Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint in Charmed

Sometimes, you fall hard for a product. Such is the case with Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint in Charmed ($24).

I had always bypassed these chubby sticks because I hate lip pencils. But this is not a lip pencil! Or a lipstick! Or a gloss!

Forget everything or you know about lipcolor. And then go pick up one of these sticks. You will be surprised, I promise you.

I tried this on a whim, and ended up falling in love. It’s actually a chubby little stick of creamy color that glides so smoothly over lips, depositing a healthy dose of color with a sheer finish. Also, it’s got just the right amount of shine; I don’t like patent-leather lips. But best of all, it feels great on: completely the opposite of lipstick, which typically feels like it dries out my lips, and not nearly as tacky as a gloss. The one word I would use to describe the feel of this on my lips is cushy. And who doesn’t want that ultra-comfortable feeling?

Read more about why I love this!

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain

YSL’s new lip lacquer, Rouge Pur Couture ($32), is making major waves, and with good reason. I haven’t purchased this yet, but I tested it out in Sephora recently, and this gloss gives major shine; like a patent-leather finish on your lips.

Read on for shade details.

Vampire Beauty: Twilight Lip Venom

Fans of Twilight, True Blood, and other vampire-inspired pop culture staples, listen up: DuWop has released a limited edition version of its iconic Lip Venom, the first lip plumper to hit the beauty market back in 2000. Say hello to Twilight Venom ($16), a shimmering blood-red lip stain suspended in lip-enhancing conditioner (aka venom). Your very own personal vial of “TruBlood.”

Twilight Venom has all the plumping properties as original Venom: it is full of avocado, olive, and argan oils, with a healthy dose of moisturizing vitamin E. It stings just like Venom, and will increase circulation and blood flow in the lips, making them puffier and poutier. All this plus the added bonus of a blood-red stain on lips…mimicking the effect of a vampire having just taken  a nice, long drink.

Vampire stuff is all the rage, so stake (pun intended) your claim. Shake the vial before applying to get that realistic blood-droplet look, swipe on lips, feel the burn, and bare those fangs.

Stila Has a Crush on You!

How can anyone resist the cute iconic cartoon girls of Stila? They’re back (the brand is thankfully no longer in financial danger), and guess what: they’ve got a major crush!

Their new Crush line of lip and cheek stains ($24 each) has been expanded. It debuted with classic Cherry Crush, a pH-sensitive formula that reacts to lips to give you a personalized tint that’s guaranteed to look beautiful on you, and just may make you look like you ate a handful of juicy summer cherries, or an icy, sugary popsicle. When used on cheeks, it will make you look like you just got really embarrassed or excited (if you know what I mean). In addition to making lips and cheeks sexy, the tint moisturizes and slathers lips with cherry and pomegranate extracts, super good-for-you anti-oxidants, and Vitamins A, C, and E for extra moisture.

If you liked Cherry Crush, you’re going to love the 2 additional options. Mango Crush floods your kisser with a coral hue and mango extracts, while doing the same things Cherry Crush does. (Tip: Use on cheeks now for summery, bronzey color.) Same deal with Pomegranate Crush, which is slightly purpley.