SUMMER LIP GLOSS TEMPTATION – MOVE OVER LIPSTICK!

Are you swapping lipstick for lip gloss this summer? Bronzed glowing skin, a swipe of bright colour on lids or along lashlines, lots of mascara and a slick of gloss -- hello, quintessential carefree warm-weather makeup. Not that lipstick is completely out; a vibrant creamy or matte looks amazing with just mascara and bronzer. But sheer gloss takes just a second to throw on, and almost zero precision. I'm down with that right now.

Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment ($22 at sephora.ca and $18.50 at sephora.com) in Sugar Nude, Sugar Berry and Sugar Tulip are the newest moisturizing glossies in the Shine collection. They're very sheer; it takes a few tries to get a bit more colour intensity. I've been having chapped-lip issues for the last while, which makes me cautious when trying new stuff, but so far so good with Fresh Sugar Shine Treatment in Sugar Tulip. Pretty! And because my lips seem to be doing better, I'm ready for more pigment...

Make Up For Ever Artist Plexi-Gloss ($23 at sephora.ca and $19 at sephora.com) offers glorious shades and two kinds of finishes: opaque (more pigment!) and buildable sheer. I hope to swatch them properly on my lips this weekend. That fuchsia! That coral! That inky shimmery blue! Do you have any of these yet? Favourites?

Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Gloss ($6 at drugstores and $4.49 at ulta.com) are like crack for Baby Lips addicts! More Baby Lips to love! But again, because of my lip issues I've been cautious, wanting to avoid sparkle or glitter just in case. So I went with Baby Lips Lip Gloss in Fab & Fuchsia, that sheer fuchsia with the green cap. No problem -- comfortable, easy to wear. But it's super-sheer, the merest whisper of colour.

Paul & Joe Midnight Sangria Lip Gloss ($28 at select Shoppers Drug Mart stores* and $26 at beauty.com) in Midnight Sangria, Sanguinello and Strawberry Kiwi are problems for me. I'm obsessed with this brand now that it's becoming more available in Canada. Look at their pretty little compacts! I can't try one without spoiling its perfect loveliness. The dumbest struggle ever -- I know that. There are more important issues in the world. But still I can't bring myself to touch them. Maybe tomorrow. Because not trying them is silly. Silly, silly, silly. Have any of you tried these?

Bourjois Paris Rouge Edition Aqua Laque Lipstick ($24 at Shoppers Drug Mart) come in eight shades and a couple have just found their way into my purse. I see "Lipstick" in the name and "hybrid" in the press material, but I'ma call 'em gloss for now. Today's the trial day. I'm a huge fan of Bourjois Paris Rouge Edition Velvet Matte Liquid Lipsticks, so I hope I like these. I know in the US that Walgreens carries Bourjois, but these aren't on the site. Are they available there yet, lovelies? Have you tried any of them yet?

YSL Pop Water Glossy Stain ($38 at Holt Renfrew, Murale and $36 at nordstrom.com) are so covetable, and the colours are so gorgeous. And I haven't swatched them properly because when I got them my lips had just started to behave badly. But I love the finish and the shade range is stunning, and I'm kind of a sucker for YSL. What's your take?

There are many more new glosses these season that I need to get into, and a few new lipsticks that are still calling. Have you officially made a switch from lipstick to gloss for the summer? Or do you just go with your lip-gut each day? What's your go-to right now?

shoppity shop-shop

*Paul & Joe are at these Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques so far: 

• 112 Rue Sainte Catherine Ouest, Montreal QC 
• Rideau Centre, Ottawa ON (end of August)
• Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill ON
• Bayview & Broadway, Toronto (mid-September)
• Bloor West Village, Toronto ON
• Chinook Center, Calgary AB
• Robson and Burrard, Vancouver BC
• West Broadway, Vancouver BC
• Richmond Center, Richmond BC