Four Fall Lipsticks: Which Is Your Favorite? | A Cup of Jo

If there's one way to change your whole look in less than a minute, it's lipstick. So this week, features writer Caroline and editorial assistant Kim tried out four different shades from Nordstrom, perfect for the change of seasons. Here's what they thought...

Caroline: This translucent red lipstick is the best of both worlds - the conditioning of a balm mixed with the build-able color of a sheer lipstick. It's perfect for those times when you want to look a little polished without rocking a full-on lip. But it's equally good for special occasions - a friend wore this on her wedding day and it looked absolutely gorgeous!

Kim: I was really excited to try this shade because of the red online swatch. I usually don't gravitate toward lip tints, because my lips are two different colors, and it's hard to get the right coverage. I was really hopeful, but it just didn't turn out as red against my skin as I'd hoped.

Caroline: In the tube, it looked like a lovely berry shade. But from the moment I swiped this brownish-plum lipstick on, I felt like I was channeling Fairuza Balk circa The Craft, and not in a good way. I love that every cent of the selling price of Viva Glam lipsticks is donated to the MAC AIDS fund. But this is decidedly not my color.

Kim: As soon as I saw this color, I was instantly excited. There are few things I love more than a dark lip in the colder months of the year. It's such an easy way to glam things up, and I loved that this one was more matte - my preferred texture in lip colors. I also appreciate how the brown adds depth and makes it look a little more subtle.

Caroline: Orangey-red is my perennial all-year-round favorite lipstick color. In the summer, it adds a punch of brightness. In the fall, it pays homage to the changing leaves. And in the winter, it warms everything up, like a flash of sunshine peeking out from beneath the layers of scarves and coats. This natural one is super pigmented, and does wonders to brighten your whole face.

Kim: This has two things I look for in a lipstick: matte and opaque. Bright reds and orange-y reds are usually my go-to, so this was instantly my favorite of the bunch. I used to think I could only wear a vibrant shade in warm months, but I'm definitely taking a page from Caroline's book and wearing this year-round!

4. KOSAS Weightless Lip Color in Darkroom

Caroline: A lot of 'wine-colored' lipsticks are not actually the color of wine. This one is. Though it looks purple in the tube, it turned my lips a deep, rich red, like a garnet in candlelight. You can blot it to create a gorgeous stain or wear it full-on, for a statement. I'll be wearing this to any and all holiday parties. And also on errands, because why not?

Kim: I'm a huge fan of a dark wine lip for fall. I wore this color to a dinner party last weekend, and got so many compliments. Even the cashier at Trader Joe's loved it! I also love that it's super moisturizing, so my lips didn't crack and dry out like they do with many lipsticks. I will definitely be adding this to my arsenal of fall colors.

P.S. 7 great lipsticks and a 30-day lipstick challenge.

(Photos by Christine Han for Cup of Jo. This post is sponsored by Nordstrom, where shipping and returns are always free. Thanks for supporting the brands that help keep Cup of Jo running. Caroline's top is from Reformation. Kim's top is from Rails.)