My favorite lipstick brands

MAC makes some of the greatest lipsticks around. I love the assortment of finishes available: AMPLIFIED CRÈME, CREMESHEEN, FROST, GLAZE, LUSTRE, MATTE and SATIN.
Most of my favorite MAC lipsticks have an Amplified Creme finish. I love that none of these finishes feel the least bit drying, I don't even notice much of a drying problem with Matte lipsticks like I have heard mentioned before with other brands. However, if you are one of those people who notice a lipstick feels dry, that can always be remedied with a thin coat of lip balm!
Favorite shades: Girl About Town (Amplified Creme), Port Red (Frost), Russian Red (Matte), See Sheer (Lustre), So Scarlet (Amplified Creme), Lollipop Loving (Glaze)


Poppy King is a genius, and definitely has earned herself the title of a "Lipstick Queen"! I love the formula of the Saint/Sinner lipsticks! I would gush about the glosses, but I'm trying to stick to the topic of lipstick in this entry.. I think it's awesome how each shade has a sheer/opaque twin. I love the pigmentation of the Sinner and Saint lipsticks! The Saint lipsticks are sheer, but definitely give enough color. "Saint Rose" has become a day and night color for me, it's so versatile! The colors are so rich and pigmented. I don't notice any drying at all with the Sinner lipsticks, and the Saint lipsticks are extremely moisturizing from what I have noticed during my regular use of the lipsticks. This brand definitely is up there with M.A.C! Whenever I don one of these shades, I feel like a queen. A "lipstick queen". If you haven't tried Lipstick Queen yet, I highly highly highly recommend it. This brand will always have my 'red kiss of approval'!
Favorite shades: Saint Rose, Medieval, Natural Sinner


I am in love with the Sheer Tint Lip Color! The lipsticks are scented with a yummy mix of caramel and vanilla. This is definitely the perfect lipstick for somebody who prefers a tube of gloss over a tube of lipstick. The color is sheer, but definitely leaves a touch of gorgeous color! The moisturizing properties of these lipsticks are out of this world. There are seven shades available, and you can mix two or more colors to create your own custom lip color. I like to mix "Alina" and "Vendela", it's a great daytime shade for me! I'm a fan of bold lip colors, but I consider "Vendela" (sheer rosy nude) as the perfect nude for me. That says a lot because I'm not really a 'nude lips' kind of girl! The packaging is a shiny silver case, and it locks close so you don't have to worry about the top falling off and smearing lipstick all over the inside of your purse! It's very time consuming to scrub red lipstick out of the inside of your purse...I should know, it's happened too many times! If you're looking for a super sheer, yummy smelling and moisturizing lip color, check "Becca Cosmetics" out!
Favorite shades: Vendela, Alina, Estella


These lipsticks are unbelieveable. The pigmentation is so rich and the lipstick just glides onto your lips with such ease! There are so many colors available to choose from, and the price is so affordable! Milani is perfect for somebody who doesn't want to sacrifice vanity in these rough economic times! It's hard to believe that this awesome brand can be found in the cosmetics aisle of your nearest drugstore [try Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid]!
Favorite shade: Rose Hip (#07) I have only tried this one so far, but I will definitely try more in the near future!

I decided to take a break from reviews for a day or two and write about something I love: lipstick. Some people just cannot justify paying over $10 for a lipstick. If you are one of those people, that's cool. In these economic times, it makes sense. However, I do not have that type of control to pass by a $15 lipstick that I want. When I see a lipstick I want, I need it. However, I am going to feature some kick ass drugstore brand lipsticks that I use (and love). Just because America is in a recession, that is no reason to compromise looking great and feeling confident in yourself. These are my top #3 drugstore brands (and shades)!

Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in "Rose Hip"

I love all Milani products, the colors are so richly pigmented! I can't wait to try out other shades from this lipstick line. Some people have speculated that this shade is a near perfect dupe of NARS Schiap and MAC Show Orchid. It has a faint smell of roses, similar to the smell of Benetint lip balm. I don't find the scent to be strong to bother me, in fact I think it's nice. The color is gorgeous. It's the perfect hot pink, so girly and flirty. I paid $4 for it. That's $10 less than MAC Show Orchid, and $20 less than NARS Schiap! Now, that's a bargain! I also have Mandarina from the Color Perfect lipstick line, both are such beautifully pigmented shades. I'm also a huge fan of Luminous blush, it's an exact dupe for NARS Orgasm! I recently introduced my best friend to Milani, she loves the Easyliners (eyeliner and lipliner) and Lumious blush as well.

Revlon Matte Lipstick in "Strawberry Suede"

This lipstick is from the new "Matte" lipstick line that Revlon recently launched. This color is a beautiful, bright and clean strawberry pinky red with coral tones. It brightens up my fair complexion and the contrast next to my hair and skin looks amazing. This is my go-to daytime lipstick. It looks fresh and perfect for springtime, it just makes my face glow! It reminds me of a color that maybe a 50's pin up would have sported, or maybe "Gidget"! I love lipsticks with coral tones, so this is the lipstick I have been searching for! I will continue to buy this color again and again for as long as this line continues to exist.

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in "Royal Red"

This was my first red lipstick ever, so this shade will always hold a special place in my heart. This lipstick started my lipstick addiction, and inspired me to try out higher end lipsticks. "Royal Red" has a slight shiny finish, it has the look and feel of a MAC Lustre lipstick but the staying power is much better! It can be blotted on for a nice pretty red stain, or applied at full strength for a gorgeous and modern red lip.

-ashley

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WIN IT!
Just leave a comment and let me know that you'd like to enter. The giveaway begins now, May 2nd, and ends May 11th at noon EST.

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