Search Results for: best of the best

My post on the best nude and soft pink lip colors can be found here.

I am the first to admit that I’m not quite the aficionada with dark/bright lip colors that I am with lighter ones. Nude and soft pink lip colors? I’m your woman, look no further, there should be a Guinness World Record Book title for me, etc. Darker and/or brighter colors? Eh, I know enough to get by. This is probably due to the fact that my day-to-day grind doesn’t really call for loud colors on my mouth. I mean, I’m not usually rocking the uber-bright fuchsia while working out or grocery shopping or at my son’s soccer practice, ya know?

Still, I think it’s very important to have a great red, a playful fuchsia, a creamy bright pink, and a sophisticated wine for when the mood strikes. Here are my top 8.

NARS Lipstick in Flamenco

This is the perfect red. It’s sheer and strawberry-hued, and seems to work on a variety of skin tones. I love it because it’s so easy to work with – one quick swipe and you have a nice stain, but you can build it up to a full-fledged dramatic lip. I’ve written about it here and here.

Burberry Natural Lip Gloss in Tea Rose

This is a truly pigmented coral pink gloss. It’s the most perfect shade for spring, and it’s what I wore in the Pantene commercial.

NARS Lipstick in Shrinagar

If you are looking for a lipstick with a berry/wine vibe, this would be perfect. It has enough depth to add dimension to your overall look, but isn’t overbearing at all. A great color for the office.

Sally Hansen Diamond 12 Hr Lip Treatment in Baguette

I wouldn’t really call this shade too bright or too dark, but once again, it’s a gloss that is truly buildable. A sheer hot pink, it makes you look like you just ate a cherry popsicle.

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Eternal #350

Hold on to your hats, ladies! This super bright fuchsia is so fun, and I feel like a completely different person when I wear it. Word to the wise, though. This particular shade is called “eternal” for a reason…it doesn’t budge once on. (By the way, thanks to my Facebook peeps for helping me avoid a potential lip crisis a couple weeks ago. Great tips!)

Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Quince

Drumroll, please. If I had to pick one lip product out of all of my lip colors (nudes and soft pinks included), this would be my winner hands down. I am in love with everything about this lip glaze. The applicator, the color, the taste, the shine, the consistency…LOVE. It’s like the perfect combination of a gloss and a lipstick, and none of the Ps. (Parabens, Petrochemicals, Phthalates.) It comes in five shades, so get thee to a Sephora immediately.

DiorAddict Lipstick in DiorKiss #578

Love this sweet, slightly punchy pink. Dior Addict lipsticks have the best consistency too – smooth, blendable, and lovely.

NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita

This is a good darker nude for lighter-skinned gals. It’s called a “sheer, dusty rose,” and would be perfect for the office. Plus, I’ve heard it works as a beautiful nude shade for darker skin tones.

Now it’s your turn. What are your favorite bright and dark lip colors?

As if you haven’t seen enough of my mug lately, here I am times eight. Freaky, huh? All in the name of cosmetic research, though!

Let’s talk about lip color. I love me some lip color, ladies, and here are my very favorite nude and soft pink lip colors. (We’re going for subtle, daytime shades today.)

I learned a lot of things while making this post, notably:

1. I own many pinkish nude, subtle, daytime lip colors.

2. They pretty much all look the exact same.

3. I obviously have a problem, and need to stop buying pinkish nude, subtle, daytime lip colors.

Of course, because I’m a lip color junkie, I will wax poetic on why I can’t live without each and every one of these lip colors. Let’s get started.

Dior Addict Lip Polish in Fresh Expert (002)

I’ve written about this color before, and I love it because it makes my lips super shiny, the rotating applicator rocks, and it tastes good.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Rose Dusk

I guess Rose Dusk has been discontinued (wahhhhh), but Honey Pink is similar. This is one of the most moisturizing lipsticks I’ve ever used. It creates shine like a gloss, but has the staying power of a lipstick. I also love the applicator – if you click on the link above, you can see that it’s not the traditional lipstick shape. For me, it goes on easier, and the shape doesn’t get all wonky when you’ve used half the tube.

Kiehl’s Lip Gloss in French Rose

This gloss has almost no color at all, and I usually wear this around the house or while working out. It keeps my lips really moisturized and shiny without looking like I’m wearing much of anything. I’m also a big fan of the tube applicator.

Mac Viva Glam V Lipstick

Another great lipstick. The shimmering, pinkish nude color has a tiny touch of brown in it, and the lipstick tastes like yummy sugar. Sometimes I think about eating it for a mid-afternoon snack.

Lip Fusion Micro-Injected Collagen Lip Plump in Sugar

I really love the sheen and rosy shade of this gloss, but I’m not sure if it truly plumps your lips. Do my lips look any plumper in the photo?

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Can’t Get Enough

I was just turned onto this lipstick by a friend, and I love it. It is definitely the least pinkish of the nudes I own – it’s a true shimmering nude. This shade looks great on its own, but is also fantastic when applied over darker lipsticks. Love this one.

Josie Maran Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Brilliance

I love Josie Maran’s products, but I have to say, this applicator brush splays like no other. Now, I’ve had this gloss for over a year, so maybe the company has addressed this issue by now, but the brush drives me crazy. Too bad because the color is lovely, and contains Argan oil.

Chanel Glossimer in Sirop

This is a smooth, sheer, coral pink that looks great in the spring and summer. Unfortunately, I think it’s been discontinued, but Sally Hansen makes a sheer coral lip gloss called Flawless that is very similar. (And waaaaay less expensive.)

What are some of your favorite subtle lip colors? Drugstore brands didn’t get much representation here, and that’s because I don’t like buying lip color without trying it on first. Bummer. If you have any specific questions about the above colors, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Coming soon – my favorite bright/dark lip colors!

Paula Begoun, skincare expert and best-selling author of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, just released her Best Makeup Buys list. The following is a partial list of products that not only rated extremely high for performance but also really impressed Paula and The Cosmetics Cop team.  Given how many thousands of makeup products Paula and her team review annually, rest assured that these are among the best of the best. (I know there are a lot of lists like this in print and online, but I always really enjoy Paula’s picks. Great products AND all relatively inexpensive!)

The Best of the Best

Boots No7 Cheek Tint ($9.99)
Generously-sized cream-to-powder blush that can go from sheer to intense
Application is super-easy and all of the colors are gorgeous

M.A.C. Haute & Naughty Lash ($18.00)
Two mascaras in one component, each with impressive, distinctive effects
Wears beautifully yet  is easy to remove

Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick ($12.00)
Elegantly smooth cream texture imparts rich color
Brilliant range of shades without garish frost or sparkles

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzer ($12.49)
Beautiful pressed powder blush and bronzer in one sleek compact
Looks great when used separately or together

Victoria’s Secret VS Makeup Soft Focus Liquid Foundation SPF 20 ($16.00)
Outstanding sun protection from gentle mineral actives
Supremely silky with a satin glow finish to enliven dry skin

Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara Waterproof ($8.49)
A waterproof mascara that does everything right, but nothing too extreme
Quickly enhances lashes, then wears without a worry

Revlon Luxurious Color Satin Eye Shadow ($4.99)
Powder eyeshadow singles that’s shine done right
No matter how much you apply, the shine won’t flake!

Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing Concealer SPF 25 ($8.99)
Creamy, eye-area concealer with broad-spectrum sun (and wrinkle)  protection
Provides great coverage without magnifying the look of lines

Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation ($14.95)
A powerhouse of potent sun protection to help prevent wrinkles and discolorations
Enviably smooth texture with a soft, flattering matte finish

N.Y.C (New York Color) Extreme Lip Glider Lip Gloss ($3.00)
One of the least expensive lip glosses with a smooth, non-sticky texture
Enticing range of sheer colors in a convenient squeeze tube for quick application

BONUS: Paula’s Choice Illicit Lash Maximum Impact Mascara ($10.95)
Nimble rubber-bristled brush reaches each and every lash fast
Brilliant way to get longer, defined lashes with a soft curl

Want to know if one of your favorites got a top rating?  Visit Beautypedia.com FREE through February for a complete list of the best makeup and skin care.