Benefit Cosmetics is a cutesy cosmetics brand known for clever names and a catalog that is truly fun to read. Although they are best known for some of their more unique products, their basics should not be overlooked. Lipstick may seem boring next to some of their more innovative items, but the truth is, like most Benefit makeup products, Benefit lipsticks are great products worthy of their somewhat high price tags.

Benefit Full Finish Lipstick is one of those products that will save you money in the long run. This lipstick is formulated to give even and solid coverage, eliminating the need for using a separate lip liner and gloss. The finish is creamy with a slight sheen so it looks polished without being overdone. The shade Lady’s Choice is without a doubt one of the very best lipstick colors you can buy anywhere, and I don’t make statements like that very lightly! Lady’s Choice is a soft, neutral pink color with just a touch of brown that is similar to the natural lip color most of wish we were born with. It’s just enough color to make it look like you made an effort, but not so much color that everyone is going to instantly notice you are wearing lipstick. The wear could be better on these but they are very easy to reapply. In fact, you don’t even need a mirror.

photo credit: corporatemonkey

BeneFit Silky Finish Lipstick is a lighter formulation than the Full Finish. It is sheer but buildable. One coat is perfect on those days when you don’t really want to look like you are wearing makeup. A few coats of the same color over a lip pencil and finished with gloss gives a more complete look. The great thing about this product is that you control the coverage. There are plenty of flattering shades in both cream and pearl finishes. They are also very moisturizing.

If you’re just getting started with Benefit Cosmetics Lipstick, a couple of popular shades include Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick in Good to Go and Ms. Behavin.

BeneFit really got it right with both of their lipstick formulations. As an added bonus, the packaging is adorable. Each Benefit lipstick comes in a box with vintage doll art and a little message inside that reminds me of something you might find inside a fortune cookie. The tubes are attractive in black with little white loops on the bottom. Props to BeneFit for doing such a great job on a classic product.

If you’re just learning how to apply beauty products and cosmetics, lip gloss is an ideal product to begin with. It’s easier to apply than lipstick, and choosing a shade is much, much easier with lip gloss. With lipstick, it is very easy to inadvertently choose a shade that clashes with your skin tone, your eye makeup, or your outfit. Since lip gloss is almost always sheer, reflective or iridescent, you can easily find a shade that will compliment your coloring and still make your lips stand out. Plus, learning how to apply lip gloss is a snap. Our favorites include Dior lip glosses and MAC lip glosses.

Step 1: Start with conditioned lips. The key to applying lip gloss (and lipstick too for that matter) is to start with smooth, conditioned lips. As a general rule, you should apply Vaseline, a lip balm or a moisturizing Chapstick to your lips before bedtime each night to help maintain soft, smooth lips. Protecting your lips by using products with SPF is key since sun exposure leads to dry, chapped lips.

Step 2: When your lips are conditioned and moisturized, if needed, use a toothbrush or a cotton swab to gently brush off any excess dry skin that can make your lips look rough. When you are more consistent with keeping your lips conditioned, you won’t need to do this step much at all. Your lips will stay smooth and soft if you continually protect and care for them.

photo credit: Jenah Crump Photography

Step 3: You may want to apply lip liner before you apply lip gloss. You can use lip liner first, or simply skip this step, depending on what kind of look you are going for. Lip liner will help keep a little color on your lips in between the times you touch up your gloss. It can also help add definition to your lips, help make them look a little fuller, or even out any flaws. When using a gloss on top, you should choose a soft, neutral shade or one that is very close to your natural lip color. You don’t want the liner to be obvious since your lip gloss will likely be somewhat sheer and will require reapplication from time to time. Next week we will be posting extensive details on how to apply lip liner for a wider range of lip makeup looks.

Step 4: Apply the gloss. Glide the color over your lips. Depending on the brand of lip gloss you’re using, the container will most likely either be a squeezable tube or a tube containing a brush or sponge tip attached to the container’s lid. If your gloss is in a squeezable tube, simply apply it by placing a bit of gloss on your forefinger and gently swiping the gloss across your lips. If your container has a brush or sponge tip, simply pull the lid out of the tube and sweep the brush or sponge tip across your lips. Be careful not to start with too much gloss. You can always add a little more, but if you start with too much at first, it can end up looking goopy and messy.

Step 5: Use a q-tip, cotton swab, or your finger to wipe off any gloss that may have gone outside the edge of your lip line.

Step 6: Lastly, be sure to bring your gloss with you in your bag. Gloss is one of our very favorite makeup products, but it does come off easier than other lip products and will need to be reapplied or touched up every so often. In our opinion, the extra lip gloss applications are worth it since lip gloss provides that shiny look that is unmatched by anything else. Enjoy!

Read some of our additional lip makeup tips.

Dior Cosmetics is a high-end makeup brand with prices to match. Like anything by Christian Dior, you can definitely expect to spend quite a bit more than you would for an average cosmetics product. While you can probably argue that you can find just as good quality at places like MAC for a fraction of the price, everyone deserves to own at least one item from Dior – if only for the feeling you get when you pull the elegantly packaged product out of your makeup bag. And if you’re only going to own one Dior item, you can’t go wrong with a lip gloss. Dior’s top of the line glosses are the perfect splurge item for a bride’s wedding makeup look, a fun photo shoots or your next exciting date or special occasion.

Many of their devotees’ first foray into Dior was with their lip gloss. That’s because their glosses have an excellent reputation in the cosmetics world. Celebrities and fashion magazines alike sing its praises and with good reason.

Dior has been around forever but the first gloss that started getting a lot of press was Dior Addict. The Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect is a shimmery gloss that is shiny without being sticky. Rose Denim is a cool toned rosy-pink color with a subtle blue shimmer. It is perfect for neutralizing colors that are too warm. If you have always wanted to wear a baby pink color but never thought you could pull it off, this is a great way to experiment because it’s very sheer and the intensity will vary depending on what you put underneath it.

Crème de Gloss is a gloss with a very high color payoff. In fact, it reminds me more of a liquid lipstick than a gloss. It could easily be worn on its own because it is not sheer like most glosses. The texture is about as perfect as a gloss can be. It’s very creamy and moisturizes without being sticky or drying out your lips. Fig Nectar is a highly pigmented plummy pink that looks great on both warm and cool skin tones. It also lasts longer than you would expect a gloss to last.

photo credit: *nomi* & malcolm

As part of their new DiorKiss line, Dior has also released their DiorKiss Luscious Lip-Plumping Gloss – a lip gloss available in eight translucent shades that plump your lips as they shine. Most of the shades have a iridescent shimmer to them. The lip gloss also features a special curved gloss applicator that allows for smooth and application.

Another Dior lip gloss fav of ours is Dior’s Addict Lip Polish – a lip primer and polish in one. This lip product mimics the effect of a lip primer with it’s unique formula of moisturizing hyaluronic microspheres and a high shine finish. The product also has a special spinning roll-on applicator that gives you an even, “just-right” amount of polish over your entire lip area.

Dior lip glosses are a great choice for anyone who is looking to treat themselves to an ultimate luxury pick-me-up. It helps you look great and feel great at the same time.

Achieving a whiter smile is at the top of every beauty maven’s list. Healthy, white teeth are essential to that classic, gorgeous look. If you’re going to wear brighter lipstick and lipgloss shades that draw attention to your mouth, you especially need to make sure your teeth are white. Nowadays teeth whitening is relatively easy and affordable. The trick is knowing your options and finding the one that will work best for you.

Teeth whitening options include home remedies, drugstore products, and professional treatments at your dentist or teeth whitening specialist. Depending on your budget and needs, you can choose from a range of treatments to find one that best suits you.

Home remedies for teeth whitening are certainly cheap but their effectiveness is questionable. The many home remedy solutions include rubbing teeth with mashed strawberries and brushing teeth with baking soda mixed with water. The general idea behind these home remedies is to use a slightly abrasive substance, usually something that can be found in your kitchen, to rub down stains on the enamel of the teeth, similar to the process of exfoliating skin. Only some stains will react to these remedies, however, and more stubborn stains may require an aggressive approach instead. In addition, home remedies for teeth whitening may take weeks to see any result. They also may be too hard on your tooth enamel causing irreversible damage.

photo credit: The Style PA

Drugstore products for teeth whitening include teeth whitening strips, gels, toothpastes, and kits which include a whitening solution and a tray holder. There are numerous teeth whitening products that are popular for their price and effectiveness combined, such as the classic Crestwhite Strips. Drugstore teeth whitening products can whiten teeth in only a matter of days or weeks, and the results last on average from six months to a year. Since they are more affordable than professional whitening treatments, people on a budget usually opt for drugstore products, although they will need to use them every so often to maintain their white teeth. Trying free teeth whitening samples is a good way to test out a few products before forking out the cash. Once you know which products work best on your teeth, you will feel more confident spending money on a particular kit.

Professional treatments include in-office treatment using professional-grade bleaching systems. Dentists may also offer a cheaper take-home system using a mold of your teeth along with the a professional-grade bleach formula, although not as strong as the formula used in the office. A professional teeth whitening treatment performed by the dentist will offer guaranteed results and will last possibly up to two years or more. It is more expensive than the home remedy or drugstore options, but also offers the best results for super-white teeth.

Overall, remember to do your research when choosing your teeth whitening method. Make sure a product has good reviews from reputable sources before moving forward with a purchase. Each of these tooth whitening options has specific pros and cons. Using careful consideration, decide which one best fits your needs.