In Spades

I have always admired the woman who never leaves the house without lipstick. A defined lip conveys a sense of confidence and put togetherness, and it can definitely make or break an outfit. Sadly, I am not one of these women. Instead, I buy tons of lip sticks, stains, glosses and balms hoping to will myself into remembering to put it on. Ever. While most of them stay hidden in a Kate Spade make-up pouch that travels with me everywhere, there are a select few that I deem totally worth the money and effort. Here is a list of my favorites that manage to beat out my trusty Burt’s Bee’s (that I live and die for).

1. Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 575
At $35, this is definitely a lot to pay for lip color, but completely worth every penny. It goes on like super pigmented gloss that’s neither sticky nor overly shiny. After the initial application has set in, this long lasting color makes your lips look like they’ve been stained – it is the quintessential model off duty look. Men will love it, and your lips will be hydrated and perfectly pigmented for hours. For a more natural, everyday color, try 375.

2. Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover ($25)
The operative word here is velvet. This ultra creamy chubby pencil strikes the perfect balance between lipstick and lip gloss. Much thicker and more pigmented than a gloss, this Nars wunderkind glides on like velvet and soaks into the natural lines of your lips unlike the coverage of a heavy lipstick. No make-upy effect whatsoever.  Downside? You’ll lose a lot of product when you put it through a pencil sharpener.

3. Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain and Matte Balm
Every time we go to Target, I sneak one of these into our basket. Available in both a stain (natural, glossy finish) and a matte balm (heavier coverage), this is one of the best lip products on the market. An added bonus to their feather light feel – a fresh, peppermint smell that reminds me of my Burt’s Bee’s! At $9 a pop, I have them in Smitten, Unapologetic, Cherish and Romantic.

4. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain in 106 Beige Anarchist
Once you get past the long name, this smarty pants stain brings you Euphoric Pearl technology – a 3D effect that makes your lips look like they have a thousand crushed pearls sitting atop. It’s luminous and colorful without looking like Studio 54, circa 1979. The only downside other than its $35 price tag? It smells and tastes a little like a fancy facial serum.

5. Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Pink Pout ($5.99)
The closest I’ll ever get to my Burt’s Bee’s (cue the angel voices) is this product from Almay. Spokeswoman Kate Hudson said she literally dreams about it, and I can see why.  Ultra lightweight and nourishing, this a great option for when you want that “maybe she’s born with it” look. It hydrates like a chapstick while providing a smidge of color without the stickiness. Not to mention it smells like sweet vanilla, which takes me back to my Lip Smackers’ days.

I have yet to find the perfect bona fide, old school lipstick. Any suggestions – I’m all ears.