I was born and lived for 27 years in the northwest of Spain. Like many children there I was (and still am) allergic to dust mites. Then I became allergic to grass and things stayed like that for a very long time. In 2006 I moved to Belgium and four years later I got a swollen mouth after eating an apple: I had become officially allergic to the birch tree pollen and some fruits with a cross-protein with it. Several tests came later and I discovered that that’s the thing I’m most allergic to. And that includes not only apples, but hazel nuts, almonds, carrots, soy and other that I didn’t dare to try since then. We moved to Madrid two years ago so I should expect a change in my allergies (well, new ones added I mean). I was already allergic to the grass pollen but I think I’m feeling an increased sensitivity to cypress pollen too. A poly-allergic person usually becomes allergic to new things depending on environment changes. I guess it’s something I have to live with.
And that reminds me of a friend from the US who was living here for a while. She used to work as a camp monitor for a while over there and she was used to kids with allergies, but when she came here, many of the allergies here were unknown to her. Like my apple-birch allergy. Also unknown to most of the Spanish people I’ve met, except for the doctors. They always say very excited that I’m the vivid example of what they studied at university.
I’m not a woman that uses a lot of make up. I would say that I’m on the lazy side. But, probably due to my age or the beginning of a mid life crisis, I’ve started to take care of myself a bit more than I’ve used to. And then I’ve heard wonderful opinions about Red Apple Lipstick. Their gorgeous colors, their performance, their properties which make them perfect for allergic people. I had to try them. I bought three of them: Plum Sexy Crazy, Straberry Lips and Reddish Fettish. I tried them in three consecutive days. The colors were wonderful, and the smell… that smell! It was all I wanted, with the exception that I realized I was allergic to them all. Without exception.
I have thick lips, but the ones I got one hour after using the lipsticks were like sausages. I contacted Red Apple Lipstick explaining my problem and I got a complete refund almost instantly. I have to say that not only they have nice products but they also have an excellent customer service. They didn’t ask for it but I sent the lipsticks back and I really wish them well and lots of luck because the customer service really makes a difference.
After the incident I went to check the lipsticks ingredients and I was surprised to find almond amongst them. I blame that but it could also be the Titanium Dioxide, the Manganese Violet, or the Mica, Iron Oxide.
LIPSTICKS ORIGNAL SERIES – Red!, Love My Kiss, Ruby Slippers, Strawberry Lips, Flirt With Me, Crush On Me, French Skirt, Mauve Me, Secrets, Plum Sexy Crazy.
Ricinus Communis, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Cera Alba, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate from an all natural non gluten source, Prunis Dulcis (Almond ), Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Essence of Vanilla, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide ,Manganese Violet, Mica, Iron Oxide.LIPSTICKS INSTANT COLOR SERIES – Coral Crush, Hibiskiss, Lovebird, Oh My Guava, Push Pop, Sweet Pea, Fierce, Barcelona, Reddish Fettish, Light My Fire, Swoon, Ravishing
Helianthus Annus – 100% pure organic cold pressed, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii, Synthetic Beeswax, All Natural Gluten Free – Soy Free – Corn Free Vitamin E Tocopheryl Acetate, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide ,Manganese Violet, Mica, Iron Oxide.
So this made me think again about how allergies appear depending on the environment. I am pretty sure that Red Apple Lipstick is safe for 99% of Americans, but it’s possible that in other parts of the world there are other kinds of allergies. Move 1000 Km and you will be exposed to different pollens, different environmental conditions.