User post: Does this lipstick make me look fat?

Sometimes all it takes to get me out of a rut, beauty or otherwise, is buying a new lipstick. It all started years ago when I got my hands on my first Bonne Bell Bubblegum Lip Smacker. One swipe of that sticky sweet gloss and I was never the same.

It's the cheapest fix I have for being in a bind. Easier than changing husbands and cheaper than buying shoes (or is it the other way around.) And even if my dress size goes up or down, I never have to worry if it fits. One size fits all. It's a one second mini makeover. A swipe of pinky beige lipstick on my pale pout and I go from awful to awesome. Just like that.

Oh, the colors are so pretty, and the names are so alluring and full of promise. Who could resist Clinique's flirty "Adore U", "Blushing Nude" and "Luscious Lilac", or Mac's zesty, "Ravishing," "Naked Paris" and "Sassy Spice". What's a girl to do?

The funny thing is that I keep buying a half a shade lighter or darker of the same shade pinky-beige of lipstick every time. (It's pathetic, but I do this with eye shadow too). Though from what I hear, I'm in good company. Every makeup counter I've shopped or drooled at, say most women usually pick a similar shade every time they buy too, even when desperate to tweak their routine.

A few times I've made the mistake of going out of my best color range (I think it was the fluorescent lighting). I keep those winners at the bottom of my drawer. Those colors run the gamut from marshmallow fluff to tree bark. I can't bring myself to throw them out. There's always Halloween.

Do you have a lipstick fetish too?

Carpool Goddess is most proud to be a Shine Parenting Guru. When not on Shine, she is a Super Market Guru and a Lunching With The Girls Guru. You can follow Carpool Goddess on Twitter and Facebook (she doesn't know where she's going either).