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!

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I’m sure you’ve seen this stuff on the store shelves and wondered if it was worth the money. Trust me – it is. And with the wide variety of these babies, you’ll definitely find one that will be the perfect addition to your beauty regimen this winter.

And now that I’m actually old enough to be wearing the stuff…well, lipstick scares me. Although it defined icons like Marilyn Monroe and Christina Aguilera, I find the whole thing a bit stressful. There is a very fine line between looking glam like Gwen Stefani and looking like you’re just trying too hard to look glam like Gwen Stefani. And I always worry I’m in the latter category.

But I still want it! Lipstick is classic. And if it’s done right, it’s glamorous.

So how does one do it right? How do we college girls find the right lipstick to enhance our lips without making us look like a clown? I’ve been doing my research (OK, so it was for my own selfish reasons, but I’m sharing it with you now!) and I found some general lipstick guidelines for choosing the best shade and wearing it well.

Picking a Color: For everyday wear, choose a color that is only a few shades darker than your natural lip color.  Remember, your lips are naturally a few shades darker than your skin tone so if you’re testing a color on your hand (you know, to avoid germs…I’m a freak) keep that in mind.  Choosing a color this way will enhance your lips naturally and not scream, “I’m playing with my mom’s makeup bag!” In general, the lighter your skin tone, the lighter shade you should choose. 

If you are going for a less-neutral/more dramatic nighttime look, light skinned girls should go for pinky tones, medium tones should choose berry shades, and those with dark skin can go for deep browns or reds.  This article on eHow talks more about undertones and specific shades of colors, but in general the simple guidelines above work well.

Pick a Type: Lipstick comes in several different types like matte, long-lasting, liquid, metallic… Matte and long lasting lipsticks are great to provide a defined look, but if you are looking to make your lips appear fuller, a lipstick with shine or gloss will be a better choice.  Another option is a lip-stain, which provides intense, lasting color and shine.

Lip-liner: My girl New York is known for her beautiful lip-liner, but I’m guessing you don’t necessarily want to emulate her style.  Basically, most of us college-aged girls don’t need lip-liner.  Our lips are pretty full already, so lip liner isn’t necessary until we get old and our lips thin.  At this point lip-liner is just going to look ridiculous and over-the-top, so stay away.

Don’t be afraid to use some color on your lips. If you do it right – i.e. pick the right shade for your skin – you can look beautiful and glamorous just like Marilyn, Gwen…and your mom.

So yesterday I got my first sunburn of the year. (At least, I think it’s a sunburn – it may also be a result of my drunken face-plant…) Honestly, though, I’m not gonna complain ’cause Syracuse hasn’t seen the sun in months. I am, however, going to dust off the sun products that have been under my bed for the past 8 months.

If you want to prevent painful burns, wrinkles, sunspots and , most importantly, cancer, you really need to remember to preserve your skin. And preserving your skin means more than slopping on some SPF 4 when you lay at the beach. The sun can harm your skin at any time, so learn from my burned mistake (I was drinkin’ a beer outside) and protect yourself.

Below are some makeup products that include SPF built right in! I’m not suggesting this is a substitute for using sunscreen, but if you’re just going outside quickly, or want to add some extra protection you gotta try these great finds. Unless, of course, you want to look like this when you’re 30.

LORAC tinted moisturizer: This moisturizer is oil free and has SPF 30 built right in. 30! Most moisturizers only tout SPF 15, so this is great for you fair-skinned ladies. It comes in 5 colors and provides a sheer natural glow. Love it!

Cover FX cream foundation: This foundation is also SPF 30 and replenishes your skin. It comes in over 20 color choices so you’ll be able to find a perfect match.

Bare Escentuals Sun Proof Fun: Yes, your eyelids can get burned too. In fact, they are extremely sensitive and, take it from me, hurt like a mo-fo when burned. This little kit includes 4 colors in tan, brown, and pink shades, and is SPF 20 to protect those lids.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment: We often forget about our lips when it comes to protection from the sun; it’s not like we’re going to rub some Hawaiin Tropic on them. But lips can get burned – really burned – and need protection all the time. This balm will protect you with SPF 15 and is made with real sugar. It’s smooth, tasty, and moisturizing.

The Balm Balmshelter: This shiny gloss is SPF 17 (random?). It goes on smooth and comes in 12 colors with a delicious strawberry-banana taste. Perfect for summer (lovin’).

Last but not least, Sephora Sun Safety Kit: This 13 piece kit includes sample sized versions of all kinds of great sun products at only $22.50! Ah-mazing deal. It includes moisturizer, eye cream, lotion, and photo-finish. Best part? 100% of the profits go to The Skin Cancer Foundation. So test out some products, save your skin, and help others out at the same time!

Let’s face it—chapped lips are neither comfortable nor pretty. I don’t know about you but I’d rather sport a perky pout than a shriveled set of lips. So whether you’re in need of some major lip hydration or you’re just looking for a shiny tint, here’s a list of 5 poppin’ lip products (in price order!).

1. Chapstick. A classic. A bargain. A beauty-bag must. Chapstick is the queen of all lip balms—it has the smooth texture our lips crave, a tasty hint of flavor for our buds, and it now comes in a variety of choices, from Ultra Moisturizing to True Shimmer. If you don’t already have a stick, it’s time to spend that $2 and give your lips some luvin!

2. Badger Brand. When organic meets cheap, the world is a happy place. Badger Lip Balms are olive oil based and packed with antioxidant-filled extracts as well as soothing aloe vera. They come in seven “natural” flavors, and are cheap as can be. Stock up.

3. Labello. Labello is to lips as chocolate is to my taste buds. In other words, it’s a-freakin’-mazing. It’s incredibly silky, and it comes in a variety of color-tinted flavors (strawberry is my fave), so you can add some color to your smile. The only glitch – you can’t get it in the U.S.! But you can order it. Three bucks plus shipping = SO WORTH IT.

4. Benefit Benetint Lip Balm. Not only is the packaging pretty, but the lip balm inside it is too! It’s also got everything lips need- moisturizers, SPF30, glossiness, and a hint of red color. It’s on the pricier side, but for something that functions as a lip balm, a lip stain, and everything in between, it’s pretty much a bargain (err…kind of). Get it at Sephora.

5. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. Fresh is the Anthropologie of body products: earthy and all-natural, but a bit pricy. Nevertheless, this colorless lip balm is the quintessential lip healer. Some might say it’s absurd to spend $22.50 on a lip balm, but I say it’s absurd to let your lips miss out on this sugary treat! So indulge, and let your lips do the same! If nothing else, the smooth, shimmery golden case is worth the investment.

Well, we had Pterodactyls on this earth, is it really such a stretch to think that maybe they could breathe fire? I choose to believe that flying fire breathing lizards once existed, so the lip gloss thing doesn’t seem so far fetched now does it? Yes, I believe the perfect lip gloss exists.

First we have to define what a gloss would need to be perfect.

1. Not Sticky. Who hasn’t had their hair blown into the sticky stuff on your lips? Gag. Now your lips look weird and your hair is sticky. Bad.

2. Long Lasting. What’s the point of spending the money and taking the time to apply if it’s totally gone by the time you get to where you were going? The perfect lip gloss has to survive the commute and the first drink/kiss/cigarette.

3. Look Pretty. This is why you use it. The perfect gloss has to come in beautiful flattering shades that everyone can use.

4. Good for Your Lips. You know what sucks? Putting on a lip gloss that dries out your lips or tears them up with glitter. The perfect gloss would leave your lips feeling amazing.

So is it a myth? Do you have a better chance of finding a Unicorn in your backyard? Well ladies, I am proud to present to you, the PERFECT lip gloss:

Tarte Vitamin Infused Lip Gloss powered by Borba ($21 tartecosmetics.com)

First, this magical gloss goes on so smoothly that you couldn’t get your hair stuck in it if you tried. Believe me -  I did try just to prove this point. It would. not. stick.

Second, it stays on forever. I usually end up actually having to take the gloss off by lunch time so I don’t get pink kisses all over my burrito (even though I do love burritos enough to want to kiss them). The staying power of this gloss is unmatched even compared to super sticky competitors.

Third, this gloss makes everyone look glamorous. It comes in six shades from sheer nudes and peaches to cherry reds and plums. There’s a color for every skin tone and the shine is glorious.

Fourth, it’s chock full of good stuff. It’s Borba infused so that means it has vitamins and fruit extracts to work from the inside out. Your lips feel amazing and it works better than my lip balm at making my lips feel fabulous.

PLUS it’s Sulfate free, paraben free, mineral oil free, gluten free and preservative free. AND it’s packaging is recyclable and printed in soy ink. Really what more could you ask for? Now go hop on your Pegasus, fly to Sephora and pick it up!

Now for an Honorable Mention: The Almost Perfect Gloss

The Balm – Plump My Pucker ($16 sephora.com)

Not Sticky: Goes on smooth, feels more like a balm (hence the name) then a gloss.

Staying Power: Will stay on throughout your commute and the first cig. You will probably have to reapply after a drink or two.

Pretty Shades: Super shiny and nine classic shades. Coco My Coconut is my personal fave (nude with a pink undertone). Plus each shade has a fun scents Like Cherry my Cola and Pink My Lemonade.

Lip Healthy: It’s called The Balm for a reason. These glosses were designed to be a lip balm disguised as a gloss. It has tons of moisturizing ingredients, plus vitamins, plus Maxi-Lip which boosts collagen over time.

So it’s not quite as magical as Tarte but still a fabulous gloss all around. They DO have more shades and it’s a few bucks cheaper!

The warmth here, the days are longer, and the beach is calling our names…that can only mean one thing: summer is upon us. And with summer comes the opportunity to find new and exciting ways to look our hottest; on the beach, at our summer internship/new jobs, and on those crazy nights out. So here are the main cosmetics trends to brighten up your summer and your face.

SKIN:

Matte Foundation and Powder: Matte, natural looking skin is the way to go this summer, allowing the bright colors we’re seeing pop up the opportunity to really stand out.

EYES:

White Eyeshadows/Liners: Seen all over the Spring/Summer runways, this is a great way to brighten up your eyes, while also giving an edgy look.

Smoky Eyes: The ever-popular smoky eye is back, but this season black takes a backseat and gold, bronze and dark browns are the way to go to pull off that sultry look while adding a summertime glow.

Bright Eyeshadows/Liners: Bright purples, blues and greens are popular choices for this season, but any brightly colored pencil or liner is a great way to add a pop of color to a neutral outfit, just be sure to pick out a color that plays up your eyes.

Navy Eyeliner: According to make-up artist Chrisanne Davis, navy is the strongest color of the summer. It looks fabulous on pretty much anyone, is dramatic without being overdone, and looks great with the gold that’s so popular right now.

LIPS:

Nude Lips: Going naked (on your lips that is) is important when you’re doing the bright eye colors or the smoky eyes, so as not to have your lips outshine the rest of your face.

Neon Lips: Extremely bright lips are also a fun way to add some pizazz to your look whether it’s a bright pink, red or orange/coral.

CHEEKS:

Pink Blush: Pink blush is the best route to take on your cheeks this summer, though the traditional shimmery bronzer can lighten up your face, pink is a fun and feminine way to highlight your cheekbones.

As for those days on the beach, Ms. Davis says the best way to go is either a light application of bronze eyeliner or brown mascara along the top lashes only, making sure to use waterproof everything. And, along with that sunscreen, the best thing to put on at the beach is a lip gloss in a bright, juicy hue like peach, watermelon, or cherry.

Summer is a season of fun, so have fun, play off your best assets, and put even more sizzle into your summer.

Because I just spent two of mine reading this blog .You read that link right. It’s a chapstick blog, offering comprehensive reviews of every single chapstick that ever existed, with frequent updates.

This blog, my friends, is not just a blog. It is a public service, because there is nothing worse than a bad chapstick (and nothing better than a good one). The government should give these bloggers honors. Enjoy.

And remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away by reading critical, unbiased reviews of chapsticks.