I always use lipstick but it seems like I’m constantly searching for just the right one. I want lipstick to feel good, smell good, be long lasting, and look good. And I want all that without going to the department store for the luxury brands!
To find information, I look at the magazines’ editorial picks. My favorite is Allure’s Best of Beauty. I also rely on the book “Don’t go to the cosmetics counter without me” by Paula Begoun. She takes the chemist’s view and supplies information on the ingredients and which drugstore brands are essentially the same as the high-end brands.
I love love love my current top three lipsticks! Along with pop-colors like fuchsia, orange, and red, I always try to find some that match my natural lip color for those days I want to look a little more subdued.
- Milani Power Lip: this has a type of stiff paintbrush on the end. You turn the top and lipstick gets pushed onto the brush. This one is long lasting. I have Macaroon and Raspberry Tart.
- Revlon Ultra HD: the colors for this collection are vibrant. Though not quite matte, the colors are not too shiny. The feel and smell are very good. I have Sweet Pea, Primrose, and Hibiscus.
- Cover Girl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm: this one is shaped like a chubby crayon. I really like it for carrying in my pocketbook. You do not need to sharpen it: you turn the bottom to advance the lipstick. These are not glossy and sticky like many lip balms, but the color is fairly transparent. I have 215, 230, and 245.
What about just quickie moisturize and a little gloss? Maybelline Baby Lips comes in lots of flavors and colors. Check for SPF 20 sunscreen. I use one with sunscreen during the day and one without at night.
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I tried the natural look when I was a college girl (we used to be called co-eds back then!). When I started student teaching, lipstick was a way to differentiate from my high school students. By the time I got to my third school, a middle school, the 7th graders were wearing lipstick!
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Have you tried any of these? What’s your favorite lipstick?
I love Paula Begoun, too! I’ve always been too cheap to buy her books–when I was still in grad school, I would take notes from her books in Barnes and Nobles–I couldn’t afford to waste my money on stuff that would irritate my skin!
The chemist in me wishes I had thought of writing her book! At one time, I was considering a job as a chemist at Coty in Sanford. It’s so nice to have Paula’s advice to help save money!