Hare Lipstick is a unique and well-loved color-changing lipstick. At first glance, it looks bright green, but once applied to the lips, it gradually turns into a delicate pink shade. The result is a soft reddish-pink color that still looks natural and fresh on the lips.
In Indonesia, this lipstick is popularly known as “Arab lipstick” because it is often brought home as a souvenir by Hajj or Umrah pilgrims returning from Mecca. In Saudi Arabia, Hare Lipstick can be found in many shops around Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque of Mecca. However, one important thing to know is that although this lipstick is often called Arab lipstick or Moroccan lipstick, it is not actually made in Saudi Arabia. The authentic version is made in Taiwan.
According to my mother, Hare Lipstick has been sold in local Indonesian markets since she was young, around the 1970s. So, for many Indonesian women, this lipstick is not a new beauty trend. It is a nostalgic product that has been around for decades.
Many Westerners, especially Europeans and Americans, know this product as Moroccan Hare Magic Color Changing Lipstick because they first discovered it while traveling in Morocco. This is understandable, as not many Europeans or Americans travel to Mecca, especially since most of them are not Muslims. Besides Morocco, Hare Lipstick can also be found in several Arab-influenced countries in North Africa, such as Tunisia. In traditional markets in Tunis, this lipstick is often sold at a very affordable price, especially when converted into Indonesian rupiah.
Hare Lipstick has many devoted fans around the world. Many European and American beauty bloggers have reviewed it, which has helped make the product more widely known. Apart from its very affordable price, this lipstick is also loved because it is said to contain simple ingredients, moisturizes the lips, gives a long-lasting soft pink stain, and does not look too bold or tacky.
Unfortunately, many fake Hare Lipsticks, often made in China, are widely distributed around the world. The fake version can look almost identical to the authentic one, making it difficult to tell them apart at first glance. This is concerning because fake lipstick may contain unknown or potentially unsafe ingredients. The wide circulation of fake Hare Lipsticks has also damaged the reputation of this product in Indonesia. As a result, many people have become suspicious of the ingredients and safety of Hare Lipstick in general.
The authentic Hare Lipstick lists the following ingredients:
Hydrogenated Castor Oil (44%), Paraffin (20%), Ethylhexyl Palmitate (15%), Copernicia Cerifera Wax (12%), Ceresin (5%), Cera Alba (2%), Pigment (1%) C.I. No. 19140 (Yellow 5) and 42090 (Blue 1), Perfume (0.85%), and Propylparaben (0.15%).
Personally, I do not like the fact that this lipstick contains paraben, specifically propylparaben. I usually prefer to avoid products that contain parabens. However, in this case, I can still compromise because the percentage is very low, only 0.15%. I also have to admit that, for such an inexpensive lipstick, it works very well on my lips.
Apart from the paraben, there is one more thing I dislike about this lipstick: the packaging. The tube looks rather old-fashioned and not very elegant. It gives the impression of a very cheap product, which, in reality, it is. Because of this, I sometimes feel less confident using it for touch-ups in public.
For that reason, I usually use Hare Lipstick as a daily lip moisturizer at home or as a base lip balm before applying my favorite lipstick, INIKA Certified Organic Vegan Lipstick in the shade Sheer Peach. INIKA is a halal-certified organic vegan lipstick made in Australia. I may write a separate review about it in the future.
Now, let’s discuss how to distinguish authentic Hare Lipstick from the fake version.
1. The Color of the Lipstick Tube
The authentic Hare Lipstick comes in a good-quality green plastic tube. The green color of the authentic tube is usually darker and richer than the fake one.
In comparison, the fake Hare Lipstick often comes in a brighter green tube. The plastic may also look cheaper or less solid. Another noticeable difference is the size. The authentic lipstick tube is usually slightly shorter than the fake one.
These differences may seem small, but they can be useful when you compare the two products side by side.
2. The Sticker on the Bottom of the Tube
The authentic Hare Lipstick has a round gold sticker attached to the bottom of the tube. The sticker usually includes the Hare brand name, the number 33, the expiry date, and the country of manufacture: Made in Taiwan R.O.C.
The diameter of the sticker is almost the same size as the diameter of the tube itself.
The fake version may not have a sticker at all. In some cases, it may have a gold round sticker, but the sticker is usually smaller than the one on the authentic product. Sometimes, the sticker may look similar, but the country of manufacture is different. Fake versions are commonly labeled Made in China or Made in P.R.C.
This is one of the most important details to check before buying Hare Lipstick.
3. The Color of the Inner Tube
Both the authentic and fake versions have plastic inner tubes. However, there is a clear difference in color.
The authentic Hare Lipstick has a green inner tube that matches the color of the lipstick itself. Meanwhile, the fake version often has a white inner tube.
This is a simple but useful sign. If the inner tube is white, you should be more cautious.
4. The Color and Texture of the Lipstick
The authentic Hare Lipstick has a bright green color. By contrast, the fake version usually has a slightly darker or duller green shade.
The texture is also different. The authentic lipstick feels solid and does not break easily, even if it is accidentally dropped or used for a long time. The fake lipstick, on the other hand, tends to crack more easily and does not feel as firm or stable as the authentic one.
A good texture is important not only for appearance, but also for comfort and safety when applying the product to the lips.
5. The Smell
The authentic Hare Lipstick has a natural, old-fashioned lipstick scent. It is difficult to describe exactly, but the smell reminds me of the lipsticks my mother used to buy when I was a child in the 1980s. According to my mother, this scent is also very similar to the lipstick smell she remembered from her youth.
The fake Hare Lipstick smells different. It often has a melted plastic smell, although sometimes it may smell slightly like chewing gum. However, the most dominant scent is usually the unpleasant plastic-like smell.
For me, the smell is one of the easiest ways to notice that something is wrong with the product.
6. The Effect on the Lips
The authentic Hare Lipstick gives a good moisturizing effect, especially on dry and chapped lips. It also helps soften the texture of the lips. In my experience, using this lipstick feels similar to using a lip balm or lip gloss, but lighter.
It does not darken my lips, and the color lasts quite a long time. The pink stain remains even after eating and drinking, and it is also fairly kiss-proof.
As for the fake version, I personally do not know the exact effect because I do not dare to apply it to my lips. However, according to some people who have used Hare Lipstick with characteristics similar to the fake version, it may cause several unpleasant effects. Some say it makes their lips feel drier than before. Others say it gradually darkens their lips. A few people have even reported a burning or itchy sensation shortly after applying it.
Because lipstick is applied directly to the lips, it is very important to be careful with fake products. We may accidentally ingest a small amount of lipstick while eating or drinking, so unknown ingredients can be risky.
Final Thoughts
Hare Lipstick may look simple and inexpensive, but the authentic version has a long history and many loyal fans. Its color-changing effect, soft pink shade, moisturizing feel, and affordable price make it a charming product for everyday use.
However, because many fake versions are widely available, buyers need to be careful. Before purchasing, pay attention to the tube color, bottom sticker, manufacturing country, inner tube color, lipstick texture, smell, and effect on the lips.
If possible, buy from a trusted seller and avoid products that look suspicious, smell strange, or have unclear labeling.
I hope this article helps you recognize the difference between authentic and fake Hare Lipstick, so you can choose more safely and confidently.
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