Popsicle Lipgloss

If you're like me and you prefer lipgloss over lipstick, you know that sometimes life can get a little boring with that YLBB (your-lips-but-better) sheen. A few weeks ago I was pawing through my makeup bag and decided to try something new. 

You know when you were little and sucked on a red popsicle and the insides of your lips would be this gorgeous cherry red color? Yeah, for some reason I think that's really sexy, and just decided to stick some dark red gloss on the part where my lips touch. It's not hugely noticeable (I doubt anyone other than me takes note) but for some reason it makes me happy.

Here are some photos, which have more to do with the love I have for my iPhone and the fact that lipgloss photos are sexy, than for any need to really illustrate the process.

:: Popsicle Lipgloss Technique ::

Step 1. Apply a light pink, candy-colored gloss to the whole lip. I used L'Oreal Color Riche Lipgloss in Soft Pink (110).

Step 2. Apply a dark cherry red gloss to the insides of your lips, where they meet. I used the same brand listed above in Rich Red (300).

Step 3. Rub your lips together a bit to blend. 

I'd love to hear your lip gloss techniques in the comments.

Rec Request: SPF Lip Balm

You guys have been hot with the comments lately, and I love it. Keep them coming.

I had a request for a recommendation on a lip balm to replace a beloved Lip Smackers addiction. Personally I'm not a huge fan of Lip Smackers, save for the Dr. Pepper flavor which is just inexplicably addictive. (Did you know there's prune juice in Dr. Pepper?) They always feel slightly filmy to me and my lips feel drier in the long run. 

My holy grail lip balm in terms of overall delivery of moisture, shine/plumpness, and SPF content has to be Neutrogena's Lip Moisturizer. This balm makes your lips look *so* good, it glides on smoothly with no waxy feel, and it has an SPF of 15 to protect your lips from shriveling up and rotting off (as one commenter so vividly put it).

If you've never tried this, I would suggest picking up a tube. You will probably find yourself picking up a few more so you have spares. It's difficult to find but if you live in my town, you can find it at Wegman's.

So Sexy

:: Victoria's Secret So Sexy Hair Care Products ::

I am sooooOOoo in love with the "So Sexy" line of hair care products (shampoo, conditioner, styling products) from Victoria's Secret. There is something really intoxicating about the scent. The formulations on these products are reasonably good too. I could extoll to you their virtues, but the scent is really what I'm raving about here, and I don't want to waste time talking about the ingredient list. Just run and get these. They are on sale currently, 3 products for $21. If all of my friends' hair starts smelling this good, I may end up sniffing hair all damn day long.

While you're at it, pick up a few of the Beauty Rush lip glosses. I own a lot of balms/glosses, so trust me when I say the Beauty Rush formula is really stellar. The color is subtle but rocks, and they moisturize so well I find myself feeling like my lips are marinated. I know that's a weird analogy but it's how I feel, so deal with it.

Sexy. Mother. Pucker.

Leave it to hottie Micala to recommend one of the best products I've used on my lips in ages.

If the name alone doesn't suck you in and make you buy it, the fact that is feels like bee stings on your lips should be enough to convince you. Found this at Target for $9.99.

:: Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss ::

Good things:

1. Comes in clear, and nude, and maybe others that I didn't see. I bought the clear.
2. Has a delightful chocolate/orange scent that is subtle, not too cupcakey.
3. Marketed as a lip plumper, but I think it should be seen more as a "vibrator for the lips." For the first few minutes it feels like any other gloss, then you start to feel a massive tingling that makes your lips feel like they were stung by bees. Scary? Maybe. But not for those of us into a lil bit of pain. It *does* smooth out lip texture and give you plumpy, juicy lips.
4. Cute, retro packaging and marketing.

Bad things:

1. Sticky, which is good for staying power, but bad if it's a windy day and you have long hair.
2. A tad expensive for a gloss, but I would have spent twice as much.

Hyper. Shine.

LooooOOOOoooOOOooooooOOooOoOOOOve this lip glos. Love. Love. Love. You can find this at most Target stores or online.

:: E.L.F. Hypershine Lip Gloss in Nude ::

Good Things:

1. It's $1.
2. Ultra shiny, but not ultra sticky.
3. Nice scent and taste.
4. Fairly long lasting and conditioning.
5. Brush-on applicator is very nice.
6. Similar to the Stila glosses.

Bad Things:

1. For $1, nothing is bad about this.

Red Lipstick

Every girl needs a tube of red lipstick that looks drop-dead gorgeous on her. I ask you, what's your favorite red lipstick? Post a comment, and be sure to mention your coloring (hair/skin color) so that others can benefit from these recommendations.

Me? My current fave is New York Color Ultra Moist LipWear in Retro Red. I have a fair, somewhat rosy complexion and reddish brown hair.

Sssssuper LustroussssS

Love this gloss. Magnificent!

:: Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss ::

Good things:
Sticky but not too sticky.
Good staying power.
Shades are wonderful. I like Cherries in the Glow. It's a wonderful "YLBB" shade for me (makeup lingo for "your lips but better").

Bad things:
As with all glosses, doesn't stay on forever. That's why you should carry one with you at. all. times.

Is this thing on?

*clears throat* check one, two. check. check. I can't believe I'm blogging.

I'm going to start out by telling you about one of my recent faves.

:: badger lip balms ::

Good things:
They come in all sorts of flavors (my favorite is chai rose).
They glide on smooth. Kind of like the Neutrogena lip balms but with better flavor.
Not too waxy like Burt's Bees or Kiss My Face brands.
Only $1.99 at Wegmans.
They moisturize well.
Cute packaging.
100% Natural and Organic


Bad things:
Moisture doesn't last longer than an hour or so. (But that's true of most lip balms.)

Those who know me well know that I have been obsessed with lip balm since junior high. I carry about 4 and own at least 50 at any given time.

If you have truly chapped lips, get Aquaphor and put it on every night and morning until they are healed. Lip balms are better for maintaining already nice lips.

Now go put those smoochable lips to good use.