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At Healthy Living Foundation we undertook preliminary testing of some of the most popular lipsticks for heavy metals and phthalates, chemicals that are toxic to the fetus and cause cancer. The worst red-light products we found included some of the most expensive and well known brands:

• Dior Rouge Lipstick contained 132.6 ppb Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate.

• L'Oreal contained 935.3 ppb lead and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate at 526.5 ppb.

• L'Oreal Volcanic had 43.9 ppb lead and 454.3 ppb of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

• MAC Retro Matte Lipstick Dangerous had 1,306.6 ppb lead.

• Maybelline Color Sensational Ultimate had 137.4 ppb lead.

• Maybelline Color Sensational Pink had 468.6 ppb lead, 222.9 ppb di-n-butyl phthalate, 3110.7 ppb bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

• Nars Orgasm contained 246.9 ppb of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and 375 ppb lead.

  The cosmetic industry contends that the levels of lead and phthalates in these products are safe. But despite their myopic assurances, epidemiological studies note that children with the highest exposures to phthalates, lead, and mercury, found at everyday levels in foods and consumer products deemed to be safe, have the greatest for developmental and behavioral disorders. Finding safe lipsticks should be easy. But without disclosure of harmful chemical toxins, that is impossible.

  The best brands least likely to contain contaminants including lead were organic or naturally and carefully sourced:

• 100% Pure

• Afterglow Cosmetics

• Gabriel Cosmetics

• Ilia

• Lavera

• Mineral Fusion

• NVEY

• Eco

• Real Purity

• RMS Beauty

• ZuZu Luxe