Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss

$21.00 by Smashbox at Sephora

Earlier today, the Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss in Endless Kiss landed on my desk. Naturally, like any good lip product obsessed lady would, I applied it immediately. In the tube, Endless Kiss appears to be a Spring-perfect melon gloss with subtle gold shimmer. On my lips, it's more of a very sheer version of the tube's initial color.

Since this is a long wearing lip gloss, it has a different texture than your typical lip product. After applying the product with the doe foot applicator, the initial slip is similar to a lip balm, creating a smooth and high-shine surface. After a bit of wear (and drinking) the formula can become sticky, but nothing unusual (comparable to a MAC Lipglass).

Bonus points and kudos to Smashbox for including SPF 15 in this formula. Our lips are often forgotten when applying sunscreen products, but like the rest of our body, they need protection too.

The Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss SPF 15 was just released as a part of Smashbox's latest collection, In Bloom.

For me, the most fun part of the holiday season are the little, unexpected treats that magically end up in my stocking. Sure, the big presents are grand and useful, but there is something to be said for the smallest luxuries that end up being cherished presents for the rest of the year. Until recently, I always thought of L'Occitane as the go-to company for shea butter products, but they offer so much more. If you're looking for last minute treats for the holidays or something extra special for yourself, try these little luxuries from L'Occitane.

Jewel Lip Palette

$26.00 at L'Occitane

In celebration of the new fragrance,  Fleur Cherie, L'Occitane created the Jewel Lip Palette. From the packaging to the gloss, this product is a treat. Is it a pocket watch? Is it a piece of jewelry? Is it makeup? That's all for you to decide. Inside the compact, the pink & bronze glosses contain orange blossom extract - plus, there's a bonus mirror. Honestly, what's not to love?

Pure Shea Butter Apricot Flower

$15.00 at L'Occitane

Last holiday season, I received a quarter sized tin of shea butter. Honestly, I had no idea how handy the tin would be. Since that day, I've carried it with me every day and I've applied the shea butter to heal chapped lips & skin, rubbed it into cuticles, dry elbows and even applied it as a lip balm in a pinch. This season, I'm not messing around - I'm spreading the joy of L'Occitane's shea butter tins with everyone I know. My pick is the Apricot Flower - it's fresh and feminine without being overly sweet or fruity.

What treats are you giving to those you love this holiday season?

Heartbreaker Lip Shine

$19.00 at Smashbox

As you get older, the expression "Spring has sprung" takes on a whole new meaning. Shedding Winter layers for Spring's flirty looks generally only leads to one thing - take that where you will. Smashbox has aptly named their Spring color collection Heartbreaker, full of bright, flirtatious colors and bold, California Barbie-inspired packaging. How can you say no to a lipgloss named Berry Hot?

The Lip Shine is a great addition to a Spring color collection - it starts off sheer but easily allows for buildable color. Berry Hot is a fantastic plum-influenced fuchsia that can build to the color you see in the tube.

In addition to great pigmented lipglosses, the collection also includes a Fusion Soft Lights (a personal favorite of mine) and great eyeshadow palettes.

Of course, this collection also makes me think of Mariah Carey & Jay-Z's super catchy single, Heartbreaker.

Heartbreaker, you've got the best of me....

Mariah Carey - Heartbreaker

LORAC Couture Shine Gloss Collection

$22.50 by LORAC at Sephora

During the Holiday season, the best things come in the smallest of packages.  This season, Lorac has released their Couture Shine Gloss Collection, a multi-pack of five glosses formulated for high shine and maximum moisture. These colors start out at varrying levels of sheerness but are buildable.

The gift set includes Haute (a soft blue toned pink), Couture/Haute Couture (a delicious warm toned mauve), Sheer Luxe/Grand Luxe (a deep wine), Glam (a shimmering wine) and Lavish (a stunning glittery pink).

This gift looks perfectly thoughtful - and totally is - without being too expensive. Who wouldn't love five delicious lip glosses in great shades?

While purchasing skincare for Mr. Man, our Beauty Bank at Sephora hit $100, and we were eligible for a deluxe sample which Sephora happened to have in store. Once we saw Laura Geller's Lip Stay in Pout ($13) as a sample option, we were intrigued. The color is a rosy brown with gold flecks, and we can't resist a stay put gloss.

As with most long-wear products, Lip Stay features a clear topcoat to be applied after the lip color dries. While applying the color, we marveled at how lovely & opaque the shade actually was, and how well it complimented our light olive skintone. As the color coat began to dry, it initially became sticky and dried into plastic feeling coat. We waited 2 minutes before applying the glossy topcoat.

Admittedly we love to wear lipgloss around the house, and this Sunday was no exception. After drinking a glass of water and eating a piece of toast we checked our reflection. Our lips were left tacky from the topcoat, but the color was barely visible.

Pros: The colored end of the gloss perfectly complimented our light olive skintone and the topcoat end was very glossy.

Cons: The gloss balled up and rolled off our lips after the first sign of resistance, similar to other "stay put" formulas, barely visible after a snack & a drink.

Verdict: If Geller made a gloss the same shade as Pout, we'd buy it in an instant. However, Lip Stay didn't stay put on our lips.