Lip color certainly has undergone a revolution in the past decade. Previously, there were usually only two options for lip color: a lipstick or lip gloss. Both were limited available technology and were decidedly unnatural looking due the heavy pigmentation and drying effects of lipstick and the stickiness of lip gloss. But a huge boom in the industry with the founding of stores like Sephora marked a turn of events for many makeup products. Many companies began to combine the idea of a lipstick and a gloss while adding durability in the form of long lasting lip colors. Products like Covergirl Outlast Lip Color combined the color intensity of a lipstick, the durability of a lip pencil, and the shine and hydration of a gloss. While the product was a hit, it still left something to be desired.

Thus, the sudden popularity of the lip stain. Benetint, which also doubles as a cheek stain, has been around for a while now, but for many years was the only option for shoppers looking for something in between a gloss and a lipstick. While it’s still a solid – and popular, option for those looking for the perfect stain, 2010 seems to be the year that cosmetic makers all got into the stain game. That means more color choices, which is great for those who may want more options than Benetint’s one color offering. Most often sold in a marker like container, many lip stains are easy to apply, color rich yet still sheer, hydrating, and not sticky. Best of all, once a lip stain dries, many wearers can’t even feel the color on their lips, making it one of the most comfortable lip products to date.

We love this new product for so many reasons, mostly for how natural it looks while still providing color. Here are a few of our favorites:

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain + Balm, $9 {Revlon}

Tarte Natural Lip Stain with LipSurgence Technology, $24 {Sephora}

mark Kissink Lip Tintmarker, $7 {meetmark}

CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain, $9 {CVS}

Stila Yumberry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain, $24 {Sephora}

Last week, the luxury fragrance house sent five perfumed taxi cabs out into central London to serve patrons the same way any other London black taxi would with a few exceptions. Each cab smells like either the brandâ€s Artemisia, Blenheim Bouquet, Endymion, Malabah or Orange Blossom perfume, and each oneâ€s driver is specially trained to discuss Penhaligonâ€s fragrances and answer any questions about the brand. Passengers will receive a 10 percent voucher for purchases at penhaligons.com and in Penhaligonâ€s boutiques at the conclusion of their ride. {InStyle UK}

Londoners will easily be able to spot the cabs†outer Penhaligonâ€s branding, and the cost of each trip will run the same as any regular black cab ride. {London Beauty Review} Anyone who spies a Penhaligonâ€s cab but doesnâ€t take a trip in it can still participate in the promotion by snapping a picture of the car and posting it to their Facebook page with Penhaligonâ€s tagged for a chance to win a 100ml fragrance of choice. {Fashion Foie Gras}

Penhaligonâ€s is not the first company to embrace the taxi as a marketing tool. Last month, Revlon offered Londoners who photographed the turquoise taxi they sent around the city and tagged Revlon in the picture on Facebook a chance to try the brandâ€s latest mascara before it hit shelves. {London Beauty Review} In addition, Fashion Foie Gras says tons of major retail outlets have used the taxi cab in one promotional form or another.

We wonder just who it was that was sitting at their cubicle one day and thought “taxis! That’s how to sell products.” In this economy, we suppose itâ€s smart to get creative with promotions, and the incorporation of Facebook is a good move. We wonder, though, what may be the result if a passenger who is allergic to perfumes steps into one of Penhaligonâ€s cabs unknowingly. Comment and let us know if you think cab marketing is a good idea!