Commonly available commercial lipsticks are loaded with cancer-causing chemicals and the average woman eats about 4 1/2 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime!

So question is where can you go for alternatives? Well, one great place is Saffron Rouge, a fantastic online store offering a wide range of organic cosmetics, skin care products and mineral make up.

Saffron Rouge offers lip gloss made from beeswax, mango butter and apricot kernel oil, lipstick made from rose petals, almond extract, jojoba oil and plant waxes and lip liner made from rose wax and the list goes on.

Chances are that you can't even identify the ingredients in the lipstick you applied this morning.  At least with organic cosmetics, the ingredients lists sound good enough to eat!  Which they should, since you're ingesting it anyways, right?

Hit the jump to go directly to Saffron Rouge's lip care page and take time to browse around their online store.  They ship most products internationally as well.

Eco-bonus: Saffron Rouge is a 100% wind powered business!  How cool is that?  Now hit the jump and get shopping!

» Saffron Rouge

The Organic Beauty Expert (aka Andrea) always has advice and opinions about which natural beauty products are worth your money and which you should consider skipping. Hold on to your hats folks, because she's gotten ahold of a video camera and is reviewing some popular organic cosmetics.

First up, she shows some love to Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics, or at least to the line's Organic Lip Love Lipstick (you try saying that quickly without getting tongue-tied). She doesn't actually put any of the product on because as she points out, most of us know how to apply lipstick. She does however call it "the most fabulous lipstick ever" (her exact words). The operative word here seems to be "smooth" - from the feel of the actual product to the way it seamlessly glides onto your lips. Andrea also sounds off on its last-ability (definition: the process by which lipstick doesn't completely disappear by the time you make it from your front door to the car), the smell, the taste and of course, the color. There's not need to say anymore except to let you know the phrase "sex kitten" even make an appearance (again, her words).

Watch the video below and be sure to check out Andrea's blog, The Organic Beauty Expert for more honest reviews and advice.

» YouTube

MAC cosmetics are amongst some of my bigger vices in life. I may be able to count on one hand the number of times I’ve been able to visit their counter (or store) and walk away without buying something. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I first started using their products and learned of the Back to MAC program.

The program is an initiative to encourage customers to recycle cosmetic containers. For every six primary packaging containers brought to a MAC counter or returned through MAC Cosmetics Online, you will receive a free lipstick. Some independent MAC stores even offer you a choice between a complimentary lipstick, eyeshadow or lipgloss. Be sure to check with the store you visit to verify what they offer.

MAC then ensures the returned containers are distributed to appropriate waste management centers. In case you’re wondering, primary packaging is the container that actually holds the makeup (secondary packaging would be the paper box or wrapping) and if you still aren’t sure, you can visit their website to ensure your containers are eligible for the program. In their ongoing commitment to the environment, the company also uses minimal packaging and recycled paper in their offices, manufacturing and distribution facilities. As well, vegetable-based inks are used for printing when possible.

As if MAC needed to give me another reason besides the fantastic quality of their products, to spend more of my hard-earned money there.

» MAC Cosmetics (Official Site)

In a recent study, 61% of all red lipsticks tested contained lead.

Just think about that, unless all of your cosmetics are natural over half of your red lipcolors contain lead and your applying it to your mouth every single day!

L'Oreal was found to be one of the worst offenders.  Their response?  They said, "Don't worry about it."

So what can you do to avoid painting your lips in lead every day?  Arm yourself with knowledge!  Visit the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database at www.cosmeticdatabase.org and find out if there's lead in the lipstick you already own.  Then once you've found the offending manufacturers, ban them.  That's right, don't buy their stuff ever again.  The cosmetics industry is highly competitive, you'll always be able to find another red lipstick.

» Twin Cities

Did you know that in a lifetime the average woman will swallow 4 1/2 pounds of lipstick?  

A study was conducted in 2004 that found that 28% of lipsticks contained cancer-causing chemicals.  Modern lipsticks are formulated from upwards of 10,000 chemicals, 89% of which have never been tested for human safety. 

Want another freaky fact?  If you use lipstick for 3 days your risk of developing lupus increases by 40%.

Lupus?  Cancer?  Yikes!

The problem?  You absorb those chemicals in lipstick not only through your skin, but also when you're eating and drinking.  So when you're looking for a new lipstick, look for natural cosmetics that are certified cruelty-free.

If you're interested, hit the jump to read the full article which lists all the nasty chemicals which might be on your lips right now.

» The Globe and Mail (Canada)