Once of the products I love experimenting with and writing about most of all are lipsticks but for one reason or another this post has been a long time coming however seeing as it’s Organic September, I can’t think of a better time for it to (finally) be published!Pure Passion and Wild Fire (£19.50) are the latest additions to the range of lipsticks from New Zealand based Living Nature. Aptly named, these two vibrant injections of colour are a welcome inclusion to the very pretty but (and I hate to admit it) not particularly exciting (from a shade perspective) Living Nature lipstick collection.
First appearances can be deceptive and both shades look very different in the tube to how they appear on the lip; Wild Fire (below left) is a warm, classic red with an orange undertone whilst Pure Passion (below right) is a rich, deep red with a subtle crimson undertone. Both are described as being semi-matte however for me they verging on a satin finish.
I love a red lip and needless to say thus far neither lipstick has made it into my pro kit – both having resided in my own personal make-up bag since being kindly sent to me back in April. I feel more than a little reluctant to let them go.
Certified organic by COSMOS, these hand crafted lipsticks are formulated using entirely natural ingredients including botanical extracts and organic waxes. On the lip they feel comfortable(despite the [nicely] firm bullet); there is no drag on application and the lips remain moist even after prolonged wear (which by the way, on me is pretty good and the colour don’t need topping up beyond the norm). The most exciting thing for me about these shades are the fact that they are Carmine free!
Carmine is an ingredient that even the cleanest of brands seem to struggle with finding a more ethical (and vegan friendly) alternative too, however Living Nature appears to have found a way. By using a combination of Melia azadirachta (more commonly known as Indian Lilac) and Coccinia indica (Scarlet Gourd or Kowai), Living Nature have created a red pigment which emulates the colour produced by and negates the need for, the dried and crushed bug. I may not be vegan but this is a massive bonus in my book!
Have you tried either of them yet? Would you change your usual red lippy to a Carmine free alternative?
To celebrate Organic September both Wild Fire and Pure Passion are available for just £9.50 (that’s less than half price!) on the Botanical Brands website. What other incentive do you need?
Ingredients:
( **Denotes Certified Organic – 100% natural origin. 90% organic of total.)
Pure Passion – Ricinus communis (castor) oil**, Cera alba (beeswax)**, Copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax**, Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil**, Glyceryl behenate, Mica (CI 77019), Iron oxide (CI 77491), Melia Azadirachta flower extract, Melia Azadirachta seed extract, Coccinia Indica flower extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Iron oxides (CI 77499)
Wild Fire – Ricinus communis (castor) oil**, Cera alba (beeswax)**, Copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax**, Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil**, Glyceryl behenate, Mica (CI 77019), Iron oxide (CI 77491), Melia Azadirachta flower extract, Melia Azadirachta seed extract, Coccinia Indica flower extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Iron oxides (CI 77499)
If you want to find out more about the manufacturing process, a short film is on the Living Nature website
Images: Laura Jane Sessions
.png){kind=icon}
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
I love these, Wild Fire is my fave!
hey Amber,
Beautiful aren’t they.They won’t be making their way into my kit any time soon as I can’t bare to part with them!!
L x
[…] who have managed to formulate a red lipstick relatively successfully without the use of carmine; Living Nature added two reds (Pure Passion and Wild Fire) to their product line earlier this year with excellent results and Ilia Beauty Lipstick […]
[…] On the apples of my cheeks and slightly up onto the cheekbone I applied W3ll People Universalist stick in Berry Aubergine and added a touch of Dr Hauschka Loose Powder to my T-zone. I finished with my current favourite red on the lips – Living Nature Pure Passion. […]
[…] Who Are They? Founded in 1987 by Suzanne Hall, who was inspired by the healing properties of New Zealand native plants to remedy her own skin conditions. Eco-Credentials: BDIH and Cosmos certified, cruelty free, some vegan products. The Products: As with Lavera, Living Nature covers all the bases in terms of products and also as with their German counterparts the range of shades for darker skin tones is non existent, thats said, the colours they do have are lovely; nature based shade which are both flattering and timeless. Favourite Products: I love the Liquid foundation and cream concealer and if you have read my post on them you will know I am a massive fan of the carmine free red lipsticks Wild Fire and Pure Passion. […]
[…] come back to it) so if I’m in the mood for a spot of colour then my current favourites are Living Nature’s Pure Passion (£19.50) or Tannin from Bite Beauty ($26.00) or if I fancy a nuder lip. Green People’s […]