Review of Almay Ideal Lip Gloss

I enjoy browsing at my local Big Lots store. The first section I hit is always the beauty aisle as I can usually find superb deals on name brand products. During my last visit, I spotted Almay Ideal Lip Gloss in Coffee Shimmer. I paid $2 for this product, but I've seen it at large chain stores, drugstores, and online for anywhere from $4-$7.

This product comes in a clear tube (wherein you can plainly see the color) with a swirled brushed chrome/polished chrome colored screw off cap with attached wand. The lettering on the tube is the same polished chrome color, making it very easy to read. I was initially reticent as the color looked very, very dark, but the packaging stated that the gloss is "sheer", so I went for it.

This color is a dark brown with little bitty particles of silvery shimmer. Upon opening the product (in my car in the parking lot!), I was very pleased to note that instead of the wand having the common sponge-tipped applicator, it is a brush instead. I much prefer a brush applicator for gloss, but don't find it much. I applied the product and immediately felt a very light cooling sensation that was pleasurable. The cooling sensation is incredibly subtle.

The gloss flowed beautifully off the brush, and I only needed to reload the brush once. The color was indeed sheer (a very toned-down version of what you see in the bottle), but also delivered noticeable color with just a hint of shimmer, and tons of shine. The shimmer is subtle enough that instead of looking like a gloss you'd wear in junior high, it added dimension instead. Very lovely. Though Almay does not make the following claim, I found that the aforementioned dimension made my lips appear fuller. What a nice bonus! No, I didn't look like my lips had been stung, but I looked like "me" with fuller lips.

I wore this product for approximately 4 hours. I did not need to reapply, and while I could definitely tell I had something on my lips, it wasn't nearly as sticky as most other glosses I've used. I also noticed that my lips felt pleasingly moisturized. Please note...as far as not needing to reapply, I am not a lip-chewer, I didn't talk a lot during the four hours, and I did not eat while wearing it. I did, however, have something to drink, but as I always try to do when wearing lip product other than balm, I used a straw. I would think that over the course of a "regular" day, this product would need to be reapplied like other glosses, of course. This product is not, after all, a lip stain.

The Almay website states, "Give your lips a high-shine with shades that are sure to flatter you. This sheer, featherlight gloss brushes on smoothly and won't feel sticky. Nourishing aloe treats lips with care, and refreshing peppermint gives a cooling sensation when you put it on." I would definitely agree with their claims. Almay also indicates this product is, "hypoallergenic, non-irritating, clinically, dermatologist and allergy tested."

This product is available in eight shades. The shades include clear, neutral, reds, and pinks. I believe the available shades would accommodate everyone from those with the palest skin, to those with darker skin.

This product is readily available in most retail outlets, drugstores, and online.