Cute to sexy in one coat

L to R: Bobbi Brown, Lancome, MAC, Elizabeth Arden, and Chanel.

Lipgloss could be mistaken for lipstick's younger, cooler sister. That's until a quick calculation tells you the sticky stuff has been around for a quite a while. And it's destined to be a stayer in the makeup bag, because it's just so easy to use and goes from cute to sexy in one coat.

Elizabeth Arden Peach Parfait Shine Pops
$34 for 14.8ml

First impressions are that this is an innocuous peach-coloured gloss in a foolproof squeeze applicator tube - and it is. But as you apply it and get a whiff of the guava and passionfruit infusion, you become a slave to your olfactory sense and, intoxicated by the delicious smell, just keep on applying. Before you know it, you're wearing far too much gloss. Divine.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

Bobbi Brown Pastel Pink Creamy Color Gloss
$47 for 5ml

For some colour with your gloss, this one's a good choice. You get a creamy, full-coverage pink you could never accuse of being a sickly sweet or girly. It's pink for grown ups. You also get shine with no glitter or pearl bits.

From Smith & Caughey's Queen St.

Lancome Cappuccino Star Gloss
$49 for 6.5ml

From the French Riviera Spring/Summer collection about to hit the counters, this is another gloss that does good colour. This time the coffee-with-milk hue makes no bones about its intentions: to give a "man-killer smile". Buyer beware.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

M.A.C Pinkarat Lustreglass
$38

Lustreglass is so named because it was inspired by the light-catching glaze of lustreware. Expect impossible gloss and non-stop shine. The colour is a pretty soft pink with a gold pearl glint.

From Smith & Caughey's Newmarket and M.A.C Chancery.

Chanel Melon Cristalle Gloss
$45 for 5ml

Dubbed an ultra-sheer extreme-shine lipgloss, you get the idea this has shine with crystalline shimmery bits. You'd be right. Makes for a gorgeous but natural peach-coloured pout and it's not too sticky either.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.