Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Fifth Avenue Fuchsia

Yes, more lipstick.  I told you, I've got a LOT of lipstick. And this is one of my favorites! Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite color is fuchsia. I have a full Pinterst board dedicated to the color. I think that anyone can wear it. It's the cheeky, naughty sister of red. She's just as gutsy, but she has more fun.  And I'm all about fun!  Color Sensational lipcolors have a gorgeous scent to them that I find simply yummy, second only to MAC lipstick's scent. I love this lipcolor in spring and all through summer - it's also festive around New Year's Eve with silver glitter eyes, but I get ahead of myself here. The feel of the lipstick is very creamy and so moisturizing. There's no tugging here, unlike with some lipsticks (that usually happens when the wax content is too high.) I get great coverage straight from the bullet, and if I want a little less impact, I just bounce it on my lips, lightly tapping the bullet against the skin. Because the wax content is just right, it also does double-duty as cream blush, and it does it well.  Bonus points - fuchsia also makes for a fresh, not-so-typical combo color with this year's color of the year emerald green!  Product retails for $5.54. maybelline.com

Maybelline Baby Lips

I collect these little guys, and boy-howdy do they work! At first glance, they're your basic lip balm. They're super-moisturizing and lock in the hydration. The ads will have you believe its hydrating powers go on and on for 8 hours, but that's stretching the truth. Three to four hours is more like it, but these are so much fun to play with, you'll enjoy applying more often.  I love the scents each one has. Seriously, they're yummy! And the colors are sheer enough that every shade works on pretty much anyone. The purple shade is the most universally flattering, but the cherry-red is my favorite! These are perfect for a wide range of ages from tweens to seniors, as the colors are sheer and the shine isn't over the top. These come in six staple varieties: Quenched (clear), Peppermint (clear), Cherry Me (sheer red), Grape Vine (sheer purple), Pink Punch (sheer baby pink) and Peach Kiss (sheer peach). Every so often, Maybelline will release a limited edition color as well. I can see them carrying on with that for a good while, each time releasing something new and fun. Perhaps a coconut flavor for summer or a hot cocoa flavor for winter time?  That would be great! I know I'd buy them.  Below is a shot of me wearing Pink Punch.  I'm very light-skinned (about a MAC NC10-15).  Product retails for $2.97. maybelline.com

I purchased Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light about 6 weeks ago, after I had given up on the Garnier BB Cream.  I was looking for something more in my shade range.  As a light-skinned redhead, the Garnier was too dark.  Maybelline offered a far wider variety of shades - 5 total.  I picked up the Light shade and got to work.  Now that I've had it and used it daily for a few weeks, I have a good idea of its strengths and weaknesses.  I like how it smells - doesn't smell like much of anything if you ask me, and that's good.  So many times I've had to stop using a product on my face because the scent has given me headaches.  It has a good level SPF to it.  The SPF 30 is higher than most foundations, and is recommended for year-round sun protection. Plus, it's a titanium dioxide sunscreen, so if you have a sensitivity to chemical sunblocks, this may be a better option for you. The color is spot-on for my light, neutral-toned skin.  Those who are super-fair and/or pink in tone might not find it such a great match, though.  It does moisturize, in fact, I can use this in place of a moisturizer under my foundation.  Now, let's see how it doesn't live up to its promises.  It is very sheer.  Like tinted moisturizer sheer.  BB Creams from Asia (where the technology originates) are all-in-one products: foundation, moisturizer, primer, SPF, skincare all wrapped into one tube.  Maybelline's doesn't have the coverage that a traditional BB is supposed to have.  Bottom line?  The product has a good range of shades and is sheer enough to be forgiving if it's not an exact match for your skin, but if you're looking for an actual BB Cream, better look elsewhere.  Product retails for $7.44 maybelline.com