What It Is:

Burberry Lip Glow in Ruby and Bright Plum

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

Any regular reader knows that I love my lip products! Bright, punchy colors are a great way to spice up an everyday makeup look, even if you are only running errands or heading to class.

Burberry is a luxury brand that launched their own cosmetics line within the last couple years. The products are definitely high-priced, but the quality is also rumored to be superb. I decided to take two Lip Glows (their lip glosses) from their Holiday collection for a spin! They claim “light reflecting Natural Lip Gloss adds a hint of colour for a fresh and moisturised glow that enhances the lip’s natural radiance.”

How To Use It:
The Burberry Lip Glow Applicator is a doe-foot one, so application is simple. You can wear these over a lip pencil for longer wear or a lipstick to amp up the pigmentation. Or, wear them on their own for a nice, glossy wash of color!

(L-R: Ruby, Bright Plum)

(Bright Plum on bare lips)

CC Rating: A-

The Burberry Lip Glows are super pigmented, have a refreshing (although somewhat perfumey) scent and remind me more of a liquid lipstick than a gloss. They are surprisingly moisturizing for a lipgloss, which is a nice surprise. If you’ve ever tried the Korres Raspberry Liquid Lipsticks, they are extremely similar in texture, although the Burberry Lip Glows are more tacky. They wear extremely well and last much longer than your average lipgloss. Of course, I can’t speak for the less-pigmented shades, but Ruby and Bright Plum lasted until I ate or drank (usually 3-4 hours). Also, a little goes a long way with these Lip Glows, ensuring that you don’t waste any precious product. The packaging is totally luxurious and I feel spoiled everytime I whip one out of my handbag. The heavy metal lid is embossed with the signature Burberry check and makes it that much more elegant.

The Burberry Lip Glows only lose points in the price department. They run $27 US/$35 CAD for 0.2 oz, which is definitely up there. MAC Lipglasses run $14.50 US/$17.50 CAD for 0.17 oz, and while the two glosses are very different products, you would still be able to purchase almost 2 MAC Lipglasses for the price of 1 Burberry Lip Glow. Oh, the price of luxury.

However, if you’re okay with that price tag or looking to treat yourself to a little something-something in the lipgloss department, then look no further! The Burberry Lip Glows are absolutely fantastic and I don’t doubt I’ll be treating myself to some of the more neutral shades in the near future. You can get them from the Burberry website or Nordstrom.

[Need some new makeup but not sure what to buy? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]

What It Is:
Lime Crime Carousel Gloss in Candy Apple, Cherry on Top and Kaleidoscope

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

Lime Crime is a brand known for bright colors and bold looks. Their lipsticks are my go-to when I want to play up my lips and need long-lasting pigmentation. Seriously, they stain the NEXT day. Obviously, I was beyond excited when Lime Crime announced that they were putting out lip glosses! They promise “semi-opaque coverage combined with bursts of nebulesque sparkle that comes alive in indoor lighting.” Let’s see how they stood up to those claims!

How To Use It:
The applicator on Lime Crime Carousel Glosses is a teeny, tiny brush that allows for precision application. This is necessary because the glosses are packed with pigment and glitter, which could end up giving you “clown mouth” if you’re not careful. These definitely require a mirror for application or touch-ups, so don’t forget to bring one along! Read More »

What It Is:
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars in Pageant and Grandma

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

I’ve sang the praises of lip products enough: they add color to your look, brighten your face and are just plain fun! I have a huge collection of lipstick and lipgloss, mostly because I can’t resist all the pretty pinks and corals lip products come in.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is a line created by David Klasfeld. I wondered about the strange brand name and easily found the answer on their website: “I did and the result is a line obsessively crafted from the finest ingredients possible, to celebrate the driving compulsions of makeup fanatics everywhere.” This entire line is also Vegan-friendly (I’ve received questions about this and will try to include it in future articles). OCC’s Lip Tars are their cult-status item and being a lip junkie, I had to test drive a few!

Read More »

When it comes to our lips, there is no shortage of products for making them stand out. Lipstick, lip gloss, lip stain, lip tint…what on earth is the difference? You might not think there is one, but, oh, there is!

Lipsticks are more opaque, lip glosses are shiny (sometimes sticky), lip stains are like markers, and lip tints are like tinted moisturizers for your lips. But lip tints also have many other uses, which is why they’re oh so fabulous!

I love it when a product can multitask, especially if it’s expensive because it makes me feel better about using my grocery money for beauty products. (And no, I do not have a problem, OK?) Lip tints are the best multitasking beauty products out there; they’re great for travelers, awesome for those who aren’t into using a lot of products, and wonderful for makeup lovers like myself who just need something new in their beauty arsenal!

And that’s why I’m dedicating this video to them. So watch, learn and fall in love with lip tints.

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out my other videos right here!

I have an obsession with all things lips: lip buffer, lip gloss, lipstick, lip balm, Ms. Lippy…  This obsession has resulted in me trying just about any kind of product I can get my hands (or should I say my lips) on.

After spending money on a lot of products that don’t live up to their promise, I can attest that the following four are definitely some of the best products on the market. If you know what’s good for you (and your kisser), get thee to the mall and stock up on these ASAP:

Lip Buffer: C.O. Bigelow’s Soothing Lip Buffer,  made with aloe extract and coco butter, will make your lips perfectly soft and smooth. If you apply the lip buffer onto your lips and take a warm wash cloth and rub the buffer in, you will not only exfoliate your lips, but you will rub in its relaxing peppermint extract. For $4.99 you can pick up a tube that will last you months and months. Although you can buy C.O. Bigelow products through their website, Bath & Body Works also carries them.

Lip Gloss: Nothing gets better than Yves Saint Laurent’s Golden Shimmering Gloss. This YSL lip gloss stays on for hours, and it actually protects the lips with natural oils instead of drying them out like most glosses do. Each tube of lip gloss has real 24-carat-gold flecks (baller!), which cause extra shine and luster on your lips. Although this lip gloss is expensive – $30 a tube – the quality and 31 different shades make it 100% worth every last cent.  Read More »

Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Wallflower

Why this should be in your bag:

I truly don’t know any girl who doesn’t own some form of lip product. Whether it be the standard cherry Chapstick or a fancy MAC Lipglass, girls love to play up and take care of their lips. My collection of makeup is definitely most numerous in lip products so clearly I’m always up for trying something new.

Urban Decay describes their new Lip Junkie gloss as “A decadent lip gloss (with a delicious vanilla-mint flavor!) that allows you to get hooked on the shine, without the sticky hangover.” Sounds pretty great right? One of my biggest peeves with lipgloss is when it’s so sticky that my hair gets stuck in it (Lipglass, I’m looking at you!), so I was really intrigued by this no-stick claim. Thankfully, Urban Decay has pulled through! I’m truly loving their new Lip Junkie Lipgloss. The scent is just sweet enough and the stickiness is at the bare-minimum. With 11 shades, I’m sure everyone can find something they like. Read More »

Everyone raise your glasses for I would like to make a toast!

Today marks the 140th birthday of our good and loyal friend, Vaseline.  Here is to all of those good times we’ve had when we’ve needed you most. I keep you by my bed, in my bag, and in the car. I pick you up, dip my finger in your gooey residue and primp and prime to my utmost pleasure. You’re cheap, you’re handy, and you’re my BFF.

Cheers.

Seriously, after finding out it was Vaseline’s 140th birthday today, I went to find my own container and rubbed that shiz all over my elbows in celebration. This stuff is the best and, like any cheap vodka, it’s a college girl’s BFF.

Why, you ask?  Let us list the ways.

1. It makes your eyelashes grow: As long as you aren’t shacking up with the cutie you’ve been studying with, lather Vaseline all over your purty eyelashes overnight and watch them thicken and grow like a Chia pet come morning!

2. To Soften your weines [pronounced: wee*niss]: Vaseline is a great pick-me-up for dry elbows.

3. To Pimp out your cuticles: Store a mini-Vaseline container in your purse and utilize for emergency dry cuticle moments. And if you just really want an excuse to not take notes in lecture.

Read More »

Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Flirt and Sex Pot

Why this should be in your bag: Lip gloss is an everyday necessity for most girls. It polishes off your look and really pulls everything together. Added bonuses found in some glosses these days are plumpers, which amplify your natural lips, and mint flavorings to give you fresher breath. Too Faced Glamour Gloss happens to be one of these plumping glosses, but it also imparts a cooling tingle and mint flavor that, when applied, lasts for a good while. I tested out Flirt, described as “pinky mocha” and Sex Pot, a “sheer lilac.” In the tube, Flirt and Sex Pot look very dark and intimidating, but they apply surprisingly sheer.

(L: Flirt, R: Sex Pot)

How to use it: Apply your regular makeup, right down to bronzer and finishing powder before applying lipgloss. If you plan on wearing a stain or lipstick to intensify the color, apply that first. Using the wand applicator (it picks up more product than the doe-foot applicator, so be aware!), swipe on Too Faced Glamour Gloss. I find it only takes one or two swipes to get full-coverage. The cooling, plumping sensation will set in almost immediately! Enjoy it, then re-apply throughout the day as needed, especially if your breath needs some assistance.

(Left: Sex Pot, Right: Flirt)

CC Rating: A

Too Faced Glamour Gloss is a good lipgloss and the added plumping power and mint definitely up the ante. The color-range is pretty impressive and there is a good variety of shimmery and opaque shades. I felt like my lips were plumped,  but the cooling sensation was much more comfortable than other plumping glosses I’ve tried. The minty scent was a nice touch too! I loved the packaging of these, especially the giant jewel on the top of the lid, along with the wand applicator. My only complaint would be that it is a bit sticky, which may turn some users off. If you’re a fan of MAC Lip Glass, the texture is very similar, so you would probably really enjoy Too Faced Glamour Glosses.

Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product provided to me for review purposes.)

What it is: Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams in #1, #6, #15 & #21

Why this should be in your bag: Waterproof makeup is a summer essential! Hot temperatures + humidity = makeup running down your face and disappearing in a matter of minutes! However, if you’re like me, I still like to sport a little bit of makeup in the summer and this is where Aqua Creams come in. They’re invincible and require quite a bit of scrubbing to remove at the end of a long day. They’re also seriously crease-resistant and require no base or primer. You can even take a dip in the pool or partake in that neighborhood water-fight with these suckers on! Read More »

Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming. So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me for review purposes. Because I can never have too much makeup!)

What it is: NYX Girls Round Lipgloss in Whipped

Why this should be in your bag: A nude lipgloss is a must! It’s perfect for when you’re rocking a dramatic eye or just feel like a change from your usual pink lip. I also find that a nude gloss is a lot softer and easier to wear than lipstick. Whipped is a great nude shade with some hints of pink in it rather than brown, making it good for fair and dark-skinned girls alike! Oh, and it’s cheap, and since I don’t like to wear nude gloss as often as pink, I don’t want it to break my bank. Read More »