Our Favorite Lip Stains

Lipstick is great but sometimes you want something more daytime friendly. Instead of a more bold lip shade, go au naturale glam with a lip stain. Lip stains still pack a punch of color without the fuller matte finish. If you're looking for your perfect brand, you've got a ton of options. Lip stains are super trendy and every major makeup line carries them. So which ones work best? Lucky for you, there are a bevy of brands out there that'll leave you looking like you just ate a popsicle, but in a totally chic way.

Benefit BeneTint Pocket Pal

Benefit Bene Tent Pocket Pals give you a twofer. You get a rich lip stain on one end and a lip gloss on the other. It's tiny packaging makes it easy to carry around, so throw it in your favorite clutch. This fabulous kiss proof color also doubles as a cheek stain, so save some money and use it both ways!

Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain

Covergirl's lip stain goes on like a bright juicy marker and dries fast, making application fun and easy. If you're looking for a subtle flushed-lip look this is the lip stain for you. The stain comes in 10 long lasting shades so whether you want a nude stain or something a little brighter, there's a perfect color for everyone. What's best, this lip stain will last you through kisses, drinks, and everything else so apply in the morning and forget about it!

L’Oreal Color Juice Stick

Just the name makes us want to wear this one! L'Oreal Color Juice Stick smells and tastes great (just like candy) so don't be scared to pucker up while wearing it! With an easy, smooth application and glossy sheen, this moisturizing lip stain is a super wearable lipstick alternative. It keeps your lips soft and doesn't settle into fine lines, so no need to top it off with a gloss.

Our Picks for the Best Purple Lipstick

From clothing to shoes and accessories, it's all about purple. Rich purple shades are super trendy, but would you wear them on your lips? The key to rocking this look is knowing what shades work best for you. Get it right and you'll turn heads with your royally chic purple pucker.

MAC Creme de la Femme

Fair-skinned ladies, this lovely shade of purple is perfect for you. Creme de la Femme is a surprisingly natural, subtle shade of purple with soft pink undertones, which makes it totally acceptable to slick on in the morning and keep on for after-work cocktails. Undertones of shimmery gold give this gorgeous lip color a little added oomph that's sure to make your lips stand out.

DuWop Private Plum Lipstick

DuWop Private Plum goes on like magic. And we don't mean figuratively. It literally adjusts to your body chemistry, giving you a plum shade that works with your skin tone. If you need even more reason to try this shade, it's also super moisturizing so there's no need to top it off with gloss.

Dolce & Gabanna Amethyst Classic Cream Lipstick

This sultry dark shade looks amazing on darker skin tones. The rich, opaque burgundy-purple shade is super intense and very sexy on dark brown and chocolate skin. If your skin is lighter, be prepared to look super vampy and borderline gothic. If mysteriously rogue is the look you're going for, be sure to downplay eye makeup because your lips are definitely going to want to be the center of attention.

MAC Rebel

This lipstick definitely gets it's rebellious name honestly. MAC Rebel is an intense purple-y fuchsia that's only for the daring. With slight hints of berry, this lip color is best reserved for olive skin tones and darker. It'll look way to harsh on fairer skin, so if your complexion is lighter it's probably to go with something not quite so in your face. Girls who are bold enough to wear this sassy shade should keep the rest of the face simple. You'll definitely want your lips to be the main focus!

Beauty Buys: LORAC Sheer Wash

Ever bit or pinched your lips to give them a natural, rosy color? If you like that natural glow, you'll love LORAC Sheer Wash. This travel sized roll-on lip stain is cute, tiny, and easy to tote around. The stain gives your lips a natural glow that lasts all day, which means that one little bottle goes a long way.

Would You Wear Katy Perry's Makeup?

It's obviously over the top but since it's for a photo for her new single "E.T" will give her a pass. At the very least it's definitely interesting.

Our Pick: Guerlain Highly Pigmented Lipstick

Looking for a new lipstick. Guerlain has just come out with 25 new shades. The lipsticks contain a unique Cristal Pigment that not only intensifies color but also stays put for a long lasting easy finish. The lipsticks which will be available in April and retail for $35 are available at Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

Bare Essentials Launches Skin Care Line

Love Bare Essentials makeup? The brand is now set to launch a skin care line to compliment their already popular makeup kit. The line which hits stores in March includes cleansers, moisturizers, antiaging treatments and blemish zappers. Retail price ranges from $18 to $60. Bare Essentials skin care products will be available at Macy's, Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, Bare Essentials shops and online.

Backstage Beauty at Fendi

Fendi backstage Fall 2011

Gucci Hair and Beauty

We seem to be spotting a beauty trend starting at New York Fashion Week and carried right on through Fashion Week in Milan. Many designers this season are going for simple, sleek, pulled back hair. We saw this again at Gucci. With the exception of the feather accentuated ponytail, the look was the same. In Gucci's case this may have had something to do needing a hairstyle that worked with all the hats that went down the runway. Nevertheless, we're guessing that pulled back hair will be the next CHIC beauty trend.

Winter Beauty Pick Me Up

There's no need to be pale in the winter. Instead of going to harmful tanning beds we recommend Lancôme Flash Bronzer. It gives you a great, even glow, and is super moisturizing. Go to www.lancome-usa.com to shop.

Makeup Maven: Rachel McAdams

Actress Rachel McAdams recently sported a bold look. She lined her eyes with bright yellow liner. According to critics, the shade is a bit too much for winter. We always love when our favorite celebs step out of the box, but we kinda agree with the sentiment. Maybe not so much for the colder months, but this is definitely a trend we're excited to try come spring!

Gwen Stefani for L'oreal

Gwen Stefani is the new face of L'oreal. Check out her first commercial here.

Gwen Stefani for L'oreal

Gwen Stefani is the new face of L'oreal. Check out her first commercial here.

Shu Pei for Maybelline

Model Shu Pei just scored a campaign with Maybelline. The Chinese beauty will also be featured on the beauty brand's television ads alongside models Erin Wasson and Julia Stegner.

Lindsey Wixson for Chanel

It-girl Lindsey Wixson is the new face of Chanel makeup. In this photo she wears Le Vernis nail lacquer in Black Pearl and Rouge Allure lipstick in Flamboyante.

Hello Kitty at Sephora!

For those of you who love Hello Kitty, be sure to head over to your local Sephora. Hello Kitty Beauty, presented exclusively by Sephora will be available in stores in late January. The collection includes fun, high quality products for lips, eyes, and face as well as nail lacquers, fragrance and an accessory collection. Best of all, it's super affordable with prices ranging from $5 to $35. In celebration of the launch, Sanrio and Sephora have partnered with ebay to host an auction where fans can bid on trips to collection launch events in New York, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. Prizes also include, airfare, hotel stay, and exclusive event entry. The auction runs from January 17-January 27. For more information visit www.ebay.com/sephorahellokitty.

Lady Gaga for M.A.C.

Lady Gaga will be signing on as the face of M.A.C's Viva Glam line again and we've got a first look for you!

Make Up Love: Natalie Portman at Black Swan's NYC Premiere

We already raved about Natalie's hair at the New York premiere of Black Swan, but we just have to mention her makeup! With statement-making red lips, long, dark lashes and romantic curls, Natalie skipped her casual nude looks and chose the dramatic vibe of her new movie Black Swan.

"CHIC.TV beauty blog brought to you by Silk'n SensEpil, the at home laser-like hair removal device."

How To: Choose the Right Mascara

We all know that mascara is a great way to play up your eyes, but how do you know which mascara is right for you? Here are our tips:

• For daytime use, make sure to wear a mascara that compliments your hair color and skin tone. Many of us are tempted to wear black mascara but it can come of looking harsh on people with fairer colored hair. If you're not brunette, save this color for nights out and instead go for a shade of brown.


• Your mascara brush is just as important as your mascara. Different brushes create different looks. Do you have long lashes that you want plumped up or do you have shorter lashes and want to add length? Most mascaras will describe on their packaging what the brush is intended to do. Make sure to take note of this and purchase a mascara with a brush that works for you.


• Another trick: if you have a certain mascara that you like and a certain brush that you like, combine the two! There are no rules in beauty. This trick can work great if you're having trouble finding a mascara and brush from one brand that you prefer.

Holiday Makeup Tips

This holiday season spice it up! Whether you're going to a holiday party or celebrating the new year, 'tis the season to experiment with fun beauty ideas. Step out of the box and try one of these tips:

1) Try a red lip: Nothing says happy holidays like a fun red lip. If red scares you, go for a burgundy instead of a fire engine red. Also be sure not to over do the rest of your makeup and keep emphasis on the lips.

2) Metallic Shine: Dust on a gold, silver, or metallic tinted eyeshadow. This is a great way to reinvent the smoky eye by adding a little color to this sexy trend.

3) While We're Talking about Sparkle... : Lightly apply body shimmer to your face and body to give yourself a subtle holiday glow.

So, go forth and be merry this season with these easy makeup tips, guaranteed to make you a hit at your next holiday party!

"CHIC.TV beauty blog brought to you by Silk'n SensEpil, the at home laser-like permanent hair removal device."

NARS Vintage Collection

We visited the NARS studios a few weeks back and fell in love with an amazing polish that one of the staff was wearing. The color is called Zulu and it's from the NARS Vintage collection. The team at NARS has resurrected vintage favorites for a limited time and made them available for purchase. Choose from 10 super chic shades. We love them all! Visit http://www.narscosmetics.com/ to learn more.

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