Lipstick | Girl Gloss

Feb 5, 2013

Clinique Almost Lipstick Review

February 5, 2013 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is the best lip gloss I have ever used. It is thicker than typical lip glosses, hence its name. It goes on like a lipstick, but it looks sheer and shimmery. I like that it feels like normal lipstick; softer lip glosses sometimes feel sticky. I always worry that normal lip gloss will slide off of my lips and look messy. It also feels greasy most of the time. I want my makeup to feel fresh and clean, not heavy. Since Almost Lipstick starts out as a solid, it stays put on my lips.

My favorite shade of Almost Lipstick is Black Honey. It looks nearly black in its solid form, but it looks like a soft wine color on skin. It amplifies the natural color of my lips without looking obvious. Many of my friends have tried it, and it has the same effect on them. The Black Honey color brings out the best qualities in everyone’s complexion. It has both red and blue undertones, so people with warm or cool coloring can wear it with equal success.

The best thing about Clinique’s Almost Lipstick is that I can wear it with any outfit. It picks up the colors in my clothing just like it complements my lips. I never have to worry about whether or not my makeup and outfit are properly coordinated. I can wear Almost Lipstick to any kind of event. For daytime get-togethers, I swipe it over my lips once to give them some shine and a hint of color. I apply it more heavily at night or for formal events to bring out more of its wine tones. It lets me determine how dark I want the color to be, which normal lipsticks do not allow me to do. This product is like several lip glosses in one. I could wear it every day and not appear to be using the same lip gloss over and over.

Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is great for women who want to purchase one all-purpose lip product for daily use. It is for women who want to achieve a subtle look that highlights all of their best features. This is the one makeup item that I carry with me at all times. It changes my looks for the better while making me feel like my natural beauty is the star of the show.

Buy it at Sephora

Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

Filed Under: Color, Lipstick Tagged With: Clinique, Lipstick

Jan 29, 2013

Lancome Rouge in Love: Rouge Valentine Review

January 29, 2013 By Carleenp 4 Comments

Red is one of the most timeless, classic shades of lipstick a woman can wear. The tricky part, for me at least, is finding the right shade. I’ve tried so many different brands and shades, always walking away feeling a bit like Goldilocks at the makeup counter, “This is too orange. This is too dark,” but never finding my “this is just right!” That was until I tried Lancome’s Rouge in Love High-Potency lip color in Rouge Valentine.

For the sake of full disclosure, I must admit that what attracted me to the Rouge in Love line of Lancome lip color was the absolutely gorgeous tube. One glance and I was instantly imagining that this was the kind of lipstick Marilyn Monroe carried around in her handbag. After looking at the various shades of red the line offers, I was immediately drawn to the Rouge Valentine shade. (Even the name exudes romance and glamour!) In the tube, Rouge Valentine is a true, pure red. Something told me to take a chance. “This is your red lipstick,” my heart said.

The first time I applied it, I could tell this was an amazing product. It felt like satin and glided on so smoothly, without any of the stickiness or caking that you sometimes get with highly-pigmented lipsticks. It actually felt like it was moisturizing and conditioning my lips!

Now for the most important part: the color. I was completely blown away. This shade flattered my complexion in a way that I rarely find in any shade of lipstick, let alone a red! It wears like a classic red, with just the faintest pink undertone. It has a definite color payoff, leaving no need for multiple coats, and has a slight, dewy sheen. Best of all, it has staying power. I wore this shade for hours without reapplying. Even when it had faded, it looked like a beautiful pink lip-stain, unlike the dreaded “ring” I’ve gotten from bold shades in the past. Another thing that sets Rouge Valentine apart from other reds is that I didn’t have any feathering. I didn’t apply lip-liner before applying the lipstick, and I quickly found I wouldn’t need to. My only tip? As with any high-pigment shade, apply carefully to avoid staining the skin.

Long story short, I LOVE Lancome’s Rouge in Love: Rouge Valentine shade. Shop for it here.

Filed Under: Color, Lipstick Tagged With: Lancome, Lipstick

Jan 18, 2013

My Bobbi Brown Wishlist

January 18, 2013 By Carleenp 4 Comments

When it comes to iconic cosmetic companies Bobbi Brown stands out. With a focus on natural and feminine shades, I already own a number of Bobbi Brown products and, at any given time, I have more on my radar. Here is a wish list of items that I am currently coveting. These items are from Harrods which, if you are looking for Bobbi Brown UK items, is a great place to shop.

(1) Caviar and Oyster Palette

I can’t tell you how many times I have almost ordered this. With four matte shadow shades and four shimmer shades, it is perfect for creating smoky eye looks or sparkling highlight looks for an evening out on the town or for parties. It comes paired with a shimmering highlighter for your cheeks to create a sparkling glow. The entire compact will also fit nicely in your purse. The shades are all universally flattering and versatile.

(2) Bobbi Brown BB Cream

I love BB creams, and Bobbi Brown reportedly has one of the best outside of the Asian companies. I been wanting to try it for some time and simply have not gotten around to it yet. If you have good skin, you can wear a BB cream alone. I like to use BB creams as a primer and put a tinted powder over it since I have some hyperpigmentation to hide. A good BB cream will act as a multi-tasker by providing coverage, skin care, and SPF protection all in one. The Bobbi Brown version offers SPF 35 protection.

(3) Uber Nude Lip and Eye Palette

This lip and eye palette is perfect for the neutral and nude shadow lover. That certainly includes me! It includes two lip shades, a shimmer gloss, and three matte shadows. It is great for everyday looks, while the shimmer lip items allow it to be dressed up a bit as well.

(4) Full Coverage Brush

I would love to try the Bobbi Brown full coverage brush and see how it compares to other similar brushes such as Urban Decay’s good karma optical blending brush. This type of brush has become popular for creating perfect foundation looks by stippling on the makeup and then buffing it. I have had great results with the UD brush and suspect that Bobbi Brown would make an even better one. Hopefully I will try it out at some point!

Disclosure: This is an advertorial.