The beauty world is a minefield. What order do you layer your skincare? How do you create that perfect, even flick? What does the latest buzz ingredient actually do? Do products really have that short a shelf life? And now we’re throwing another mystery into the mix: the enigmatic world of pH makeup.
Colour-changing makeup, which is pH-activated, matches the wearer’s skin tone to perfection with no rigorous blending or careful colour matching required.
How does it work? Well, cast your mind back to the seemingly endless hours you spent in chemistry lessons at school and you may remember learning about pH scales aka the measure of acidity. It ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH of less than 7 indicates acidity, while anything over 7 indicates alkaline. If that rainbow pH scale has popped into your mind where acidity is red and alkaline is purple, gold star for you.
How does pH-activated makeup work?
pH makeup is designed to mirror the colour of your skin, whether in lipstick, blush or foundation. Colour-changing products typically come in a universal shade such as green, blue or black and change pigment when they come into contact with your skin triggering a minor chemical reaction. The skin reacts to the dye in the product, which will contain colourless and weak acids.
In other words, the makeup is activated upon application and changes colour depending on your own pH. For example, one person may use the product and it will turn a dark shade of berry, while another may use the exact same product and it will turn a pastel shade of pink. The colour that the product adopts can also change day to day as our pH scales vary.
Furthermore, this means that pH-activated products are inclusive for all skin types, whether oily, dry or acne-prone. Plus, they make great gifts.
Stars such as Millie Bobby Brown and Lady Gaga who have founded their own beauty brands have experimented with colour-changing products. The Stranger Things actress has developed a lip and cheek balm formulated with plant-based esters and spearmint essential oil which reacts directly with the wearer’s pH and skin moisture levels to create a custom pink glow.
Likewise, Lady Gaga’s pH-powered lip oils adapt to and enhance the lips, with a helping hand from vegan collagen and prickly pear oil.
Intrigued? Read on to discover the best pH-activated, colour-changing makeup to add to your everyday beauty arsenal.
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Givenchy Le Rouge Interdit Balm
Givenchy’s Le Rouge Interdit lip balm has become a key player in our makeup bags. Designed to suit all genders and skin tones, the product offers up to 24 hours of hydration and provides a natural, plumped berry tint.
The formula is made up of 96 per cent natural ingredients, including a concoction of hyaluronic acid, jojoba seeds and acmella oleracea flower extract that helps smooth and plump the lips. It’s available in two shades, N°00 which offers a low-key sheer finish and N°10 which comes in a striking ebony hue featuring the iconic Givenchy monogram.
Buy now £34.00, lookfantastic
Tom Ford Soleil Lip Blush
The Tom Ford’s Soleil Lip Blush is opulence personified. Upon application, the lip blush creates a personalised pink hue that adapts to your personal pH levels. The product’s formula is peppered with glitzy gold flecks and coats the lips in a lustrous glow packed full of hydration. A generous gift for loved ones who love a touch of luxury.
Buy now £48.00, lookfantastic
Haus Labs PHD Hybrid Lip Oil
You can count on Lady Gaga to produce cutting-edge beauty buys. Haus Labs, a brand founded by the singer, has developed a covetable lip oil available in cherry, berry, orange and pink shades for all colour lovers. The award-winning makeup staple delivers a sheer tinted touch complete with lightweight hydration and a non-sticky shine, meaning your poker face is always on point.
Buy now £24.99, Haus Labs
Florence By Mills True To Hue pH Adjusting Lip and Cheek Balm
Ensure you are always camera-ready with Florence By Mills’ Lip and Cheek Balm that adds a healthy sheen in just one swipe. It is formulated with plant-based esters and spearmint essential oil which react with your pH and skin moisture levels to create a personalised pink shine to enhance and improve your natural glow.
Buy now £16.00, Beauty Bay
Lottie London pH Cream Blush
Lottie London hit the sweet spot between affordable and effective. The label’s pH Cream Blush is a playful product that will encourage you to get creative with your makeup application. Simply dab onto your cheeks for a flush of pigment to brighten up your skin and maintain a radiant look all day long. The black hue transforms with your natural pH levels to create a custom berry tone.
Buy now £5.95, Lottie London
Youthforia BYO Blush Color Changing Blush Oil
We love the neon design of this eye-popping product - but that’s just where the fun begins. Youthforia’s BYO Blush Color Changing Blush Oil is the world’s first colour-changing blush and works for all skin types. This includes dry, oily, acne-prone and sensitive complexions. The pigment will take on a different tone for each user and is packed with a range of plant-based, antioxidant-dense oils to revive dull skin.
Buy now £35.00, Revolve
BarryM Colour Changing Lip Paint
Dip your toe into the world of pH-activated beauty with BarryM’s lip paint. The cruelty-free balm comes in an alien green shade that takes on a rosy hue to suit your natural complexion. A playful stocking filler for tweens and teens, the lip paint comes in Genie Green, Angelic Pink and Unicorn Yellow, just in case you didn’t already realise it was real magic.
Buy now £4.99, Amazon
