LORAC Alter Ego Lipstick in ‘Duchess’ ($16) – If you’re into that 90’s throwback mauve nude that the Kardashians made trendy again, this is a good one. It’s a matte cream lipstick that can accentuate dryness and flakes, so I make sure my lips are exfoliated and use a clear lip balm before applying.
Clinique Chubby Stick in ‘Chunky Cherry’ ($17) – I used this moisturizing sheer red crayon almost every day last summer. It fell out of my purse and I ran it over with my car, and still tried to use it; the devotion was intense (and borderline crazy?). My girlfriend replaced it for me for my birthday, so it’s happily back in regular rotation. I wish Clinique would add SPF to the formula!
Butter London Lippy Tinted Balm in ‘ Abbey Rose’ and ‘Teddy Boy’ ($20) – This is kind of like ‘diet’ lipstick; it goes on easily like a balm, but has the finish of a subtle lipstick. The high-pigmented formula tints your lips with color that lasts well after the product wears off.
Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in ‘Strawberry’ ($22) – I’m not much of a lip gloss girl — I hate products that feel goopy or tacky (ugh, and when your hair sticks to your lips?!) — but after a long trial-and-error search for a good shiny ‘baby pink’ gloss, this was the best. It’s made with real fruit (antioxidants!) and nourishing oils with high-pigment color. Bonus: it tastes like strawberries, so it’s like a grown-up version of my old LipSmackers.
Fresh Lip Sugar Rosé Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($22.50) – I know it seems crazy to drop this much lettuce on a lip balm, but it’s just the greatest. It’s my favorite for days in the sun, because it has built-in sun protection and a sheer rosy color that’s really pretty on its own, with or without makeup.
Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint ($24) – This is the newest addition to my favorites list. I love a lip crayon, and this one is super moisturizing and adjusts to your skin’s chemistry for a personalized, ‘your lips but better’ pink that lasts and lasts. I haven’t tried the Dior Addict Lip Glow, but reviewers say this natural lip tint is a good dupe. It’s a limited edition product, so I’m seriously considering picking up an extra tube or two for the stockpile.
Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipstick in ‘Heather’ ($28) – I love all of Bite Beauty’s products, and the Butter Cream line offers a range of flattering nudes and neutrals for every skin tone in moisturizing hand-cut bullets. It’s the most expensive of the lineup, but I probably wear this product more than anything else lately.
What do you think?