It’s no secret that lipstick plays a pretty big role in my beauty routine. It’s my go to that takes my otherwise simple makeup look to the next level, and in my opinion, nothing beats the power of a swipe of red lipstick. Since I turn to lipstick so often to add some oomph to a look I recently headed to my local Target to chat with the store’s Beauty Concierge and get some expert recommendations for a few new shades to add to my everyday routine.

In case you haven’t heard of Target’s Beauty Concierge yet, think of it as your little secret weapon for uncovering the best of the best that Target has to offer. As if I didn’t already love shopping at Target enough, I’ve been having so much fun asking for my Target Beauty Concierge’s favorites and getting all the inside scoop on what’s new and just plain amazing within the wonders of Target’s beauty aisles!

First up in my latest lipstick haul was the most subtle option of the bunch, Covergirl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balm in “Kiss & Tell”. Monica recommended this option because of its not quite a lipstick, not quite a chapstick and I really liked the product’s sheer color that added just a touch of pink that’s not too bubblegum, like many other pink shades I’ve tried in the past. It’s a great option for when you’re keeping your makeup look natural (or not wearing any makeup!) but are just looking to add a slight flush to your lips to help them stand out a bit.

Next we dabbled in the berry shades with Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in “Ripe Raspberry” – this was another solid all day, everyday option because of its moisturizing ingredients. I really loved this one because the color was more pigmented than your typical tinted balm yet it feels really lightweight and the color lasts quite a long time without touchups. The berry shade is also universally flattering so I’d definitely recommend picking this one up regardless of your complexion!

As you’ve probably caught onto by now, red lipstick is kind of my thing, so I obviously had to get the scoop on some new shades to try from Monica. First we looked for a red option that was a little more subdued for daytime looks where a full red lip can feel too dramatic, and grabbed Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in “Adore”. I really liked the stain’s deep red color that feels very seasonally appropriate for the fall and winter months, yet is lightweight and sheer enough to be overbearing. I’ve tried several of Revlon’s Balm Stains in the past (the bright shades are my favorite for summer!) and always love how long the product lasts – they’re perfect for day when you can’t be bothered to reapply!

Last but certainly not least I issued my Target Beauty Concierge a serious challenge: find me a new shade of classic red that I’ll love. I tend to be really picky with my red lipsticks – not too orange, matte finish, must have some serious staying power. I was very curious to see if a Target option could upset my current favorite department store shade as my go-to red and I’ve gotta say, I was very pleasantly surprised by Monica’s pick of Rimmel London Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in “Kiss of Life”.

Have you checked out Target’s Beauty Concierge service yet? Anyone found any new amazing beauty products at Target lately?

This post is sponsored by Target, one of my very favorite retailers, and Refinery29. Thank you for supporting the brands that partner with Pretty & Fun – authenticity is a top priority and all opinions are 100% honest and my own.