I'll admit it: I'm not a big fan of lip gloss. I generally think it's too sticky or too sparkly, or worse, a horrid combination of both. It doesn't matter if I'm hitting the gym or throwing on a LBD for a date, I usually have nothing but good ol' lip balm in tow.

So when a box with the new Lancome Gloss in Love glosses landed on my desk, looking exactly like my worst fear (Sticky! Sparkly! Bright!), it wasn't exactly Christmas morning for me. My first reaction: it looks like the perfect gift for a tween who is getting her first taste of makeup.

The glosses sat on my desk for several days before I worked up the courage to try them on. And, surprise! This little trio isn't half as bad as I anticipated. The gloss isn't super-sticky or goopy, and although they looked like glitter bombs in the tubes, the shimmer is soft, subtle, and sophisticated -- not kid stuff at all.

There are 18 shades in the new collection that range from browns and pinks to transparent silvers, so it is easy to find the perfect shade for your skin tone. The new click-to-open top is extremely convenient and you don't have to worry about excess gloss seeping out of the cap when you twist on the lid, giving this gloss a leg up above the others.

I actually swept on a bit of Peach Show, one of the softer shades, last night before heading out for dinner. It stayed put for several hours (although not the six hours mentioned in the product description) and it gave my lips an unobtrusive shine. I won't be giving up my lip balms any time soon, but the new Lancome glosses turned me into a believer. I will definitely keep one of these on hand when I want an extra shine and shimmer on my lips.