Objective Methods for Quantifying Color Retention and Bleeding Potential of a Lipstick Through Large-Scale Panel Perception and Controlled Usability Studies.

Color retention and bleeding are two properties of lipstick performance which impact consumer acceptability and preference. Before now, the claims of long-wear and non-bleeding had yet to be meaningfully substantiated quantitatively. Lack of objectively defined parameters and measurement methods inhibits one's ability of obtaining adequate claims support. In this study, we designed a 30-member, controlled-usability study to develop methods that quantify color retention and bleeding potential. Image analysis methods were used to measure lip color properties at the time points of baseline, immediate after application, and 8 hours of wear. Large-scale panel perception studies were conducted to obtain consumer acceptability criteria and establish consumer relevance of the objectively measured parameters. Our results show that the methods developed can quantitatively describe the color properties. Eight hours after application, the mean levels of color retention and bleeding potential for this specific lip color were 82.67% and 2.43, respectively. The results of panel perception studies helped establish threshold values for lip color performance acceptability, that is, if a color retention level was lower than 82.7%, or a bleeding potential level was higher than 2.37, the performance would not be deemed acceptable. The methods and results reported here serve as a useful tool for the evaluation of lip color performance in future development of quality lip color formulations.