Of course, as with any lip stain you might come across, the condition of your lips is an essential component to the success of the product. If your lips are at all dry & chapped, the stain will adhere to those areas too much. Once all of that is squared away and you're starting with conditioned, exfoliated lips, this stain goes on quick, sheer, and sets fairly quickly. It can be layered to increase color payoff, but I do suggest that you wait a few seconds between coats to avoid merely rubbing off some of what you just applied.

Once you've got the look you want, you could step right out the door, but I like applying a bit of gloss on top for comfort and to add a little shine. The nib is fine enough to be precise, however keep in mind that some of the lighter shades are sheer enough that the definition is less prominent. The stain doesn't last through everything (after a sandwich you'll probably want to touch up, for example), but it does have worthwhile staying power otherwise (about 3-4 hours, in my experience) before you'll get the urge to touch up a bit.

Overall, I love the mode of application and color results, but it would be even better if it stayed longer through any situation. Also, there's a small learning curve if you're not used to applying lip stain. The look is pretty and not too overdone, just right for warm weather style. $16, maccosmetics.com.

DeLush Rating:

• 2-in-1 crème stain for cheeks and lips
• Deliciously scented
• Oil Free, Streak Free, and Water-proof
• Contains anti-oxidant vitamin E
• Preservative and paraben-free"

Melissa Says: This does have a slightly sweet scent to it, but more importantly, it kisses skin with a gorgeous wash of color. Use just a little bit to create a lovely glow on the cheeks, and a little bit more for a perfectly-stained lip. (Pop on a bit of gloss on top of lips for a completed look.) This does stay very well for several hours, without fading or streaking, and when you apply it, it glides over the skin and blends very smoothly to help create a natural flush on the cheeks. It's also very easy to control the level of sheerness with this as well. This is a great low-maintenance product that applies quickly with the perfect amount of impact.

Retail Price: $25 / .24 fl oz. tube (at beccacosmetics.com or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Just a dab of this versatile, 2-in-1 color wash brings a fresh, healthy glow to lips and cheeks."

Jamie’s Thoughts: I am always intrigued by combination products – the good, the bad, and the ugly. The idea of a lip and cheek combo makes sense, but this product fails to follow through. The consistency is a bit solid, making it difficult to spread across the cheek. Sort of like trying to spread cold butter across toast. Not good. I felt like I was tugging on my face just to get it evenly distributed – a creamier texture would have made application much easier.

Interestingly, the texture is better suited for the lip usage. It covers evenly like a stain, and after time, didn’t leave a residue (like a gloss might). Time is the enemy with this product – I had to reapply it several times throughout the day. Something just didn’t compute with this one.

Retail Price: $19.50 (beauty.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Subtle, but never unnoticed, this water-rich stain provides a long-lasting, semi-permanent wash worth lusting after. Take a dip & anoint your lips with a sheer veil of vanilla-scented color, or layer for a deep, inky stain. Made with powerful antioxidants, including Vitamin E, Green Tea, Chamomile & Ginkgo Biloba extracts, Lip Envy applies cool, then dries down to a semi-matte finish – perfect when you’re not in the mood for a thick gloss. Housed in a sexy inkwell, Lip Envy features a flocked applicator for precise application."

Jen's Experience: To me, these stains are anything but subtle, but that's not a bad thing when I'm choosing lip colors this season. After trying Envious, Jealous and Greedy, I found that the colors for these lip stains to be just what I needed to brighten up my fall wardrobe. Envious, my favorite, is a hot pink that makes my skin glow and my teeth look ultra-white. Greedy, a top-selling color on the Urban Decay site, is a plum color just right for the lilac lips trend popular this fall. Jealous looks almost chocolate in the vial, but turns out to be a nude color that works really well with my light skin tone.

The lip stains themselves apply easily using the applicator provided, and do go on more subtly at first, but can be layered for a more vibrant color. I found that on my dry lips, the color penetrated quickly no matter how many layers of stain I applied, and could not be removed without make-up remover even moments after application.

This season, lips should be less fussy than in previous seasons, but when the lip stain didn't penetrate evenly due to my dry lips, I felt the need to "even it out", and at that point the layered color got a bit sticky. Still, if any of the cosmetic companies who were trying for long-lasting lip color had ever gotten this close, I would have been jumping for joy. The stain lasts for hours, and because it's a stain, it doesn't transfer to my beverage glass. It's a whole new world for me.

If you're the kind of person who really feels the need to have moisture on your lips at all times, I will say, it doesn't last as long with balm before application or gloss after application (I tried both). I was so relieved that I didn't have to repply my lip color constantly with bright colors like these, I was able to resist the temptation to gloss constantly.

Overall, this is a fabulous product and definitely one to add for your shopping list for the season.

"Envious"

"Greedy"

Tips: When choosing your color, remember that the color on your lips is much lighter than the color in the vial, so don't feel intimidated by the ultra-bright shades. If you do choose to wear a gloss over the lip stain, be sure to let the stain dry completely to extend the life of the color.

Retail Price: $17.00

Rating: