
Imagine this: You’re at work, it’s 2:30 p.m., and you’re dragging. What’s the easiest way to brighten your look (and mood) in under a minute? A fun lipstick can be a great pick-me-up. Last week, we invited six women to try on lipsticks from Sephora. Here are the before-and-after photos…
Before
After, wearing Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Ruby
“Since this lipstick has vitamins C and E and beeswax, it makes my lips feel soft – perfect for smooching on little dudes. Plus, the rich color lasts for the entire day and fades really nicely into a stain.” — Joanna
Before
After, wearing NARS lipstick in Orgasm
“I love to experiment with makeup and wear pretty bold looks — graphic eyeliner, a bright lip, metallic eyeshadow. So, this lipstick feels laid back for me. It’s a good everyday lip, and the light metallic color works especially well on medium skin tones. It gives your lips some shine.” — Natasha
Before
After, wearing Sephora Cream Lip Stain in #91, Indian Pink
“Believe it or not, I’ve never really worn lipstick before. Whenever I’ve tried it in the past, I’ve felt like I’m shouting, or talking in all capital letters. I’m a little afraid of myself right now, but I kind of love this one. I’m going to keep it on for the rest of the day and see what happens.” — Minya
Before
After, wearing Rouge Dior Lipstick in #999
“After dyeing my hair from black to blonde last year, I had to change a lot of my makeup. But this lipstick always works, no matter what. It’s the perfect flattering color for a date night — this is what I call a ‘dinner red.'” — Julia
Before
After, wearing Benefit lipstick in Revved-Up Red
“This year, my personal mission was to find a lipstick that works for me. I went to Sephora and tried every shade, but I looked like a toddler who had raided her mom’s bathroom. Then I realized that lipstick is a state of mind. If you wear it with confidence, you can wear any color. This lipstick is like a good training bra that eases you into it. Since this photo shoot, I’ve been trying brighter colors!” — Franny
Before
After, wearing Fenty Mademoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Ma’Damn
“A salesperson once told me I should wear only pinks. She said I didn’t have the skin tone to wear reds, and after that I was never brave enough to try. So, I’m excited to now wear this. For anyone else who has ever been told that they ‘shouldn’t’ wear a certain style, don’t let that person get in your head and don’t be afraid to try something new!” — Anne
Before
After, wearing Sephora Cream Lip Stain in #78, Chili Pepper
“I’m kind of obsessed with this color. I love to wear bright colors, like this jumpsuit, especially with a bold color on my lips. The formula feels so light, and I only needed one coat to get this much pigment! I liked this so much that right after this photo was taken, I ran out and bought it.” — Hetty
What do you think? Do you love lipstick? What colors do you wear? We want to know!
(Photos by Julia Robbs for Cup of Jo. This post is sponsored by Sephora, the cosmetics destination we’ve loved, used and hung out with friends in for years. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo.)