Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

Perhaps the original Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Balms were too light for your tastes (they were perfect for me). Maybe you're ready for a change. Either way, the new Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms ($16) are an exciting introduction. They provide a soft cushion of color that's not quite opaque, but close.

Loaded with mango and shea butters, these wonderful sticks will make your lips pop and feel comfortably soft and smooth. The eight vibrant shades all called my name. I had to exercise overwhelming discipline to select only three on my first round, an online order at Clinique.com.

After agonizing over it for a few minutes, I selected 06 Roomiest Rose, 07 Broadest Berry, and 08 Grandest Grape. They are shown directly above in that order.

I took my swatch photos in morning sunlight. I think you could agree that all three colors are stunning.

Roomiest Rose t the top of my arm is gorgeous. What a pure rose! I'd love to have a vase of real roses in that color. Broadest Berry, in the middle, is that brown rose to which I always gravitate. It's a perfect color for me.

Grandest Grape, shown at the bottom in my swatch photos, is a grape-leaning, cool-toned rose. Magnificent!

These lipsticks (literally) are very pigmented. These three are plenty dark on me. They are not as shiny as they appear in my swatches, primarily because of the direct sun. If you want shine, you should add a lip gloss over them.

I definitely want to try another one - probably Chunkiest Chili. You can purchase them at Clinique's Web site, where you can buy two (for lips or eyes) and get free shipping with the code CHUBBY. They are also available at all Clinique counters (and their equivalent store online sites).

Photo at top courtesy of Clinique; other photos by Best Things in Beauty