閱讀理解

　　Lipstick plays an important role in attraction and can even protect the lips from drying out in harsh weather．No wonder it’s the most important thing in a women’s cosmetics(化妝品)bag．

　　Colouring the lips is certainly not a new idea．It was practiced as early as 3500 BC．

　　In the past, a natural dye was used to paint lips．It was not until the 17th century that lipstick manufacturing really took off．The lipstick was made of mixtures that included pig fat and red sandalwood．It was kept in tiny pots and applied with a colouring stick．

　　Lipstick was invented and first presented by Parisian perfumeries(香料商)in Amsterdam．But these “l(fā)ittle red sausages” were less than practical．They were wrapped in silk paper and the ends had to be broken off before each use．They also did not come cheap．

　　Over the years the sticks became less expensive and new colours were developed, But it was not until 1950 that lipstick accidentally was reinvented－this time by the Americans．

　　Today there are so many types of lipsticks and shades that it is hard to keep track of them．Faced with many choices in the cosmetic departments, it is easy to forget that there is a whole science to manufacturing them．

　　The basic materials are colours, oils and waxes．But they can contain up to 30 different materials．Lipstick manufactures have to achieve a careful balance．“You need a thicker oil to make the lipstick last longer, but a thinner one to make it easy to apply,” says Comelis Riedel, product developer at Nivea Beaute in Hamburg．

　　Different oils also provide protection for lips, preventing them from drying up．The waxes used in lipsticks must strike the right balance between strength and elasticity(彈性)．And up to nine different colouring matters could be needed to find the right shade．

　　No one today need fear dangerous materials in lipsticks．A study by a leading German consumer organization found dangerous materials such as lead or cadmium, are hardly a problem any more－even in the cheapest products．

　　Today, the question is whether to choose between a conventional lipstick or the newer, long-lasting variety．

閱讀理解

　　Lipstick plays an important role in attraction and can even protect the lips from drying out in harsh weather．No wonder it’s the most important thing in a women’s cosmetics(化妝品)bag．

　　Colouring the lips is certainly not a new idea．It was practiced as early as 3500 B．C．

　　In the past, a natural dye was used to paint lips．It was not until the 17th century that lipstick manufacturing really took off．The lipstick was made of mixtures that included pig fat and red sandalwood．It was kept in tiny pots and applied with a colouring stick．

　　Lipstick was invented and first presented by Parisian perfumeries(香料商)in Amsterdam．But these “l(fā)ittle red sausages” were less than practical．They were wrapped in silk paper and the ends had to be broken off before each use．They also did not come cheap．

　　Over the years the sticks became less expensive and new colours were developed, but it was not until 1950 that lipstick accidentally was reinvented－this time by the Americans．

　　Today there are so many types of lipsticks and shades that it is hard to keep track of them．Faced with many choices in the cosmetic departments, it is easy to forget that there is a whole science to manufacturing them．

　　The basic materials are colours, oils and waxes．But they can contain up to 30 different materials．Lipstick manufactures have to achieve a careful balance．“You need a thicker oil to make the lipstick last longer, but a thinner one to make it easy to apply, ” says Comelis Riedel, product developer at Nivea Beaute in Hamburg．

　　Different oils also provide protection for lips, preventing them from drying up．The waxes used in lipsticks must strike the right balance between strength and elasticity(彈性)．And up to nine different colouring matters could be needed to find the right shade．

　　No one today need fear dangerous materials in lipsticks．A study by a leading German consumer organization found dangerous materials such as lead or cadmium, are hardly a problem any more－even in the cheapest products．

　　Today, the question is whether to choose between a conventional lipstick or the newer, long-lasting variety．