Nobody would ever really be keen on the idea of putting blood or tears on our lips, so Rain Cosmetics is really lucky that its new lip stain, Blood ($12), and gloss, Tears ($12), are so superlatively great. Blood is a deep pink gel-based stain that's like a thicker, less-red Benetint. The lasting power is excellent when applied on the lips, but it works well on cheeks, too — even though it's Read more

Back in the junior high days in gym lockers across the country, 'tween girls could be found dousing their hair in Rave hair spray and gobbing their lips up with sugary-sweet, ultrasticky roll-on lip gloss. Well, times have changed. Rave is still making its hair spray, but the lip gloss look is a bit less cloying in taste and blinding in appearance. Enter: The Body Shop's new 100% Natural Lip Read more

Flirt Cosmetics' Big Flirt lip gloss ($16) is not for those who like a light-on-color, light-on-texture gloss. Not only is the tube, wand, and applicator much larger than your average gloss, but the shine factor is off the charts as well. But this isn't the superslick, full-on wet look that dominated red carpets, magazines, and just about everywhere else circa 2000. Instead, it's all about a Read more

Back in August, Ciaté's Ibiza lip gloss ($14) was included as a free gift with the purchase of a Marie Claire UK magazine, and ever since then I've been hooked on the pink shade. But what makes this hue perfect is that it's neither too pink nor too hot (as in bold). Instead, it's a gorgeous raspberry that has plenty of pigment without being too over the top. This is one serious product; it's Read more

For all our fellow candy corn fanatics — and just in time for Halloween — comes a supersweet treat for your lips: Philosophy's I Love Candy Corn Lip Shine ($10). Joining the brand's line of Fall-flavored lip glosses like Caramel Apple, Sparkling Cranberry, and Cinnamon Buns, the sugary, sheer gloss is a must have for those with a sweet tooth. Besides the spot-on candy corn flavor, the gloss Read more

Rich purple is one of this season's hottest shades, and you'll find it all over nail polishes, eye shadows, and handbags. But what about on lips? In their new collections, MAC, Illamasqua, and Yves Saint Laurent, among others, have launched lip colors that run the gamut from aubergine to lilac and magenta. Plum lipstick is a perennial favorite, but traditionally other shades of purple haven't Read more

If you're looking for statement-making Valentine's Day lipstick that's still wearable (unlike these looks), may I suggest Milani Lip Flash Shimmer Gloss Pencil in Hot Flash ($7)? It's a primary red that should work on most skin tones, and because of its texture, it looks like you used several products when you actually just swiped on one. There's more to say about it, so to see a picture of the Read more