LIPSTICK PARADE: FAVORITE WINES + REDS

Starting off with the most non-lipstick lipstick of the bunch, Clinique’s Almost Lipstick is a super pretty, sheer and moisturizing color that can be built up to be fairly deep. I love Black Honey and I’ve had this for years on years (definitely past it’s expiration…) because I stole it once upon a time from my mom. It’s a great color for when you aren’t looking to appear very done up.

Revlon’s Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are soooooooo great. I own about seven of them. Crush is the prettiest and easiest stain of them all and it’s so nice to wear during the fall because it feels like a lip balm but has some serious staining abilities so when you’re cold and you’re feeling chapped, you can reapply for the balm aspect or keep away and continue rocking a pigmented color. The only thing to know about this product is that it does tend to bleed a bit so it’s best to wear a lip liner underneath it or clean up your lip lines with concealer.

MAC’s Rebel lipstick is an absolute classic in my collection. It can be worn over a deep lip liner for a super vampy look or overtop nude lips or a nude liner for a more berry-toned shade. It’s a satin finish so it is very comfortable for hours and wears away evenly— even for such a deep color. I usually always pair it with a deep red or wine liner for a dramatic look.

NYX Transylvania is a part of the Matte Lip Cream family that was the OG matte lip in my life. I remember in high school and college putting these things on for a night out and being able to forget I had them on and that was sooooo nice. Now that matte is the go-to, NYX matte lip creams aren’t exactly as amazing as they once were. I would prefer a true liquid lipstick over them in most instances but I love Transylvania. It’s such a deep purple color that it looks black. When you spread it out on the lips it shows it’s purple hue and is just about the best dark shade to rock if you want to turn heads. I guarantee that there are liquid lipstick dupes for this shade but the product itself is still good so why buy what I already own? (bad question. I buy a lot of what I already own when it comes to makeup but I’m going to try to showcase self-control!)

Kylie’s exclusive birthday collection shade, Leo, was not a winner for me when I first tried it out. and I have to say, it’s still a little finicky. However— it’s too pretty a shade to not make work. As long as you later it over an equally deep lip liner, you will find the color applies and wears much more evenly. I just really like that Kylie’s lipsticks are budge proof and especially for Leo because with a color this dark, I like to apply and forget. With traditional lippies, you could never really do that.

Maybelline’s ColorSensational line is my favorite lipstick line anywhere. They’re cheap, consistent and come in every color you would ever need. Seriously. Red Revival is my perfect red— it’s not too cherry and bright and has just the right amount of depth to make it flattering for whatever kind of situations you would wear a red lip.