Bronze hues with bright lips and nails are forever a classic portrait of Summer makeup. As seasoned beauty addicts, we technically may not need that new bronzer or neon lip stain, but they’re just so fun to buy it’s hard to resist!

Like many, I’ve already decided to splurge on one of this season’s gorgeous bronzers (The only question is which?), so there isn’t a lot of leeway in the makeup budget. It’s a good thing the Smashbox Shades of Fame Reflection High Shine Lip Gloss Set ($29 US) helps stretch that dollar while bringing us the trendiest lip colors.

These mostly sheer glosses add a hint of color and sparkle that invites you to play with the prettiest lip layering combinations imaginable. The vibrantly colored hues deposit just the right amount of shine and a thin layer of pigment that boosts any lippie worn underneath.

Going from left to right we have: Candy (bubblegum pink), Buff (nude), Hibiscus (fuchsia), Papaya (peach), and Star (pearlescent shine).

I tried Smashbox’s tip for applying Star on top of any lip color to tone it down and it worked like a charm. The whitish, clear sheerness adds shine while subtly muting the intensity of the color beneath.

My favorites are Papaya, which has this hot orange undertone that is so chic now, and Hibiscus, which features intense gold sparkles that make lips look extra eye-catching.

These glosses aren’t full-sized, but at .19oz they’re more than generous minis and will definitely last the entire season. The squeeze tube and slant applicator make them easy to take on the go as well.

What Summer makeup have you been buying lately? Have you picked up any new glosses yet?

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

Call it the surprise attack of the year, but Revlon really stepped it up and managed to sneak its way into my favorites stash consistently. And it’s not just me, every single time I visit a drugstore I can never quite find a Revlon stand without some coveted color(s) missing.

You already know I’ve been obsessing over their Colorburst Lip Butters, but now there’s someone new in town to adore too. Meet the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain ($7.69 US). I picked up Charm, a sweet peaches and cream nude.

The first thing to know about these are that they are fantastic dupes for the beloved Tarte Lip Tints at a fraction of the price. They have the same minty scent without any taste and offer creamy, moisturizing color that lasts for hours. In fact, the Revlon version may last a bit longer on me, though the color payoff isn’t quite as rich as Tarte’s.

Speaking of pigmentation, I expected Charm to be rather sheer but was delighted to find that coverage is still opaque. It’s not as obvious a lip color as say hot pink, but the peachy apricot definitely shows up. I can’t wait to try some of the brighter shades, which should give even fuller color!

Nudes are probably my favorite lip color and it certainly shows in my lippie collection. What’s special about Charm is that the color has a melony pink undertone that makes it so flattering and just plain pretty. It’s a pool or beach appropriate color for those of us who don’t want to look like they’re wearing makeup.

Have you picked any of these up yet? What do you think of Charm? Just the right nude for you or a pass?

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Complexity of color is something that makes justifying a beauty purchase that much easier, but even the best of brands can’t achieve it all the time. But when they do, and it’s a brand like NARS, you just know the results will be fantastic.

From the NARS Summer 2012 Collection, the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Never Say Never is described as a lilac rose. A refreshingly unique pairing, the color exudes a luxurious, yet wearable complexity.

I’m forever a devotee of pencils, and in the case of the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils applying lipstick happens to become a simpler process. Anyone intimidated by the thought of venturing out of nude lip territory can take comfort in the fact that at least this product is fool-proof.

A matte finish makes Never Say Never seem trickier to wear, and the pencil certainly isn’t the softest, most emollient lip product. However, it really does have a velvety quality. Rich color that locks in place for hours with a creamy matte look.

Never Say Never is such a gorgeous color, but NARS sums it up perfectly by calling it a lilac rose. There are definite purple tones in the pink rose, but they aren’t a plum like typical lip colors. The lilac merges with the pink to create a shade that’s in the vein of fuchsia, though it’s certainly nowhere as bright or deep as one.

I haven’t experienced dry lips wearing this color along with an extremely thin or wiped-off layer of balm underneath. Yet this isn’t something I’ll pull out when my lips are dry or peeling as the matte texture can exaggerate this.

It looks even better on the lips where the natural pinkish lip tones accentuate the color, making it look slightly different on everyone. On me there’s a pretty even show of purply pink. I’m wearing a wiped-off layer of balm to prevent the color from dragging, but I like that the matte finish still comes through in an opaque and creamy way.

And yes the color is completely buildable, so you can start off with a light layer of color until you create just the right hue. I’ve been experimenting with glosses, and though they defeat the intent of a matte look, shiny, sheer crystal pinks look right too.

What’s the most unique Summer lip color you’ve seen so far? Have you checked out the NARS Summer lineup in person yet?

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

What: It’s that totally wearable coral shade first spotted at Spring 2012 New York Fashion Week last September at the Karen Walk show.

Who: For the beauty who loves her vibrant pinks but wants to switch it up with a bold spring coral hue.

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When: We’ve had to wait a season for this hue, but lucky for us it becomes available this month!

Where: On counters and online at Clinique.com.

Why: Because you would be crazy not to!

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This review contains sample products sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

A lot of stylish women in magazines will say that they create their outfits by choosing one statement piece to center their look around. Smart move, right? Let’s update that strategy by thinking in pairs for a bold Summery look.

Take it to the next level next time you decide what to wear by picking one statement fashion piece and one trendy beauty product. Here is some inspiration to get you rolling.

Nothing looks cuter than flowing beachy hair peeking out of a jauntily placed straw fedora. That is, unless you happen to add irresistibly pink lips. This one has a cool translucent neon finish and promises to comfort lips like a balm.
Pictured: Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Pink ($24.50 US), Asos Straw Fedora Hat ($27.27 US).

Wooden wedges are a classic Summer staple that brightly painted toes can’t help but to match. This creamy tangerine hue is a natural complement to these minimalist shoes and also bring out the gold buckle with its warm undertones.
Pictured: Lancome Le Vernis Nail Color in Tangerine Tint ($15 US), Zara Wedge with Buckle ($69.90 US).

Modern jewelry makes coordinating so simple that it’s impossible not to add a twist. This duo gives some much needed edge with a bottle of dark polish and tiny pearlescent beads to DIY runway looks. Perfect for emphasizing the clean shape of this ring.
Pictured: Poshlocket Esha Fold-Over Ring ($30 US), Ciate Caviar Manicure in Black Pearls ($25 US).

Rosegold has been such a popular trend for watches, and I’m loving it! This particular boyfriend style is just right with a slightly feminine touch via a sophisticated perfume applied close to the wrist. This scent balances with patchouli and violet.
Pictured: Breda Jordan Oversized Boyfriend Rose Gold Watch ($37.80 US), Diane Von Furstenberg Diane Eau de Parfum ($85 US).

What Summer fashion trends have you been eyeing lately? How do you like to create outfits in the mornings?

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