Welcome to the gloss•a•ry, a monthly roundup of all that glitters from our own wand-toting shimmer expert, Michelle Carney. Tune in each month for the latest and greatest in pout perfecting products utterly devoted to your sparkly, sexy and oh-so-shiny lips.

 

A shiny, new season…

 

Ready or not, here comes fall. I’m putting the pretty pinks and naughty nudes that set off my slight, summer suntan back in the drawer. With fall’s changing colors come richer fashions… and paler complexions. There’s good news girls and that’s gloss. Colors with subtle sparkles reflect light and cast a glow. The right hue heats up even the coolest of seasons.


Autumnal Bliss

 

Stila's legendary lip glaze keeps my interest this season with four new shimmery shades to complement the tastes of fall. Spiced Pumpkin (soft peach), Spiced Cider (rose mauve), Spiced Maple (golden maple) and Spiced Ginger (bronzed peach) promise to turn up the heat in the pumpkin patch. The scents? De- luscious. * Color pick: Spiced Maple, $20. Available at www.stilacosmetics.com

 

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Supernatural

Urban

 

Apothecary’s Rock Star Glimmer & Gloss does double duty in one shot. With a wave of this magic wand, I glossify, flip, and dust a touch of iridescent crystal powder anywhere that looks pale or tired. And because UA is based on micronized minerals, pure pigments and flower absolutes, sprinkling this fairy dust is actually good for me. *Color pick: Moonstone, $20. Available at www.urbanapothecary.com.

 

Time’s Up

 

Hourglass Cosmetics’ “Sheen” is like light in tube, and it goes on even lighter. These water-resistant formulas contain Silica for a silky, tacky-free finish. Satiny shades run from sheer dark pink to plum, with a few corals and peaches I’ll hold onto for “resort.” But it’s ‘Kindle,’ a crimson with gold shimmer, which has me warming up to the thought of winter. $26. Available at www.hourglasscosmetics.com.

 

Click here to find a store near you.

 

Pot of Gold

 

Lucy B’s Tinted Lip Balm is the perfect little pot to stash in the pocket of my go-to coat. Because like it or not, the wooly tweed is going back into rotation. At least subtle sexiness is only a dab away. Infused with vitamin E, Australian flower essences and a lip-smacking watermelon scent, these little glass jars pack a powerful punch, and the pearl lid is just darling. *Color pick: Chocolate, $17. Available at www.lucybcosmetics.com.

 

Click here to find a store near you.


gloss·a·ry: n: an alphabetical list of technical terms in the specialized field of lip gloss; i.e. PrettyCity.com's guide to lip gloss from A to Z

 

A = Application, a wand is better than a pot, keeps the fingers clean.

 

B = Burt's Bees Balm, always use a balm at bedtime to lips hydrate overnight.

 

C = Clinique, this department store brand is one you can always count on.

 

D = Delux Beauty, this darling brand is from Hollywood makeup artist Jillian Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy hottie Patrick Dempsey's wife).

 

E = Everyone who comments on our perfect pouts.

 

F = Fresh Lip Sheers, our perennial favorite with flawless texture.

 

G = Glitter, a kiss of glittered gloss puts a sparkly touch on a night out.

 

H = Hard Candy, a kitschy brand for flirty girls, and those who dare to go bold with color.

 

I = "I", as in "it's all about me and my gloss."

 

J = Jane Iredale's PureGlossT for Lips. Organic ingredients impart pucker perfection without preservatives and chemicals we can't pronounce.

 

K = Kiehl's, the brand's Lip Therapy is cold-weather catch.

 

L = Lips and all the things we do to make them luscious.

 

M = Maven, the line's Lip Exotics are a healthy alternative.

 

N = Nars, the Barney's of lip gloss, with such a delicious color range, you can't buy just one.

 

O = Orgasm, the must-have shade from Nars based on the line's famed blush, available exclusively at Sephora.

 

P = Pout, it's not how you do it, but what you do with it.

 

Q = the Queen you are.

 

R = Revlon - a rock-solid drug store brand that's got serious celeb power.

 

S = Smashbox, never tacky, always shiny.

 

T = TheBalm, an excellent brand that packs a lot of punch with its plumper.

 

U = Undeniably Addicted.

 

V = Vincent. Vincent Longo. The make-up artist to models and celebs has a gloss that's super silky.

 

W = Wet. Wet shine, wet slicks, anything wet, that's the look.

 

X = XXX Shine Lip Gloss from Urban Decay, ultra-glassy and minty-fresh.

 

Y = the Yummy flavors infused in Jessica Simpson's Dessert Beauty line, like chocolate, caramel and vanilla.

 

Z = Zipper pocket, where gloss should always be stored.