Lipstick Comes Up Kosher

Sun., Aug. 14, 1994

Pamela Patrick Novotny Chicago T

Susan Krasner looked at the Orthodox Jewish women in her New City, N.Y., neighborhood, and wondered if the lipstick everyone can’t help but swallow as they eat and drink was kosher.

A little research told her it wasn’t. Carmine red, a coloring agent used in many lipsticks, is made by drying and crushing a certain insect, and insects aren’t kosher.

So Krasner, who has spent 20 years in cosmetic product development, created an especially long-lasting lipstick (Orthodox women cannot apply or reapply lipstick on the Sabbath).

The lipstick also has no animal - or insect - products, is not tested on animals and meets the purity and cleanliness manufacturing standards of the Orthodox Union of Rabbis, so it carries the pareve certification symbol.

Krasner says her “sunset to sunset” lipstick, which she sells under the trade name Cinema Beaute, is so long lasting you can apply it Friday night and still have color all day Saturday.

In fact, you have to wash off the nine shades, including Promised Land Pink, Milk & Honey Mocha, Dead Sea Red and Sinai Sienna, with soap and water.

The lipstick ($7.50 a tube) also has been a hit with the health-food crowd because of its natural ingredients.

It’s available by mail or at some stores. Call (800) 359-1961.

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