What It Is:
Clarins Rouge Prodige True Color and Shine Lipstick in Rosy Coral and Peach Sorbet

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

Lipstick and lipgloss are the bare necessities of everyone’s makeup stash. Every brand makes a million lip products, in just as many shades, finishes, etc, making it difficult to sort through and find the quality ones!

Clarins is a great, yet underrated brand that puts out amazing stuff. Not only do they pay attention to packaging and design, but the product inside always matches the beautiful exterior. Clarins has a huge range of colors in this formula, two of which I’ve taken for a test drive here.

How To Use It:

These lipsticks are super moisturizing and creamy. This means that you’ll want to exfoliate your lips before wearing; any creamy lip products will cling to dead skin (yes, gross). After exfoliating with a lip scrub or plain old sugar, you’ll want to apply these straight from the tube. They are very thick and need the heat of your lips to warm them up! Be careful – if you roll the tube up too high, you risk breaking off the lipstick, as you do have to use quite a bit of pressure.

(Top: Rosy Coral, Bottom: Peach Sorbet)

CC Rating: A-

I really love these Clarins lipsticks. The colors are great on my pale, cool skin, even Peach Sorbet, which scared me in the tube. The formula is unbelievably creamy and glides on super smooth. The finish is quite opaque and long-wearing, which I love as a student. I can swipe these on in the morning and not worry about reapplying until after lunch. The glossiness of these lippies is also very flattering and youthful.

It’s funny, because after I finished writing all that, I went to check out the Clarins website for a photo of this lipstick. Clarins says that “colour and shine stay true for hours while this creamy, rich texture provides nourishing skin care benefits to lips.” Wow – that’s pretty much a shorter version of what I said above! I’m impressed that this lipstick actually delivered on all of its promises without me even knowing what those promises are!

I don’t like how much these accentuate dry spots on your lips. You really need to remember to exfoliate your lips before use or else you can end up with a flaky disaster. However, I try to be pretty vigilant about my lip exfoliating. I like to fit it into my night-time routine, exfoliating right after brushing my teeth every second or third night. You don’t need a fancy lip scrub either; regular sugar works great, just make sure to wet your lips beforehand.

If you’re looking for a super creamy lipstick for the cold weather that’s coming, Clarins Rouge Prodige is the perfect formulation. It’s available at their website for $24 a tube!

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

What It Is:
BITE Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencil in Velvet

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

I’m a lip product junkie. Maybe even a lip product whore. Seriously, I have a makeup drawer dedicated to lip gloss and another to lipstick! Lip products are the easiest way to pull a look together and take you from drab to fab. Throwing on a bright lipstick has been proven to improve your mood, and it being one of the easiest steps in any makeup routine, why not?

BITE Beauty is a newer company in the cosmetics world. They tout a super antioxidant, Resveratrol, “which fights free radicals with potent long-term antiaging benefits.” Each and every lip product they produce contains as much resveratol as 5 glasses of red wine, so you’re getting added benefits everytime you apply!

How To Use It:
A lip pencil is super easy to apply, even a matte one like this. The pointed tip makes it simple to outline your lips first and then fill them in. I wouldn’t recommend using a lip brush with this one – you need the warmth of your lips to help apply the pencil smoothly.

CC Rating: B+

Overall, the BITE Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencil delivers on most of its promises. Super-pigmented color, good-for-you ingredients and a long wear time. Velvet is truly a beautiful color. It adds lovely color to my already pigmented lips and is rather cool-toned, so it works well against pale skin. It’s a bit more glossy than I expected, as “matte” is in the title, but I really love the finish!

I’ve yet to see any antiaging benefits from using BITE Beauty products, but I do confess that I’m not using them everyday. The lines in my lips are still as prominent as always, but I’m also only 22. Perhaps someone will more defined lines and wrinkles would see quicker benefits! Some may also take issue with the price: $24 for 0.09oz. Most lipsticks run at the same price for around 0.12-0.13oz of products, so you need to be really impressed with the formula before taking the plunge with this pencil. Just for comparison’s sake, NARS matte lip pencils are $24 for 0.086oz, so you’re getting slightly less for the same price and no beneficial ingredients. Bottomline: lip pencils are amongst the priciest of lip products, and BITE Beauty’s is fairly priced.

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

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:
One of makeup’s biggest mysteries is which lipsticks and lipglosses go together. Often, I think two colors will be complementary, but once I get them home and try them on, they couldn’t be farther from “matching.” BECCA has created a foolproof palette that contains a dual lip & cheek creme and lipgloss in matching shades, and they’ve also tossed in a highlighter, so your lip and cheek looks are completely covered.

In this palette you get a lip & cheek creme in Nectar (tawny peach), a lipgloss in Sunrise (sheer peach) and highlighter in Narcissus (opalescent peach). Clearly, BECCA is going with a peach theme here, but I think the color descriptions are pretty bang-on.

Sunrise, Nectar, Narcissus

How To Use It:
The palette comes with a mini lip brush that works great for applying both lip products. Swipe on the lip & cheek creme in Nectar, followed by the lipgloss in Sunrise, for a nice, bright lip. The gloss really kicks it up a notch, so if you’re looking for more subdued, just wear the lip & cheek creme.

As for your cheeks, the lip & cheek creme blends great. I like to use my finger (after washing of course!) and smear some color on my cheeks, followed by highlighter on my upper cheekbones. Voila!

CC Rating: B+
As always, BECCA delivers on quality. The lip & cheek creme is super creamy, making it easy to use on both lips and cheeks. It blends well and when buffed out with a neutral toned powder (I used MAC “Her Own Devices”), it imparts a beautiful, year-round flush for your cheeks. This combo has become a new favorite “cheek” look of mine, but unfortunately, just wouldn’t translate in any photos.

Although I do like the lip combo, I have a hard time wearing it on my wintery, pale skin. It’s just a tad too warm. I’m excited to try it out in the summer time, but think that for right now it might have to stay in my drawer. However, tanned beauties will find it lovely and can definitely work it year round!

Overall, for a cheek look, this palette gets an A+. However, the lip look is a bust for winter, so that is what is holding this product back. If it’s still available come spring/summer, I think it would be a smart buy. Again, BECCA price tags aren’t the lowest out there, but the quality is good and worthy!

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

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. 

Lipstick: Every girl should find her color and own a fancy tube of lipstick. And if she’s smart, that tube will be one of the many shades of Chanel Hydrabase Creme Lipstick. Chanel is a timeless classic when it comes to lipstick and after trying it just once, it was easy to see why. The product actually makes your lips feel good and look amazing while making your teeth look whiter and your smile look brighter. (Yes, this stuff really does it all!) With a moisturizing finish to it, you are truly getting your $28.50′s worth.

Lip Balm: Lush, known for its handmade and organic products, has one of the best lip balm products around. For $6.95, you should indulge in the Whipstick Lip Balm. This product lasts like nothing else I’ve ever used. If you are looking for a product to put on before bed that will keep your lips moisturized all night long, this lip balm will do the job. Despite a full night of sleep (and drooling) it’s still on my lips when I wake up. And to top it off, the chocolatey-orange scent and taste is to die for.

So there you have it: the best of the best in lip wear.
Your lips are an important part of your life (from smiles to smooches) so give them the love and attention they deserve.

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: Korres Raspberry Liquid Lipsticks

“Cooling, water-based liquid lipstick rich in line-smoothing, antioxidant Raspberry & Pomegranate extracts to protect against free-radical damage and smooth lip lines for softer, more youthful looking lips.” Comes in 5 shades.

Why this should be in your bag: I love lipstick and lipgloss and this new product by Korres is almost a hybrid. Korres is known for putting out great quality products using lots of natural ingredients, Raspberry Liquid Lipsticks included. They’re chock full of antioxidants and extracts to keep you looking your best. More compact than a lipstick, but delivering super intense color, they are a great option for those on the go. I also find they apply easier than a lipstick and, similar to lots of glosses, don’t require a mirror or intense concentration to apply. They leave your lips colorful and super-shiny.

How to use it: Like I said, these require little concentration and can totally be applied on-the-go. One swipe on the lips gives great color payoff. Although despite the diversity of the 5 shades, I do wish there were more everyday pinks. With the lighter shade I tried (30 – Nude Beige), I would pair an intense smokey eye and bronzer. The bright shade (54 – Fuschia) is totally stand-alone and will work well with cat-eye liner and a hint of blush. Slip them into your purse for touch-ups during the day!

(30 – Nude Beige)

(54 – Fuschia)

CC Rating: A

Although I love the idea of a liquid lipstick, it takes a bit of getting used to. I find myself overlooking these, as they are too shiny for a “true” lipstick and too pigmented for a true gloss. I also wish there were more shades, but perhaps Korres will fill in the gaps eventually. However, when I do reach for these, I’m always pleased with the results. You will have to do a few touch-ups, especially after eating or drinking, but the ease of use ensures that you’re not constantly reaching for your mirror. You get 0.20 ounces in every tube (compared to 0.1 ounce with normal MAC lipsticks), so the value is pretty much bang on. Overall, I like the Korres Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipsticks and will be purchasing when they come out with a wider range of shades.

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Gotta load on the makeup for the big night....in.

When it comes to beauty, I’m pretty low-maintenance. I never really learned how to put on eyeliner because I’m afraid I’ll poke myself in the cornea, I can’t get the knack of painting the nails on my right hand, and I’m too impatient to slap on anything more than Chapstick and maybe mascara, if I’m feeling fancy, in the morning.

So to me, articles (or even videos) about how to get the perfect smoky eye or choose the right mineral foundation for your skin tone or make yourself look like a tiger or whatever aren’t generally that interesting. Even so, I can understand that there are plenty of industrious girls out there who actually find beauty tips useful.

And I’ve certainly got nothing against beauty hounds. In fact, I envy their hand-eye coordination and perseverance—while I’m embarrassed about the bags beneath my baby blues but too lazy to actually do anything about them, those girls always look effortlessly put-together.

But a four-page photo spread that I came across in the latest issue of Glamour crosses the line between giving helpful pointers and doling out straight-up bad advice. The piece, which unfortunately isn’t available online, is called “Have a Gorgeous Night… In.” Here’s its introductory paragraph:

“You’re young, you’re hot—you should not be in a Snuggie! The next time you and your guy are just hanging out at home together, try these undeniably sexy beauty ideas. And have fun!”

The article goes on to suggest that while a girl is spending a low-key night in her natural habitat, she should consider wearing lacy, revealing underwear, spending ten minutes on crafting a sexy, “bedhead-y ponytail” that artificially simulates hair that’s been slept on, and swiping on “red lipstick like Dior Serum de Rouge Lipstick in Crimson ($32, saks.com).” This will trick guys into finding her attractive, even if she’s just whiling away her time by munching on some Pirate’s Booty and watching Tough Love.

While I totally understand the appeal of glamming it up every now and then, isn’t a night in supposed to give us time off from worrying about hair and makeup? What’s wrong with a lady laying prone on a couch while clad in a zebra-striped Slanket, enjoying the way her face feels when it isn’t caked in inches of powder? In this situation, there should be no need to spend time painting your pout bright red, let alone with lipstick that costs as much as a skirt from Urban Outfitters.

This article is basically saying that girls always need to make sure they look their best, even if there’s nobody there for them to impress (if you’re just sitting around with “your guy,” doesn’t that mean that the two of you should be comfortable enough with each other that you don’t have to make an effort for once?). “Have a Gorgeous Night… In” implies that appearance is everything, regardless of where you are or what you’re doing.

When I’m spending an evening at home, I’m focused on staying comfortable and trying to decompress—even if there does happen to be a dude vegging out in the armchair next to mine. If this means that I’m doomed to die alone, well, so be it; I think I’d rather enjoy myself than constantly worry about whether I’m wearing my fake eyelashes correctly. Way to go, Glamour!

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.

In the meantime, though, this week has given me a lot to think about. Here’s what’s been on your favorite CC writers’ minds over the past seven days:

- Even though getting old might mean that Halloween gets a little less fun, it doesn’t mean that you have to get any less awesome. Unless you join the National Parents Council.

- Hot men covered in cheese? Sounds surprisingly delicious.

- We hope our girl Rihanna isn’t opening up now for less-than-noble reasons. Either way, we’ll still listen to her music—even if there is more ridiculous stuff out there.

- There’s no better time than now to get over your lipstick-phobia, put on a pair of heels (or not), make the first move on the first hottie you see, and take him back to your place for a little one-on-one that’s sure to please. Just don’t be that girl. Please.

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.