Here’s how to make your lips ready for that midnight kiss to ring in 2018, without going into debt.
These lip products are affordable so you wont’ blow your 2018 beauty budget!
By Alison Blackman
Out(last) Past Midnight:
My go-to all time favorite for lots of colors and an inexpensive price is Cover Girl Outlast All-Day lipsticks (Avg. Price $8-$11). My real reason for loving them? They really last…all day (and into the night).
The Cover Girl Outlast Custom Reds Collection has 7 shades that skirt around the typical, classic red to suit different skin tones in Light, medium, and Dark.
We really like this idea for those who love red on everyone else but you think they can’t wear a bold red lip.
I tried one from each skin tone collection: #810 Orange-U-Gorgeous for Light/Pale (it’s a pink/orange); #850 Extraordinary Fuschia (more of a berried red than “hot” purple-pink), and #860 Unique Burgundy (deep enough to look goth on pale skin, but great on deeper tones).
The lipstick is also unique in that it comes in two parts. You get the matte lipstick, and a shiny, moisturizing balm/gloss.
This type of long wear lipstick does dry out lips, but since you don’t have to re-apply it for hours if at all, it’s worth having to exfoliate and add lip balm, regularly.
Cover Girl is available at mass market retailers and drug stores everywhere, or visit the CoverGirl Official Website https://www.covergirl.com/
Test Tube Gloss:
Sleeks Cream Lip Paint by Inglot ($12.99) are notable for their high wattage silky shine, but also they’re just so distinctive in a tube that looks a bit like a test tube.
But while it’s fun to pull this Lip Paint out of your bag and watch people’s expressions, the real reason to buy it is or the 20 sheer colors from light to deep.
I picked #93 a clear bright red for a super shiny red lip that isn’t quite as bold as a lipstick, but leaves plenty of red-centric color on your lips.
Although Inglot calls these lip paints, they’re really glosses so expect to re-apply more often.
But the packaging and the luxurious, non-sticky, paraben-free gloss with a slightly vanilla-scented gloss gives your lips such a lovely high shine.
Pop one in your evening bag to shine all night! For more information visit: https://inglotusa.com/
Lip Hint Soother:
After all the exfoliators, Winter heat, and long lasting lip products, your lips need TLC. Right for one of My Chelle’s Lip Hints Conditioning Lip Balms ($12.50/each).
These sheer, shiny lip balms with a hint of tint arrive in little jars with ingredients that are safe to “taste.”
Pure plant oils and waxes, essential oils, and natural extracts including Shea Butter and Coconut, Kalahari Melon, and Meadowfoam Oils help soothe and pamper dry lips.
The colors aren’t very intense, but there is just enough color payoff to be better than bare in plum, nude, and Berry.
MyChelle has no Phthalates, Parabens, Sulfates, Silicones, Ureas, Artifical Fragrances and Colors, Petroleum, GMOs, and Gluten.
These beautify with nourishing and hydrating to help keep your other lip colors looking. better–I just wish they were in tubes instead of pots!
For more information visit: http://www.mychelle.com/Lip-Hints-Conditioning-Lip-Balm
Healthy Cool Velvet!

I’ve always liked Physicians Formula products because they are uniquely packaged, and work little miracles for very little money.
If too many late nights and too many long-wear lipsticks have dried out your lips, get yours back in shape while looking great with the new Physicians Formula Healthy Lip Velvet Liquid Lipstick ($7.95) .
These combine Avocado Oil, Vitamins A & E , Hyaluronic Acid, Anti-aging Peptides and a Blend of Treatment Oils with a formula that is: hypoallergenic, Paraben & Gluten free, Dermatologist & Clinically tested, and Cruelty-free.
They’re also good for all skin types, and arrive in 13 intense lip colors from natural to bold, that won’t dry out lips, cake or settle into fine lines.
The Healthy Lip Velvet Liquid Lipstick is available at PhysiciansFormula.com & Ulta stores.
It will be available in all other retailers beginning January 2018
Lovely Lipstains:
I’ve been obsessed, yes, really! with Sassy Lips for a long time, with their beautiful, gel-like hydrating and silky formulas and tiny flowers.
It’s partially because Sassy Lips Make The Moment Lipstains ($25) are super-cute. Each sheer lipstick has gold flakes and lots of clear shine.
While the colors are not completely transfer-proof, they last (as a lip stain) for a long time.
The elegant black cases close magnetically with a distinct “click!” (and I think this is a very luxe detail).
I tried three popular colors: “When BAE Looks Your Way” and “When The Night Is Young”are pink, while “When The Party Gets Going (yellow bullet) turned more apricotty.
Sassy Lips Keep Em Guessing Lipsticks ($16) change color with your skins’ PH levels.
I didn’t’ try them, but they look like a party in a lipstick bullet!
I think you’ll love all of the Sassy Lips collections! Visit the Sassy Lips Website!
Diamond Shine:
TIGI is known for hair care, but they also have a killer collection of color cosmetics. Try these gorgeous lippies: TIGI’s Diamond Lipstick ($26) and luxe lipgloss ($24).
The TIGI Diamond Lipstick has shea butter, Vitamin E and Rose Hip Seed Oil to soothe and hydrate lips.
The colors are intense and slide on smoothly like a silk robe. They’ll even last as a lip stain even if the lipstick wears off.
“Astonish” is a bright cherry red with tons of moist shine. It will be the “red” investment you’ll love all Winter long.
From the TIGI Luxe Lipgloss collection, I choose”Queen Bee” without any color but with holographic, high wattage shine to enhance any of your favorite lip colors.
This gloss even smells slightly of birthday cake!
You can get these in a variety of places including Sephora Ulta and Macys but for more information visit: https://tigi-cosmetics.com/
Metal (Shock) Your Lips:
Metallics are the new glitter for holiday 2018, and these Metal Shock Lipsticks by Essence ($4.99 each) give your lips a Metallic shine finish without being as glaring as glitter.
Essence Metal Shock Lipsticks are available in 8 shades from mild to blue and green in a creamy formula that, despite the modest price, looks luxe.
I tried two more traditional shades (Metallic blue and green are for the more adventurous):
#01 Iron Maiden is a rose gold and #08 Toxicity is a brilliant gold, both of which also looked great when mixed with other lipsticks such as a traditional red.
Go deep with #05 Purple Pistol and #03 Ace of Hearts –deep purple and deep rose. These will really flatter deeper complexions, but for this inexpensive price, why not give them all a try?
Matte Metallic Lipstick
I’ve included the color swatches, because many of the colors are unique (e.g. gray, blue, green, gray-plum)
These will turn heads because they’re non-traditional, but I tried a glorious red, a lovely copper rose, and a glorious deep plum.
The texture of these lipsticks is ultra pampering, creamy and moist, but the metallic shades will be your “statement piece.”
C’est Matte!
Vivienne Sabo’s (from Paris) “Matte Magnifique” Velvet Lip Color (approx $12) is just what you’d imagine–it’s super-matte.
The difference between most mattes and this one is that it’s moist on your lips, and stays put for hours.
There are tons of beautiful colors but my editor’s choice was #225 a very deep cool red. It’s dramatic!
If it is a wee too matte for you, add a tiny bit of gloss.
The products are a bit hard to find right now, but the Vivienne Sabo mascaras (in our following feature) are available at Amazon.
The product should also be launching at Harmon stores nationwide, also visit: “Vivienne Sabo Cosmetics
Nifty NOYAH:
I initially discovered NOYAH at the Indy Beauty Expo in NYC where I admired the beautiful, Earth-friendly bamboo packaging decorated with cherry blossoms.
But after trying this intensely pigmented Noyah lipstick ($18) in “Empire Red” with a lightweight, silky hydrating formula I was hooked!
The all-natural lipsticks have lip soothing Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and skin-protecting Vitamin E.
For those who would rather go to another opaque and bold color choice, I suggest “Deeply in Mauve” in a semi-matte, cream formula that looks trendy but not so deep it’s goth.
The beautiful case will make you feel even more glamorous if you re-apply it and someone is watching!
Vanity, Fair!
Vanity Fair Lip Gloss and Glitz Lipstick ($35) by VMV Hypoallergenics is a “buy” when you realize you’re getting both a lipstick and a lipgloss in a lovely gift box.
Two Glam. Two Fab. Two Perfect!
Mine was “Big Red” with a “Smack!” lipgloss that is party perfect for everyone who loves red or try “Cherry Fudge and Tango”
The lipstick is not super shiny but it’s moist and perfect for any time. But adding the very sheer Tango (pink) gloss for warmth and shine made the look into “party glam” perfect.
VMV Hypoallergenics offers cosmetics with something I really love: they’re particularly great for anyone with sensitive skin and/or allergies.
The products are a godsend for those who desire 100% fragrance-free, non-drying and noncomedogenic lipsticks. Visit: https://www.vmvhypoallergenics.com/