Crimson Tide
Pure Illumination
Miranda Coggins, founder of the Lano Company, had super-dry lips and set about fixing them. She mixed lanolin, sweet almond oil, jojoba and vitamin E, added some bright pigments (with no additives), and voilà: She created a yummy, hydrating lip gloss. Even better, she added an LED light and mirror to the tube. So even if you've forgotten your makeup bag, you’ll never have to worry about fixing your makeup. Go for true red Vixen.
Stands out for: Genius applicator.
Works best with: Flirty, fun evening ensemble.
To buy: Pure Cosmetics, $20
Dr. Hauschka
Created by Dr. Hauschka Skin Care’s makeup artist Karim Sattar in a limited edition for fall, these lipsticks are not only good for your lips, but they smell incredibly delicious, too. They’re made with hydrating argan oil and soothing extracts of anthyllis, witch hazel and black tea. They’re sheer, which makes them great for layering. Go for Exhilarating Berry (a wine-colored red).
Stands out for: Subtle shimmer with gold flecks.
Works best with: Understated day looks.
To buy: Dr. Hauschka, $24
Pur Minerals
Lip glosses are a lot of fun to use, especially when you’re in a playful mood, but they can be sticky or gloppy and hard to apply. Pur Minerals has solved this issue with its high-shine, long-lasting lip gloss in a stick that never needs sharpening. Go for Daredevil, a punchy light red; or Game Day, its signature classic red.
Stands out for: Ease of use.
Works best with: Sporty or casual outfits.
To buy: Pur Minerals, $15
Rimmel London
Sometimes you’re just in the mood for matte. These lipsticks have much less sheen to them, and are usually highly pigmented so they last for hours and hours. The only downside is that they tend to be drying. My suggestion is to have at least one matte lipstick in your collection, as it’s a fabulous look for evening—and you can’t go wrong with the velvety Kate Moss Collection for Rimmel London. No. 107 is a fantastic cherry red. And it’s got lightweight emollients in it to soothe your pucker!
Stands out for: Deep, saturated pigments.
Works best with: Party dresses for date night.
To buy: Rimmel London, $5
Nars
I have to confess that my heart belongs to Nars. I was lucky enough to have written his first book_, Makeup Your Mind_, and during our sessions Nars and I had endless talks about what works on skin and lips and what doesn’t. For fall, go for his new jumbo velvet matte lip pencil, which goes on like a dream and won't dry like other matte lipsticks. And it can be used as either a base for layering, on its own or topped with a gloss. His colors are intense, so don’t be shy. Go for Mysterious Red. You won’t be sorry!
Stands out for: Gorgeous, super-dense pigments; smooth and silky feel.
Works best with: The most sophisticated outfit you own.
To buy: Nars, $26
Jesse's Girl
The lipsticks made by Jesse’s Girl Cosmetics come in so many colors and at such a great price that it’s hard to choose a favorite, but my pick for fall (and especially the holidays) is a delectable shimmery red called Sparkle-Licious. This color stays put, and if you’re feeling daring you can use it as a blush—simply dab a tiny bit on moisturized skin and blend well. If you want even more oomph, add the line's Liquid Glass lipgloss in Mellow Drama on top, and your night will be very, very bright.
Stands Out For: Bright colors.
Works Best With: Anything fun.
To buy: Jesse's Girl Cosmetics, $4
