Aster, and it tones the color down to a beautiful mauvey/wine kind of color.

I was afraid that Framboise would change color on me, so I never ordered it, but I have received samples, and the color is a beautiful berry color.

Have a great day,

Tina

Juandria.. Excellent explanation. and thanks for posting it..

quote:

So, those prone to lipstick color change are probably experiencing an "excess" of alkaline protein on the skin, causing the color to change. .

Juandria

Bet this means those of us who have color change on lips, are just toooooooooooo sweet ! or could that be tart !? ( just kiddin'- )

Sue,

I've had great luck with Belladonna, Rum, Cedar, Muguet, Spark, Brick, adn Honey. Generally, those that are more brown or warm colored.

this sometimes happens to me, too. whenever i wear a red lip color, it always turns bright pink on me, no matter heavily or lightly i put it on.

there are many lip primers available that could stop this. also, you could try a waxy lip balm under your lipstick.