My top four lipsticks

I love wearing lipstick, (much to my boyfriend's dismay) and I always used to live by the rule of the brighter the better. Having experimented for a few years with makeup I've since begun to realise what suits my pale complexion. In college I used to wear a bright bubble gum glittery pink lipstick which I loved but did not suit me at all. (I'm still reluctant to throw it out though even though it's now mushy and unwearable, slightly nostalgic). My four favourite shades have lasted me a long time (this habit of not wanting to throw anything out strikes again), and I thought I would share them here.

In the rather appealing shiny purple case on the left of the picture is the one that I've had the longest. I think I bought this about 5 years ago and I love it. The colour is shocking pink and dries as a matt finish on the lips but is quite a greasy formula so it doesn't dry the lips out. I used to use Rimmel a lot when I first started using makeup and I've found their lipsticks to be really reliable. This one in particular is Lily Extase 340 and stays put all day long. It's one of my favourites for this reason and I love the colour. You can still buy it from Amazon and it's priced at £4.99.

The second in the picture is by Avon and is called Red Kiss. Despite the name however it has more of a pink undertone than red. It's quite a deep colour and although it goes on red on the lips, there's a hint of a pink hue to it. It's not too dark and doesn't wash my already pale skin out. It's my favourite red lipstick and I wear it a lot. It's quite a creamy formula but unfortunately it does dry and crack my lips throughout the day. It also stays put all day long but this isn't ideal when my lips are cracking underneath it. (I'll explain in my next review how to combat this). I often apply Lipcote after the lipstick which helps it stay put for longer and stops the lips from cracking. (It can be quite disconcerting when you first use Lipcote as it does have a burning sensation when first applied but it soon passes). I think I received this lipstick as a free sample but it's available to buy at £3.50 online or from your local Avon representative.

The third lipstick is a 2 in 1 formula with a built in mirrored compartment in the lid. It's great for keeping in your handbag and you won't waste time looking for a mirror, which is handy. Again this one is from Avon (most of my makeup is) and called Pink Rose. Unfortunately I think this is now a discontinued product which is a shame. It's quite a greasy pink lipstick but it doesn't dry your lips out. The downside to it being greasy is that it slides off the lips really quickly. The lipstick is quite shimmery and creates the illusion of light reflecting off the lips. In the lid of the tube (where the mirror is kept) is a small gold lip balm that you're supposed to use alongside the lipstick. As the lipstick and the balm are both shimmery I personally think using the two together distorts the colour. I don't really use the balm but I love the convenient mirror and the colour of the lipstick.

The final and rather luxurious looking lipstick is from the ANEW by Avon range. This range is a little bit more expensive and is marketed as being an upper class product. I think I paid about £7 for it and I think it might be another discontinued product. It has a really creamy formula and coats the lips in a really pretty pale pink colour. As it's quite a light lipstick it doesn't dry the lips out and helps to moisturise them. Similar to the Pink Rose lipstick however it slips off the lips easily so re-applications are essential.