THE PURSUIT OF GLOSSINESS

Get Naked

2010-08-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

I finally got my mitts on the Urban Decay Naked Palette. I love it. It is hands down the BEST palette I have bought--possibly ever! Every color is totally wearable, blendable and just down right pretty.
If I have to choose, Sin is my fave shade in the mix.
Besides the 12 eyeshadows you also get a mini primer potion and a double sided eyeliner with Zero (black) and Whiskey (rich brown) all packaged in a brown velvety box.

$44 on ulta.com

Beyond Lips: Black Mask

2010-08-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

Now that I find myself (once again) in the pits of unemployment, I have decided to branch out and review other faves of mine beyond lip products.
The perfect thing to start with is Boscia Luminizing Black Mask. I received a sample with my recent Sephora order (it was a promotion code that has ended) and was so excited that it was a peel-off mask! I love peeling anything and everything-especially off my skin. I was the kid in grade school who would slather glue all over my hands and wait anxiously for it to dry just so I could peel it off.
Anyway, this mask has the same concept as the "glue hands of yesteryear." It has a very thick consistency and you spread it generously all over your face and wait patiently for it to dry, this took about 20 minutes. Then peel away my friends.
After peeling my face felt clean, tight and smooth. I will be sure to pick this up on my next Sephora trip.

$34 at Spehora and sephora.com

Staying Organized

2010-07-11T12:14:00.001-07:00

How do you all store your makeup? I used to have a nifty set up of small drawered containers that I set up on a folding shelf, but just don't have the room for it since I moved out of my loft (tears) Any suggestions? Now I have random beauty supplies all over and in diffrent bags, baskets and containers. I need to get organized and STAT! Especially if I keep adding to my collection.

I think it is also time to go through my stuff and throw out anything that is old.
The shelf life of makeup depends on the product, but here are some good rules to live by:

Powders: 2 years
Creams: 1 year
Mascara: 3 months
Eyeliner: 3 months
Nail Polish: I year
Lip Gloss: 18 months
Lipstick: 2 years

If you can't remember when you bought it or the last time you used it--THROW IT OUT!
And obviously if it smells funky or the texture has changed--THROW IT OUT!

Summer Lips

2010-07-05T16:56:00.000-07:00

Here is what I am currently loving for kissable summer lips:
Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment
Just a hint of color and shine. One swipe and you've got healthy looking lips. Expensive, but a real treat. Sephora.com $22.50

Laura Geller Lip StripPut a dab on dry lips at night and scrub, scrub, scrub. Has a fresh and minty taste/feel and will leave your lips soft.

Summer Lips

2010-06-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

Glossy kisses all! It has been a long time since I last wrote. Still loving all things lips. I have been twittering from my glossy account. Follow me! @glossypursuit

Summertime is no time for snarly lips. Keep 'em soft and supple with a lip scrub and a heavy moisturizer at night. I like the Peter Thomas Roth Lips to Die for set or Laura Gellar lip stip. I finish with a healthy dose of aquaphor before heading to bed!

Pout-A-Porter---AH-mazing

2009-09-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Chris Benz hooks up with Lancome to create magic. Seriosuly, the latest in the Pout-a-Porter Lipstick collection is delicious. Chris and Tell is the name (so cheeky) and it is the perfect peachy-pink inspired by Benz's Spring 2010 collection. (check out http://www.chris-benz.com/ if you are unfamilliar...he is brills)
This lippie is sure to sell out fast, as most of the pout-a-porters have. Call Lancome and get put on the list. I did. Or if you want to risk it, you can wait until February and buy it at your local Lancome counter. Either way--I can't wait for next year! I doubt any new lippie willl top this amazing color!

Magic Potion

2009-09-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Amazing....seriously I need a moment to tell you about something that just might be my most favorite lip product to be released in YEARS. Are you ready?
Urban Decay Lip Primer Potion. Silky, smooth and your lip color will not budge with this little gem!
As cooler weather draws upon us, I prefer to pull out my berry and plum colored lipsticks...and I guarantee Lip Primer Potion will be under it all.
No one who wears lipstick should be without this. It is that great. I can't say enough good things. Go out and buy it. You'll love it!
$20.00 for a tube
Sephora.com or Urbandecay.com

Thanks to Emily at my local Spehora for the amazing and awesome recommendation!

Can't wait to get my lips on this

2009-08-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss...amazing colors: think grape, rose, brick, magenta....I have been hearing raves about the formula. I am heading to Sephora this weekend and I am sure will be adding a few of these to my ever-expanding collection of glosses.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P241719&categoryId=C7992&shouldPaginate=true

Answer: Celebrity Lips

2009-07-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

It's Katherine Heigl! Know for Knocked Up, Grey's and now the Ugly Truth. Now while I might find this gal annoying, I do this she is stunning. BUT--not with that dirty dishwater hair and NOT with those pale lips. I would have loved for her to done a bright lip. What about you? Do you like her look, or wish she would have punched it up?

Celebrity Lips

2009-07-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, which actress (I just can't bring myself to call her a star) needs to get some color on her lips STAT?

Glossy on Twitter

2009-07-24T19:14:00.001-07:00

Follow The Pursuit Of Glossiness on twitter!
@glossypursuit

See you there!

Get Pink'd

2009-07-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

Love this. At Sephora right now, you can buy deluxe samplers of Sephora's Favorites. As soon as I saw the one full of pink lip glosses and lipsticks I couldn't resist! Only $37 a pop and you will truly have everything you need to pink your pout. It is truly a great way to try out some different products without committing to a full tube.

This set contains:
- 0.34 oz Laura Geller Lip Strip. A wonderful peperminty scrub for your lips. I love lip scrubs!
- 0.1 oz DuWop Prime Venom. Feels just like the gloss, same tingle, but in a balm. Love it.
- 0.0676 oz Korres Cherry Oil Lip Gloss in Fuschia, a bright pink gloss that goes on fairly sheer. Very pretty.
- 0.23 oz Sephora Super Shimmer in Think Pink. Pink, sutble shimmer. Perfect.
- 0.02 oz Stila Cherry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain. This one I could live without. It is hard to control the color in the classic Stila twist tube. I prefer Vincent Longo Stains...
- 0.1 oz Smashbox O-Gloss, I have been putting off trying this for about a year now. BUT--I must admit I am impressed. This gloss starts off clear and turns into a light pink that is perfect on lips.
- 0.09 oz ck Calvin Klein Lipstick in Mesmerize, Holy fuschia! This is not for the lipstick faint of heart. Very bright, but I would love it for a night out with a LBD. Great formuala!
- 0.26 oz Urban Decay Lipstick in Jilted. I am on the fence about this color. It looks okay, the formual is okay...nothing too special.
- 0.17 oz ck Calvin Klein Plumping Gloss in Bloom. Love this. Beautiful! The name says it all. makes your lips look like a lovely flower bloom.

Are you ever to old....

2009-06-29T21:02:00.000-07:00

So today I was lusting after the new MAC Dazzelgloss from the upcoming Euristocrats II Collection.
The colors are amazing. I stared at swatches and then it hit me. Am I too old to be wearing sparkles in my lipgloss? Now, I am only in mid-20's...but should I break myself of this sparkle habit right now? But, I also do think that MAC does sparkle right with Dazzelgloss.
So, I am seeking your advice!

Give me your opinions, do you think you can ever be too old for sparkles--or is it better left to younger girls?

I just wasted $17.50

2009-06-23T17:26:00.001-07:00

I am going to put this under the most disappointing lip product I may have ever purchased.
Patricia Wexler Advanced No-Injection Lip Plumper. I got it at Bath and Bodyworks during their huge sale. But it was still $17.50 and it is still the worst lip plumper I have ever used.
I love lip plumpers, I love the huge, swollen Angelina Jolie look. I like it when my plumper burns and tingles my lips so I know it is working. With this---no burn, no tingle and the only pout I get is from pouting my own lips in disapointment.
This is one product no one should waste their money on. I expected way more from famous dermatologist Pat Wexler's line.

NUDE lips

2009-06-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

Nude Skincare is a brand I am new too, I saw it on Beauty.com and just had to try it. I was very drawn in by the dusty pink cube packaging.
What did I get? Nude lips of course! This lip blam contains no parabens, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, propylene glycol, phthalates, GMO, mineral oil or silicones. Impressive! And it does a good job moisturizing parched lips. I like to use it at night, before bed..it is a little thick for day. And it is kind of hard, so you have to really rub and use the heat from your hands to make it spreadable for your lips. It is a like, not a love. I don't think I will get it again.
Cost: $14.oo
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=213640&catid=119692

Gloss and Go...that is always how I do it

2009-06-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

The Smashbox Gloss and Go Lip Kit is too cute for words. It is 8 mini-sized lipglosses, it says Limited Edition, and I hope they mean the packaging because the colors are fantastic! And when I say mini-sized, I mean miniature. Each gloss is only 2 mL.
Colors are,
Swift: a shimmery blackberry that looks scary in the tube, lovely on lips.
Pronto: a creamy nude. I love this shade over dark lipstick to soften it up.
Zip: another creamy nude, this one is slightly darker than Pronto.
Glide: a sheer nude with gold shimmer. Very pretty.
Go: My favorite of the bunch, a bright sheer coral with gold shimmer.
Rush: a gold shimmer. Not much to it.
Zoom: A sheer bright pink, my second favorite of the bunch. Very summery.
Snappy: A sheer petal pink.

The colors are great, the formula is not too sticky, there is no overwhelming taste or smell.
My only complaint? I wish they were a tad larger!
This set is $29, which is good, because a full sized smashbox lippie will set you back $18

looking forward

2009-05-22T21:28:00.001-07:00

Upcoming entries about Nude, Smashbox, and more! Stay tuned!

Lipstick Love

2009-05-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

I am in love with a new lipstick. Now I am usually a gloss girl, but I just might consider being a convert! The great things about this lipstick: the colors, the feel, the cost (available at Drugstores! gasp!) Honestly, I can't find anything wrong with it, and I have to say that is rivals my MAC and Dior and YSL Lipsticks. Yeah, it is that good.
Okay, so what is it?
Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor
I can't tell you how amazing it is, well maybe I can. Consider this: I bought one tube from Ulta and 3 hours later I went back and bought 3 more! It is that good.
The colors are so smooth, perfectly pigmented, sleek, moisturizing and it lasts! I wore the first slick from my first tube through 2 lattes and lunch. Impressive.
So let's get to the colors I bought.
#04 Pin-Up Pink: A creamy, dreamy pink that I bought because I wanted delicious lips like my friend Dollbaby. :) It is not too bright, not too light, not too baby pink. It is my new favorite for a petal pink lip.
#28 Rose Rage: A creamy mid-tone rose that looks great on my lips. It is very close to my natural lip tone and looks great topped with a gloss.
#24 Ms. Terious: A great nude/natural lip. Looks great topped with a gold gloss.
#48 Bitten: A beautiful plummy wine color

Give me congrats for doing my first swatches!!

"ulta"mate pink

2009-05-06T18:20:00.000-07:00

I love limited edition lip garb like nobody's business. I feel so special every time I pull out a tube and gloss my lips and someone says "oh that color is great! Where did you get it?" My reply? Limited Edition bitch! So I always pick up anything L.E. Right now at Ulta, Stila Lipglaze in "ulta"mate pink. It comes in the click pen like applicator that most Stila glosses comes in. Smells like bubblegum, it is the perfect sheer pink pearl and looks simply divine on my lips. And in fact I think it would flatter any skin tone. Downside? $22 a pop. Now in this ecomony that is some big clams to shell out, but this oh-so-lovely color is worth it. Now if Stila would just make it regualr.

Answer: Celebrity Lips

2009-04-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

It's Katie Holmes! The pic is from the Independent Filmmaker Project 30th Anniversary party in New York April 25, 2009. She looks great!

Want Katie's lips? Well you can't have them, but you can recreate the look!
Try:
MAC Lipstick in Brick-o-la
Liner: MAC Soar Lip pencil
Gloss: MAC tinted Lipglass in Pop Mode and MAC dazzleglass in Goldy rocks.
Not exact, but very lush and lovely! I tried it and it is perfect for date night or, ummm....hosting the Independent Filmmaker Project 30th Anniversary Party...

Celebrity Lips

2009-04-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Who's lips are looking fierce?

Recession Beauty

2009-04-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Looking for a cheap substitute for your favorite lip gloss during tough economic times? Try this instead of that!

MAC Lip Glass: $16 a tube, at MAC
Wet N' Wild Glassy Gloss: $2.99 a tube, at drugstores
Both give you a glassy, glossy, wet look. Perfect over your favorite lipstick or on bare lips. Similar texture, same look... no one will be able to tell, except your pocketbook. :)

Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle

2009-04-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

MAC and Double Dazzle Collection is the newest spring and summer offering from MAC. Lips certainly dazzle with this gloss. It is available in 18 shades, and 7 of them are new. If you want to check these out---go to your local MAC RIGHT NOW! I went the day after release and they were sold out of many, many colors. What did I pick up? Utterly Posh - Mid-tone orange with pink and gold pear and Bare Necessity - Carmel apricot with red and gold pearl. Both are gorgeous, MAC dose nothing wrong! The color is great, the glitter/shimmer is fine but visible. For me, it is not daily gloss...it is something fun to slick on your lips when you go out with the girls. It has a young and flirty feel. I would not wear it on a date...I think that sparkles on your lips may scare your guy or send him the wrong message, if you know what I mean.
If you are adventurous and can't live with out a little Dazzle in your life, pick up the new MAC Double Dazzleglass. Retails for $18 a tube.
If you check it out, let me know what you think!!

From the MAC press release:
All you need is Love… Lips and Lashes! Summer simplified for the modern makeup minimalist. Double Dazzle will daze the closest competition with colour-changing, light-reflecting pearl-shine lips; paired with a new formula for the ultimate in voluptuous lashes, et voilà! Lips lead: seven new Dazzleglass shades bring the scintillating selection up to 18! The flotilla-of-lights formula imparts the pearl combination with mega-glisten shine, creamy comfort and the subtle sensation of vanilla. Lashes follow: multiplied, volumized, utterly glorified by our newest eye innovation…This sly new small-and-mighty brush has been developed to capture and emphasize each and every lash. Lips, Lashes, Lovers…Look out!

Anwser: Celebrity Lips

2009-04-12T06:56:00.000-07:00

Amy Adams! This picture is from the May 09 cover of W magazine. I just love Amy. Her lips look delicious and red....how beautiful is it paired with pale skin? Perfection is all I can say. Absolute perfection!

Celebrity Lips

2009-04-11T16:52:00.001-07:00

Who is wearing this fierce color on their lips??

Be Good To Your Mother (and don't forget your lips)

2009-04-11T16:41:00.001-07:00

How cute is this? I love tarte lip products, and this cute set is not exception. 3 24.7 Lip Sheers with SPF 15 and a totally cute reusable tote? Too cool. 24.7 Lip Sheers are a summer staple of mine. They have great texture, great color and the all important SPF! The colors included in this set are Reuse: sheer peach Reduce: sheer poppy pink Recycle: sheer beige. My favorite is Reduce. It is the perfect spring shade. A sheer poppy pink that makes lips look healthy and soft.
The packaging is also a plus, shaped just like chapstick, not only is it made of recycled aluminim, it fits perfect in your pants pocket, even if you are wearing the slimmest of jeans.
I have already took my tote to the drugstore :) and recieved no less than 4 compliments!
You can be fabulous and green....this set from Tarte makes it even easier.

Order from Spehora today...it is well worth the $35.oo!

Buxom Lips

2009-03-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I have a love/hate relationship with Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips Lip gloss. I own quite a few in different colors: Trixie, Dolly, Amber, Brandi and the full color gloss Roxanne. First thing, it is supposed to be a lip plumper. I have never ever experienced any sort of plumping action from this gloss. There is a menthol tingle that accompanies the lip gloss but the "buxomness" is underwhelming. The scent/taste is what bothers me the most. I think it is supposed to be a cake batter-like flavor, but it just tastes so wrong to me. I also don't like the feeling it leaves on my lips and it doesn't have great lasting power. I know it seems like I hate this gloss, but I keep buying/trying because I desperately want to like it. The colors are fantastic, it is a more grownup gloss because it is shiny not glassy and the shimmer isn't overbearing. I like wand formula lip gloss. And the packaging for Buxom Lips is super cute. I love it. And I am pretty sure that everyone I know loves this gloss. I just think that I set my expectations too high for this one.

Buxom Lips retails for $18. Try it for yourself and let me know if you like it!
http://store.bareescentuals.com/Buxom+Big+Healthy+Lip+Polish/38776,default,pd.html

I say No to "Yes To Carrots"

2009-03-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about recovering from surgery is I have to go to the drugstore a lot to buy new gauze and such, and I have been making it a point to always pick up some new lip junk in hopes of finding the next great drugstore buy. I have some hits, I have more misses and I have a lot of material to blog about.
Yes to Carrots is a line of Paraben Free products. (I will take this time to note that I am almost obsessed with the Yes to Carrots C-Through the Dry Spell Deliciously Rich Body Butter, I use it daily)
Anyway, I picked up the C Me Smile Lip Butter. It comes in a traditional "chapstick" like container, it is all natural and 95% organic. I was very excited to use it, and well as it goes I was disappointed. I can't get over the smell and taste. It smells nothing like carrot, has an oily sort of smell and whenever I put it on I have a craving for spring rolls because the taste on my lips is that of the spring rolls from my favorite Thai restaurant. I like spring rolls in my belly and not on my lips. I just can't get over it. And it didn't moisturize my lips any better than anything else I have laying around. I don't think I will even continue to use the tube. The Yes to Carrots Lip Butter made me frown.

Green Goes Glam

2009-03-06T19:26:00.001-08:00

on10® Green Glam Gloss in Green Tea is interesting. I don't hate it. But I am not quite sure about it. I just got it in the mail today from Sephora. I was got it because I am a sucker for cute packaging. And it is cute. I expected it to be a little tin, but it is actually in a cardboard pot! So cute, so green! The flavor is just what is says, green tea and they are not joking. It has the taste and smell of a hot pot from your favorite Japanese restaurant. It has SPF 15, which is always a plus in my book. It is not greasy, and has no shine. Dont be fooled by the name, it is most definitly a lip balm not a gloss. It has average hydrating abilities, and over all it is so-so. But, I am sticking it in my purse beacuse I love the packaging! If you can' t live without green tea, go green and give it a try. It is $9 and sold exclusivly at Sephora.

Nivea =Labello

2009-03-01T22:48:00.000-08:00

While spending summers in Germany and around, I was never with out a tube of "lebello." My German friend said it was the best. And she was right. I stocked up on many flavors to send home so when I finally got back to the US I could have the silky smooth lips I enjoyed thanks to my beloved labello. It wasn't just that the lip balm itself was moisturizing. There were so many flavors and treatments - I miss the goodnight kiss labello. I figured I would never get to be a regualr labello user again, and I moved on....Unitl now.

Apparently Nivea and Labello are one. Have you noticed in your drugstore tubes that look like this:
Pick it up. Try it. It is the same products, same tubing and so far I see the same results. This makes me happy! I am not sure how many flavors Nivea offers, but trust me I will find out and let you all know!

Daily Lips

2009-02-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

So sorry about the lack of posts! I had surgery and blogging has been the last thing on my mind. But I am back!
Today I decided to write about some of my favorite "daily use" lip products.
I love, love, love lip scrubs. Peter Thomas Roth Lips to Die For Lip Facial Trio has a great lemon sugar scrub. It leaves lips incredibly soft. It is definitely the stand out product of the trio. I like to use a lip scrub at night before bed and then later on a thick, rich lip moisturizer. The draw back is the other two products are okay, and it is expensive! At $60, I don't think this is a product I will purchase again.
My current favorite is Beauty Rehab Rose Salve. It goes on light, but is so moisturizing and smells great! At only $10, I suggest you pick some up and be on your way to soft, luscious lips.
I have a deep affection for rose, because Smiths Rosebud Salve ends up on my lips just about every day. I love the cute tin it comes in and it gives your lips a healthy sheen.
If my lips are very dry I always reach for Aquaphor healing ointment. I have a tube within reach
at all times. It was a godsend when I took accutane, and years later still knocks out chapped lips quick.
If I need a tube of chapstick to put in my pocket I love, love, love Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15. Goes on smooth and leaves your lips soft and fresh. Bonus--it smells wonderful! The only downside is it is expensive, $22.50 a tube. Want something more pcoketbook friendly? Pick up a tube of cocoa butter for 99 cents at your local drugstore. It is super mositurizing and a great cheap thrill.
There you have it. The bare necessities when it comes to lips!

Answer: Celebrity Lips

2009-02-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay in posting...to say things have been crazy would be an understatement!

The celebrity who dared to wear lavender lips is...Lady Gaga! Gotta hand it to her, it takes some balls to wear that color on your lips, and have you seen some of her wild outfits!? (and why does she never have on pants?)

I don't think I would wear this color--ever. The closest I would come is a lavender gloss, which can look quite lovely.

Celebrity Lips

2009-02-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

Who decided that this was the lip color to step out in?

Feel the Love

2009-01-31T11:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, now I know that it isn't quite February yet, and that means that Valentine's Day is still a few weeks away but I can't resist! RED LIPS! A lot of girls I know are afraid of red lips--don't be! My two favorite things to wear red lips with are: A LBD or jeans and a white tank. Both combinations are perfect- one glam, one casual but both with a fierce, sexy punch of color on your lips.
So here's to red! And if you don't think you can wear red, you're wrong! You just have to find the right color. Here are my favorites in no particular order.
*MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Russian Red- a highly pigmented bluish-red that is best applied with a lip brush. This color was made specifically for Madonna! (loves!)
*CoverGirl TruSine Lip Color in Valentine Shine- a strawberry shade that looks great layered on for a more intesnse look or one coat topped with gloss. So pretty.
*Urban Decay Ultraglide Lip Gloss in Gash- a deep ruby red gloss with shimmer.
*Clinique Different Lipstick in Angel Red- a good medium red, this is probably the red I recommend for beginners! It stays put on your lips and is just a great color. Nicloe Kidman wore this color in the movie Moulin Rouge!
*Make Up For Ever Super Lip Gloss in True Red--the names says it all.
*Vincent Longo Lipstain SPF 15 Lipstick in Cherry- A sheer, glossy red perfect for summer.
*Kiehl's Lip Balm SPF 15 in Hue No 30G--Give your lips moisture and color in one dose! This looks really bright, but it is actually very sheer.

Now when I wear red lipstick it is the only time I even consider putting on lip liner. It helps to keep the red where it belongs. For this I love Sally Hansen Invisible Lip Liner. Perfect, it really is invisible and helps keep the color on your lips and not on your face.

Answer: Celebrity Lips

2009-01-28T16:47:00.001-08:00

Jessica Simpson! This is one of her so-called "fat" pictures from a chili cook off in Florida this past weekend (has her career really come to that!?) She looks as if the only part of her she hasn't plumed is her lips. Her trout pout was quite severe a few years ago. Do you remember that? But the former Daisy Duke sure could use some gloss.
Would you ever use Restylane to plump up your lips? Not I! I don't like the whole fish-face look, and quite honest gals--if you have skimpy lips--rock them!

Celebrity Lips

2009-01-27T20:56:00.000-08:00

Which Restylane-lovin' country crooner (I think she still dose that---both country and restylane) needs some chapstick and gloss??

stained

2009-01-26T19:00:00.000-08:00

Lip stains are perfect for spring--like you just ate a cherry Popsicle, perfect for a night out--you don't have to reapply, perfect for kissing---not too messy....if and only if you can find the right color. Today at my local Walgreen's the Cover Girl display caught my eye. Outlast Lip Stain. I was curious. It was cute, looked like a chubby magic market. I grabbed color 415, teasing blush and off to try this new drugstore find. Result? Impressed! The color is more red than blush for sure, and the actual application is reminiscent of grade school and markers but over all---pretty good! When applying a lip stain it is vital your lips are free from product and smooth (make sure to use a lip scrub so you have no unsightly flakes!) then just color your lips! One coat for a wash of color, and two for more intense. Let it dry, then top with your favorite gloss (MAC lipglass of course!) you'll have great color that really will last hours if you have a quality stain.
My Favorite Lip Stains
*Benetinit Pocket Pal--the original rose stain in a handy to-go tube with clear gloss on the other end! Brilliant!
*Laura Mercier Lip Stain in Sugar Violet, a deep mauve color that has the constancy of a gloss, the wear of a stain and the color of a lip stick! (Tip---I love it topped with Benefit 24krt gloss!)
*Urban Decay Lip Envy in Envious, a bright pink stain that looks fresh and hip with a naked face.
*LORAC Sheer Wash, another good rosy hued stain.
*Vincent Longo Gel Stain in Baby Boo----a deep plum color that is divine with a baby pink gloss on top.

If you have never used a lip stain and are curious, pick up the Cover Girl Lip Stain, it is a steal at $6.00 a pop!

MUSE

2009-01-24T16:22:00.001-08:00

The best gloss I have purchased in a long while! Smashbox Muse Lip Paint from the Spring 2009 (I can't believe we are there already!) is a great soft colored lip gloss. Not too sticky, plenty shiny, great color---what is not to love? I bought Artiste, a great slightly darker than natural lips shade with a fine glimmer to it. Absolutely perfect! It comes in two other shades which I will be sure to pick up! If you are looking for a great light spring lip make sure you pick up this great gloss.

Answer: Celebrity Lips

2009-01-22T18:14:00.001-08:00

Kelly Osborne! This girl always has some crazy lips going on. But I better be careful what I say...after all she was arrested for slapping a paparazzi after they called her bf stupid. :)

Celebrity Lips

2009-01-19T18:25:00.000-08:00

These just might be the worst lips ever to be photographed! Do you know who this tragedy belongs to?

Green Lips

2009-01-18T20:56:00.000-08:00

A post about my favorite natural and/or organic lip products! (Just for you D!) Personally, I don't really worry about lead in my beauty products, but I do make an effort to stay animal and environmental friendly- so here are some products that will beautify your lips and keep our world lush! Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers- I love the color nutmeg. It is a rich and creamy red-ish color that is beautiful yet casual. Peacekeep lip gloss in Eternal Equity. Cool Bonus, profits go to women's health and human rights organizations! Dr. Bronner's Magic Organic Naked Lip Balm is great for an extra dose of moisture. The Body Shop Sheer Lip Shine is soft and a great wash of color. Last but not least, Aubrey Organics makes great lip glosses, I like Blush Pearl.
There you have it my friends, you can be green and gorgeous!

Gone But Not Forgotten

2009-01-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

One thing I hate is when a product I love becomes discontinued! It breaks my heart. I am all nostalgic today thinking about the past, so I thought I'd give you a look at my most missed lip products!
1. LORAC Lip Addiction in Super Hot--best plumper ever!
2. This rosemary mint lip balm that was sold at bath and body works! I can't for the life of me remember exactly what it was called, but I loved it. It had the perfect texture, and it is the only goo I my boyfriend would kiss! If you remember it--let me know what it was!
3. Urban Decay Lip Pencil in Lounge---this was the most perfect color, the exact pinky shade of my lips. I don't use lip liner much so I am hoping that I never run out.
4. Christian Dior Shine Addict lipcolor in #222--not the new, reformulated color. The old one was perfect. It made your lips look slightly wet and very sexy.
5. Urban Decay Lip Gunk- (come on Urban Decay!) These were the best lippies! They tasted like a yummy treat, but still had a grown up sheen. I loved Shifty (a bronze summery gloss) and Cherry.
6. Cover Girl Lipslicks in a Hint of Shimmering Sandstone- one of the best drugstore buys ever! Very creamy and fool proof in a gorgeous nude shimmer.
7.Lancome Juicy Tube in Fifth Avenue Frosting---I miss you!
8. Revlon Line and Shine- Brillinat, a lipline on one end, gloss on the other. A time and space saver in great colors! Nude Shine, Toast Shine and Buff Shine were winners.
9. Smashbox Fusion Lip Illusion---probably the most strange looking product--black gloss on one end and white on the other, each end, mixed with your favorite lipsticks and gloss each gloss turned your beauty loot into new shades. Black for deeper berry lips (and a delicious berry sent!) and white was perfect for lighening up thoes too dark lip shades (with a vanilla sent!) A must have, and a must bring back if I do say so myself.
10. Vincent Longo Baby Balm--okay this one isn't discontinued, but you can't find the brand at Sephora or Ulta anymore, which makes for a major annoyance in my life.

So what is a girl to do when her favorite lippie is discontinued? You can pay big bucks to have a colorist match it and make a new one, or you can sieze the opportunity to stock up on new stuff and find a new favorite.

Answer: Celebrity Lips

2009-01-12T18:27:00.000-08:00

Did you all watch the Golden Globes? Thoughts?
The lovely ladies that own the lips from the previous post are as follow: (clockwise)
Drew Barrymore America Ferrera Anne Hathaway Hayden Panettiere

Who had your favorite lips at the Golden Globes?

Celebrity Lips: Golden Globes Edition 2009

2009-01-11T18:17:00.000-08:00

Who had the best lips walking the red carpet?
Guess who owns these gorgeous puckers.
Check back for the answers!

Plump, Plump, Plump it up

2009-01-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on lip plumpers? Take 'em or leave 'em. They fall into the nice to have, but not necessary category. Ever since my beloved LORAC Lip Addiction in Super Hot was discontinued I haven't been very impressed. I like a plumper that burns, that stings, and gives me that sexy flushed lipped look. LipFusion XL is a good second, followed by cult fav DuWop Lip Venom.
I like a clear gloss plumper....if you need color apply it BEFORE lipstick. That gives you a nice stained lip look. I also like plumers infused with cinnamon, I like to feel the burn.
If you don't have a plumper at hand, the old stand by of a dot of gold gloss on the lower lip really can make your pout appear fuler. Gotta love illusions.

Spring Lips

2009-01-05T20:23:00.000-08:00

What does Spring hold for your lips? NUDE and NATURAL! Bobbi Brown says a nude lipstick is best for spring, and Behnaz Sarafpour (love, love, love) is loving lips with just lip conditioner on, very healthy with a slight glisten.
What do you think? Are you excited for nude lips?
My favs---which I will be pulling out for spring:
Nude Lipstick: Smashbox lipstick in Elegant or Charming (Charming is more pink-nude)
Natural Lips: Smith's Rosebud Salve
Nude Lippie: NARS Lipgloss in turkish delight or MAC lipglass in Florubundance

Luxury at its glossiness

2008-12-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things about winter is looking forward to spring! And it looks like it will be a good one! take a look at CHANEL LÈVRES SIGNÉES CHANEL Satin Lip Cream (Limited Edition) is absolutely stunning. Who wouldn't want to gloss their lips with the oh-so-iconic "c's"? I love the Glossimers (Peach Glow is the best!) and this looks just as good, even-dare I say it- better! The reds are rich, the pinks not too tart, the bronze sophisticated and the nudes stunning. I lingered at the Chanel counter wishing and-a-hoping for this, however at $60 (and being still umemployed) it will have to wait, until---spring.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3018848/0~2377897~2377898~6001822?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001822&P=2

Answer: Celebrity Lips

2008-12-22T10:23:00.000-08:00

That's right! (to the one person who commented xxoo) Katie Holmes is the owner of these sad lips.
First off, get yourself some Abreva--that looks like a nasty crust of a cold sore. And maybe take sometime to smear some Aquaphor on your dry, dry lips. (I am not a big fan of Vaseline on lips, but Aquaphor is love.) Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. Once you have them, your stuck with them. For the record, I do not have them, thank god, I couldn't live with a crust on my lip. Do you think Tommy Girl gave them to his lady?

Lip Gloss = Skinny, No thanks!

2008-12-21T13:19:00.000-08:00

Let's just file this under the pleasethisissostupid heading.
THINGloss. That's right, THIN GLOSS. As in skinny. As in America is fat and will do anything for hopes of losing half a pound. Express Effects Cosmetics saves the day with Thingloss, which for the record I have never used, a pal emailed me and thought I should write about it :)
Among the most ridiculous claims:
"Infused with vibrational healing energies to help uplift your spirits through the healing benefits of aromatherapy." Really!? I don't think that belongs on my lips. The gloss contains Hoodia, which is supposed to be an appetite suppressant, when ingested. I have a hard time believing that just putting it on your lips it would have the same effect. It comes in two colors a pink and a nude and one has the name of "whole wheat hottie." I am not kidding. The price for this hopeful concoction? $28.00! Yes, it will set you back $28.00 big ones.
I think I will pass.

http://www.expresseffects.com/index.shtml

Celebrity Lips

2008-12-21T13:13:00.000-08:00

Who is the unfortunate owner of this disaster of a pucker?

Super Juicy

2008-11-23T18:36:00.000-08:00

A great gift for your favorite glossy gal, or yourself. Lancome Juicy Tubes are a favorite lippy. They have a great sheen, flavor, hint of color, and a dose of moisture--perfect for winter lips. This adorable new set called Rose Fishnets is available at Sephora and is a steal at $35.00 (a regular sized Juicy Tube is $18.00) The five colors in the set are great, the stand out being Rose Fishnets, a rose-nude with perfect gold flecks that catch the light for a delicious pout.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P225103&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=1741#ratingsReviewsTab

Answer: Celebrity Lips

2008-11-12T12:14:00.001-08:00

The owner of yesterdays lips is...
Kim Kardashian!
Kim is a fan of Stila Lip Polish (her color is Glisten, which honestly looks good on EVERYONE!)
and of course MAC and Nars lipsticks and glosses.
I have to admit, her lips always look amazing!

Celebrity Lips

2008-11-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

Guess what celeb is the lucky owner of this pucker! Take a guess in the comments section. I'll post the answer tomorrow!

Welcome!

2008-11-09T17:54:00.000-08:00

I am finally putting my obsession with lip products to good use. It all began when Santa filled my stocking with Avon chapsticks. The smoothness, the flavor- my lips had moist look, as if I had just lightly licked them. I was in love. Then it was Bonne Bell Lip Smackers (I never really jumped on the Dr. Pepper bandwagon, I was more of a watermelon girl.) I then loved lipstick, Jane shy of shrimp to be exact (a creamy pink that only a girl in Jr. High would dream of smearing on her lips) Then it was a full blown obsession, or addiction. I am never without multiple products that will smooth, color and gloss my lips.
I will be writing about all the lip products I love, the ones I hate, new ones and old ones- and handing out my recomendations.
Enjoy!