Lip gloss

Lip gloss is a product used primarily to give lips a mildly glossy lustre and sometimes subtle color. It is distributed as a liquid or a soft solid (not to be confused with lip balm, which generally has medicinal purposes). It can be completely clear, translucent, or various shades of opacity, including frosted, glittered, glassy, and metallic finishes.

History

Lip gloss was invented by Max Factor in 1930. He wanted to create a lip product that would make lips shiny and glossy for films.^[1][2] Factor created makeup for the movie industry. He developed makeup specifically for actresses starring in black and white films. Women were inspired by movie actresses and they also wanted makeup.^[3] The first commercially available lip gloss was Max Factor's X-Rated, launched in 1932 ^[4]. The original formula was sold up until 2003, when Procter and Gamble retired the product.

Lip gloss in a tube and wand applicator format

Lip gloss is usually used as a cosmetic, however, some offer moisturizing benefits or protection from the elements and other natural causes. Lip gloss containing sunscreen was first advertised by actress Lillian Gish.^{[citation needed]}.
In 1973, Bonne Bell introduced the first flavored lip gloss, Lip Smackers. Lip Smackers were popular among young teenagers. Lip Smackers came in two sizes:small and big. The small ones could be kept in your pocket and the big ones have a rope to hang around your neck. It was believed that before a date, you had to choose an appropriate flavor because that would be her date's first taste when his lips kissed hers.^[5]
Natural makeup companies have made progress in creating lip gloss with mainly natural ingredients except for preservatives.

Types

Like lipstick, lip gloss comes in a variety of forms and may be applied in different ways. It can be contained in a small cylindrical bottle and applied with a rounded or sloped applicator wand (known as a doefoot applicator), be applied with a built in lip brush, or a small tube designed for application with the fingertip. Solid glosses come in boxes and tubes, sometimes blurring the distinction between lip gloss and lip balm.
New types of "plumping" lip gloss contain ingredients which make the lips appear softer and plumper. These are a cheap, easy, and harmless alternatives to collagen, Restylane, Juvederm, and/or fat injections, but are often not as effective. The effects are temporary and short-lasting.
Lip gloss is often used when a person wants to have some color on their lips, but does not want an intense, solid lip color effect (i.e. a more "made-up" look), as lipstick would create. Lip gloss is also often used as a sort of introduction to makeup. It's often used by preteen and young teenage girls who want to wear some makeup, but are too young to wear a more intense lipstick color.
Lip gloss is sometimes used with lipstick to create different effects (i.e. one with no color, metallic effect or glitter). 1950s actress Marilyn Monroe used to wear a clear, simple lip gloss over lipstick to make it shiny. Some people also mix clear lip gloss with any lipstick color to make colored lip glosses.^{[citation needed]}