A makeup staple for many people seems to be the perfect pale pink lip. It's a pretty pop of colour that goes with pretty much anything - without being a neutral. For me, that perfect pale pink (be it lipstick or gloss) is smashbox's Pout.

Follow up:

Both the lipstick and gloss are sheer yet buildable, and quite moisturizing. To me, the gloss seems a hint cooler in tone and has just a lick of superfine shimmer that isn't quite as apparent in the lipstick rendition. Either way, I love the colour enough that I've purchased it in both gloss and lipstick! Truthfully, I rarely pair them together, though when layered it does amplify the colour. As for the shimmer, like I said: it's super fine, and it catches the light nicely without one realising it is there (unless you're looking pretty frigging close, dudes!). The lipstick has a fairly glossy finish on its own.

Another thing I love about smashbox's photo finish formula lipsticks is that it doesn't look like it's sitting on the lips; it really blends into your lip colour, altering it, but looking like it's meant to be there, if that makes any sense? In super close up photographs with the macro function on, it looks a bit like the product settles into the lip lines, but I really don't find this particularly obvious with the naked eye from a sensible distance. Or, rather, should I say: I find it only becomes apparent if you layer on a lot of product and then are specifically looking for it to have settled into the lines of the lips.

I keep other pale pinks that pack more pigmentation if I want in-your-face chalky pink lips, but this is hands down my favourite for a sheer swipe of colour that makes my lips feel simply pretty. If you are looking for total opacity, definitely avoid this lipstick. However, if you're in the market for an every-day, nearly fool-proof pale pink with moisture and a bit of shine, check this baby out! The lipstick retails for $22USD/$25CAD and the gloss for $18USD/$22CAD; both are part of smashbox's core line, so no pesky limited edition status to fret about.

So, how about you? Is there a pale pink that you simply can't get enough of?