Note: this is not just lip service.

When I get ready to leave the house, no matter how early, no matter what I look like, no matter where I'm going, I need lip gloss. Lip gloss and sunglasses. Lip gloss, sunglasses and bronzer. That's all, nothing else.

Finding the perfect unmade-up color is the challenge. I want something that looks like my lips are just shiny, pink and full, naturally. I don't go for nudes or berries or mauves because they look too opaque.

What I do go for is glossy, pinkish, reddish translucence. MAC makes a fantastic product called Plushglass and the best color by far is Plus Luxe. Ooo la la.

I was introduced to this magical lip product by my cosmetics comrade, A. who gave me a sample size of Pretty Plush. I was hooked.

My dear friend N. said she went through a tube of Fulfilled in under 3 weeks.

While finding the correct consistency (not too gooey) and flavor (all lip products taste like something, this one happens to be vanilla-ish) are of utmost importance this one also plumps a little. Who doesn't want plump?

And when you have 6 empties from MAC, they have the Back to MAC recycling program. At MAC retail stores you can trade 6 empty or used containers of anything and get a free lip gloss, lipstick or eyeshadow. I love that.

MAC Plushglass retails for $17.50 and can be purchased at MAC stores or www.maccosmetics.com.