This is a compensated review by BlogHer, L'Oreal, Benefit, Cover Girl and Jemma Kidd.

I sort of have an obsession with finding the perfect lipgloss. And my problem with that, of course, is that I've already found the perfect lipgloss---or at least the perfect lipgloss for me---and while you think I might just be able to stop there and embrace this state of perfect lipgloss-ness, it turns out that I can't. I have to keep looking. I have to keep buying. I have to keep "just popping in" to Target and Sephora in the offchance that I might find something to best the perfect lipgloss. So far I haven't, of course. But I've come pretty darn close.

So what is this perfect lipgloss, you're asking? And where can I buy it? And how many of my children do I have to sell? Fear not, gentle reader, for herewith is my recommendation for The Best Lip Color You Will Ever Buy, along with The Four That You Might Also Want To Try Because They're Very Close Substitutes. Smack one of these babies on in the next few weeks and you'll be the most popular girl under the mistletoe all night. 

5. L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Color in "Mulberry": Do you like how they call it both "infallible" and "never fail"? Yeah, that's because it's never coming off. Seriously, do all the sipping, kissing, and wine-swigging you like, your mouth is still going to be a pretty shade of berry at the end of it. I've also tried "Teaberry" in this stain/gloss combo, but it just ain't as good. $10-12 at drugstores

4. Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip Balm: A little of this sweetly sheer gloss goes a long way---I like that it makes me look like I just got done eating a strawberry popsicle. It's light, it tastes delicious, and I always feel done but not too done when I'm wearing it. $20 at Sephora

3. L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm in "Succulent": Okay, the name on this one's a little gross, but give it a try; I would actually eat it with a spoon if I didn't think I'd be thrown in the looney bin---that's how fabulous it smells and tastes. The color is a sheery berry and it keeps your lips moisturized and shiny-looking without being sticky. $9 at drugstores

4. Jemma Kidd Lip ID Color Adapt Lip Gloss: This stuff is magic. Or maybe science. Whatever it is, it's amazing: slick a tiny dot of the clear gel onto your lips and it brings out their natural color in a few minutes, making you look like you might be wearing something on your lips.....or you might just naturally be that gorgeous, who's to say? My sister and I both tried this and our lips went totally different colors. And when you layer it on top of other glosses, it just enhances their color even more (and helps them stay on longer too!) $20 at Target

1. Cover Girl Lip Slick in "Daring": This is the creme de la creme of natural lip colors, as far as I'm concerned, and I've written about it extensively. It's light, it's fresh, it's super-duper cheap; pick some up the next time you run out to buy toothpaste and see if you disagree with me. I've converted millions so far! Could you be next? $4 at drugstores