Like me, you probably get frustrated with how long it takes to carefully apply your lipstick, only to get to work and realize that in one hour all of your efforts have been in vain.  I was so excited to try Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Lipsticks and Lip Pencils and I am so happy I did!

The collection just came out last month, and the Double Wear Stay-In-Place Lipstick comes in a total of 12 long-lasting shades:

• Stay Rose
• Stay Pink
• Stay Pinkberry
• Stay Raspberry
• Stay Mauve
• Stay Plumberry
• Stay Mocha
• Stay Ginger
• Stay Coral
• Stay Scarlet
• Stay Cranberry
• Stay Ruby

The Double-Wear Stay-In-Place Lip Pencil comes in a whopping 14 shades:

• Pink
• Fuchsia
• Rose
• Wine
• Plummy
• Tearose
• Spice
• Mocha
• Chocolate
• Tawny
• Coral
• Apple Cordial
• Red
• Russet

I love the lip pencil. It really lasts a long time. The other night I went out, and hours later, and after eating and drinking, my lips still had color on them! One of my favorite features is the integrated lip brush you can use to apply your lipstick or lip gloss. It’s hard to pick a favorite shade, but I really like Spice and Tawny.

My lipstick favorite is called Stay Ginger. It’s creamy, smooth, and shiny and it really lasts a long time. It’s great to not see my perfect pucker vanish, only to be found on the side of my coffee mug!

I admit I’ve never tried a lash primer before.  I have long, thick lashes – the curly, tangly kind.   I love mascara because it’s instant drama -  but I never though about using a primer.  Then came Lancôme’s Ôscillation Powerbooster, a primer with a vibrating wand: “Feel the vibration.  See the growth.”  It’s supposed to make your lashes “visibly stronger, fuller, longer day after day.”  Even those with long lashes would want to try that, right?

So I decided to give it a whirl.  I really like it!  At first I was a little taken aback by the vibration, and I am pretty sure you have to hold down the button the entire time to make that work.  However, it really did a great job at separating my lashes.  When I put my regular mascara on over it, it didn’t get all clumpy and my lashes didn’t stick together.  That alone is success!

Lancôme’s Ôscillation Powerbooster contains conditioners to fortify and strengthen lashes and boost the appearance of natural lash growth.  It primes lashes, separating and defining your lashes, making mascara application easier.  It helps your mascara last longer – mine definitely didn’t flake off, even after partying!

Some days I might mix a whole bunch of solid pieces, but what I really love is pattern.  But we’ve all been there: you have two great pieces that seem to coordinate.  Trouble is?  They are both patterned.  Do you dare?  Do they “go?”  There’s no exact science, but the following are some simple rules that should make getting dressed a little easier.

1. Don’t wear two or more bold patterns together.  The result is that they just compete with each other, and people will either think you got dressed drunk or in the dark.
2. Mix patterns that are in the same color family.  This is kind of a no-brainer way to change it up with more than one pattern.
3. Don’t go overly matchy-matchy.  Head to toe black and white polka dots in various sizes may seem like you’re following rule number one, but really you just look like you’re on your way to your prom.  In 1986.
4. Some patterns are neutrals: Think tweed skirts and trousers or a small houndstooth.  They are so classic and understated, they become a neutral.
5. Mix patterns of different weights.  For instance, a cotton or silk blouse with a small dot or stripe pattern with a wool argyle sweater vest is a easy way to mix patterns.  This look can even go with tweed and houndstooth for lots of visual interest, but no competing patterns.
6. Distance: Sometimes patterns work well together if they’re not against each other.  For example, the other day a stylish friend of mine wore neutral-colored trousers with a light stripe with a black tunic.  The pattern punch?  A lovely leopard-print belt.  The key was not belting the stripe with the leopard.