Let's talk about carmine - aka the red pigment that makes up the hue in most of our lipsticks. This punchy red dye comes from, believe it or not, female cochineal insects (oval shaped, flat-bodied bugs) that can be found living on cacti in the Americas. Yes, you heard that right – these tiny insects are harvested, dried, and then crushed to extract carminic acid, which is the magic behind that vibrant red colour we see in so many of our make-up products.
Carmine has been a big deal in the beauty world for centuries because of that gorgeous red hue it provides. It's used in everything from your favourite lipstick to that blush that makes you look like you've just been kissed by the sun. And it's all-natural, which in theory sounds great, but that’s not the whole story. Not everyone is happy with the idea of the use of bugs to create their make-up products, leading to some pretty heated discussions on the ethics of it all. Plus, with more of us leaning into vegan and cruelty-free lifestyles, the pressure's on for beauty brands to find alternatives that don't involve our insect friends.
