Is lipstick nonvegetarian?

Question

Since it often contains fish scales, and a bit of lipstick is most likely digested, would it be considered wrong for a vegetarian to put it on?

Answer 1

It's up for each individual to decide where to draw the line for themselves.

But buying products with ingredients made from dead animals is not consistent with vegetarianism.

Answer 2

It depends on your level of vegetarianism, and possibly the reasons for vegetarianism.

Mainstream lipstick also often contains cochineal, a pigment that comes from an insect. So it is definitely not vegan.

However, there are many companies online that sell vegan cosmetics, so you know that you are not using or consuming animal products. I've had my eye on the stuff at http://www.jlynnecosmetics.com/index.php for a while now. Its really pretty and not expensive.  

Answer 3

Depends on how seriously you take your vegetarianism.  There are lots of vegetarians that wear leather.

Answer 4

Most lipstcks don't have fish scales anymore; mica is a cheaper way to make frosted cosmetics.  But, most cosmetics do have the end result of the rendering process in them.  That means that after the meat is removed from the carcass, the remains are boiled down and separated into liquids and solids, which are used in pet foods, toiletries and cosmetics.  You have to decide where your comfort level is; there are brands available that don't have animal ingredients and you can choose to use those instead.