Today Stef of the can’t-miss We Heart This (’cause chicks love stuff) shares six of her favorite coral lip glosses.
I’m not sure when the change happened; when coral became an acceptable color choice for those outside the senior set. I’m just so glad it happened! Because for the last few years, when the weather gets warm, the corals start popping up. I find nothing brightens up your face more than the pop of coral, with its brighter than peach, but not quite orange glow.
MAC Strawberry Blonde Lipstick
My love affair with coral started with the infamous MAC Strawberry Blonde limited edition lipstick, a lustre from the 2006 Catherine Denuve collection. Described as a Coral Pink, it’s the measure in which I judge all corals by. As in “it’s pretty, but it’s no Strawberry Blonde.”
I brought it out in the desert sun so you could get a glimpse of it. This is semi-sheer, bright and flat-out gorgeous! Of course, I’m not the only one who fell hard for this. And to find it now, you pay dearly. But it’s oh-so worth it! I’ve tried dupes but never found another lipstick I like as much as this perfect coral.
So I moved on to the next logical step … lip gloss! A bit of a lip gloss addict, I could (and often do) spend hours talking about the merits of a perfect gloss. I can’t tell you how many times friends have grabbed a gloss from my hands in the middle of a store and scolded me that I didn’t need it, that I had a color just like it at home. But they’re always wrong, I do NOT have a color “just like” it. I never do.
So without further ado, I bring you my top six favorite coral glosses (and I do have to apologize, because a couple of them were LE, and you may have to really search to find them).
From the top:
- Smashbox Sheer Color in Red Rock — Sheer Coral Red Shimmer. This is one of the brighter glosses of the bunch, and it looks absolutely fabulous with summer, sun-kissed skin. You’re in luck, my pretties! This LE shade is not only still available, but on sale for only $13.50.
- Smashbox True Color in Beauty ($18) — Smashbox calls this Pink Melon; I call it perfect. It’s a pinky coral, with no shimmer, and super glossy coverage. If I had to only wear one gloss for the rest of my life, Beauty would be it. Just a lovely pop of summery color to give your lips that cheery, baby doll look (and the most similar to my beloved Strawberry Blonde).
- MAC Dazzleglass in Smile ($18.50) — Light coral with pink and gold pearl (the pink pearl really dominates the gold). Brand new and super hot. If you don’t know the joy of a Dazzleglass, go get one immediately. It’s like crushed diamonds on your lips but with none of the grit. Smile is sheer but really adds a nice milky coral hue to plain lips or a bit more oomph to coral lipsticks.
- MAC Lipglass in Red Devil ($14) — Coral Orange Frost. Sorry, this was a limited edition color from the Blonde, Brunette, Redhead collection and you may be SOL trying to find it. It’s the brightest of my favs, with big color payoff for a bold look. If you come up empty on a search, try the Smashbox Red Rocks; they’re very similar.
- Hourglass Extreme Sheen in Lush ($28) — Coral Shimmer. Oh, but not just any shimmer. Lush has micro fine gold shimmer (in my opinion, the prettiest of the shimmers!). I am in love with Extreme Sheens. They have a buttery consistency with no stickiness at all.
- Trish McEvoy Lip and Cheek Stain in Pick-Me-Up ($28) — Coral Stain. Sorry, another LE. But well worth the hunt if you, too, are cuckoo for coral. This actually has a bit of coral shimmer to it (which is rare for a stain), and it makes a fabulous base for any of the glosses listed here. And it Does. Not. Budge — even when you’re trying to remove it!
What about it, ladies? Have a favorite coral that you think deserves a spot in this hall of fame? Do tell! ‘Cause I could always use another gloss…
This post was written by Stef of We Heart This. A graphic designer and bona fide lip gloss and face serum addict, Stef loves MAC lipstick, Hourglass gloss, Paula Dorff Blush and Stila shadows. She lives in the Southern California desert with her husband, their four dogs and the world’s most patient cat.
Vampy Varnish says
May 19th, 2009 at 12:36 pmGreat post! I too have recently discovered coral as a color that looks good on me. I have the Hourglass Extreme Sheen gloss in Lush and it’s great!
Also, I just discovered your blog and I love it! I love all the pics of you guys growing up. I too longed to marry Simon LeBon when I was 12 🙂
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Nicole15 says
May 19th, 2009 at 1:18 pmI am so on the dazzleglass bandwagon and I am absolutely in love with Smile. First dazzleglass I bought & the best ever. I, too, love corals & while I love my MAC Blow Dry lustre lippie from BBR, I am bummed I never got Red Devil lipglass to go with it. I think i am going to check the “Going, Going, Gone” section of Mac.com right now cause if it’s still there, you’ve convinced this girl that purchasing it is way overdue. Great post! Thanks 🙂
YadiQ says
May 19th, 2009 at 1:52 pmi sooo love corals but i really enjoy translucent corals
anything too opaque just looks to easterish on my skin
Mariel NY says
May 19th, 2009 at 1:58 pmoooh i love the look of lush. naturally it’s the most expensive, darnit.
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Glosslizard says
May 19th, 2009 at 2:06 pmI got the Strawberry Blonde lipglass from the BBR collection and I love it! I wish they had re-released the lipstick with it!
Tiffany says
May 19th, 2009 at 2:13 pmIf anyone knows there gloss it’s definitely Stef. I think I have one or two of the glosses mentioned because a certain someone introduced me to them. I’m a huge fan of coral gloss too and can’t believe I don’t have the Hourglass one you spoke of. I so need that one to add to my collection. Great post Stef!
Katherine says
May 19th, 2009 at 2:36 pmI LOVE corals!
Some of my favorite corals:
lipsticks:
Clarins – Hawaiian Coral
Chanel – Rich Coral
La Prairie – Corail
YSL – Rouge Volupte Extreme Coral
lipglosses:
Hourglass Nectar (hot bright coral!)
MAC Lychee Luxe
MAC Shine Manish
YSL Golden Gloss #3 (a warmed pink)
Chanel Big Bang
Stef says
May 19th, 2009 at 2:40 pmHi ladies! So glad to talk gloss with you. And Karen, thanks for the chance.
Glosslizard, Strawberry Blonde lip glass is totally different than the lipstick. I got all excited when I saw the name in the BBR release (I actually got goosebumps and showed them to my MA, that’s what a weirdo I am!) But I ended up being super disappointed when I actually saw it. Very pretty, but pink, not coral. I bet I’m not the only one who was sad…
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Cindyrela says
May 19th, 2009 at 3:08 pmI too am a coral devotee, lipsticks, glosses and blushes. A few of my favorite coral lippies:
MAC Lychee Luxe lipglass a nice bright for summer
Smashbox Couture–a nice sheer light coral–not sure if this was LE
Estee Lauder Princess Grace Coral lipstick–def LE. It was the lipstick Princess Grace wore on her wedding day. Love it!!
Solé says
May 19th, 2009 at 3:55 pmThanks for the great list! Those colors are beautiful. I’m a big fan of coral but I can’t get my sister to jump on the bandwagon. She says it’s just not her. What-ev. There is a shade of coral for every girl! One of my favorites is a MAC Lip Gelée I got last year called Lil’ Sizzler. It was LE and I don’t even remember what collection it was a part of so I’ll miss it when it’s gone but it’s a great summer color. I was at the MAC store earlier today and it didn’t occur to me to try a Dazzleglass (and I’ve been meaning to). Also, I had never heard of Hourglass but I’m looking at it now in the link you posted. And my Sephora wishlist gets longer by the minute. 🙂
sarahPUFFY! says
May 19th, 2009 at 6:48 pmHourglass Extreme Sheen is the best gloss on the face of the earth…hands down.
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Rita says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:02 amAfter reading your post I’m so glad I was wise enough to buy a second Red Devil Lipgloss (it’s the only lipgloss I have 2 of). It is a perfect colour for me since I’m a redhead. I also love it’s texture and payoff. Too bad I didn’t know anything about MAC back in 2006, the Strawberry Blonde Lipstick looks beautyful! I wish they’ll bring it back soon. I’m also gonna check Smile once I get to go to a MAC store.
wendy says
May 20th, 2009 at 5:49 amI love corals, I have the MAC red Devil lipgloss, wonderfull!
TaLaisa says
May 20th, 2009 at 8:14 amI love the look of those colors, but I am a coral wimp. Maybe I just need to go play with some swatches at Ulta or MAC.
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Stef says
May 20th, 2009 at 8:23 amVampy, we’re going to bond over gloss, My le Bon and metalheads-I just know it!
YadiQ, have you tried Beauty by Smashbox? Swatch it next time you’re at a Sephora. It sounds like it would be a very good non-easter egg shade for you.
MarielNY, Hourglass Extreme Sheen’s are soooo worth the price. Just ask SarahPUFFY!
Hi Tiffany, glad I’m your l/g pusher!
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Stef says
May 20th, 2009 at 8:26 amKatherine, thank you so much! That’s a whole bunch of corals I haven’t tried. I can’t believe I forgot Lychee Luxe…
Cindyrella, oh my, a Princess Grace coral? An obsession may have just been born!
Sole, I’ve never tired a lip gelee! And another lip product gets added to my list.
Rita and Wendy, you’re 2 smart cookies for getting Red Devil! Nicole15, def. check that goodbye section.
TaLaisa, Swatch Beauty. I think it’s a good coral starter.
Lastly, Karen, I know you love Lychee Luxe too. Have any other favs?
Stef´s last blog post..Uh-oh…food poisoning
paula says
May 20th, 2009 at 11:43 ammine is benefit eye bright
Annmarie says
May 20th, 2009 at 2:21 pmI am a huuuge lipgloss fan especially MAC’s Dazzleglass!!! One of my favorite coral glosses is Guerlain Stick Gloss in Mango Fizz. I am a NW15 so this is deeper than peach and not as orangy as a lot of corals which is great because I don’t look washed out…
Stef says
August 25th, 2009 at 8:05 amHey Gals,
It’s your Coral enabler here! I just wanted to mention that Smashbox Beauty-the coral I’m rambling on about up there and recommending to everyone, is on sale now at Smashbox for $13.50. I’m not sure if that means they’re discontinuing it (oh please NO!) but if you ever thought about getting it, now is the time!
It’s on page 7 of the curtain call, the lip enhancing gloss.
.-= Stef’s last blog post… Cosmoholic liquid lipstick – review =-.