The significance of gloss has crept upon the beauty market in a wondrous way. Now almost every major line of cosmetics has added gloss to the mix. Whether you are a Gloss Novice, or a complete Gloss Maven, there is a gloss choice for everyone.

Gloss Novice
You're a "gloss novice" if you're not quite ready for lip vinyl but are willing to take a chance with a dewy pout. Take those first baby steps with a balm; though not technically a gloss by definition, balms are the easiest way to get a handle on slick lips without having to commit to color and texture variances. Try one of these novice choices:

• Bonne Bell Lip Smacker Dr. Pepper – gentle, transparent, cherry
• Kiehl's Baby Lip Balm – lustrous, jeweled, sheer, very emollient
• Natural Glow Lip Treats Honey – warm, clear, shine
• Old Navy Groovy Grapefruit Lip Balm – smooth, sheer, finish

Gloss Intermediate
If you are ready to experiment with color, texture and application, then you've reached the intermediate stage of Gloss World. Don't be afraid to pick up a wand and give it a whirl, finger-paint or use a brush for application. Once you've mastered the basics, try mixing a gloss with your favorite lipliner and/or dabbed on top of your favorite lipstick. Try one of these intermediate choices:

• Cargo Flin Flon Gloss – opalescent white peach/opalescent white lavender
• Hard Candy Angel - frosty, yellow, beige, pastel
• Lorac Pink Lip Gloss – white-baby-pink, soft shimmer
• Nars Sunset Strip Wand Gloss – sheer/shimmer orange
• Nars Harlow Wand Gloss – sheer,shimmer, lilac, beige
• Poppy Shine Maraschino – moist, berry, glow
• Shu Uemura (Red/Abricot) – sheer, gentle, orange, red shine
• Stila Nude Shine – creamy, light, brown

Gloss Maven
Welcome to the world of a Gloss Maven - shine is now your middle name. Wand, brush or pot gloss, the sky is the limit! Beware though, things could get sticky. Never fear - in the world of gloss, sticky can be a very good thing. Sticky glosses will hold the shine longer and, if worn over a lipstick/lipliner, extend the longevity of application. It's time to try the best of the best maven choices:

• Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss White – pure, creamy, white
• Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Petal – delicate, salmon, pink
• Clinique Glosswear SPF8 (Honey Bee) – peachy, beige
• FACE Stockholm Pot Gloss Heavenly – sheer, shimmer, mauve
• Kiehl's Stick Gloss Red – lasting, vibrant, true, red
• Poppy Shine 14K – dense, creamy, white, gold
• Prescriptives Lip Lacquer (Voodoo) – deep, plum, grape
• MAC Lipglass – clear vinyl - extremely sticky
• Revlon Line & Shine Nude – creamy, pink/brown gloss & beige liner
• Nars Lip Lacquer Caribia – sheer, shimmer, copper, brown