You’ve heard of the blush that helps chisel your cheeks, the mascara that promises to plump up your eyelashes, and the foundation that claims to give you a “healthy glow.” Well, how about the lip gloss that promises to take off pounds, lift your mood, even curb the urge to smoke.
Cosmetics companies are in the business of making a multitude of claims, but rarely do I buy into any of them. But, when I heard that a product called Loss Gloss Blast claimed that it could “take inches off your hips,” I was intrigued. The manufacturer says that the lip gloss “contains a generous variety of vitamin and plant extracts known to reduce food cravings.” When I went to the Loss Gloss Blast website I found even more promises that the product would “help reduce cravings.” Could this really be? It sounded too good to be true and alas, after a bit more research I found that it was. Weight loss experts say many of the ingredients found in the lip gloss (including St. John’s Wort and guarana) haven’t been proven to aid in weight loss, and those that have, won’t be very effective just sitting on your lips.
But, Loss Gloss Blast wasn’t alone. Another company which claimed its lip gloss was specially formulated with lemon and geranium to “help you kick your smoking habit” didn’t make good on its promise either. Basically, the company claimed that the lemon and geranium would work on a certain part of your brain that controls cravings for nicotine. But tests by independent labs found that “there is no evidence that lemon and geranium oils can do anything for smoking.”
Finally, Lucy B’s Fresh Juice lip gloss with vanilla and flower essence promised to rid the body of toxic emotions. I’m not exactly sure how one is supposed to test that claim. Perhaps, if you applied the gloss when you were in a foul mood and suddenly found yourself blissfully happy a short while later you could attribute it to the product?
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t try the products—there’s no harm in doing so. I’m merely suggesting that if a product sounds to good to be true, chances are it usually is.