It’s cervical cancer prevention week and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is raising awareness with the #SmearForSmear 2019 campaign. To get involved all you have to do is post a #SmearForSmear selfie smearing your lipstick. I know it’s a beauty fax pas you would never dream of doing intentionally, but your selfie with tip or word of support encouraging women to go for cervical screening (also known as a smear test), could actually save a life!
Cervical screening is free but is not a test for cancer. It identifies cell changes (abnormalities) on your cervix (the entrance to the womb) caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). These abnormal cells can be removed, helping to prevent cancer. For those old enough to remember, Big Brother / reality TV star Jade Goody sadly died from cervical cancer 10 years ago on 22 March 2009, aged 27. Her death coined the term, the ‘Jade Goody effect’ when screening rates increased following her death. According to reports, the number of women aged 25 to 49 in England who went for screening increased from 69.3% in March 2008 to 72.5% in March 2009.
Flash forward a few years and NHS Digital say the number of eligible women (aged 25-64) going for cervical screening in England has fallen for the fourth year running. Public Health England (PHE) also say that women from ethnic minority groups and women between ages 25-29 are ‘frequent non-attenders’ of screening; but you can help change all this.
It’s not always easy finding complimentary lipstick shades for darker skin tones, but over the past couple of years ranges have expanded.
So why not win twice?
Treat yourself to a shade from one the five brands below and remind someone to go for their cervical screening test!
NARS
When Naomi Campbell announced she is the new face of NARS cosmetics for their Spring 2019 campaigns, social media went crazy. Even though Ms Campbell is one of the most famous supermodels in the world and the first black supermodel to grace the cover of TIME magazine, reports claim she has never fronted a beauty campaign. NARS’ limited edition mini duo ‘audacious lipsticks’ in colours scarlet and mahogany compliment a range of darker skin tones – £20.
Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty shook up the industry when it launched in 2017 with over 40 shades of foundation. It has recently added matte lipsticks to its range – £16.00.
Lush Cosmetics
Lush Cosmetics Lush Cosmetics has a range of ‘cruelty-free, vegan friendly’ lipsticks. If you’re looking for a nice soft deep plum colour, Banjul may be the shade to try – £13.50.
Morphe
Morphe boasts 60 shades of foundation and opened its first UK store at Westfield Stratford in October. The matte lipstick ‘Cheat’ has a nice warm tone, perfect for the winter season – £10.
Sleek MakeUP
Sleek has been a British staple catering for a range of skin tones since it started in 1995. Its Lip V.I.P lipsticks stay true to the brand and come in a variety of hues from orange to purple – £5.49.
You may find a new shade from any of the above that tickles your fancy or, of course, use a lipstick you already have for your #SmearForSmear selfie! For more information on cervical screening and the #SmearForSmear campaign visit Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
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