We all know that Senegence's LipSense are amazing with their ability to last anywhere from 4 to 18 hours for long-lasting wear, but do you know why? In this video I break down the science and share with you how Senegence formulated this long-lasting magic!

From the Senegence website:

LipSense is a non-wax liquid lip color that stays on your skin. LipSense provides a natural shield from the sun. The proprietary formulations and color pigments in LipSense help create a mechanical covering for the lips. That means the skin on your lips are protected from the sun’s rays by the color pigments, therefore your lips are more protected from harmful rays. That is just one of the reasons your lips become so smooth and soft with consistent use of LipSense.:

The patented formulation technology includes Cosmetic grade Denatured Alcohol, which is nothing close to Isopropyl Alcohol–or rubbing alcohol. In fact, you need Denatured Alcohol to apply LipSense to lips. While rubbing alcohol instantly removes LipSense from the skin. We do not recommend the use of rubbing alcohol on the skin because it dries out the skin. LipSense is formulated with Denatured Alcohol because:

• It is thinner than water and suspends the tiny particles within the formula.
• It immediately evaporates from the skin upon the delivery of the technology to the skin. (The “tingling” sensation felt on the lips, when some wearers first begin to use the color, is the evaporation process of the Denatured Alcohol felt within the dry cracks of the lips. This sensation disappears as lower layers of skin’s moisture content are restored by the use of the moisturizing gloss.)

Tiny Particles: The particles that help the color pigments to molecularly bind to the skin (see Ingredient listing). Over time, the particles begin to detach from the skin’s surface. The rate at which this occurs varies tremendously and is based upon the pH-balance of each person’s skin and the color they’ve chosen to wear for the day.

Color Pigments: Each tube of color has a varied formulation and mixture of color pigments to arrive at a specific color. Some colors naturally last longer than others because of the different body chemistry of each wearer, plus some colors are thicker or richer in color pigmentations, while others are sheer and thinner.

Layering LipSense: Layering LipSense is a must due to the fact the color breaks down with the pH balance of the skin.

1st layer: touches the skin’s pH and will begin to break down first and fastest.

2nd layer: protected from the bottom, away from the skin’s pH, by the first layer.

3rd layer: protects the second layer from the top down and prevents sheering of second layer of color by keeping away friction, saliva, and the natural environment. The third layer breaks down just like the first layer, but from the top down. The second layer is sandwiched between the first and third and is protected by both for the longest period of use.

Mica: LipSense Lip Colors formulated with Micas do not tend to wear as long as the solid matte shades of LipSense. Micas create shine and shimmer. They reflect light and are made of particles that are larger than color pigments. Micas and may flick off the skin with regular skin movements. Talking and scraping lip movements like drinking from a cup can facilitate this process. You can assume up to an hour of less wear when wearing a Mica color.

Glossing: It is important to know the long-lasting properties of LipSense are enhanced by any of the LipSense moisturizing glosses. The gloss products also help to keep the lips moist and plump.

Key Ingredients and Benefits

LipSense Long-Lasting Liquid Lip Color is made of a combination of ingredients. Here are a few key components:

• Denatured Alcohol: used as a delivery system for the color technology; creates a germ and bacteria-free environment.
• Paeonia Suffruticosa Root (Tree Peony) Extract: a natural calming plum flower herb.
• Hypericum Perforatum (St. John’s Wort) Extract: also known as St John’s Wort, a natural herb used to elavate mood and treat depressions.
• Tilia Cordata (Linden) Flower Extract: a natural flower extract rich in flavonoids and a powerful anti-oxidant.
• Isodonis Japonicus Extract: Fragrant plant extract that contains terpenes, shown to have medicinal properties to soothe skin.
• Mica: an earth mineral used to give products sparkle and shine. Titanium Dioxide: an inert earth mineral used as a thickening ingredient and sunscreen in cosmetics. It protects skin from UVA and UVB radiation and is considered to have no risk of skin irritation.

Note: Just as important as what is in LipSense, is what is not! LipSense is formulated with no wax, lead, or animal by-products.