FOR THE LOVE OF GLOSS

Thank you to everyone who voted in the beauty experimentation poll. As it turns out, Love of Gloss readers like to play with their lips and eyes; lip color and mascara tied as the products you experiment with most often (eyeliner was not far behind). As promised, this week I’ve rounded up a collection of the best lip colors to play with this spring. (Note: there are no traditional lip glosses on this list. While I highly recommend each of the products listed below, die-hard gloss girls can find recommendations on the Glosses and Balms page!)

Enjoy!

Maybelline Color Whisper: This lightweight gel lip color glides on oh-so-smoothly and leaves a sheer wash of color. It feels divine, comes in a variety of shades, and even its brightest hues are ultra-wearable.

It leaves lips soft and with a subtle shine. This is a great pick for girls who typically wear balms but may be looking to sample a pop of color this season. I asked Maybelline via Twitter which shades they’d recommend for spring, and they suggested Who Wore it Red-der and Orange Attitude. I have to second their vote for Orange Attitude. I can see myself sporting the incredibly flattering red-orange straight through summer.

Tarte LipSurgence: I’ve been a fan of these for a while. The crayon-shaped lip tint comes in so many colors and finishes, it’s impossible not to find one that works for you. While they may look like big fat lip pencils, the lip liner similarities end there;

LipSurgence adds tons of moisture, is easy to apply, and makes you look like you were born with a gorgeous mouth. Again, there’s a shade for everyone, but the color I’m rocking this season is Exposed. This matte nude is a little darker than the pale shades that are prevalent this time of year. For some reason, I feel like a ’90s Gwyneth Paltrow when I wear this color. As a lifelong GP fan, this is a remarkable feat.

MAKE Lipstick: I’ve never been much of a lipstick gal, but that may be about to change thanks to MAKE. Never mind the fact that one third of all of the company’s sales go to the We See Beauty Foundation, MAKE’s creamy lipsticks look and feel so fantastic and un-lipsticky that even the most staunch gloss wearers may be tempted to switch.

They feature a creamy, moisturizing texture that is long lasting and not the least bit drying. I’m obsessed with Putty, a peachy nude that is very ladylike and feels just right for spring.

Maybelline Baby Lips: I feel like a bit of a groupie when it comes to these tinted balms. I blog, tweet and gush about them all the time. The reason is simple: I really don’t think you can find another lip product that does so much for such a ridiculously reasonable price. For approximately the price of three packs of gum, you can pick up a tube in one of several fun shades that feels silky smooth, softens lips, eradicates fine lines, and generally plumps and perfects your pout.

I keep them everywhere – my purse, my makeup bag, my nightstand, my desk. Aside from the clear balm, which makes a great base under other glosses and tints, I keep coming back to Pink Punch, a youthful bright pink shade that I think is perfect year round.

Thanks again for voting in the latest Love of Gloss poll. Check back next week for a look at the best new mascaras!