Maybelline Superstay!  Great color choices, and it lasts a really long time.  But the best thing of all…. the shiny topcoat never leaks in your purse because it’s in a stick, not a gloss.  I think it’s only 8 or 9 bucks.

And if you wait until your local drugstore has a sale, you’ll save even more.

MaxFactor Lipfinity has been a very successful one for me.  You apply the lip “paint” when you are doing your make-up and then apply the clear gloss stick over it to keep it shiny.  Because all the color has been applied at home in front of a mirror, touch up is really easy.  All you are doing is putting on a clear gloss.

The down side is that is does get dry if you don’t keep the gloss on.  And at the end of the day, it doesn’t feel as fresh on your lips.  But I have been very happy to be able to eat and drink and still have lip gloss on when everyone else’s has come off.  I also like that I don’t leave lipstick marks everywhere.

They run about $8.

I’ve always had trouble finding a lipstick that won’t chap my lips, make it dry and cracked. But once I tried using Revlon products, my search ended. It’s the one lipstick that keeps my pout in tiptop shape!

I love the Sonia Kushuk lipsticks from Target.  a tip for making them stay is putting a pressed powder over.  or even a shimmery blush lightly dusted over the lipstick then you get even more shimmer!!

My favorite budget lipstick is MegaColors from Wet n Wild, believe it or not!!  It has a creamy, moisturizing formula with shea butter and vitamin E that feels great and stays on for a surprisingly long time (I’m sure it helps that I use a lipliner, though - but then I use lipliner with ALL of my lipsticks).  I like it every bit as much as the Prescriptives lipstick I used to pay $18 for in the department store.  Plus, it comes in 20 great colors. 

The best part, though, is the price - I can usually find it for $1.99!!!  Most drugstores have Wet n Wild, so I don’t have to go to the mall if I run out.  :)