"COOL KISSER @ A PERFECT PRICE"

Matte, gloss, stain and frost are just some of the various types of lipsticks on the market to pump up even the most boring of lips without breaking the bank.

"Lipstick, as in all cosmetics, is catered to one's face," said Cosmetics Manager, Sandra Achkar of Shopper's Drug Mart.

"First I ask then when they're going to be wearing it?" said Achkar, of a series of questions that gives her a feel for what customers are looking for and what will look best on them. Questions like, "do they want a long wearing lipstick?" and "do they want a certain type of finish, like matter gloss or sheer?" narrow down the choices of some of the big brand names such as Lise Watier and Revlon to Shoppers Drug Marts' very own 'Quo' cosmetics line.

By asking the customer, "what colours are they wearing now, do they have a particular brand preference," and "if they want to try something completely different than they are normally use to," also helps to determine what lipstick would be most suitable for the individuals’ wants and needs.

"If they say they have no particular preference, then I suggest our own 'Quo' cosmetics line." They have testers in the store and the customer is more than welcome to try them on.

"This is all a process of elimination," said Achkar, who has been in the cosmetics for well over 12 years. When the customer still hasn't found what she is looking for "there is a safe colour." She said, "a combination of soft brown and dusty rose, like the matte finish of Rose Intemporel No. 568 from Lise Watier is a perfect example of this."

Prices vary anywhere between $2 for an NYC lip colour, to Revlon's, Lise Watier, and Shoppers home brand Quo that are a little more pricey, it just depends on how much you are willing to spend.

Overall, Achkar said, "every brand is known for something different, it's just a matter of testing them out at one time or another."