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3 min read
pH make-up is currently having a resurgence. Here’s how it works and some of the best products to shop…
If pH make-up brings back memories of cheap cosmetics you’d pass around the playground at school, think again. It’s currently having a major resurgence, with brands like Dior, Fenty Beauty and Lady Gaga’s Haus Labs all launching colour-changing make-up products.
But if you’ve ever wondered how pH make-up works (or if it’s all just a gimmick) you’ve come to the right place. Below, we break down exactly what pH make-up is, how it works and the best products to shop now…
What is pH make-up?
Colour changing make-up involves a product that appears one colour but turns into a different colour once applied to the face, for example a blush that looks black in the pot changes to pink when the product is applied to the face. Often referred to as pH make-up, it uses ingredients that react at different pH levels to change colour and give the desired pink effect.
How does pH make-up work?
Although it looks like magic, pH make-up simply comes down to clever cosmetics science. The product uses a dye that then reacts to the pH levels on your skin’s surface. This, in turn, creates a reaction that results in the pigment seen on your skin.
Do people have different pH levels?
“Your skin’s pH depends on a range of factors that may differ from person to person, which is why the shade of pH you’re left with may differ from the shade of your friend,” explains Charlotte Knight, founder of Lottie London, which sells a range of pH make-up products. “Sebum production, skin types and environmental factors all influence the pH level; however, there is a ‘normal’ range the majority of people will fall into. Different parts of your body have different pH levels too so next time you’re swatching your pH product, see if there’s any variation in shade from your hand to your face.”
Best pH make-up products
Tom Ford Soleil Lip Blush
Infused with gold-toned flecks, this sheer veil transforms into a personalised pink stain based on your unique skin pH.
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Colour Adaptive Cheek + Lip Stick
Perfect for a pulled-together, monochromatic make-up look – this hydrating multi-use stick uses colour-shift technology to bring out the most flattering universal rosy colour to cheeks and lips of all skin tones.
Shop Fenty Beauty Match Stix Colour Adaptive Cheek + Lip Stick at Harvey Nichols, £25
Makeup Revolution PH Bomb Lip & Cheek Oil
Another hero multi-tasker, this non-sticky oil is enriched with peptides to help visibly smooth and hydrate the lips and cheeks. Apply over make-up or on bare skin for a dewy finish.
Shop Makeup Revolution PH Bomb Lip & Cheek Oil at Lookfantastic, £5.99
Dior Addict Lip Glow
Enriched with 97% natural-origin ingredients, this soft and sheer lip balm subtly revives the natural colour of your lips with a custom glow while hydrating for 24 hours.
Espressoh Glassy Blush
This viral blusher has a pH reagent formula, meaning that the pigment reacts to the pH of your skin and transforms it into a dewy blushing tint. The colour intensity and exact shade will vary depending on your skin tone and pH – resulting in one transparent shade to serve every skin tone.
Kiko Milano Ph Glow Lipstick
With a creamy, buildable formula, this pH adaptive lipstick glides onto the lips, leaving in its wake a soft rosy hue – tailored to you.
Haus Labs PHD Hybrid Lip Oil
Perfect for the summer months when you want the shine of a gloss with the non-sticky texture of a balm, these lip oils are available in five pH powered shades that transform into a true-to-you sheer tint.
Lottie London pH Lip & Cheek Stick
Don’t let the haunting black hue put you off. This balm formula instantly transforms into a soft, unique shade of pink that complements your natural skin tone. The result? A creamy, dewy finish that blends super easily.
Images: courtesy of brands
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