A product that's 4.5/5 after 225 reviews at Makeupalley is something to take seriously. It must be really good, or there's a misguided mass hysteria surrounding it. :P Whatever the case is, I think Lucas Papaw Ointment (P450 at Digital Traincase) deserves the raves. It's not particularly special as a lip balm but for healing wounds and minor irritations? This is awesome!

Lucas Papaw Ointment is a petroleum-based salve that is infused with papaw, or carica papaya, that is grown and hand-selected in Queensland. Papaw is touted to have healing properties when applied on stings, cuts, and burns. This was found by Dr. T.P. Lucas who then created his ointment 100 years ago - a recipe that still remains unchanged up to this day.

It's interesting to note that the company making this is still family-owned and that they only employ 12 people. They don't seem to advertise heavily (if at all). This is worth mentioning because Lucas Papaw seems to be a staple in Australia, something both women and men carry with them at all times.

I love how matte lipsticks look but I don't like how they feel on the lips. They're heavy, thick, and drying if I don't prime my lips properly with a hydrating balm. They're less comfortable compared to glossy lipsticks but in exchange they last waaay longer and leave a pretty stain.

One lipstick that I'm really digging is the new Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick in M PK 335 (P1,285). It feels like silicone primer on the lips - indeed, it's silicone-based! - so it's cushy, soft, and not at all heavy. Trivia: this lipstick's main ingredient is dimethicone, a type of silicone oil that is largely used in shampoos to keep hair smooth and shiny. It's safe, don't worry! I just think it's neat.

Aaanyway. This matte lipstick lasts super long and doesn't fade completely even after eating. It doesn't transfer too much on glasses and utensils, plus, it's not drying.

Lips-talk. Such a funny word but it actually makes sense for Etude House to call their lip products "lips-talk". They believe that the color we wear on our lips tells the world what we're feeling that day, hence, our lipstick does some talking! It's roundabout but clever.

Anyway, I've reviewed some lipsticks from Etude before and I love 'em. You can't go wrong with a great price, nice texture and color selection! This time, I have a lipstick-balm hybrid that's supposed to condition our puckers: the Etude House Dear My Essence in Lips-talk.

It's described as "enriched with Meadowfoam Seed Oil, this ultra-conditioning Essence-in-lipstick melts into lips with luscious color and brilliant shine, leaving your lips smooth, moisturized, and soft." 'Tis true. This stuff is so creamy it literally melts into a wet, almost gloss texture when it hits the lips. It's also moisturizing, as if you put butter on!

Hey folks! I have some new products from Maybelline that I'm excited to finally talk about. I've had them for a few weeks now and, well, color me impressed! It's been a while since I used anything from the brand so I'm surprised by how nice their stuff are now. 

Here are capsule reviews of Maybelline's latest: The Jewels by Colorsensational Lipsticks, Master Liner 24-Hr Cream Pencil, and Eye Studio Lumineyes Eyeshadow.

The Jewels by Colorsensational Lipstick (P399) is a collection of six jewel-toned lip colors in uber creamy, pigmented formulas. They're not waxy and they stay on for a loooong time given that the colors are on the dark, brilliant spectrum. They leave a nice stain too without feeling too drying!

There are certain emotions and impressions that come with particular colors, which then makes them the perfect weapon if you know how to use them. You can leverage these things according to the effect you want to achieve on people. Some can call it manipulation, but I like to call it resourcefulness. :) 

That said, there are no hard and fast rules when choosing lipstick shades. In the end, it depends on your personality, location, and the kind of people you are with. You can even just pick your signature shade and wear it anywhere you like. But if you're the kind of girl who changes lipsticks more often than she changes shoes, then honey, this is for you! Let your lipsticks do the talking!

Going on your first date with a special someone? You can never go wrong with a glossy, flirty-yet-innocent pink lipstick. It doesn't scream *too much* but it's not blah either! Whether you're wearing a chiffon dress or something casual, a pink lipstick like the Cover Girl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Dazzle will look gorgeous on you. A glossy finish like this makes your lips look plumper and more kissable.

So you guys hit if off, huh? Congrats! If you want to make a good impression when you meet his parents, there's nothing better than a sheer peach or coral shade.

I'm kinda pissed off that two of my favorite, and I mean favorite, coral lipsticks have been missing for a while now. They're the Revlon Coral Berry and Makeup For Ever Rouge Artist Natural in N39, ugh! I do have other coral lipsticks but I think these two are the best-looking of them all.

But one has to move on, I suppose. So, here's one of my new orange/coral lippies: the MeMeMe Long Wear Satin Lip Cream in Coral Cloak (P560 at Makeupholics).

MeMeMe is a drugstore UK brand that has been making waves locally. The products are colorful and highly pigmented, up there with Sleek, Beauty UK, and Models Own - only kitschier with a baroque sensibility. I am not a huge fan of the packaging per se, but the product itself is quite nice for the price. Remember the MeMeMe Goddess Rocks? That one's a great catch.

Coral Cloak is a beautiful creamy orange lippie that stands out without being too loud. The texture is quite silky and smooth, not too thick as to be uncomfortable.

I have a friend who hates wearing lipstick. She said that the stuff migrates everywhere on her face! To get some color on her lips, she just rubs them with tissue to get the blood going. I'm thinking that hurts if she has dry lips, plus it can lead to premature lines in the area. So I told her, try the Revlon stains! She was unconvinced. Until a few days ago.

Beauty problem - solved! The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (P575) is made for women who don't like the waxy feel of lipsticks or simply do not like retouching too often during the day. It comes in twelve on-trend and highly pigmented shades to suit your fancy.

 I know you gals have seen the rave reviews, so I'll just make a quick run of it!

What I love about the product

• These are super pigmented stains that penetrate deep within the lips, thus giving them color that goes strong for six hours. There is some fading along the inner part if you eat, but it's not too obvious for me.
• Moisturizes lips without feeling too thick. It does dry up within three hours though, so keep a lip balm on hand if you have dry lips.

"I don't have the skin tone for it!", "My lips are too big!", "I'm shy, and "My boyfriend doesn't want me to" are some of the reasons girls are scared of wearing colorful and loud lipstick. Well I don't want to force you if you really can't but if you've always wanted to BUT blah blah blah then girl, maybe you're afraid of something more than just eye-catching lips. Maybe you don't feel too confident about your own beauty, which is why you don't want to draw attention to it.

That's just wild conjecture, of course. I'm just basing it on the comments I've received in all my lipstick posts. :) Anyway, today I'll teach you how to get used to wearing loud lipstick. The trick is in realizing that you're the only one holding yourself back - not your judgmental friends or boyfriend, not your perceived lack of good looks. I think we're all beautiful and a hot pink or red lipstick is just the perfect punctuation mark!

Step 1: Invest in a classic and universal color. MAC has great lipstick shades that have stood the test of time. One is Russian Red, a bold luscious color that flatters any skin tone. If you like pink, Pink Noveau is also a popular choice. 

In 1895, an enterprising man called Dr. George F. Smith set up the Rosebud Perfume Co. to sell a homegrown balm that fast became a hit among his neighbors. He was able to grow the business by setting up a mail order and door to door sales system that not only sold the trademark Rosebud Salve but also perfumes and aftershaves. At one time, he had 70,000 salespeople going door to door to sell this popular product!

More than 100 years later, the Rosebud Salve (P420) is now a favorite among bloggers and celebrities like Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, and Beyonce to name a few. This petroleum-based product is infused with oils, smells of roses, and is housed in a vintage-looking tin. It can be used as a lip balm, but it's really for any patch of our body that needs some TLC!

The Rosebud Salve is just okay as a lip balm (thin and moisturizing vs its greasiness and slight waxy texture). But you aren't really maximizing this if you just use this on the lips! It can be utilized several ways, but IMHO it is the best at reviving dry nails and cuticles.

Remember my red phase? Yep, still not quite over it. I was in Powerplant a couple of weeks back when I randomly decided to buy a true red lipstick. For the life of me I don't know why I did it, because I have maybe seven red lipppies in my collection already. I just wanted a true red and there's only one lipstick I know that fits in that category: MAC Russian Red (P1,000).

Like I said, I already have a handful of reds, but Russian Red is on a whole new level of its own. It's a seductive, intense, blue-based red that nobody can miss. It's completely opaque in one layer and has a matte finish. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a memorable, eye-catching red - skintone issues aside as this is touted to match all shades. Makes teeth look super white too!

Now matte lipsticks are great because they tend to be very pigmented and long-lasting. The downside, however, is that they drag when you apply them, plus they can also be very drying.

I'm into red lately, particularly red lipstick. I'm also digging the vintage 50s movie star look, so my outfits recently are along those lines.

Anyway! I know that red on lips can be a rather intimidating color, but worn the right way, it can be your defining polished look. Sounding like a broken record I know, but out of all the lipstick shades out there red is the most liberating color to wear. You'll know it if you've tried it.

I have a LOT of lip products lined up for review so I'm trying to schedule them apart. Still, expect to see a parade of posts from balms to lipsticks in the next couple of weeks! So! Today I'll talk about a nice everyday lip and cheek tint: the Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint in Peach (P328).

The color in the bottle reminds me so much of the Benefit Cha Cha Tint but don't be fooled - they're two completely different colors. Cherry Peach is a milky peach shade that's flattering on fair to medium tones. It gives just the right touch of color, while keeping lips moisturized and shiny.

What I love about the product

• It doesn't streak. You get ample time to blend it because the color doesn't sink in immediately, unlike other stains where you only have a few seconds to work the product onto your skin.
• The color is a nice creamy peach - not overly pigmented but not faint either. You might want to apply a thick layer on your lips to really get the color going.

A lot of girls have been asking me about this much-hyped product from Revlon. So good news - the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is now available in the Philippines! It retails for P575 in major drugstores and department stores. :)

Just got mine the other day so I can't do a full review yet, but off the bat I can tell you that this is a great lip product. It is such a HUGE improvement on the Just Bitten Lip Stain + Balm from last year, which came with a felt tip applicator and balm on the other end. This time, the Just Bitten stain is a balm that leaves a deep, lasting, and even color on the lips.

I've long held that you don't need to spend a lot for a good lip balm. They are basically made of the same thing anyway, so it's not like you'll notice a considerable difference between brands! However, some girls like the occasional splurge, and that's where balms like the MAC Suntints SPF20 Liquid Lip Balm in Au Rosé (P950) come in.

I like the formula. The Suntints balm feels quite lush on the lips without being sticky, and it moisturizes pretty well. It has SPF20 too. A makeup artist used it on me and said that while it's not terribly pigmented, he likes using the balm to condition lips before applying makeup. What he does is he works the balm in before he applies the face products. Once it has been absorbed, he wipes it off with a tissue. Voila, instant smooth and ready-for-lipstick puckers!

This balm makes lips appear smoother than they are, thanks to its thick (but not heavy) texture.

You already know how much I love the Mentholatum LipIce lip balm and the LipIce Sheer Color tinted balm. I always carry them around and that's a fact! Get them if you haven't yet. ;) Anyway a few weeks ago, I got to try the LipIce Color Lip Balm(P145), which is basically the brand's version of lipstick. How does it fare in comparison to Sheer Color? 

The LI Color Lip Balm comes in three everyday shades: Sweet Rose (a pigmented shimmery, shiny pink), Pretty Pink (peachy pink), and Candy Apple (my lips but better pink-brown color). Yes they're rather oddly named, but then again my description of colors is very subjective. Nonetheless, these are all lovely shades that are school and office-safe.

I already told you what my top five lipsticks were, so I thought it's finally time to show lip glosses some love! I don't often wear glosses as much as lipsticks, actually, but when I do I make sure they're worth the hair trap. Oh you know what I mean. Glosses are a bane on windy days but these are the ones that I find too pretty to resist.

L-R: Majolica Majorca Honey Pump Gloss Neo, Shu Uemura Gloss Unlimited in Corona Orange, VMV Hypoallergenics Lip Glitter Gloss in Cherry Pink, Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Pink Pop, Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Hoola

Here's why I love 'em! 

Majolica Majorca Honey Pump Gloss Neo. Glosses are by nature flighty things. They get wiped off easily just by drinking and eating. But the Honey Pump Gloss Neo is one of the longest-lasting glosses I've tried. I can eat and still have some gloss left over. I also love how it makes the lips look fuller without being overly thick.

Rouge is one of the first types of makeup ever. From as far back as ancient Egypt when men, women, and children painted their lips and cheeks red to the roaring 20s when color on the face symbolized women's emancipation, rouge has been a staple in every makeup kit. Fortunately, we live in the 21st century so we don't have to worry about lead and mercury poisoning from our pots/tubes of rouge. :P

That said, one product has found a permanent space in my bag: the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink (P1,500)!

I love this because it's extremely easy to use. Fingers and one minute is all you need with this to get perfect lips and cheeks! I have tried other cream blushes before but this one is probably the prettiest and most convenient of them all. Here's why!

What I love about the product

• It's easy to apply - with your clean fingers, dab it on the lips then pat it on the apples of your cheeks. It doesn't dry up too quickly or leave streaks so you have time to blend it properly.
• Doesn't feel greasy or thick on the lips/cheeks. It does settle as a normal stain would. 

How do you feel about orange on your lips? It's a fun shade to wear but definitely not something I would try to pull off everyday. It's too tricky to match! Most of the time I would find myself adjusting my whole look just to accommodate true orange lips, and that just won't do. 

But I do like orange a lot so I think I've found a way to sneak it in my everyday routine - via this Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine in OR 541 (P1,195)!

It's orange indeed, but not the crazy fluo kind. It's a wonderful uber shiny shade that goes with my medium-yellow skintone so well! Formula-wise, this feels more like a lip balm than a lipstick. I even already skip moisturizing my lips beforehand because this lippie handles that job pretty well by itself.

Do you love Benefit's famous Box O' Powders - CORALista, Hervana, Bella Bamba, and Hoola, to name a few? Well, if you're a fan of those shades then you just might love their new Ultra Plush Lip Glosses (price TBA) inspired by their blushes. This new gloss is coming out on July worldwide (it's not yet out even in the US!), but since I got hold of one early I thought I'd do a review!

Okay, so! I've tried quite a few lip glosses in the past - high-end, low-end, thin like lipstick, thick like glue - but this is nothing like I've used before. (Maybe I should get out more? Hihi.) Anyway, I don't know what "ultra plush" means but this lip gloss must be it!

Feel and scent. It's super thin on the lips, like liquid lip balm if you can imagine that.

I hope that, after all this time, you're not yet tired of me rambling about lipsticks like a lunatic. I can't help it when there are nice new ones though, which is the case with the Beauty UK Lipstick in Passion (P265 at The Makeup Suite).

This is a crazy neon pink-red lipstick. Neon is the operative word here - it's so bright you can spot it from yards away! The formula is pretty nice with a thin texture that has a slight minty taste and scent.