Lipstick? It's luvstik and more...

BANGALORE: This one is for women. Onsecond thoughts, maybe men too.The National Botanical ResearchInstitute, Lucknow, has developed purely natural herbal colourants forlipsticks. But more lipsmacking is the institute''s claim it has added''mood-altering functional attributes'' to them.The aroma accompanyingthe lipstick can be mood-enhancing, refreshing, stimulating, soothing, fragrant,anti-depressant, anti-stress, provide sensual pleasure, induce creativethinking, reduce anxiety and also anti-microbial.And the technology,called Luvstik, is up for grabs for Rs 15 lakh plus 2.5 per cent of sales asrecurring royalty.The National Research Development Corporation(NRDC), the technology-transfer arm of the Department of Science and Technology-- says this has been possible through a selection of blended formulations ofnatural colours and essential oils and aromas."Since it is developedby the government, the licence is non-exclusive in nature and can be sold tomultiple buyers," NRDC regional manager (Bangalore) V. Raghuramsaid.And no gender bias here. The NRDC has something in store formen too: another range has been developed without colours but with amoisturising effect with the same mood altering functions. Bothgroups of lipsticks have ...................promotive, protective andbeautifying attributes. They prevent darkening of lips, moisturise and addlustre and texture. Lipsticks for women also have anti-bacterial, anti-fungaland anti-inflammatory effects as well.In addition to lipstick, ithas extended the technology to develop eye shadow, glowglitters and rouges aswell, using a mixture of bees wax, castor oil and safflower oil as thebase.