It’s an age-old dilemma that still doesn’t seem to have a good solution: How can you get your lipstick to stay put while eating? Cosmetics companies come out with long wearing lipsticks from time to time but most of these leave your lips dry and an unsightly ring of color around your lips. MAC addresses this problem head-on with their new Pro Longwear Lip Creme Collection.

As the name implies, these lipsticks are very creamy. They come in a wind-up tube that is similar to MAC’s lipstick packaging but taller and narrower. The consistency of these lip cremes is actually closer to a balm and they do a decent job of keeping lips hydrated.

One of the best things about these lipsticks is that they don’t require a special top coat like most long-wearing lipsticks. This means application is a snap, although you should probably use a mirror since the color is so pigmented that it’s not very forgiving. They do deliver on their promise to stay in place for up to twelve hours but don’t tempt fate by eating an oily pasta sauce. The colors go on pretty evenly and they have a subtle sheen to them. These lip cremes will be part of the permanent collection so MAC is placing a lot of confidence in this product. Don’t expect it to be just a passing trend.

Fading lipstick is a particular problem with bright and dark colors so MAC made sure to include several of these shades in the collection. Good to Go is a bold bright orange shade that is not for the faint of heart. Love Forever! is a daring bright pink with blue undertones. The dark brick red Extended Play is a great shade for fall. Prolong is a ruby red shade that is destined to become a classic for those who can pull off red lips. These are mostly cream formulas but there are also two frosty shades: the coppery Sweet Ever After and the nude/plum Made to Last. All of the colors provide full coverage.

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.

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.