My Top 5 – Lip Gloss, Balm & Oil

As you know I’m a big fan of lipstick, but I’m also a lover of lip gloss and the benefits of lip balms & oils. On days where I’m wearing strong eye makeup, or matching my jewellery to my outfit rather than my lips, I opt for a glossy finish because I find it a suitable contrast. So, which five products are my favourite for this kind of look?

1. Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Volupté Tint-in-Oil

It really shouldn’t be a surprise that YSL tops this list either, considering the French powerhouse is my favourite and go-to beauty brand. But these lip oils are genuinely the best I’ve ever tried. The pigmentation of Volupté Tint-in-Oil is subtle enough that you can get away with looking like you’re not wearing colour on your lips, but strong enough that you know you are. It builds up the more you apply, and tints your natural lip colour too. The texture glides on with zero stickiness but great high shine, applied with the lip-shaped wand that in itself is just adorable! Made with five natural oils, (Apricot Kernel, Macadamia Seed, Coriander Fruit, Jojoba Seed & Passion Flower oils), it will nourish & moisturize your lips and has never left mine dry. As with all YSL Beauté products, these lip oils also smell divine! I use Volupté Tint-in-Oil in shades #3 Undress Me and #5 Cherry My Cherie. Available at YSL counters, €27

YSL €27 – Volupté Tint-in-Oil http://bit.ly/1Cb5nfb

2. Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 in Mint*

You know when your lips are so chapped and dry that you think nothing will ever regain their natural smoothness? Well then you’ve not tried Kieh’s Lip Balm #1! I absolutely love this product! It has brought my lips back to life after a very bad spell of dryness, one I specifically experienced after using coconut oil as lip balm for too long! It has a slight tingling sensation to lips and also adds a bit of plumpness to them after application, which is always a bonus in my books. This balm contains Squalane, Lanolin and Sweet Almond Oil, as well as Vitamins A and E, for a soothing, revitalizing formula and though the tube says ‘temporarily protects & heals’, I say it permanently does it, because my lips have never been better! http://bit.ly/1tgl0oO. Available at Kiehl’s, Wicklow Street and Arnotts, Henry Street, €11

Kiehl’s €11 – Lip Balm #1 in Mint http://bit.ly/1tgl0oO

3. Lancôme Juicy Shaker*

Nifty, fun and a must-have for jet setters, the newest lip product from Lancôme is as fun applying onto your lips as drinking a cocktail. The Juicy Shaker is an innovative product that’s a 2-in-1 with its ability to act as a lip stain and as a lip oil. It builds up colour on your lips with every application while moisturising them with its sweet almond oil, omega 3 & cranberry natural oils. I particular love giving it the little cocktail maker shake, and then dabbing it onto my lips for a perfect finish. It’s tiny size also makes for a great clutch-bag essential, so it’s handy for nights out in our teeny tiny bags. I will note that it tends to dry off more quickly than other lip oils. Available at Lancôme counters, €22

Lancome €22 – Juicy Shaker in Wonder Melon http://bit.ly/1SmXJuU

4. Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Babydoll Kiss & Blush

Another one of my favourite lip products by YSL, is the Babydoll Kiss & Blush. This duo product is great for adding a matte colour to your lips, that’s more subtle than lipstick and lasts for hours, and also doubles up as a cream blusher. The air-whipped formula has great pigmentation to it that allows you to build up colour with its ‘hidden pearl’ wand that glides onto lips with ease. I also find it a great base for lipstick, and I use shade #3 Rose Libre. Available at YSL counters, €29

YSL €29 – Babydoll Kiss & Blush http://bit.ly/1d2M1ol

5. Catrice Infinite Shine Lip Gloss*

This is a surprising favourite product of mine, as I don’t use very many products by Catrice but this Infinite Shine Lip Gloss is really great for pigmentation and creating a fuller-lips look. I first started using Catrice in Munich, as the brand is German, and am delighted it’s a big hit in Ireland too. It adds great colour so it’s nifty on top of lip liner, and if you want a stronger impact use it on top of lipstick. It also leaves colour on your lips after the glossiness has worn off, which is always a plus in my books. It is more sticky so be aware when it’s windy to avoid the hair-stuck-to-lips look! I use shade #120 Little Red Dress. Available at Dunnes Stores, Penneys and pharmacies nationwide, €4.99