Traditional lipsticks use a wax formula. Whether it's rose wax and/or beeswax (a "natural" favorite of Aveda, Origins, The Body Shop Etc...) or mineral oil or lanolin, it's the wax that makes the lipstick glide on. A high wax content, as well as a hot day, and your lipstick is gone in an hour. Why? Wax melts in heat, so whether you are hot or the day is hot, wax will melt. And the more wax there is, the more there is to melt.

The wax does not adhere to your lips so the colour ends up everywhere but your lips, like cups, glasses, clothing or skin - as well as your teeth. Not a good look.

The wax lipsticks are not waterproof. Swimming, eating, drinking or just wetting the lips will take the lip color off.

Once the color comes off you reach for the lipstick to re-apply. Repeated application of this wax formula causes dry lips. When the wax dries on your lips, your lips dry out. The lips are an extremely vulnerable part of the body, and lipsticks should provide protection. A good lipstick will moisturize the lips and shield them from the sun. Your wax lipstick can't do this as it doesn't stay on long enough.

The oils and fats used in lipstick include olive oil, mineral oil, castor oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, and petrolatum. More than 50% of lipsticks manufactured in the U.S. contain substantial amounts of castor oil. It forms a tough, shiny film when it dries after application. You can't apply a moisturizing gloss over the wax lipstick without lifting the color.

There is a better way!