Quick Review of Revlon Shadow Links in Purple & Java!

Nothing to Disclose

Hello again!  I'm here with a quickie quick review of two more Shadow Links from Revlon.  This time in Purple (yes, thats the name) and Java.  I originally wrote a review of Taupe (you can see it here).

Review & Swatches! New Revlon Shadow Link in Taupe!

Hello all! Time for another review!

Today I'm reviewing one of Revlon's new eyeshadows.  It's a Shadowlink.  I unfortunately don't have a picture of the display (Nouveau Cheap does here though).  The idea behind this is that you pick 2,3,4...shadows and link them together to create your own palette.  I would have loved to pick up more then one, but the display I found in Ulta was already picked over.

So lets get to it!

Review and Swatches! Revlon Matte Balm & Lacquer Balm in Unapologetic and Coquette!

 Hello all!

I'm excited to show you all some swatches and give you my impressions of Revlon's New Colorburst Lacquer Balms, and Matte Balms.  I picked up Unapologetic (Matte) and Coquette (Balm)

These are new enough that they're not even up on the Revlon site yet! But I've seen them on various blogs, and if it popped up at my local Walgreens, then I know they must be out there (my store usually gets new products last).

Whos ready for fall? I know I am!

Fall is a fun time to break out of the neon/bright colors of summer and slip on some jewel tones.  Here I've picked some fun colors for fall.  

Burgundies, deep greens, dark blues and purples for eyes, with plummy colors for lips.  

1 &2) NYX Single Eyeshadow in Rust and Hunter Green ($4.49 each @ Ulta)

3) Jane Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Bluebird Shimmer ($8 @ Ulta)

4) Sephora Collection Jumbo Liner 12hr Waterproof in Violet ($14 @ Sephora)

5) Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum ($7.49 @ Walgreens/CVS/Ulta)

6) Maybelline Color Whisper Lipcolor in  Plum Prospect ( $7.49 @ Walgreens/CVS/Ulta)

I havent tested out any NYX Shadows myself, but the Jane Cosmetic eyeshadow, along with the Sephora eyeliner are both winners.  Excellent wear time and pigmentation.

The Color Whisper and Lip Butter are both nice, sheer (or semi sheer) washes of plum color (in case going completely vampy scares you).

What do you wear for fall?

Review! Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder

Hello all!  Time for a pressed powder review!  Its Revlon's Nearly Naked Pressed Powder.

What Revlon says: ""Undetectable coverage. Unbelievable complexion. Makeup so refreshingly light it melts right in, creating a fresh, even look. Pressed powder blends seamlessly with a lightweight feel." (source)

I'll be honest..I bought this to replace my Neutrogena Pressed Powder.  I tossed this in my purse, and completely forgot about it.  However, it's been rediscovered, and I've been using it for about two weeks..and I must say.  I'm in love. 

I didn't expect to love it as much as I do, but I do.  It really is so incredibly light.  It doesn't clog my pores, or irritate my skin, or break me out.   It evens it out ever so lightly, and really does make my face look fresh.  I've used a powder brush with this (I hate the applicator it comes with), and its amazing.  It kept me shine free for about 4 hours on a blazing hot day, and was great for touching up..

Overall: Its a win! You must try this if you're in the market for a new pressed powder!

9.99@ Walgreens

.25oz

Review! Revlon's New Nearly Naked Foundation in Ivory

Hello all! Time for a foundation review!

I've been using Revlon's New Nearly Naked Foundation for a while now, and I'm ready to share my thoughts on it.  But first...

What Revlon says: "UNDETECTABLE COVERAGE. UNBELIEVABLE COMPLEXION.

Makeup so refreshingly light it melts right in, creating a fresh, even look. Pressed powder blends seamlessly with a lightweight feel. "(source)

Pics & Swatch!

The color match for me was phenomenal   It was right on point!  It has a nice satin finish, and lasted about 3/4 hours on me (alone).  For me, I definitely needed to set this with powder.  Maybe my skin is just super super oily (or I was having some off days), but it fared a good 6 hours if I set it with powder. I like that it does feel very very light.  It doesn't cover up all my imperfections (freckles, eye bags), but it does a nice job of evening out my skin tone, and making me look refreshed.   

Overall: Very nice!  It wont replace my beloved Urban Decay Naked foundation, but it is a nice foundation for every day, and for when I'm at work.  Oily skinned babes may need to set with powder (as I did), but I dont find that a problem.  There's 16 shades to choose from so most should find a shade that suits them!

9.99@ Walgreens

1 fl oz

Product Fail. Revlon Photoready Eyeshadow Palette in Avant Garde

Hello all!  So about a month ago I posted my swatches and first impressions of Revlons Photoready Eyeshadow Palette in Avant Garde.  I've been playing around with it for a few weeks, and I'm ready to say what I think!

Me no likey.

What Revlon Says: "Easily create limitless looks with one palette.
Each palette features a primer, 3 highly pigmented shadows, and a sparkle top coat. Use wet for more color intensity. Add sparkle top coat for a multi-dimensional, intensely shimmering effect." (source)

(Primer on left-Sparkle top coat on right)

(attempt to show u sparkle)

Sooo heres the deal.  I was not impressed with this palette.  The primer is just eh.  Its not overly sticky or tacky, and so while it did help brighten the shadows somewhat, they didnt last much longer then if I'd worn the shadows alone.  The shadows are pretty bad.  They're powdery, not pigmented at all, and prone to fall out (especially the glittery top coat).  Alone they lasted on my eyes only about 4 hours before creasing and fading away (though I do have oily lids).  With the included primer, I got about 6 hours. If you use a different primer (say..UD primer potion, or too faced shadow insurance).  They last about 8 hours (I used UD primer potion).  

I'm just not thrilled with this palette.  I love the design, and the concept, but Almay has better versions of this.   The shadows arent pigmented enough, the primer sucks, and the glittery top coat made my face look like a disco ball. 

Pass.

9.99 @ Ulta

Bought this myself/ all opinions are my own

.1oz/2.8g

Swatches and First Impressions-Revlon Photoready Eyeshadow Palette in Avant Garde

Hello all! I have some swatches and first impressions of a new eyeshadow palette I'm testing by Revlon.  Its their new Photoready Primer Shadow + Sparkle Palette.  I chose Avant Garde because I loved the blue!

(trying to show sparkle)

(Primer left side/Sparkle Top Coat Right Side)

The bottom left rectangle is the primer, and the smaller square to the right is the sparkle top coat. Unfortunately my first impressions of the shadows aren't good. They're soft, powdery and swatched super sheer. All of them contain sparkle.  The primer is ok, but thin, and also contains sparkle.  Yes- sparkle in the primer!

I'm hoping these fare better over a regular primer..

My Summer Faves!

This summer my beauty routine has been pretty minimal.  I have oily skin, and the summer wreaks havok on it.  My face is so sweaty and shiny in even 70* weather...its pretty bad.  Lately I've noticed that I'm reaching for the same few things over and over, and so was born this post.  Enjoy!

Click to enlarge.

• Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm : This is actually on deck for a review post.  I bought it in anticipation of a trip to Florida.  I wanted something that would deal with the heat and humidity (and my oily skin) while also helping me look put together (which it did!).  I love this stuff!
• Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Foundation in Matte in Fair with the Flawless Face brush:  I'm in love with this foundation..for me its perfect for summer (see my review here).  Even in the heat and humidity it holds up.  As for the brush, I wasnt a fan at first.  After washing it a few times with J & J Baby Shampoo, its a bit softer.  It gets the job done really well, so I can handle the scratchyness.

• Urban Decay's Naked Palette:  Do I need to say more? Neutrals that last all day. Love it:)
• Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe: Great for an overall lid color.  Lasts all day & helps me look put together! Couldn't ask for more!
• Ecotools Shadow brush, Sephora eyeshadow brush (22 I belive), and Revlon Highlighting brush:  These are my go to shadow brushes! I actually use the Revlon one for my crease and for shading.

• Project Runway Limited Edition Blush in Sultry Raven:  This is a cool toned light pink blush.  In the summer time my cheeks flush to a "lovely" shade of tomato red, so blush generally isn't necessary.  I used this almost every day.  It gives a nice glow to my cheeks, and while it does go on sheer, it can be built up nicely.

• Benefit's Boing Concealer in 01: I bought this after my cousin (who never wore makeup until recently), bought this and began using this. This is my HG concealer (review coming up).  It covers up my under eye circles like a dream, even blazing in-your-face-tomato-red pimples it covers and conceals like its not there.  It also (most importantly) doesn't melt in the summer heat. 
• Covergirl Liquiline Blast in Brown Blaze:  This is actually my go-to eyeliner (which is why it looks a bit shorter then the rest) .  I love the look of brown eyeliner on me.  I'm a dark haired, brown eyed beauty (who also wears glasses), so black isn't always good for me.  This is awesome during the summer!  I use this all the way around my eyes, I use this just on my lid, and even on my waterline (though it works best on the waterline when set with powder).  I love the way it looks smudged out, and the built in smudger is great for that!
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in Bourbon:  Urban Decay eyeliners are unmatched, and I'm glad that for the price ($19 at Sephora) it works as well as it does.  This literally lasts all day non-stop.  It lasted through 90* Florida heat, and tears.  This is the man when it comes to eyeliners for summer. 
• L'Oreal Carbon Black Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner:  (whew..try to say that 3x fast ;) .  This is an amazingly pigmented eyeliner that lasts all day and night.  It was  actually quite difficult to take off, even with waterproof eye makeup remover (and this isnt touted as waterproof).  This is great for winged liner, cat eyes, and even on the waterline (without setting it).  It comes with a built in smudger and sharpener too as a bonus (I'm lazy in the summer heat...I admit it.  Who doesn't hate looking for eyeliner sharpeners?). 
• Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick: Perfect bright lipcolor for summer.  Put it on, and done.  No touch ups, no worries about fading.  Just a perfect bright pink! (full review here).

So those are my summer faves so far? What are yours? Do you use any of the above?

Review & Swatches! Revlon's New Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain!

Hello all!  Todays post is on Revlon's new Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. But before we get to the review..a short psa.  Since this is a blog about (one) of my passions..my next post will be on something I'm also equally  passionate about-my Little Siren!  She's turning 4 this weekend, and I'm so excited I can barely contain myself.  I hope to spice this blog up with things more then just straight reviews..I have brush stuff coming up, and my summer faves, and maybe even my first eye of the day (eotd).  If theres anything you'd like to see on here..please leave me a comment below..I love hearing from you!

(Now back to our regularly scheduled programming ..lol).

Todays review is on Revlon's new Just  Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain .  I picked up two colors (separately ..hence the extra pics). I picked up Cherish (015), and Lovesick (020).

(Click to enlarge)

(Lovesick Swatched)

Ready for photos and swatches of Cherish?

(Cherish-indoor lighting - I apologize..my camara had trouble picking up the color)

(Cherish swatched)

These are fantastic!  I've heard them be compared to the Clinique Chubby sticks, but unfortunatly I havent tried those so I cant say that these are similar or not.  What I can say is that these are awesome.  When first applied they have a minty waxy feel and taste to them, but that fades quickly (the smell and the taste rather..haha).  The balm part fades after about an hour to leave a really nice opaque stain.  I didnt experience any dryness with these , which is the best part.  I love the look and wearability of stains, but I I hate how dry and chapped my lips always feel afterwards (I also hate that "ring around the lips" you get with some liquid stains).  You wont get any of that with these.  They fade evenly, and they have great colors. Also, there's no sharpening with these.  

I have a surprise for you guys..get ready..LIP SWATCHES! Yup. I've perfected my technique. Here they are: 

(Cherish)

(Lovesick)

Colorwise Cherish is a baby pink "my lips but better".  I love this for everyday.  Lovesick is a bright magenta pink-perfect for summer.  They retail 8.99$ around here in NY.  They are truly worthy of your 9 bucks.

Review! New Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener

Hello! Time for another review! This time of Revlon's New Photo Ready Eye Primer + Brightener.  This came out during the holiday season, and I picked it up since I was in the mood for a new primer (and brightening my eyes never hurt).

Here's what Revlon has to say about their Primer and Brightener. "Smoothes, perfects and brightens eye area by reducing the appearance of fine lines and crease on lids…use anytime, anywhere on face as a brightening 'pick me up'!"

Sounds good to me! Lets see how this baby did.

(Click to enlarge pictures)

This comes in a click style pen.  You twist the bottom, and the liquid comes out of the brush tip.  I actually really like that it comes out the tip of the brush , as opposed to the maybelline concealer, which came out the bottom of it.  However, that was pretty much all I liked.  Before I get to that though, more pics!

(outdoors-direct sunlight)

(outdoors-direct sunlight)

 Unfortunately, and I hate doing this, but this product is not very good (which is a shame, since usually Revlon puts out quality products).  As a primer, it works just ok.  Used under shadow, my eyeshadow creased and faded w/in 4 hours, which is my average without primer.  As an eye brightener its very very bad.  It doesnt conceal at all, so when I used it under my eyes, it sort of drew my eyes to my bags and dark circles (never fun).  I was really hoping that this would be awesome, because who wouldnt want a quality drugstore eyeshadow primer that could double as an eye brightner? I dig things that multitask.  But..there are better primers and brightners out there.