A lipstick tube is a cylindrical-shaped device that usually is made of either metal or plastic. The base of the tube is typically twisted by hand to push the lipstick up and out so that it can be applied to the lips. After applying, turning the base of the tube in the opposite direction usually pulls the lipstick back inside. There typically is a cap that is placed on top of the tube to protect the open end of the lipstick from damage. Lipstick tubes generally are small enough to fit inside a purse or makeup bag, which can make it easy for people to take with them to reapply lipstick as needed.
Ingredients used to make lipstick generally consist of oils, waxes, pigments, and various additives. While castor oil is the most common type of oil used in the manufacturing process, some products may contain olive or mineral oil instead. Waxes in lipstick can include beeswax, carnauba wax, or candelilla wax. The pigments are dyes that give the lipstick its individual color. All of these ingredients are combined together, poured into a mold to harden, and then inserted into a lipstick tube.