Lipsticks (Lightweight)
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
Clinique Almost Lipstick ($20)
Fashion Fair Iconic Lipstick ($26)
Glossier Ultralip ($18)
Jones Road Lip Tint ($26)
Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Color ($36)
Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick ($26)
+Mineral Fusion Lipstick ($19)
RMS Tinted Daily Lip Balm ($22)
+Vapour Lip Nectar ($28)
Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick ($38)
W3LL People Optimist Lipstick ($15)
Westman Atelier Lip Suede ($85)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
Beautycounter Sheer Genius Lipstick ($35)
Clinique Dramatically Different Lipstick ($20)
Sephora Collection Clean Vegan Hydrating Satin Lipstick ($12)
♦ Not Yet Tried:
Chantecaille Lip Veil ($50)
♠ Trash Can:
Aveda Feed My Lips Pure Nourish-Mint Lipstick ($26)
Suzanne Organics Sheer Satin Lipsticks ($40)
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
Clinique Almost Lipstick ($20)
Fashion Fair Iconic Lipstick ($26)
Glossier Ultralip ($18)
Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Color ($36)
√ Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick ($26)
RMS Tinted Daily Lip Balm ($22)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars = Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice = Products that I would purchase again for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
Beautycounter Sheer Genius Lipstick – $35
Overall Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Mild (taste)
Processed Fragrance: Ethyl Vanillin, Eugenol, Linalool
This easygoing lip product from Beautycounter is especially moisturizing and provides a bit of sheer color to the lips.
It does need to be reapplied fairly often, but it goes on so easily that I have not found that to be a problem.
I have the shade Terra (described as an “earthy pink”) and think that it was a good choice for me.
Based on the pictures on the website, it seems to me that all the lipsticks from this line are pretty light and muted in color, and thus not appropriate for those seeking a more saturated or longer-wearing product.
This light lipstick has a quite strong vanilla-type smell and taste. The ingredients list includes both artificial vanilla (vanillin) and real vanilla, as well as linalool and eugenol (natural derivatives of citrus and cloves).
I feel like I can taste something that seems to me to be bitter in a chemical sort of way underneath the vanilla flavor but am not sure what it is. While the taste is not so bad that I have been totally unwilling to use the lipstick, it is annoying enough that I don’t reach for it very often.
In looking at the ingredients list, I see two problematic chemicals – benzyl alcohol and benzyl benzoate – that Beautycounter states are “naturally occurring in essential oils and natural materials.”
Apparently the company (which donates money to EWG in order to get many of its other products EWG Verified) convinced EWG that the amounts are very small, since EWG did not cite either of these as even being present in the lipstick in its analysis of the product formulation. The overall EWG product rating is a 2/3 (green/yellow).
I doubt I will buy this lipstick again even though the shade that I have is pretty on me, due to the taste issue as well as the relatively high price.
Size: 0.11 oz.
Awards: 2020 In Style Beauty Editors’ Pick; 2020 Glamour Beauty Award Winner
Beautycounter Rating: 4.8 Stars (2173 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 2/3 (green/yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Benzyl alcohol (6), Benzyl benzoate (5), Eugenol (5), Linalool (3). (Also contains Vanillin.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Ethyl vanillin, Eugenol, Linalool
All Ingredients: Diisostearyl Malate, Jojoba Esters, Octyldodecyl Ricinoleate, Microcrystalline Wax, Castor Seed Oil, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract*, Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Ethyl Vanillin, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Red 7, Iron Oxides. Benzyl Alcohol+, Benzyl Benzoate+, Eugenol+, Linalool+. *Organic. + Naturally occurring in essential oils & natural materials as defined by International Organization for Standardization.
Chantecaille Lip Veil – $50
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
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Size: 0.9 oz.
Chantecaille Rating: 5.0 Stars (31 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredients Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit extract (3), BHT (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #28 (5), Yellow #5 (6), Yellow #6 (7), Blue #1 (7). (Also contains Hydrogenated vegetable oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Camellia Sinensis Extract, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
All Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Polybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Ozokerite, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Mica, Propylene Carbonate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil*, Corn Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/ Dicaprate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Dl-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Dicalcium Phosphate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, BHT, Tin Oxide. May contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 6, Red 7, Red 28, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1
Clinique Almost Lipstick – $20
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Although I managed to miss the whole Clinique Black Honey craze back in the 1980’s and 1990’s, I recently gave the product a try and really like the way that it looks on me.
Apparently Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey has become very popular among young people over the past few years (with TikTok videos generating many millions of views) and as a result now is frequently out-of-stock. Orders can be placed on the Clinique website and seem to usually be filled within a few months.
The Black Honey product appears to be very dark in the tube, but it is sheer enough to allow some of the natural color of the lips to come through after it is applied. Supposedly it is flattering to every complexion.
A newer Pink Honey shade (with a sheer raspberry-type tint) is available only through Sephora and the Clinique website, and that one looks nice on me too.
The taste of these products is fairly neutral, without any added flavorings or scents.
The ingredients list is cleaner than I had anticipated, with only the artificial colorings seeming to be potentially problematic.
Size: 0.07 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.4 Stars (3,700 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: No (Meets Criteria)
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
Think Dirty Rating: 8 (red)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (4), Yellow #5 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #7 (6), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Red #21 (5), Red #30 (5), Yellow #6 (7), Red #33 (4), Red #27 (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Polyethylene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Barium Sulfate. May Contain: Yellow 5, Blue 1, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Mica, Carmine, Titanium Dioxide, Red 6, Red 22, Red 30, Yellow 6, Bismuth Oxychloride, Red 33, Red 28.
Clinique Dramatically Different Lipstick – $20
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Although this lipstick from Clinique contains a long list of ingredients with long chemical names, EWG cites only the artificial colors (along with the Vitamin E and titanium found in many “clean” products) as being problematic.
The one that I tried does not seem to have any kind of taste at all and has not seemed to be irritating to my skin.
Still, there is something about it that does not feel optimal to me from a toxicity standpoint. While I am not exactly unwilling to wear it, I feel rather disinclined to reach for it because it does not feel that great to me.
The Dramatically Different lipsticks contain a core of skincare ingredients and are fairly soft in texture.
I have the color Strawberry Ice, which I think is very pretty. It is listed on the Clinique website under the “Reds/Corals” category, but I think that it is more like a romantic, slightly cool, rosy pink, at least on me.
It seems to have just a tiny bit of shimmer that I think makes it look very pretty and current.
It goes on easily but does have the tendency to smear a little bit onto the skin around my mouth, especially if I don’t use a lip liner.
Size: 0.11 oz.
Contains Silicones: No
Ulta Rating: 3.5 Stars (636 reviews)
Credo Clean: Unclear
Clean at Sephora: No
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
Think Dirty Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Product Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Yellow #5 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #33 (4), Red #27 (5), Orange #5 (4), Red #21 (5), Red #27 (5), Red #6 (6), Red #22 (5), Red #30 (5), Yellow #6 (7)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ozokerite, Castor Seed Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Beeswax, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Triisostearyl Citrate, Polyethylene, Silica, PPG-51/SMDI Copolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydrocotyl Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Heptahydroxystearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tribehenin, Squalane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Water, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Alumina, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Red 7, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Iron Oxides, Red 33, Red 28, Orange 5, Red 21, Red 27, Red 6, Manganese Violet, Red 22, Red 30, Carmine, Yellow 6, Bismuth Oxychloride
Glossier Ultralip – $18
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
I first decided to try out the Glossier Ultralips (introduced in 2021) because they seemed similar to the Clinique Almost Lipstick concept, with color that is sheer enough that some of the natural color of the lips comes through.
Glossier is not promoted as a clean beauty brand but the ingredients list for the Glossier Ultralip is pretty good, with only lactic acid (which I think is being used as a lip exfoliator) and the coloring agents seeming to be of any particular concern.
The Glossier Ultralip is on the shiny side, but it has the kind of see-through color that I think often works well for me. The taste and the feel seems okay to me.
The Cachet (“walnut brown”) shade gets across a Clinique Black Honey vibe, but if anything it looks even better on me.
I’ve also tried several other colors, including Portrait (“cherry blossom pink”), Villa (“dusty rose”) and Coupe (“blood orange”). Although the latter shade is quite bright, all the shades that I have tried so far look nice on me.
I’d like to try some of the other colors (there are nine in total) as well.
The Ultralips feel more moisturizing than most other light lipsticks I have tried, and also seem to have a good bit of staying power in terms of my not needing to touch up the color very often.
Size: 0.10 oz.
Glossier Rating: 4.4 Stars (715 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Lactic acid (4), Red #7 (6), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #28 (5), Yellow #5 (6), Yellow #6 (7)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Polybutene, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, Triisostearyl Citrate, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Candelilla Wax, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sunflower Seed Wax, Watermelon Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Castor Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Shea Nut Extract, Hydrated Silica, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Lactic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Red 7. May Contain (±): Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 6, Blue 1, Red 28, Yellow 5, Yellow 6.
Fashion Fair Iconic Lipstick – $26
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Although Fashion Fair is a brand intended for people with darker skin tones than mine, some of their lipstick shades were appealing enough to me that I gave one a try.
I really like both the texture and the look of the lipstick, and it also seems to be be as good from an ingredients standpoint as most lipsticks being promoted as “clean beauty.”
The lipstick formula feels really good on my lips, providing quite a bit of hydration and “slip.”
I chose the color Lace (“dusty rose”), which provides a fairly sheer wash of color on my lips that I have found very appealing.
The taste also is totally neutral and the product feels clean to me.
I have gotten quite a bit of wear out of this product so far and would be interested in trying additional shades.
Size: 0.12 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.7 Stars (53 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: No (Meets Criteria)
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #28 (6), Yellow #5 (6), Blue #1 (7)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract
All Ingredients: Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Polyester-4, Polyethylene, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Polybutene, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire Microcristalline, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Candelilla Wax, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Synthetic Beeswax, Diisostearyl Malate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Sunflower Seed Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 6, Red 7, Red 28, Yellow 5, Blue 1.
Jones Road Lip Tint – $26
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
These lipstick balms (introduced in 2022) have the consistency of a typical lip balm but are much more heavily pigmented than most other lip balms that I have tried.
I have the most neutral color (Nude Rose), and it is still provides quite a lot of pretty color on my lips.
Nine shades are currently available, most of them in quite bright or dark shades.
Although I often don’t do well with lipsticks that are too bright, I’d be interested in trying a few more of these shades to see how they look on me.
I think the formula of the product provides some nice hydration and feels good on my lips.
The lipsticks do not include any fragrance or flavor ingredients, and I think the taste is just fine.
Size: 0.06 oz.
Jones Road Rating: 4.7 Stars (255 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #6 (6), Yellow #5 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #7 (6), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #28 (5), Red #30 (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Candelilla Wax, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate. May contain: Red 7, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 6, Titanium Dioxide, Red 28, Red 30, Iron Oxides.
Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Color – $36
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
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Size: 0.12 oz.
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #5 (6)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Polybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Ozokerite, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Propylene Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-DI-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate , Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Alumina, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Blue 1, Yellow 5.
(All information is for the Meet Me In Berlin shade).
Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick – $26
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Natural Flavor (Raspberry Oil)
Silicone Level: None
Merit’s lipstick line was launched in early 2022, with eight muted neutral-type colors currently available.
So far I have tried Millennial (“classic pink”) and Baby (“neutral pink”). They have become my favorites of all the lipsticks that I own, and I am looking forward to trying more colors.
I like these lipsticks because they go on very easily and look good on me, even when I am not wearing a lip liner.
The color is not very high in pigment, which works well with my low-contrast complexion.
The ingredients list mentions “aroma/flavor,” which is often quite problematic. However, a company representative responded to my inquiry on this that “The fragrance is raspberry oil.”
Why they do not mention raspberry oil specifically on the ingredients list if that is all that they are using, I don’t understand. However, since I have found that this lipstick feels quite clean to me and that the fruity-type taste is pleasant, I am inclined to think that they are being truthful about this.
The finish of the lipstick is a soft matte that feels cushiony and hydrating, without the need for any lip gloss on top.
Although the Merit lipstick is not as long-lasting as (say) the MAC matte lipsticks, it does hold up well on my lips without smearing or other problems.
I also appreciate that it seems to even out any lines or cracks in my lips rather than calling attention to them.
All in all, I think that this is an excellent formula and that it may be a very good choice for those who like the colors that are offered.
Size: 0.10 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.8 Stars (252 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Phenoxyethanol (4), Natural flavor (8), Titanium dioxide (3), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #5 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #6 (6)
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural flavor (raspberry oil)
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Isostearyl Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tribehenin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Polyethylene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sunflower Seed Wax, Carnauba Wax, Papaya Fruit Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Phenoxyethanol, Tropolone, Aroma (Flavor). May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Manganese Violet, Blue 1, Yellow 5, Red 7, Red 6.
Mineral Fusion Lipstick – $19
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Thyme Oil, Rosemary Oil, White Tea Leaf Oil, Honeybush Leaf Oil
Silicone Level: None
This is a soft, hydrating lipstick that feels really good on my lips and that boasts a much cleaner ingredients list than do most other lipstick products that I have seen.
Only natural coloring agents and other natural ingredients are used.
The main downside is that the product acts more like a lipstick butter or lip balm than it does a regular lipstick, needing to be reapplied often if it is to keep appearing fresh.
However, since the lipstick feels hydrating rather than irritating to my lips, I don’t really mind reapplying it.
The scent/taste is mild and clearly all-natural, and I find it to be pleasant. EWG lists thyme, rosemary, cranberry, white tea, honeybush and pomegranate as possibly contributing to the flavor.
I have the shade Nude, which indeed does look a lot like the color of my lips.
This lipstick currently is offered in 15 muted colors, and unfortunately I have yet to see the other colors in person.
So far I do really like the formula as well as the one color that I have tried though.
Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.2 (191 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredients Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Aloe vera (3), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Thyme leaf oil, Rosemary leaf oil, Cranberry seed oil, White tea leaf oil, Honeybush leaf oil, Pomegranate seed oil
All Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil*, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Castor Seed Oil*, Sesame Seed Oil*, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax*, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter*, Coconut Oil*, Avocado Oil*, Thyme Leaf Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil*, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract*, Cranberry Seed Oil*, White Tea Leaf Oil, Honeybush Leaf Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, L-Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol. May Contain: Iron Oxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide. *Certified Organic
RMS Tinted Daily Lip Balm – $22
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The RMS Tinted Daily Lip Balms seem to me pretty similar to the Clinique Chubby Stick lip balms, except that the RMS products seem slightly cleaner and thus a little more enjoyable for me to wear on an everyday basis.
This lip balm goes on easily even without a mirror, and it adds a little bit of definition and sheer (but noticeable) color to my lips in a way that I think ends up looking really pretty.
The taste is neutral and pleasant, without any added flavoring agents.
Six shades currently are offered, in addition to an untinted (“Simply Cocoa”) version.
Although all the available shades look okay on me, I most often wear Passion Lane (“an elegant pink with a hint of shimmer”) and Destiny Lane (“a bright and modern sheer fuschia pink”). I am wearing Destiny Lane in the photo near the bottom of this page.
All of the colors have worked well for me as blush as well as lipstick and feel really good to me.
Size: 0.10 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.7 Stars (277 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #28 (5), Yellow #5 (6)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients (Passion Lane): Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, *Beeswax, Octyldodecanol, *Coconut Oil, Candelilla Wax, *Cocoa Seed Butter, *Carnauba Wax, *Castor Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, *Jojoba Seed Oil, Mica, Propanediol, Tocopherol (non-GMO), Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Red 28, Yellow 5
Sephora Collection Clean Vegan Hydrating Satin Lipstick – $12
Overall Rating: (3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
These affordable lipsticks are new from Sephora in early 2022 and (apart from the artificial colors) boast a pretty clean ingredients list.
This lipstick goes on really easily and looks pretty on my lips, without much smearing.
The texture of is pretty straightforward, providing just a light layer of product on the lips. It feels almost like a balm to me in terms of how light it is, but the pigment is pretty strong.
There does not seem to be any fragrance at all that I can detect, and the taste also has been fine for me.
The environmentally friendly cardboard tube is also a plus as far as I am concerned.
Unfortunately, I find that this lipstick seems to make my lips feel dryer and more uncomfortable, even compared to wearing no lipstick at all.
This also happens for some of the more “serious” lipsticks that I have tried (such as the MAC matte ones), but in that case it seems more worth it since those lipsticks are much more long-lasting and provide quite a lot of pigment.
I don’t see myself buying the product again for that reason.
I have the shade Primrose, which does not seem to be available any more on the Sephora website. Some of the other colors offered look pretty as well, though.
Size: 0.12 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.3 Stars (15 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Yellow #5 (6), Rosa canina fruit extract (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #28 (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit extract
Contains Silicones: No
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Shea Butter, Rice Bran Wax, Titanium Dioxide, Synthetic Wax, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Yellow 5, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Jojoba Seed Oil, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Blue 1, Red 28, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid.
Vapour Lip Nectar – $28
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
These soft lipsticks feature an unusually clean ingredients list, including only natural coloring agents.
According to the company website, the products have the following attributes: “Accentuates and adapts to your natural lip color. Conditions and protects like a balm with organic jojoba and avocado. Rejuvenates and soothes with helichrysum and calendula flowers. Treats lips with every swipe.”
The products contain only natural flavor and aroma obtained from figs, plums and apricots.
Vapour offers lip nectar samples for a small charge via its website and so I have tried several shades, including Coquette (“21st Century fuschia”), Desire (“warm rosy pink”), Tempt (“medium mauve pink”) and Hint (“warm pinky peach”).
\I thought that all the colors looked very nice on me and bought the latter in a full-size version.
The products give a pretty, juicy look to my lips and are very hydrating.
I also really like the smell and taste.
Size: 0.12 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.6 Stars (75 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural fig flavor/aroma, Natural plum apricot flavor/aroma, Orange peel wax, Helichrysum arenarium flower, Lemon balm leaf, Calendula flower
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil*, Beeswax*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Shea Butter*, Silica‡, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Sunflower Wax†, Sal Tree Resin†, Lacquer Tree Peel Wax†, Wax Tree Fruit Wax†, Ascorbyl Palmitate†, Avocado Oil*, Corn Starch*, Lauroyl Lysine†, Camellia Seed Oil*, Natural Fig Flavor/Aroma*, Natural Plum Apricot Flavor/Aroma*, Orange Peel Wax*, Tocopherol†, Helichrysum Arenarium Flower*, Lemon Balm Leaf*, Calendula Flower*, Phenethyl Alcohol†, Ethylhexylglycerin†; May Contain +/-: Mica‡, Titanium Dioxide; Iron Oxides; Carmine. * Organic. † Plant derived. ‡ Mineral derived
Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick – $38
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Although I really like the Victoria Beckham lipstick that I own, there are a couple of things that I think people would do well to keep in mind when deciding whether to make a purchase.
First, I think that it may be a good idea to do a quick online search for photos of Victoria Beckham herself, since it seems to me that this makeup line is specifically designed to make it easy to get her look and does not work very well if you try to use it to create some other kind of look.
In virtually all the photos that I have seen of her, Victoria Beckham wears a dramatic smoky eye along with a quite muted neutral lip color. Even in the few pictures where she is wearing red lipstick, it seems to me to be a very understated version of the color.
Since I am disinclined to wear a dark smoky eye except maybe to go to a special party, the overall look that I get when I wear my Victoria Beckham lipstick is especially muted since it is not balanced out by drama on another part of my face.
I personally kind of like my overall look to be very understated, but I know that is not what everyone is trying to achieve when putting on makeup.
In addition, I think it’s important to realize that not only is $38 quite expensive for a tube of lipstick but that this particular tube includes a relatively small amount of product – only about half the amount provided in many other lipsticks on the market.
In addition, since this is not a very long-lasting formula, I can imagine that anyone who wears this lipstick on a regular basis might use up these little metal tubes very quickly.
Despite all that, I have found my Victoria Beckham lipstick to be very pleasant to use and to look really good on me.
It goes on easily and looks natural and flattering on my lips even when I am not using a lip primer or pencil.
It feels clean to me, without any scent or flavor that I can detect at all.
I have the shade Pout (“a pale coral pink”), which I think is very pretty in a quiet sort of way.
In addition to the color being muted, the lipstick is a soft matte without any attention-getting sheen or shimmer.
Although I would enjoy trying more shades from this line, I’ve been feeling that the Merit lipsticks have been giving me a similar look and feel to what the Victoria Beckham line provides.
The Merit lipsticks are considerably more affordable than the Victoria Beckham ones, and I like the formula of the Merit lipsticks a bit more than I do the Victoria Beckham formula.
I therefore think that those who are attracted to the Victoria Beckham lipsticks but are hesitant to make a purchase due to the high price might want to take a look at the Merit lipsticks first, to consider whether they might meet their own needs.
Size: 0.07 oz.
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina hips oil (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Yellow #5 (6), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #10 (7), Yellow #6 (7), Red #28 (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil, Pomegranate flower extract
All Ingredients: Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, diisostearyl malate, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, synthetic wax, triisostearin, polybutene, candelilla wax, sunflower seed wax, rosa damascena flower wax, jojoba seed oil, dicalcium phosphate, rosa canina fruit oil, pomegranate flower extract, silica, tocopheryl acetate, avocado oil, coconut oil, mica. May contain: titanium dioxide, iron oxides, yellow 5, red 6, red 7, blue 1, yellow 10, yellow 6, red 28, manganese violet.
W3LL People Optimist Lipstick – $15
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
This is a relatively clean as well as reasonably priced lipstick that I have enjoyed using.
I have not noticed that it has any smell or taste at all, and it feels good to me.
It’s a tiny bit on the dry side but still goes on smoothly even if I don’t use a lip primer or balm first.
Although a lip liner is always helpful for me, this lipstick has worked well for me even when don’t use one.
It looks pretty good without overly emphasizing the texture of my lips even if I do not use a lip gloss on top of it.
The color lasts for a reasonable amount of time on my lips and is easy to reapply as needed.
It is currently available in eight varied shades, including some bright colors and some neutrals.
I have the color Soul Mate (“nude peachy pink”) and think it looks good on me.
Especially for the price, I think this is a very nice light lipstick that may be worth trying out.
Size: 0.12 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.6 Stars (34 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Aloe vera (3), Sodium benzoate (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #40 (6), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #6 (7)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Castor seed oil*, jojoba esters, isostearyl isostearate, ethylhexyl palmitate, oleyl alcohol, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, carnauba wax*, candelilla wax, polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate, synthetic beeswax, sunflower seed wax, mica, tocopherol, theobroma grandiflorum seed butter, safflower seed oil*, sunflower seed oil, acacia decurrens flower wax, polyglycerin-3, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, maltodextrin, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate. May Contain: titanium dioxide, iron oxides, red 40, red 6, red 7, blue 1, yellow 6
Westman Atelier Lip Suede – $85
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Mandarin Oil
This is Westman Atelier’s only lip product so far other than their lip glosses.
It is a quite expensive product that I have yet to try.
It is available individually in two versions: Les Nudes (with four different neutral shades) and Les Rouges (with four reddish shades).
A third version – Les Bordeaux – is currently available only as part of a Westman Atelier holiday gift set.
To my understanding, Westman Atelier is moving toward having this product be refillable and the Les Nudes version is already in the refillable package. I don’t see any refills being offered yet, though.
The site description suggests that the product is especially moisturizing, stating that it contains “16.5% cold-pressed cherry oil and firming peptides that leave lips nourished and plumped.”
I’ve seen some good reviews and it does look like the colors are pretty, and so I am interested in trying it at some point.
Size: 0.16 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.1 Stars (44 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EWG Product Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Lactic acid (4), Limonene (5), Red #6 (6), Yellow #5 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #28 (5), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Sweet cherry oil, Mandarin orange peel oil
All Ingredients: Castor seed oil, sweet cherry oil, sclerocarya birrea seed oil, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, hydrogenated vegetable oil, sunflower seed wax, lauroyl lysine, trihydroxystearin, mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, madarin orange peel oil, ascorbyl palmitate, tribehenin, sorbitan isostearate, lactic acid, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, limonene. May Contain: red 6, red 7, yellow 5, blue 1, red 28, iron oxides, titanium dioxide
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Trash Can
Aveda Feed My Lips Pure Nourish-Mint Lipstick ($26): I purchased a few of these lipsticks back when I thought that Aveda was a relatively non-toxic makeup brand across the board but never used them much. After re-evaluating them now, I would be disinclined to use them due to toxicity issues. In addition, the lipsticks all broke very quickly and required a lip brush to continue using. EWG gives the product a 9 (red) and flags the following list of ingredients as problematic: licorice root extract (4), natural flavor (4), farnesol (4), eugenol (5), linalool (3), citronellol (4), citral (5), cinnamal (5), limonene (5), benzyl benzoate (5), coumarin (5), geraniol (5), titanium dioxide (3), orange #5 (4), red #6 (6), blue #1 (7), red #7 (6), red #33 (4), yellow #5 (6), yellow #6 (7).
Suzanne Organics Sheer Satin Lipsticks ($40): I purchased two of these lipsticks in the mid 2010’s when Suzanne Somers launched this company but they caused severe irritation to my lips. I don’t understand this since they are supposed to be organic and I have never otherwise had issues like this except with conventional cosmetics containing toxic chemicals. I’m wondering if the level of orange oil (which I do think that I have found slightly irritating in other products) may have been especially high. I’m open to giving the product another try, but at $40 per lipstick that seems like a big risk. So for the time being, I cannot suggest that others buy this product either. EWG gives the lipstick a 4 (yellow), citing as potentially problematic the orange oil (6) and titanium dioxide (3).
