I like to keep my lips covered.  It's not that I need any extra help in the lip department.  I'm happy with the shape of my lips, not too thin or too pouty.  I'm pleased with the color, usually a nice shade of pink, although when I'm cold they do turn blue.  My only complaint is that they can sometimes feel a bit dry, so it's nice to have a layer of something on them whether it's a waxy balm, a sticky gloss or a cakey lipstick.  Yes, I'm picky and always on the lookout for the perfect lip cover.

Since I was going through a dry-lips phase, I had switched from lipstick to gloss, but then the unimaginable happened...I ran out of gloss.  With a well-stocked "free gift" cosmetic drawer from having made major purchases at the department store, I reached in for some new lip gloss and imagine my horror when I found I only had lipstick left.  Not wanting to leave my lips au natural, I decided on the Clinique Different Lipstick in Think Bronze.  Why this lipstick?  To be honest, I liked the packaging.  Knowing nothing about the purported properties of this product, I expected "the usual," applied the lipstick, and "discovered the difference."

Packaging
 
The tube is alternating bands of shiny and matte silver.  The package is textured, so you can get a good grip when you want to open it.  The label on the bottom is silver with green type.  The lipstick color THINK BRONZE is written large enough that you can read it, but DIFFERENT LIPSTICK is so small that you'll need to grab your reading glasses.

Nice packaging:  Yes
Easy to read label:  No

Clinique's Claims
 
Clinique.com describes this lipstick as:

"Different because of its smooth, comfortable feel."
"Moderate coverage in a remarkable range of shades..."
"Every one packed with rich emollients."

I have to say that I agree with what Clinique is telling me.

- I love how this lipstick glides on.  It's definitely soft, smooth and comfortable.
- I find that it adds color to my lips without overwhelming my look.
- The lipstick is very moisturizing.

Honest marketing claims:  YES

Wearability
 
I find that I need to reapply the lipstick every 3-4 hours.  Sometimes I do it every 2 hours just because I love it so much.  I've even found myself putting lipstick on right before bed.  The color, Think Bronze, works well with my skin.  I'm pale and pink. 

I'd like the lipstick to last longer, but 3-4 hours seems to be about right for a lipstick that isn't "long lasting."

Glassticity and Dishwasherness
 
I do judge a lipstick (or a gloss) by how much sticks to my drinking glasses and whether or not it comes off in the dishwasher.

When I drink, the rim of my glass does turn a sheer shade of Think Bronze.  I have a habit misplacing my drinking glasses, so the lipstick allows me to easily determine which glass of water is mine.  I wish there wasn't so much lipstick left on the glass, but then maybe I'm over-applying it because I like it.

I don't find that yucky lipstick residue on the glasses after they come out of the dishwasher.  You know what I'm talking about...that gross lip mark that you sometimes find on your glass in a restaurant of questionable quality.  Don't want that at home. 

Sticks to the glass:  YES
Comes off in the dishwasher:  YES

Colors

Clinique separates the Different Lipstick colors into four families:  Nudes, Violets, Tawnies and Pinks.

Nudes:
Spiced Apple
Brinze Leaf
Tenderheart
Double Fudge

Violets:
A Different Grape
Plum Brandy
Raspberry Glace
Think Bronze
Surprise
Shy

Tawnies:
Rose Taffy
Ripe Raisin
Guava Stain
Sugared Grapefruit
Angel Red

Pinks:
Heartfelt
Rose Aglow
Ice Bloom
Glazed Berry
Sweet Honey

I don't think of myself as someone who wears a lot of violet makeup, but Think Bronze is the lightest of the violets and it does add a little brightness, but not too much, to my lips.

When purchasing, I usually gravitate toward pinks and nudes.  I'm very happy with the color and would try others in the familiy and would buy Think Bronze again.

Overall
 
From the packaging to the color, I absolutely love this lipstick.  The price is right and I'll definitely start buying it...as soon as I run out of free samples.

Recommended: Yes