Spring Haul!

I've been taking it pretty easy lately with buying new makeup, but with the weather finally warming up and stepping into Spring I thought I'd treat myself to a couple new goodies (and some essentials)!

My Revlon Lip Product Collection: Super Lustrous Matte Lipsticks

Being the little makeup hoarder that I am, I've noticed that Revlon seems to dominate my lip products!

 I thought it'd be helpful to start "collection" posts where I swatch through the ones that I own since I probably have more than is recommended ;)

Revlon Nail Enamel in Posh: Review, Photos, & Swatches

NEW SHADES! Revlon Nail Enamel delivers gorgeous smooth, chip-resistant color to nails. Available in 4 new limited edition summer shades: Surf, Sheer Seafoam, Red Bikini and Gold Coast

Revlon Nail Enamel gives up to 10 days of lasting color & shine*. Revlon's exclusive silk-protein shield works to instantly help even out the surface of the nail while rising above color to automatically smooth away bubbles, streaks and brush marks.

Available in 72 shades
*when worn with Revlon Base and Top Coat.

EXPERT TIPS:

• Apply favorite Revlon® Base Coat.
• Apply two coats of Revlon® Nail Enamel and let dry.
• Apply favorite Revlon® Top Coat.

Where to Buy: Drugstore.com, $4.99

Revlon's Nail Enamel in Posh is one of those colors you just kinda stop and do a double take when you see it because it's a gorgeous bright kelly green!

Two Tricky Lipsticks!

If you've been involved in the online beauty community for a while you know there's always certain products/shades that are often talked about and impossible to find! Two little gems that happen to fall under that category are Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipsticks in Black Cherry and Cherries in The Snow (funny they both happen to have cherry related names).

NOTD: Carbonite

Revlon Nail Enamel- Carbonite

Seche Vite- Dry Fast Top Coat
 

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Drugstore.com Haul!

If you guys remember a week or two ago Drugstore.com was having a sale where their beauty department was 40% off, and you best believe I took advantage of that!

October Favorites

So in October I've really been toning down my makeup, going down the more natural route. I've been sticking to matte or at least satin shadows on my eyes, light pink cheeks, and browny-pink lips. I was kinda digging it while this little natural kick lasted, but now I'm so incredibly ready to bust out the glittery eyes and red lips for the holidays!

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Coral Reef: Review, Photos, & Swatches

Silky...Sexy...Brilliant. Glossy formula combines sheer color and intense moisture with light-reflecting spheres to create amazing shine.

EXPERT TIPS:

Apply directly to lips for a sheer, high-shine look or over Revlon Super Lustrous™ Lipstick for a more intense lip look.

Where to Buy: Drugstore.com, $6.99

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Coral Reef ($6.99 for 0.2 fl. oz.) is supposed to be an intensely shiny formula that also moisturizes the lips complete with an SPF of 15. Coral Reef is a beautiful orange with a tinge of pink. Available in 11 other shades: Peach Petal, Firecracker, Pink Pop, Lilac Pastelle, Shine City, Nude Lustre, Pink Afterglow, Pearl Plum, Pink Whisper, Foiled, and Pink Pursuit.

NOTD: Posh

Revlon Nail Enamel- Posh

Seche Vite- Dry Fast Top Coat

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August Favorites

August is always that one month that I cannot wait to end. I LOVE the start of September, its always represented the start of new things since its been when I've gone back to school for the past 12 years. But this year is a little bittersweet since I've decided not to attend University right away, so I kind of feel like I'm missing out while all my friends are posting their photos online with their new college buddies.

I'm trying to look at the bright side, I want to really further my blog and create new opportunities for myself in this time off from school! I've invested in my new Nikon D3100 and I hope you've been noticing how much better and clearer the photos have been, I'm obsessed with just snapping pictures all around my room! But enough rambling, on to the makeup I've loved throughout August!

July Favorites!

Is it weird that I'm glad summer is winding down and coming to an end? My birthday is in July, so of course its my favorite month, but I think I'm just ready for boots, scarves, and all the gorgeous jewel toned colors that come with fall! But until then (we still have a way to go before the seasons change), here are the things I've been enjoying in July:

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains: Review, Photos, & Swatches

It’s a pampering balm fused with a lightweight lipstain in an adorable chubby crayon. Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain gives softer, smoother lips with a perfect flush of color that lasts hour after hour. The gel formula comes in 12 vibrant shades that match any look or mood.

-Lightweight Lipstain + Moisturizing Balm
-100% of women who tried it felt their lips were instantly moisturized with a soft stain of color
-Retractable chubby crayon, no sharpener required

EXPERT TIPS:

Step 1: Apply Just Bitten Kissable™ Balm Stain evenly to clean, bare lips. Build color and coverage as desired.

Step 2: Reapply as desired for moisturizing shine throughout the day.

Where to Buy: Drugstore.com, $8.99

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stains ($8.99 for 0.095 oz) are supposed to be a combination of a moisturizing balm and a stain. They come in 12 shades: Honey, Crush, Darling, Cherish, Lovesick, Sweetheart, Smitten, Charm, Rendezvous, Romantic, Precious, Adore.

February Favorites

 February was a pretty minimal month in terms of makeup, I was really focusing more on my skin and venturing into contouring/highlighting!

Revlon ColorStay for Combination/Oily Skin in 180 Sand Beige

Ahh, my trusty foundation that I've been using since September! I actually ran out of this in early January and tried using Almay Truly Lasting Color Liquid Makeup in Buff, which was the absolute perfect color match for me, but its such crap. It claims to last 16 hours, but no, it slid off my face in 2. So I hurried my butt back to the drugstore and grabbed what I initially should've gotten in the first place! You know when you use something for a really long time and you just itch to try something else? I think that's what happened with my Revlon ColorStay, but it really made me appreciate how good this actually is. The coverage is great (very buildable without being cake-y) and most importantly is really lasts on my super oily skin, I only need to blot once or twice throughout the day. The only downsides are the color selection (they really need more yellow shades!) and the fact that THERE IS NO FREAKIN' PUMP! Like come on, I don't even mind paying more for the foundation just GIVE ME A PUMP REVLON!

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Medium Sand

My beloved MAC Blot Powder in Medium has recently died (sad blog post on that soon!) so I needed something to replace it and picked out an old favorite. I used to think this powder was the bee's knees until I tried the MAC one, now its just hard to use anything else but I'm not quite ready to shell out another $23 for it. Compared to eachother, this isn't as good but gets the job done. The Maybelline Dream Matte is much more cake-y so I have to be careful when putting it on, but it does keep the oil at bay for a good 2 or 3 hours. Not too sure why Maybelline decided to put shimmers in this powder, they don't transfer on your face, but still, I would prefer my face makeup to be completely shimmer free unless I'm deliberately highlighting! all in all, this is a great drugstore alternative to the more expensive oil controlling powders.

theBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer

Now if you know me, I'm not a bronzer person at all. But recently I've been wanting to venture into the world of contouring so I ventured to find the perfect matte bronzer. Initially I didn't like theBalm Bahama Mama because I thought it came across quite muddy in swatches, but when its on your face its a different story! It really works well with my skin tone to just create that "shadowed" look under my cheekbones so I look like I actually have them. It is quite pigmented though, so I have to fight that urge to just swirl my brush in it!

Physicians Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls in "Beige Pearl"

 I love when the weather starts getting warmer because that's when I like my skin to look nice and glowy! I'm usually not one for highlighting just because I have acne and my skin gets a lot of shine throughout the day so its just best not to bring attention to that, but I make an exception in the spring and summer. I've tried other liquid type highlighters and they just really don't work for me because I find them harder to control (I end up getting shimmer everywhere...) so having a powder is just so much easier! This one isn't so much glittery, it just gives a really nice sheen to your skin without being like oh did you cruise the glitter section of a craft store? Plus, this compact looks stunning sitting on my vanity ;)

January Favorites

Wet 'n' Wild "Comfort Zone" Eyeshadow Palette

This palette is actually my moms that I've swiped from her makeup drawers (everything is so much more appealing when its not yours)! I've been really loving wearing the first golden butter shade on the inner third of my lid and the shade below that on the outer two thirds with a bit of the dark shimmery brown below that in the crease.

Wet 'n' Wild "I ♥ Matte" Eyeshadow Palette

To be honest, the only reason I wanted this palette was because of the matte white shade! But I've actually been showing the neutral side A TON of love. When my eye looks are supper shimmery I'll mix the white with the cream color below it for a highlight, I often use the peachy-brown color in my crease, and the dark brown/black are often my choice for eyeliner smudged along my upper lashline! I don't think I'll ever get much use out of the colored side, but hey for the matte neutrals, it's completely worth it!

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in "Tutti Frutti"

As you probably know, absolutely everyone in the beauty community has been going gaga over these puppies. I wasn't intending on buying any since I don't typically wear lip products other than lip balm, but I saw this on sale at Kmart towards the beginning of the month so I thought what the heck. Of course I went for the bright orange shade (I'm not sure what this new obsession is with the color orange...) and I'm so in love with it! Its not totally as moisturizing as everyone has been saying, but better than a lipstick and I don't need a mirror to apply it, so it actually gets some use when I pop it in my school bag. Its going to be the perfect color come spring!

COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume Mascara in "Very Black'

This is probably pretty gross, but I've had this mascara for probably about a year (I never end up throwing anything makeup related out)! I just cracked it back open and have fallen back in love with it! I've been having so many mascara related issues lately (meaning I can't freaking find one that I like...) and instead of buying loads more I thought I'd just shop my stash. I used to hate this mascara, but I've been craving those really volumized looking lashes lately and the COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume certainly gives me that. The only thing I don't like is the size of the brush, I often end of getting the mascara all over my eyeshadow, and how the formula doesn't hold a curl very well. I really want to try the new Lash Blast 24 Hour, let me know if its any good!

MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer in "NW 20"

My skin has been wonky this month, breaking out left and right, so I needed to break out my heavy duty concealers. I stopped using this for a really long time because I found it looked pretty cakey, but I'll sacrifice looking natural if I can get rid of a huge blemish on my face! I've been having problems with getting new hyperpigmentation on my cheeks which has me in a bit of a tizzy, I never ever break out of my cheeks let alone had discoloration there. But now I've just got to deal with what's on my face and use the MAC Studio Finish Concealer to try and cover it!

Revlon Nail Enamel in "Carbonite"

As we're getting closer to spring, I've been trying to keep my wardrobe toned down a bit because I've been craving bright neon colors even though its still winter. But I've found it easier to satisfy my cravings if I keep most of my outfit in black and grey with one pop of color. So in keeping with this theme, I've been loving Revlon's Carbonite (I actually think this is discontinued, but I got mine at a Big Lots). It's a great neutral color but the gorgeous silver shimmer keeps it from being boring!

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin

 

Want makeup that is flawless and weightless for 16 perfect hours? Revlon has the solution - ColorStay™ Makeup with SoftFlex™.

Specially formulated for combination or oily skin, this oil-free formula helps control shine all day and gives you flawless looking skin.

Makeup looks fresh and feels great for up to 16 hours thanks to the lightweight, comfortable feel from the SoftFlex ColorStay™ formula.

Medium to full coverage, with SPF 6 protection*.

*Golden, Caramel, Toast, Rich Ginger, Cappuccino, Mahogany, and Mocha do not contain SPF

Pros:

-Sleek and classy glass packaging

-Thick formula covers redness, blemishes, and mild discoloration

-A little bit of the foundation can go a long way and can be thinned out with moisturizer for those who prefer lighter coverage

-Doesn't settle in the creases of your face throughout the day

-The finish is very natural, not completely matte

-Works fairly well to control oil throughout the day, I still need to blot every two hours but that's much less frequent than other foundations I've tried

-Hasn't caused any breakouts

-Is fairly transfer resistant

-The SPF of 6 isn't high enough to interfere with flash photography

-Doubles really well as a concealer if you dab on your problem areas

-Doesn't oxidize throughout the day

Cons:

-The price of this foundation ranges from about $10-$14, which is quite pricey for the drugstore (but I can deal since they frequently do 40% off Revlon)
-REALLY difficult to clean off your brushes, I usually have to spot clean with my MAC brush cleanser and then take my brush to the sink and wash with baby shampoo a few times to actually see the white on the bristles again!

-Its pretty much a guessing game when you go to pick this foundation out at the drugstore since they don't do testers (not to mention there's only 20 shades so if you're super fair or super dark you might be out of luck); I had to return the first shade I picked out and grab another which I still don't think matches me correctly (lesson: grab from a store with a good return policy)!

-For some reason a lot of the darker shades don't contain SPF (those shades are listed above)

-Dries on your face really quickly, you need to do some speedy blending!

-The smell is pretty strong, you're going to notice it once its on your face (but don't worry it fades in about 10 minutes)

-If you're not one to set your foundation with powder be advised that the Revlon Colorstay will feel very sticky

-A big downfall that usually happens with most drugstore foundations is the lack of a pump, I usually either get too much or not enough, and let me just tell you that when you get halfway through the bottle tipping it over and over again because you didn't get enough is the most annoying process
-Because of the lack of a pump, the screw on lid gets massively messy with dripping foundation

-If you use the back of your hand to put your foundation on before applying and let it dry, its pretty much going to stay there all day unless you use a makeup remover wipe

-The SPF of 6 is better than nothing but not high enough to protect you skin on an everyday basis alone

-The coverage is good, but needs a few layers to cover bad discoloration

-It takes some trial and error to find a brush that will apply this in a way that works for you, I find my Sigma F80 does the best job since its so dense which prevents it from absorbing too much product, but I also like using my fingers (aside from the fact that this foundation is a nightmare to get off once it dries)

- This foundation will stain like no other! I keep a white towel on my vanity for spot cleaning, wiping my hands and such, and it's just covered with foundation spots from the Revlon ColorStay, so make sure you don't get it on anything that's going to upset you if it doesn't come out

-Can look extremely cakey if you use a setting powder that's too heavy (like MAC's Studio Fix Powder), I like to set this with MAC's Pressed Blot Powder

-You need to have a good makeup remover when using the Revlon ColorStay Foundation, when I first starting using this I thought just cleansing my face was enough to get it all off, but nope, it clogged my pores like no other, so invest in some good makeup removing wipes

Overall:

Usually I stay away from liquid foundations because I just know they're going to slide off my oily skin during the day, but I'm very pleased with the Revlon ColorStay foundation for Oily/Combination Skin! I find myself not having to blot as frequently, not having to use as much concealer, and I'm much more comfortable with my skin because this foundation has fantastic coverage. I'm pretty in love with the Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin, so it's going to be a long,long while before I venture out and try another liquid foundation! If your skin is similar to mine (very oily/lots of discoloration/acne) I strongly suggest that you try this out!