I’m not one to use super low-end cosmetics on my face. Well, let me rephrase that — I try not to use really cheap cosmetics on my facial skin as I’ve found them to be loaded with pore-blocking ingredients. Now, I’m not saying that I won’t buy an inexpensive lipstick if it goes on smoothly and the color is great. I’ve even purchased $2.99 mascaras when I’ve felt like experimenting and they have done the job. But I expect my mascara to go above and beyond and I need my lipstick to last through my grande Starbucks green tea soy latte, so there are hardly ever any repeat purchases of these super bargain drugstore cosmetics.

However, there is one product that I discovered years ago that I keep buying over and over again. It’s a lip pencil. The color is fabulous. Its price? (drumroll, please) Ninety-nine cents!!! I know you are wondering what is this product that I have allowed to infiltrate my cosmetic bag and cozy up alongside my YSL, Lancome, NARS and Stila? Well, sit down cause it’s a shocker.

Ladies, it is none other than Wet n’ Wild. Yes, that brand. The brand some girls were too cool to use in middle school.

Wet n’ Wild makes 99 cent lip liners that each have a color name and number. I can’t vouch for all the color choices, but years ago when I was looking for a light, natural-looking color to wear on my lips I happened upon one particular WNW lip liner. Specifically, it’s Brandywine #666.

Wet n’ Wild’s interpretation of “Brandywine” is a very slightly frosted light brown. With a hint of pink. It usually goes on smoothly* and the color lasts for hours. Unless you are engaged in some heavy kissing, you will not find the need for many touch-ups throughout the day. Due to the liner’s texture, it doesn’t have a lot of “glossy” shine, therefore I usually top it off with a coat of Chapstick. This gives the effect of a lip gloss without the over-the-top shine and stickiness.

Try it. Tell me what you think. And if you have tried any other WNW lip liner colors, do tell.

• Wet n’ Wild’s Brandywine Lip Liner #666 (US$0.99) is the clever & sophisticated shopper’s answer to:
  • Clinique Quick Liner for Lips in Lipblush (US$13.50)
    
  • MAC Spice Lipliner (US$12.50)

*The last couple of times I’ve purchased the liner, I’ve noticed the pencil breaking a lot more than usual. The consistency of the pencil’s “lead” also seems more gooey. I wonder if cheaper ingredients are being used? If anyone else has noticed this, please drop me a line.

Note: Why the development team at Wet n’ Wild choose to assign THAT number to one of their lip liners when they weren’t even using consecutive numbering is a mystery to me. I’ve never heard any rumors about the company being founded by Satanists, but if you need to moisten the pencil’s tip, try a little holy water.