Fabulous Gluten-Free Color

When I was diagnosed with celiac disease a few years ago it became imperative that my lipstick be gluten-free. I couldn’t have cared less about forgoing the puffy, flavorless, doughy bread that blights the American diet, but lipstick — that was a different matter altogether. I can dispense with my daily bread, but you’ll have to pry my lipstick from my cold, dead fingers.

Exceedingly demanding when it comes to lipstick, I require rich, saturated color in a smooth moisturizing texture that stays on from apéritif through digestif. Another consideration is safety; recently I’ve become increasingly aware of the dangers of toxic ingredients in cosmetics and seek to minimize exposure to them whenever possible.

Is your makeup making you sick? (Photo: HealthyVoyager.com)

You can imagine how thrilled I was to discover Red Apple Lipstick. Based in Houston, Tex., the company specializes in a making safe (gluten, toxin and common allergen-free) makeup of the highest standard. One can rest assured that one is not slathering on a toxic concoction of lead, parabens, etc., with this product. According to the company, the lipstick contains no “petroleum or animal bits, no gluten, dairy, corn harsh chemicals or GMOs.”

The lipsticks are made in small batches to ensure freshness and quality (by Jove, it’s artisanal lipstick!). And to ease your conscience, they are not tested on animals, so no living creature will have suffered for your beauty.

Exfoliate Stick + Rallye Balm= Smooth lips (Photo: Lia Phipps/DC on Heels)

Just as important as what is not in the lipstick is what’s in it. Two of the  main ingredients in Red Apple Lipstick are gluten-free vitamin E and shea butter, both of which lavish your lips with moisture. This is especially important to us celiacs who often suffer from dry, flaky chapped lips. Before applying the lipstick, I exfoliated with Red Apple’s Exfoliate Stick, followed with application of Rallye Balm (an intense and versatile balm that can also be blended with powder eyeshadow to create an eyeliner-amazing!). This made the lipstick go on a lot smoother.

From left to right: Strawberry Lips, Ruby Slippers, Audrey (Photo: Lia Phipps/DC on Heels)

Now for the lipsticks — I sampled three colors: Audrey (a matte neutral pink), Ruby Slippers (a soft red with a subtle warm pink sparkle) and Strawberry Lips (a translucent red with brown undertones). The color payoff is excellent and the colors are true (what you see in the tube is what you get on your lips). The texture is smooth, creamy and buildable. The lasting quality surpassed my expectations, especially for an all-natural product; the color stayed on for approximately three hours without touch-ups and it kept my lips thoroughly moisturized the entire time. However, the lovely scent (a delicate natural honey-vanilla aroma) and delightful texture made me want to reapply just for the enjoyment of the experience.

So if you’re looking for a lipstick that’s safe — paraben and gluten-free — look no further than Red Apple LIpstick. The color range is impressive and the quality of the product is beyond dispute. Their customer service is also first-rate; they’re highly responsive and go out of their way to assist you. I almost forgot to mention that they also make eyeshadow, which is next on my list to try.

In order to keep prices down Red Apple Lipstick is not sold in stores and is only available online.