I’m not a big fan of lipstick, and usually just go with a clear gloss, but sometimes I’d like a little subtle color. I’ve been looking for a lipstain, but have struck out at the drugstore. I did pick up a Burt’s Bees lip shimmer in rhubarb which I do like a lot, but it smells a bit medicinal for everyday use. Anyone have any tips?

For some unknown reason I have been experimenting with Sally Hansen lip products recently.  I LOVE her Invisible Lip Liner but I also like her Smile Brightening Lip Treatement (not REALLY a treatment but nice lip gloss that is supposed to make your teeth look whiter) in Luminous. I have also tried her Lip Inflation which is supposed to be a lip plumper (again not really much of a plumper but does a nice job of glossing your lips). 

NEXT I’m going to try the Neutrogena Lip sheers which are supposed to be nice.

I have used the Burt’s Bees lip glosses and did like them though their staying power was NIL. 

As with soooo many products I think mixing and matching is a good strategy.  Lip gloss over lipstick or vice-versa until you get a result you like.

HI ANGELA,

URBAN DECAY MAKES A GREAT ONE CALLED LIP ENVY.  I USE THE “ENVIOUS” COLOR, WHICH IS PINK ON THE BORDERLINE WITH RED.  I USE IT UNDER MY PINKS AND REDS TO MAKE THEM LAST LONGER.  TARGET ALSO CARRIES ONE MADE BY SONIA KASHUK (SP?).  I THINK ALL STAINS ARE CREATED EQUAL, THEY ARE ALL MADE FROM THE SHELL OF A SMALL BEETLE CALLED A COCHINEAL.  KINDA GROSS ACTUALLY, BUT THEY WORK.  I’M SURE SOME OF THEM PROBABLY HAVE DYE IN THEM TOO, BUT THEN I SUPPOSE THEY WOULD LAST LONGER.  I’M NOT REALLY A FAN OF THE ORIGINAL BENEFIT TINT, IT’S TOO LIQUID AND IS HARD TO APPLY TO THE LIPS.  I LIKE THE URBAN DECAY BETTER BECAUSE IT HAS A LITTLE SWEETNESS TO THE TASTE AND IT COMES IN A NON-SPILL BOTTLE WITH A SLANTED SPONGE APPLICATOR.  IT’S NOT CHEAP AT $16 BUT IT LASTS A LONG TIME AND COMES IN THREE DIFFERENT COLORS.

I SOUND LIKE AN URBAN DECAY SALESMAN DON’T I?  YOU CAN FIND IT ON BEAUTY.COM OR SEPHORA (BUT BEAUTY .COM/DRUGSTORE.COM HAS FREE SHIPPING WITH $25 PURCHASE.  THEY ARE THE SAME STORE).

WHAT I NEED IS A MASCARA THAT’S WATERPROOF AND STILL REALLY PLUMPS AND THICKENS.  I HAVE BEEN REALLY UNHAPPY WITH WHAT I’VE FOUND SO FAR.  I EVEN PAID $38 FOR A FUSION MASCARA, AND IT SUCKED!! ANY HINTS? I REALLY NEED IT TO BE WATERPROOF.  WE HAVE A LOT OF RAIN AND POLLEN IN FLORIDA....

Thanks for the good advice—I do love the Sonia Kashuk mineral makeup, so I just may try her lipstain . . . I agree about the Burt’s Bees, by the way, JudyO-- I still like it, but it doesn’t stick as long as I’d like . . .

Keetagirl, have you tried Maybelline XXL waterproof mascara? I used to live in Florida, and used it there with great results—no flaking or smearing in the humidity, and my very average lashes looked better-than-average, with no clumps. I live in St. Louis now, but with our humid summers, it’s still my go-to waterproof mascara.

You know.. I am still a fan of the old school covergirl lip shimmers.. I forgot their exact name.. but I used them in high school and recently rediscovered them..

Love it!

i have body shop’s lip and cheek stain. they were one sale buy one take one so it was quite a bargain. they were great too!

Neutrogena tinted lipbalm. a great no-makeup makeup :)

Pretty obsessed with Benefit’s Benetint. It’s so perfect and even better, made with rose water.

Just an update from my end—found some e.l.f. cosmetics at Big Lots over the weekend, including a two pack (for $1.80) containing a Moisture Care Lip Color and a Super Glossy Lip Shine—I gave the gloss to my daugher (too frosty for me) but kept the lip color and love it—soft super-sheer color (this one’s a soft pink) and moisturizing besides.
Thanks, too, for all the great tips . . . keep ‘em coming!

Benetint is always going to be the gold standard for everyone I know, it has a natural color and works for hours on many skintones (Alek Wek might be an exception...). But for something cheaper,Revlon’s cheek stains last the same amount of time,it’s just that they come in three colors so you need to find the one that suits you best.

I can’t think of the exact name right now, but Stila makes a great lip stain in a pinkish color...hautelook.com is having a stila sale on friday (july 18)...everything up to 75% off...i’m hoping to find this lip stuff at a great budget price!

covergirl everlast in cinnamon stick!!!  : )

Cover Girl came out with lipstains that look like markers for their Outlast line.