Product Reviews: Make-Up Archives

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Review!

January 16, 2018

Hi everyone! I hope you’re doing well.

It’s my first post of the year and I thought I would start with a product review on one of the most talked about lines in the beauty realm, Fenty Beauty.

After reading and hearing rave reviews about this universal rosy shade, I had to see for myself why this product received so many glowing reviews. So, after finding a Sephora that had this product in stock, I finally caved and purchased it.

Did this shimmering rose nude lip gloss live up to the hype? Keep reading for my take on this.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

Described as, “an ultimate, gotta-have-it lip gloss with explosive shine that feels as good as it looks—in one universal rose nude shade.”

Pros

Amazing scent

High-shine

You only need a little bit of product so a tube should last a long time

Beautiful neautral shade (initially)

Decent lasting power (about 3 hours)

Cons

Very thick and tacky feeling

Over-sized applicator won’t suit everyone

Shows up as a clear gloss

Pricey at $18 a tube

Overall: I really wanted to love this gloss but honestly, it just didn’t work for me. I hate how thick and heavy this lip gloss feels. It’s not sticky per se but it feels very tacky and uncomfortable. The bigger than normal applicator might work great for some but for me, it just picked up too much product and I had to constantly wipe off the excess on the side of the tube. The beautiful rose gold shade turned clear on my lips so there was no color payoff whatsoever. The scent was addicting and quite frankly, one of my favorite aspects of the lip gloss. The shine department didn’t disappoint either but it just wasn’t worth the $18.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Swatch

A swatch of the shade. If only it turned up like this on me. 🙁

What are your thoughts on this product? Any Fenty Beauty items you love? Comment below!

August Favorites 2017!

August 31, 2017

Hi everyone!

It’s the last day of August and I’m quickly sharing a few of my favorite items I couldn’t get enough of this month.

Let’s dive right in.

Rhonda Allison Cherry Jubilee Enzyme

I won this product in an Instagram away hosted by a fellow esthetician friend and just like the name implies, this smells (and feels!) like a tart cherry puree. What I love about this (aside from the scent) is that the natural polyphenols provide great antioxidant properties for your skin and the “potent pro-youth value that mimics the strength of lactic acid,” allows for gentle exfoliation. My face looks nice and glowy after using this.

m-61 SuperSoothe E Microdermabrasion Scrub

I found myself at a Bluemercury counter returning an item that unfortunately didn’t work out when this caught my eye. I liked the fact that this contained kaolin clay mixed with natural pumice to help exfoliate and clean pores and it worked well with the hot, humid weather we had. I applied a thin layer over my face, let it sit for about 2 minutes and then rinsed it off with circular motions. Although seaweed and goldenberry are added to provide some moisture, I found it a bit drying, so in my opinion, this is best used for combination/oily skin.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs Body Lotion Lavender Eucalyptus

Back in July, I went to Glen Ivy Hot Springs and had such a great experience! I’ll admit that it was a bit hard for me to just relax and not worry about anything but it’s kind of easy to do after a few minutes soaking in a hot spring. 🙂 Anywho, the lotion dispenser had a lavender scented cream and of course I had to buy the bottle. The calming scent of lavender with a burst of eucalyptus does not disappoint and I use this at the end of day to wind down.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Love Lipstick in Raw Sugar

As soon as I got wind that Estee Lauder was launching a new lipstick collection, you better believe I was busy ~~stalking~~ searching which stores would be the first to carry them. Hey, I’m a lippie addict, what do you expect? 😉 After finding them at Ulta, I ended up taking the shade Raw Sugar home with me. Guys, the packaging on these are gorgeously chic and the matte formula is comfortable to wear as long as your lips are smooth and not overly dry. Raw Sugar is a nude apricot shade (see swatch above) and is great for any day, anytime, anywhere. The applicator is a bit difficult to work with at first but it’s easier if you treat the edge like a lip liner and apply it that way.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I’m a big fan of foundations that look more like second skin. This Bobbi Brown foundation does just that. A few drops of this water-based, oil-free formula is enough to cover up my redness and can be built up for medium coverage. My skin looks flawless and I receive a ton of compliments with this one.

First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer

I received this product in one of my Sephora boxes and I will definitely add this to my list of things to buy when the Sephora sale comes in November, if not sooner. Smells like coconut, does not irritate my skin, the texture is so light-weight and addicting, and it has a nice dewy finish that is not overwhelming. My makeup goes on smooth and although it doesn’t keep shine at bay per se, I’m not overly oily either. Very happy with this one.

Living Grace Podcast Episode

The last item that I loved, a non-beauty item, was my podcast interview I did with Kami Lingren from Living Grace Blog. In this episode, we talk about my life in the moments leading up to being diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, the alternative method I discovered to treat IC and much more. If you missed it, you can read and listen to it here.

What did you love in August?

Play! By Sephora Review April 2017!

May 4, 2017

Hi everyone!

I have a review for the April Play! by Sephora box. In case you haven’t heard, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. You also get a bag with your products inside that display cute catchy phrases.

The theme for this month was Step it Up, featuring stellar products that will up your beauty game. I love the catch phrase on this month’s bag that says, The Best Things in Life are Me.

Let’s check out the products included!

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Mask

This “radiance-enhancing face mask contains a concentrated blend of natural citrus in a marmalade-like formula to soften, brighten, and revitalize skin.” First off, this product smells amazing. You really get the scent and consistency of a nectar. You’re supposed to apply it on a clean face and let it sit for 10 minutes. Unfortunately, after 5 minutes, my face kind of started stinging so I don’t think this product is for me.

Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel

Professional-grade peel infused with retinol and ferulic acid exfoliates skin, restores firmness, and reveals radiance. The pads are applied to a clean face right before your moisturizer. Now, as an esthetician, my view on a peel is a bit different as I’m accustomed to performing chemical peels where I know the concentration of acids and what the pH level is. So while I don’t know percentages of ingredients, I do know that retinol and ferulic acid are great ingredients to incorporate into an anti-aging routine. After using the pad, I did wake up with smoother looking skin the next morning and it lasted about 2 days. You can cut the pads in half to get multiple uses out of them. Personally, if I were to invest in this product, I’d opt for the serum instead.

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner

An easy to use, “creamy, budge-proof eyeliner glides on easily and leaves an intense, jet-black color.” I was happy that an eyeliner was included in the box and I do like this one for the creamy formula, but I would not purchase the full size. I have to note that this, on me at least, is not budge-proof. By about halfway through the day, it’s already smeared and it completes a disappearing act by the end of the night.

Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

A gentle, go-to waterproof makeup remover that is perfect for sensitive eyes to remove stubborn makeup and also strengthens lashes with flavonoids and olive wood extracts. Perhaps the stellar product in the bag, this makeup remover is no joke. It thoroughly removes my eye makeup with ease and it does not irritate my eyes at all. I will be purchasing the full size of this one.

Pinrose Secret Genius

Based in San Francisco, Pinrose works with master perfumers around the world to create playful and unique perfumes made from high-quality, sustainable ingredients. This seductive, mysterious and elegant fragrance includes notes of caramel, white chocolate, vanilla, cedarwood and sandalwood. I haven’t gotten around to this one yet but I’m intrigued my the combination of scents.

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer

One of the most iconic primers, this creates the perfect canvas for makeup application, helping it last all day while blurring imperfections. I have received SO many samples of this primer that is wasn’t as excited to see it in my box. It’s a nice primer that does help my makeup last but aside from that, I don’t find anything extra special about this one that makes me want to purchase it.

Overall, this box was okay. Hopefully next month is better.

What products did you get in your box?

Play! By Sephora Unboxing February 2017!

March 9, 2017

Hi readers!

After a few months away, I’m back with a new post and a new look to my blog!

While I was away, I’ve been busy trying to work on my skincare business, working out, getting pelvic floor therapy to help manage my IC, taking a course at UCLA regarding skin, and of course, redesigning my blog. It’s been a bumpy road navigating a self-hosted site but I’ve learned a lot and while there will be a few more tweaks, I’ll roll those out slowly. 🙂

I know I’m late on this but I have a review for the February Play by Sephora box. In case you haven’t heard, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. The theme for February was The Soft Side, with “muted, mellow shades and skin-perfecting formulas [that] are a never-sail way to show off your natural beauty.”

On to the reviews.

Sephora Collection Lashcraft Length and Volume Mascara

This mascara has a unique flat paddle-shaped wand to lift lashes while the nylon-infused glossy black pigment creates drama. Mascaras are always a hit or miss with me as my eyes are a bit sensitive and a great mascara for me means that my eyes won’t burn by the end of the day. This one is okay but not my favorite as it gives volume (due to the brush) but not much length. It irritated my eyes a bit as well. I’ll use this up but I won’t be purchasing a full size.

Nars Velvet Lip Glide in Bound

I have been wanting to try this product for a while so I was ecstatic to see it included in my box. It’s a dusty-rose liquid lipstick that is a infused with natural oils and feels weightless. I absolutely love the color-on me it’s reminiscent of the just bitten look- and it’s a very comfortable formula to wear as it’s not drying. However, because it’s a semi-matte finish, this entirely wears off with eating and drinking so if you’re looking for something that is long-lasting, this isn’t it. Still worth a try in my opinion though.

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake

If you’ve read my review on the Too Faced Naughty Kisses and Sweet Cheeks, you know the Lip Injections are a favorite of mine. Milkshake is a nude shade lip that has an intense tingle factor but does in fact, plump my lips. It contains avocado and jojoba oil that helps soften them too, which I love.

Nars Velvet Lip Glide in Bound and Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake

Clinique Prep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer

An innovative product, this moisturizer can be used as a primer or as a quick fix throughout the day to control shine or add hydration. I used this both as a regular moisturizer and primer and I feel that it worked better as a primer. This product has a thick, almost silicone texture that feels silky when applied. To me, it provided a mattifying effect but my face didn’t feel as tight as it does with most oil-control primers. Although my skin doesn’t feel dry, it didn’t necessarily feel hydrated either. My makeup applies smoothly with this and doesn’t cling to dry patches. Bottom line: this works better as a primer.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

This luminous eye cream contains coffee bean, ginseng, and magnolia extract to visibly brighten and depuff the undereye area. Ginseng gives a subtle glow to skin while the coffee beans work to energize tired skin. Although I can’t attest to the depuffing aspects, the eye cream has a pink pearl-like color that helps to brighten my undereye area. This works well under concealer and is similar to the Caudalie one, which I really love.

Marc Jacobs Divine Decadence

Effervescent floral and bright, this sparkling champagne doused scent embodies luxury and glamour. Notes in this earthy and woody fragrance include orange blossom, bergamot, gardenia, amber vanilla and saffron. Surprisingly, I actually like this fragrance. It’s more on the sweet side but the woodsy scents balance it out perfectly.

Overall, I’m content with this box, especially with the inclusion of the Nars Velvet Lip Glide and the Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy.

What do you think of this box? Any products you’d like to try?

Play! By Sephora Unboxing October 2016!

October 25, 2016

Hi everyone!

I have a look into the October Play! By Sephora box. In case you don’t know, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. The theme for this month is The Cool Cut, with products that truly stand out from the crowd and destined to become mainstream with breakthrough formulas.

How cute is this Lipstix and Chill bag?!

Let’s get into the rest of the contents!

Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel

An advanced, non-abrasive peel that is supposed to gently exfoliate skin to reveal a bright and renewed complexion. The active ingredient is AC-11, which is derived from cat’s claw and helps gently exfoliate. As an esthetician, I have a different expectation for a peel. Personally, I didn’t see a difference with this at all and it actually left behind a sticky feel and residue. Not impressed at all.

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil

A conditioning hair mask that strengthens strands while enhancing color and shine. The unique ingredient in this is prickly pear oil that comes from the seeds and contains over 80% fatty acids that provides an unparalleled amount of deep nurturing oils to hair. This mask it quite thick and has an interesting smell. When I used this mask, I found that it did leave hair shiny but it didn’t have a conditioning effect as I assumed it would. It does not state that it’s supposed to condition hair so it’s best to mix in your own conditioner with this mask to get knots out.

Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat

This matte liquid lipstick claims to last 8 hours and have a water-resistant, non-feathering formula. Jojoba, apricot and sunflower oils are included to provide a non-drying finish. The shade I received was Driver’s Seat which is described as a warm pink however I kind of find it to be a terracotta-red type shade. The shade is gorgeous and it is highly pigmented. This does come off when drinking and eating food and I do find this formula drying to lips. If you’re looking for a true matte liquid lipstick, then definitely check this one out.

Blinc Mascara Amplified

What makes this mascara special is the innovative “tube technology” that coats lashes with easy-to-remove, tiny water-resistant tubes that won’t run, smudge or flake. Removing this mascara is simple as you only need warm water and a cotton round or ball to remove. I’ve used this mascara before as part of my simple makeup routine and I love it for a natural look. I find that it doesn’t provide much volume though.

Belief The True Cream Aqua Bomb

This South Korean skincare brand is made with Scottish botanicals and based on the research of Duncan Napier, a Victorian botanist from Edinburgh. This lightweight gel-cream is meant to tighten the look of skin and sink in for a smooth, supple feel. It can also be used as a mask and tissued off after 5 minutes. I love the feel of this cream and it does feel very lightweight and refreshing when applied. However, I did notice that as I was using this, my face started to breakout. I’ve discontinued use and will try again to see if this was the source of my breakouts.

Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris

Inspired by a love for the sophistication and allure of Paris, this scent layers fruity and floral notes over a musky base. It contains notes of bergamot, pear, raspberry jasmine, musk and patchouli. My sense of smell hasn’t been the best so I haven’t tried this one yet but I will update this once I’ve had a chance to give it a fair try.

Overall, I’m happy with this month’s box and look forward to receiving November’s.

What did you get in your box this month?

Stephanie

Bite Beauty Multistick Review in Almond and Praline!

October 20, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! I have a review on two shades of Bite Beauty’s new Multistick product. Since these are a hot commodity, I had to check them out for myself.

Curious to see what I thought? Keep reading!

Bite Beauty Multistick in Almond and Praline

Described as, “a multistick that applies like a cream and wears like a powder for weightless color application—just apply with your finger or a brush on the eyes, lips, and cheeks. With 35 percent powder in each Multistick bullet, this silicone-free formula creates a soft focus finish that’s blendable, breathable, and buildable. It features universal shades for the eyes, lips, and cheeks that compliment all skintones and are formulated to use anywhere on the face.”

Pros

Highly pigmented

Long-lasting

Excellent array of shades

Great as a base for eyeshadow

Magnetic cap

Cons

A bit pricey at $24 a bullet

A little on the drier side

Can accentuate dry patches

Takes a bit of effort to blend

Overall: I like these, however I prefer them as lipsticks first. They are a bit on the drier side and I find that they tend to drag a bit. If lips are properly exfoliated and prepped, then it’s not that much of an issue as they stay on matte. It is a little hard to blend these so using them as blush requires some effort. I’m sure that the neutral shades would work better as blush on my fair skin tone. As eyeshadows, these work best either as a liner or a base and most definitely need a primer to last. The colors and pigmentation on these are gorgeous. Praline is a burnt orange shade while Almond is a reddish brown- both excellent color choices for fall. It’s also nice that this cap is magnetic so it ensures that the cap doesn’t open up in your purse.

Here’s swatches of Almond (top) and Praline (bottom).

Top-Bottom: Almond and Praline

Top-Bottom: Birkin Brown and Almond

I actually found a dupe for the shade Almond. The Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown is a spot on dupe for Almond. In terms of application, Birkin Brown applies a bit more smoother but shade wise, they are pretty much identical.

Have you tried these? What are your favorite shades?

Stephanie

Too Faced Naughty Kisses and Sweet Cheeks Review and Swatches!

October 13, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone!

I’m excited to bring you a review on one of Too Faced’s Holiday 2016 sets. First off, can anyone beat the Christmas in New York theme? Call me crazy but it’s my dream to travel to NYC during the holiday season. Something about it just fascinates me but until that happens, I’ll gladly enjoy dreaming about it.

Okay, back to the review. I tried the Too Faced Lip Injection and instantly knew I had to get it. So I went on the hunt for this one and wouldn’t you know that all the stores I checked didn’t have these in stock. So, the next best thing was this set as it had 3 of the lip plumpers and matching blushes. Was it worth it? Keep reading!

Too Faced Naughty Kisses and Sweet Cheeks

Described as: This fabulously festive set comes with three deluxe Lip Injection Glossy Lip Glosses and three coordinating Love Flush Blushes, all wrapped up in one pretty package. Give as one present or spread the love (and kisses) by gifting each pair separately.

I love how these come ready to gift in case you choose to do so!

This set includes: Mini Lip Injection Glossy Original (clear) and Love Flush Crazy in Love (bright pink); Mini Lip Injection Glossy Milkshake (nude) and Love Flush Baby Love (nude peach); and Mini Lip Injection Glossy Like a Boss (orchid) and Love Flush Dream Lover (lilac).

Pros

Great value set ($36)

Unique/variety of shades

Can be gifted

Blushes are nicely pigmented

Good lasting power

Cons

Blushes are smaller than I’d like

Colors may be too sheer for darker skin tones

Overall: I’m very happy with this set. Considering that a deluxe size of the Lip Injection costs $14, receiving 3 of these plus the blushes makes it a good value. You can keep all 3 or gift them and they come imprinted with a gift tag, ready for you to personalize it. I was a bit skeptical to try the lilac blush and lip plumper but it’s actually a very flattering shade and it sheers out a bit more pink on my cheeks. Both the blushes and lipglosses have good lasting power, with the blush lasting almost all day and the gloss a solid 3 hours. The lip plumpers do tingle for about a minute or so but it does deliver a pouty, fuller lip. My only complaints would be that the blushes are on the small side and it takes a few swipes for my brush to pick up product; also, some of the shades might be too sheer for darker skin tones. Other than that, Too Faced did a great job with this set!

Here is a swatch of the blushes. Top-Bottom: Dream Lover, Crazy in Love and Baby Love

And a swatch of the lip plumpers. Top-Bottom: Original, Like a Boss and Milkshake

I’d love to know, what holiday sets are you looking to buy?

Stephanie

Morphe 35O Eyeshadow Palette Review and Swatches!

October 6, 2016

It’s Thursday and as promised, I have a review on the popular Morphe 35O Eyeshadow Palette. Morphe was one of the vendors at ICES 2016 and since the line was short I decided to take a look. Instantly, I knew I had to purchase this palette. It’s one of the most talked about palettes and, hello, gorgeous fall colors-how could I walk away without purchasing this?

So, does palette live up to the hype? Keep reading to find out!

Morphe 35O- 35 Color Nature Glow Eyeshadow Palette

Description: “From cooler grey-toned browns to fiery sunset colors, this palette is a beautiful mix of wearable warm neutrals that give you effortless versatility whether you are after a daytime look or full-on glam. The perfect balance of matte and shimmery finishes make it a go-to for makeup lovers at every skill level. Get everything you need to highlight, blend and transition without ever wearing the same look twice.“

Pros

Cost effective at $22.99

Gorgeous shades

Variety of finishes

Most shades have great pigmentation

Most shades blend easily

Cons

Lots of fallout

A few shades don’t blend as smoothly

A few shades apply patchy

Overall I really love this palette as it’s perfect for fall and you get 35 shades for a great price. I gravitate to the orange, warmer browns in this palette and they do not disappoint. I find that most of these shadows have a creamier consistency, making the application and blending process fairly easy. A few of the cooler toned shades and a least one orange shade apply a bit patchy and require a bit more effort into blending. Other than that, most shades have great pigmentation and with a primer, they last all day. The shade selection is great so you really don’t need another palette as you have matte, shimmer and satin colors all in one. A problem that I have with this palette is that practically every shade has major fallout. Whether you’re dipping a brush into a shade or simply swatching, it kicks up a lot of color and can turn into a mess fast if you are not careful. I found that lightly patting the shade instead of swirling helps decrease the amount of product fallout so it’s just something to be mindful of.

Here are swatches of the shades. Since these shades don’t have names, I labelled the rows so you know what row I swatched (e.g. R1 = Row 1).

Row 1 Swatches

Row 2 Swatches

Row 3 Swatches

Row 4 Swatches

Row 5 Swatches

A few shades took about 3 swatches to fully show up on camera but other than that, they’re pretty pigmented.

Have you tried this palette? What are your thoughts on it?

Stephanie

Play! By Sephora Unboxing September 2016!

September 20, 2016

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I can’t beleive fall is just around the corner! Cra-zy.

I’m kicking off subscription week here on the blog with a look at the September Play! By Sephora box. In case you don’t know, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. The theme for this month is The Unbasic Basics, with products meant to become the building blocks for your beauty routine.

Kat Von D Tatto Liner in Trooper

A waterproof liquid liner that glides on to reveal precise, bold strokes of highly pigmented color. The applicator on this liner is thin enough to provide a very fine line bit can also be tilted to provide a thicker line. This eyeliner doesn’t budge which is always a plus.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector

You’re supposed to work this product into damp or dry hair and leave it on overnight. You can rinse it out in the morning or leave it on to get a full week of softness and shine with this long-lasting, weightless solution that keeps hair looking its best. This did make my curly hair softer but other than that, I haven’t seen a dramatic change. Perhaps the more I use it, the more I’ll see results?

Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick in Love Spell

This pink creamy, moisturizing lipstick is formulated with shea butter and caster oil to nurture lips. The consistency of this lipstick is very much like a lipgloss and with the weather changing, it’s a great formula to have on hand. The shade of pink is a gorgeous color that is perfect for daytime or paired with a smokey eye.

Top-Bottom: KVD Tropper and Sephora Love Spell Swatches

Atelier Cologne Sud Magnolia

This refreshing floral blend balances delicate notes of magnolia with layers of wood and citrus. At first scent, this smelled okay but then as the day went on, it kind of made me nauseous so unfortunately this one didn’t work for me.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel

A light-weight, flexible clear gel that sets, defines and keeps brows in place for a polishes look that stays all day. I’ve actually had a sample of this one before and I really like it. My brows tend to get unruly as they grow in so this is perfect to help tame them a bit.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation

Light, silky, and oil-free, this moisturizer melts into skin to help soften, brighten and even skin tone. It contains licorice root to brighten, chamomile to soothe and vitamin C to help encourage collagen production. I do like this moisturizer as it does sink into skin without feeling heavy, however with the weather changing, it doesn’t provide enough hydration on its own. I decided to pair this with a serum and it worked better.

Overall, I’m really happy with this box!

Have you tried any of these products? Which ones are your favorites?

Stephanie

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor Review in HD Kisses and HD Embrace!

September 8, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! This week is flying by as it’s almost Friday-what?! That’s the perk of a long weekend I guess and I’m not complaining. 😉

I have another review on some budget friendly lippies so let’s get started.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor

Described as a, “lightweight, high definition velvety matte color. Moisturizing, velvety feel. 100% wax-free, gel formula.” I picked up HD Embrace, a nude pink and HD Kisses, a raspberry mauve shade.

Pros

Cost effective at under $10

Sleek packaging

Clear tube allows you to see the color

Color glides on smoothly

Good lasting power

Good array of colors

Excellent pigmentation

Cons

Not truly matte

Dry down time takes about 30 minutes

Lighter colors accentuates any imperfections

Sweet scent may not be for everyone

Overall: I’m a big fan of these lip products. They are reminiscent of the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams in both the feel and sweet scent. I found that the formula glides on smoothly provided your lips aren’t chapped. Both leave behind a stain while eating and drinking, with HD Kisses more pronounced than HD Embrace. The pigmentation on both are great and usually one swipe is all you need to get excellent coverage. Even as these dry down, I don’t find that these are completely a true matte because I can still rub my lips together and feel a bit of slip to them. With this said though, they aren’t really that moisturizing after they dry down either. I’d describe it as in between a satin and matte. The packaging on these is very sleek and the color you see is pretty much the color you get.

Some swatches of the shades.

Have you tried the Revlon HD Mattes? What’s your favorite matte lipstick?

Stephanie