Gloss Picks
I'm sticking to my expectations when it comes to my makeup and bagging all thick, opaque lipsticks. Right now, in the middle of winter, the heavy color wands aren't really doing much for me. And since I'm obsessed with all things O.C., I'll be replacing them with shiny glosses. (Even though I'm breaking the celeb rule again, it has to be said that the girls of The O.C. have the most perfectly glossed lips. They could turn anyone against the stick.) The O.C. aside, what better way to bring in part of your spring ensemble than with a rosy gloss?

Don't think gloss means colorless. Au contraire, ma cherie. I figure I'll/you'll/anyone will need glosses to cover the color spectrum. My favorites (newly found as well as tried-and-true) are listed below.

For pure shine, I still can't top LORAC Lip Polish in Shine. Estee Lauder's Pure Color Cool Gloss in Cool Coconut is a close second.
If you're going for almost au naturel, DuWop's Lip Venom in Buttercup will give your kisser a neutral, rosy hue. Venom is so foolproof you can apply in car (not recommended while driving), at desk or while ducking beneath the table. It's a cult favorite.
For a touch of pink, try Lancome's Juicy Crayon in Fraise. Don't let the crayon part spook you - it has a smooth, glossy feel to it. Another fave is Cargo Duo Color Lipgloss in San Fran.
Can't ignore the spring's new It color, coral. Am in love with Scott Barnes' (the genius behind my much-loved and oft-used Body Bling) Flossy Glossy in Whisper. Thankfully, he blended his coral with pink, making this sometimes-difficult color a cinch to wear.
For a deeper, berry tint, Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Rasberry is a no-brainer. It is long-lasting and gives you tons of shine. Delux Beauty Lipgloss in Odin is a creamier option that is a repeated favorite with my crowd.
The metallic trend is far from over and a great way to tap into it is with your lip gloss. Bella's Squeeze Tube Lip Gloss in Stiletto (even the name is chic) is my absolute favorite night-out-on-the-town lip wear. I have about four tubes, one in each of my purses. That way I'm never without.

Let's see, so far I've broken expectation #2 repeatedly, but have checked off #25 (gloss lips) and #9. And am consistently following #'s 4, 12, and 13. Not a bad start.

Ciao, my friends.

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