Cosmetic Challenge: Lipstick - Lipsticks, and even tinted lip balms, wear off too fast and they can look pasty and unnatural. Long wear lip color might sound like the answer, but a majority of brands make lips feel too stiff and dry. If you want a little bit of shine, you end up slathering on the glossy stuff only to have it smear off on your teeth, face, clothes, etc…
Solution: Lip/cheek stains give lips and cheeks a sheer, fresh, and natural look while also being comfortable to wear, water-proof, and kiss proof!
How to Use: If desired, exfoliate face and lips to slough off dry skin and ensure an even application. Apply stain to lips using the provided applicator or a Q-tip. Follow up with a clear lip balm for a more casual effect , or apply gloss to dress up the look.
Note: You can use the gel as a blusher as well – just apply 3 dots of stain to the apples of cheeks and rub them into skin using circular motions. Apply another coat until desired color is reached to compliment your skin tone. Set the gel with translucent powder for a natural look, or try shimmer powder applied to cheekbones to further highlight and accentuate.
Products 
to Try:
A big favorite is Benefit Cosmetic’s Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain. Available at Sephora in poppy and rose colors ($28 for 0.4oz), it comes with a brush applicator.
· Winner of Real Simple magazine's "can't-live-without-products-hall-of-fame" award
· Winner of Marie Claire's "Top 25 Products that Changed our Lives"
· 2008 Women's Health Beauty Awards - "Beauty all-star: Best cheek color"
· Voted "best blush" by Elle magazine in 2006
Also available at Sephora is Lorac's Sheer Wash in sheer raspberry, rose, and bronze ($20 for 0.3 fl oz), which comes with a roll-on applicator. Bonus – it contains Sodium PCA, a naturally occurring component of the skin that helps absorb moisture and reduce oil/shine.
Word to the Wise: Screw on the cap tightly – a leaky gel can really stain a purse or cosmetic bag!
