Estee Lauder’s Tender Lip Balm is a nice, basic lipgloss that any gloss lover will probably want to try. With this offer, it is available in the following shades: Tender Peach, Tender Caramel, Tender Pink and Tender Berry. You can choose the shade that best suits you.

The gloss formula includes SPF 15 to help protect your lips from sun damage. It also includes conditioning ingredients to improve the smoothness of your lips. The colors are subtle to provide a natural looking finish with just the right amount of shine.

See the rest of our list of free makeup sample offers from around the web.

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.

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.