pucker up

The days of Lip Smackers are behind me.

I wouldn't say I am a tomboy or a girly girl, but rather somewhere in between. When it comes to make up, I'm lost.

Since high school my go to lip color has been Softlips lipbalm. Last Christmas mom got me a tinted Softlips. I lived for this lipbalm. Sadly all good things run out. I can't live without Softlips, that's 14 years of continued use for you. But, I do need a new, grown up, lip color.

I waded through the bombardment of lip choices, went to department stores, 2 drug stores, and even Sephora to track down three options, from three different price ranges to suit my lip needs. I prefer a neutral lip, probably because I am so pale. (Maybe bronzer should be my next test) I tried on many shades and types of lip color and settled on 3 options that seemed to work for me.

Meet the three contestants in the race to be my new lip color.

Luxury brand

Fresh Sugar Honey Lip Treatment $22.50

Somewhere in between lipstick and lip balm, this super soft, creamy Lip Treatment is definitely a lip treat! The delicate color lasted to but not through lunch. Smells great feels even better on. A splurge but worth it.

Department Store

Clinique Lip Smoothe (Strawberry Bliss) $17.50

Lip gloss with color boost. Isn't sticky or goopy and pigment lasts longer than the shine, although didn't make it to lunch. This is a good option on top of a base color for a little extra shine.

Drug Store

L'Oreal Infallible (Forever Frappe) $9.00

Soft, matte color lasts to and through lunch. However, lacks the moisture I crave. When used with my trusty Softlips this is a perfect everyday option. Though long lasting it seemed to dry out my lips and I was hitting the Softlips frequently. But for the price and the long lasting color, a good deal.

The verdict--- LOVED the Fresh Sugar Honey, of course it had to be the most expensive. I found myself savoring the Sugar Honey and using the Infallible more frequently. Lip Smoothe is fun for a switch up, but I'm lazy and don't like to reapply. I probably won't rebuy. However, it does have longer lasting color than the average lip gloss so it is an option for those glossy occasions. With all the options I was not able to kick the Softlips habbit. That stuff is just fantastic. Yet, I was able to stop lamenting the loss of the tinted color and now stick with the plain strawberry lipbalm.