Mateja's Beauty Blog: 2023

New in #135

BOURJOIS Healthy Mix Serum (2023 version)

I'm a fan of the Healthy Mix foundation, even the newly reformulated one (though the old version was better). They discontinued their Serum formula a while ago, a foundation I used for years and now they released a new "serum" version, this time the skin care/foundation hybrid that so many brands launched in the last years. Shade range is lacking, as they have two 51 shades and no 50 that I use at HM foundation, so none of the shades match me. I wear 51,2W as it's less warm toned than 51, but it's still noticeably too dark. Formula is thin, very light and it blends easily without setting too quickly. Coverage is light-medium, finish is glowy from the start, but on my dry skin it eventually becomes matte. Compared to the Foundation, the Serum covers less, but it's not that big of a difference. For me the main difference is that the Serum doesn't make my skin look as smooth as the foundation. Such thin formulas in general don't work well on my skin, I don't know why, though this one looks better than Maybelline's and Catrice's versions. Bourjois has been slowly and sneakily raising their prices over the decade I've been buying HM, so this new foundation is almost 20 € in Slovenia - you can't really call it drugstore anymore. It's 16,5 € in France.

MAYBELLINE Fit Me concealer

I used to have this and reviewed it too, but it was before they had light shades and even though I liked it, I couldn't wear it, so I gave it away. By now a lot time ago they expanded the shade range and 05 is a great match for me. I'm a long time user of their famous Eraser concealer and I still prefer it to this one. This formula is thicker, it covers more (about medium) and on my skin leans more towards the satin-matte finish, though it's more hydrating than most popular high coverage concealers, which tend to be very matte.

CATRICE Liquid Eyeliner Matt

010 Dating Joe Black

A standard repurchase. I bought so many over the years. Every now and then I try something new, mostly because I get sent stuff, but this remains a firm and reliable favourite. It's intensely black, it lasts on the eyes all day, it doesn't smudge or run during and the felt tip applicator feels soft on the eyes. It's not as precise as Essence's 24h Ever Ink felt tip eyeliner, but it's more durable.

CATRICE Highlighting Hero Duo Pencil

020 Daylight

This combines a matte pencil with a shimmery one. The matte side is meant to be used in the waterline and for lifting the eyes (and the face), while the shimmery one is a highlighter, most suited for the inner corners of the eyes. The matte pencil is a similar colour to the discontinued Essence pencil that I've been using for years (I stocked up on several when I learned they're discontinuing them). It's an off-white pink shade that suits my skin tone better than yellow toned pencils and opens up the eyes. The shimmery side is also in a pinky shade and it's disappointing. Given that I bought this pencil mostly for the shimmery shade, I'm not happy about it being a poor performer. Pigmentation is much weaker than the matte side and even with a lot building up, it just doesn't end up looking shimmery enough to bring focus to the eyes. Both sides are creamy and glide nicely, but pigmentation differs a lot between the sides.

ESSENCE The Mini Nail Buffers

I always buy a different nail file from Essence, a thin four sided one, but the stand in a local Müller looks like it has been robbed and this was the only one the stand. It has the same four surfaces - shorten, shape, buff and smooth. The are shorter, but you get two. It does the job well and I ended up preferring the square shape, though the surfaces are smaller and they won't last as long as at the thin version.

CATRICE ICOnails Gel Lacquer

161 Stargazing

This is one of the new shades they released in the last update. I'm drawn to all starry sky shades, looking for the perfect mix of dark blue with the right amount of shimmer. This one ended up fairly basic, as I've had at least two identical shades before and the shimmer doesn't look as intense or "starry" as I'd like, but it's a nice deep frosty blue shade. Staying power didn't wow me and usually Catrice nail polishes last well.

BALEA Beauty Expert Hydration Toner

I find Balea frustrating at times. While I'm glad they are going in the right direction ingredients-wise with their Beauty Expert line, their formulas just miss the mark for me. At every product I've tried, there was something off. Their liquid exfoliator with the salicylic acid feels oily, so it doesn't absorb for ages and their body niacinamide cream is too light (their discontinued retinol serum was also underwhelming). This is again a product that is brilliant on paper. It has 2% panthenol, 0.2% allantoin, betaine, urea, glutamic acid, aminoacids and it's fragrance free. So you'd expect a comfortable, ultra-hydrating product like Cezanne High Moist I've been using for many years (and I need to order online), but this feels so bare, thin and water-like. I put it on and I'm just missing some extra hydration. I will say that it's nice for layering, as it's super light and fast absorbing, but as a stand-alone product, I feel it needs something to make it feel more hydrating. However, I will praise it as a relief product. My scalp was irritated a while back and I put this on because of the panthenol, hoping it will alleviate the irritation and itch. It helped very fast, but it also made my hair feel somewhat dirty, so I had to wash it the same day.

GARNIER Skinactive Vitamin C Glow Booster Night Serum

A while ago I used up Afrodita's Vitamin C serum with ascorbly tetraisopalmitate, which I liked, though not as much as the Professional version (which is much more expensive). This time I wanted to try the new Garnier one because it has 10% ascorbic acid (the most potent version of vitamin C, but also least stable), it has no alcohol, it has some salicylic acid and adenosine. It can be opened for just 3 months. It's a light clear liquid with a tiny bit of an oily feel, but that goes away. Products can be applied over it with no problems. I felt nothing when I first applied it, so no burning or tingling, nor did I get a delayed reaction. But I did instantly get that odd smell, like you can at self tanners. I've tried applying it with gloves, but I apparently touch my face a lot, so my hands smell like self tanner all the time. I don't think I noticed anything significant in terms of the condition of my skin, but I'll keep using it.

BODY BOOM Peel-off Rubber Algae Mask

A new brand that's sold in Slovenian drugstores (DM) and like Eveline it's from Poland. Products are said to contain up to 99% of ingredients of natural origin and they are vegan. Here you get a big pot with some lovely-smelling powder and you're supposed to mix it with precisely 30 ml of lukewarm water in the same cup. The mask is meant to be for a single use. I haven't tried it yet, but it's clay mask that sets to a "soft-touch dressing" on the skin and then you're supposed to peel it off. I've tried similar products before and in my experience they don't come off it a single piece, but we'll see how this one ends up. It contains pink clay, aloe vera, calamine (which is soothing and good for calming itchiness), oat kernel flour (oats tend to be used in products for sensitive skin), algae and blueberries.

Ingredients: Diatomaceous Earth, Glucose, Algin, Calcium Sulfate Hydrate, Calamine, Tetrasodium Phyrophosphate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Vaccinium Corymbosum (Blueberry) Seed, Illite (Pink Clay), Kaolin, Montmorillonite, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Salicylate.

FACE BOOM Day/Night Hydro Cream

A moisturiser for sensitive to dry skin. Instead of the classic glycerine, they used trehalose as the main ingredient. It's a sugar which is supposedly an excellent hydrator. Other ingredients include brazil nut seed oil, avocado oil, glycerine, rose oil, pineapple juice, melon juice, banana extract and raspberry extract. So it's more about fruit extracts than the by now classic hyaluronic acid, glutamic acid or ceramides. Formula is light and relatively fast absorbing. It's not too heavy to affect makeup on top. I haven't used it long enough to say anything more, but to me it feels more of a formula for combination/normal skin, as for my dry skin it's on the light side. I don't have sensitive skin, so I can't say if it's gentle enough, but it is quite heavily fragranced (personally I like that).

Aqua (Water), Trehalose, Betaine, Stearyl Alcohol, Bertholletia Excelsa (Brazil Nut) Seed Oil, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Glycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Rosa Canina (Fruit) Oil, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Juice, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Juice, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Vegetable Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.

BODY BOOM Mattifying and Detoxifying Cream

A moisturiser for combination and oily skin. It promises to normalize sebum production and to reduce the visibility of pores. It's actually very similar to the Day-Night Hydro Cream, as textures are so alike. It doesn’t really feel like a classic mattifying cream, it's more hydrating than the mattifying lotions I used in the past and it's thicker. While it contains rice starch for absorbing oil, it has a higher content of hemp oil and rice oil. There's also green tea extract, black tea extract, lime juice and some ferments.

Aqua (Water), Trehalose, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Sorbitan Olivate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Black Tea) Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Juice, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.

SORAYA Beauty Alphabet Normalizing Cream+ Vitamin Serum 2 in 1

B3 + Yeast

A niacinamide lotion with yeast ferment. The ingredients list is short, but it doesn't state the percentage of niacinamide. Formula it's a lotion type of product, so not the lightest niacinamide product and certainly not a serum. Those with oily skin may use this as a moisturiser, as it's rich enough, yet it's not a greasy, heavy formula. I haven't used it long, but it promises a brightening, pore-tightening effect.

FACE BOOM Skin Dopamine Highly Moisturizing Face Cream SPF 50

The most interesting product in the bunch for me, an SPF 50 cream. Currently I have dry skin, so it's not the best time to review it for those that interested in how light or heavy it feels on the face. I wore it only once, the two finger amount. Texture is more on the thin side, but still creamy. I got no white cast, though it took some time to blend in. It doesn't feel heavy or greasy, but it's still maybe doesn't feel as nice for oily-combination skin, as it didn't absorb fully - I'll have to give it a test in the summer, to see how it works. For the current conditions, it feels fine to me. I didn't try wearing makeup over it yet. UV filters are Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate , Tris-Biphenyl Triazine (nano), Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine and Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (nano). It also has babassu oil, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin C and squalene.

MOROCCANOIL Hand Wash Fragrance Originale

A thick that forms a rich foam with a small amount. It has a version of the typical Moroccanoil scent (spicy amber with a floral accord), but it's more gentle and more "soapy". Moroccanoil sells shower gels and hand soaps for the same price, but you get a lot more in the hand soap version - plus it has a pump.

MOROCCANOIL All in One Leave-in Conditioner

A repurchase. I use this after every hair wash and it's so far the best leave-in conditioner I've found. It's true to the claim of long lasting hydration, it leaves my hair somewhat softer and it dries smoother. They changed the pump, but never had problems with the previous version.

MOROCCANOIL Frizz Shield Spray

I bought a mini not long ago and I still have some left, but since it was on offer I got the full-size. Unlike the Color Wow version, this one actually does something and helps my hair dry smoother with less frizz. It doesn't create the glass hair effect on me, but it's still very effective. It's actually similar to the their Smoothing lotion, but this one also protects the hair from getting frizzy when in contact with humidity. It's very light, but it hydrates and it makes my hair smoother. It needs to be activated by heat.

NIVEA Care & Hold Soft Touch Caring Mousse

A game changer. I used to use mousses all the time when I was younger and still had natural curls, but I never liked their texture and how sticky/stiff they left the hair, so stopped using any such styling product. I decided to give them another go, since I heard the secret to a long lasting blowout and curls made with a hair dryer (or a Dyson like cheap approximate) is using a mousse with heat protection. This literary feels like nothing is on the hair. I don't know how they managed to do that, but it holds volume all day. Curls made with a blow dryer last as long too and without a mousse they are gone within minutes that's why I always preferred using curling wands that use more heat. In the next days, the hair feels normal, it's not any dryer, more stiff or anything, it's like it's easily brushed out of the hair. I'm genuinely impressed. Plus it has heat protection. I'll try the hair spray too.

I use this at every hair wash since I got it a month or two ago. My overnight curls now actually last and I can "redo them" over the week without having to wash my hair.

SCHWARZKOPF Brilliance Gloss Treatment

Chocolate Brown

Another tinted hair mask I'm trying, this one is sold in local drugstores. The colour is a perfect match for my natural colour and there is no line visible between my natural and coloured hair. So it's a very deep, almost black brown shade as well as very cool. On my ends there is a gentle hue of greyness because of that coolness and I could immediately see this will wash off towards grey-blue-green shades on blonde hair - not ideal for me, but if you have red tones appearing as your brown colour is washing off, this one will counter them just like Subrina's Cold Brown shade (that one is lighter, not as deep). Due to being a cool shade, it also means the colour is flat and matte. As much as I'm very pleased I found a perfect match, I would prefer if it were more reddish-golden because of that, so at the next wash I already added some Subrina Colour Refresh in Magenta. Formula is nice, better than Wella and my hair didn't feel stiff and unnourished like it happens to me at Wella.

LA RIVE In Flames Eau de Parfum and Shower Gel

A dupe for Paco Rabanne Olympea. It's been a few years since I used up my Olympea, so I can't compare them side by side, but when I spray this it's definitely smells so similar. Notes of vanilla and salt are most prominent at the start along with hazelnut. Middle notes are more floral, with the strongest note being jasmine, but it's more subtle than in Olympea. Staying power is good considering this costs 10 €. I got this in a set with a shower gel, but the latter doesn't smell like the fragrance. It's a generic, floral-fruity creamy clean scent - nice, but probably those that buy the set would like to see it smells like the fragrance.

ponedeljek, december 18, 2023
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Melem Lips & Cheeks 2in1 Tinted Lip Balm & Blush

This is kind of new, but also not really - they are tinted lip balms with a pigmentation like those glossy lipsticks. Someone just had the brilliant idea to market them as blushes and they made shades that work for both lips and cheeks. I often use lipsticks as blushes, especially when I'm in a hurry and these are lovely especially to keep in the bag for on the go. I first bought the lighter Dreamy Rose and after being so impressed by it, I went to pick up the darker Fresh Magnolia too.

Formula is like you'd expect as soft and creamy as a lip balm. They aren't waxy or at all dry, so they glide both on the lips and cheeks with ease. Regular lipstick don't blend on the cheeks easily, but these are like butter. Despite feeling moisturising on the lips, these don't feel greasy or heavy on the cheeks. Colour payoff is excellent at both. I get enough colour on the lips quickly and even faster on the cheeks.

Shades look so similar in the tubes and swatches too, but Fresh Magnolia is more intense. Dreamy Rose is the lighter of the two, so I need about two-three swipes on the cheeks for a nice intensity, while at Fresh Magnolia a small swipe suffices (keep in mind I wear the lightest shades of foundations). Dreamy Coral ends up looking a bit different on the cheeks than on the lips. On the lips it's a pale warm pink, while on the cheeks it looks darker, more coral pink. Fresh Magnolia is a darker, more intense shade, so it looks about the same on the lips and cheeks, a medium warm pink.

Dreamy Rose

Fresh Magnolia

Formula feels nicely moisturising on the lips, it's nourishing enough for dry lips and it doesn't disappear too fast. Colour on the cheeks survives longer, which is expected. It's not like powder blushes, but these hang on well for creamy formulas.

Both of these have a creamy, clean scent, somewhat similar to Nivea. I think it's Melem's signature scent, as their regular clear lip balm has the same scent.

These cost 4 € in a local drugstore, so not the cheapest lip balms, but some of the cheapest lipstick and blushes.

These are so great if you have a chance to pick them up. They fit into small pockets, so they are great on the go, they feel nourishing and add some colour to the face quickly. I suppose though, you can use some of the more pigmented Labello/Nivea tinted lip balms the same way, but Melem thought of it first. I've tried it with Labello's Blackberry (alleged dupe for Clinique's Black Honey), but it doesn't blend quite as smoothly as these.

Have a great day!

petek, december 08, 2023
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November favourites, updates and wishlist

BOURJOIS Healthy Mix Foundation

This month I thoroughly tested the newest member of the Healthy Mix family, the Serum, and it didn't wow me as much as I hoped. Healthy Mix foundation has been changed this year as well and when I got it in summer, I reported it's more shiny than the previous version, when I compared them side by side. With the colder weather and my skin being drier, the shine is more subtle now and when I compared the foundation vs. the Serum, the foundation is the winner for me. Not just because Serum has no true light shades, but also because it looks a lot more smooth, it doesn't slip into my pores and it has a touch more coverage. It is thicker that the thin serum, but I find all the new lightweight formulas don't work well for me. Healthy Mix foundation looks natural and fresh, it has a light-medium coverage and manages to look good even when the condition of my skin isn't great.

MAYBELLINE Fit Me concealer

I had this formula before in the original lightest shade 15 Fair, which was too dark for me, so I quickly gave it away, but I liked the formula. Since then, they've added more shades and the new 05 is a very good match for my skin tone. I’m a big fan of Maybelline's Eraser concealer and I don’t consider Fit Me as good, but it’s a nice drugstore offering. Since they discontinued two of my favourite concealers from Bourjois, as well as a great cheap formula from Essence Camouflage + Healthy Glow concealer and Revlon also doesn't sell Candid here anymore, there are few formulas left in local drugstores that aren't very matte and have a light enough shade. Fit Me's formula is creamy and medium thick with a medium coverage that is buildable.

ESSENCE Lash Like a Boss Mascara Waterproof

I'm very pleased with this mascara. It adds length, volume and has a multiplying effect just like the I >3 Extreme mascara, but the brush is much less clumsy, since it's smaller. It holds my lashes curled well and that's the most important thing to me.

NIVEA Care & Hold Soft Touch Caring Mousse

This mousse is a revelation and a wonder. I used to use mousses all the time when I was younger and still had natural curls, but I grew tired of how stiff they leave the hair, so stopped using any such styling product. I decided to give them another go, since I heard the secret to a long lasting blow-out and curls made with a hair dryer (or a Dyson-like cheap approximate) is using a mousse with heat protection. This literary feels like nothing is on the hair. I don't know how they managed to do that, but it holds volume all day. Curls made with a blow dryer last as long too and without a mousse they are gone within minutes that's why I always preferred using curling wands that use more heat. In the next days, the hair feels normal, it's not any drier, more stiff or anything. I'm genuinely impressed. Plus it has heat protection.

LA RIVE In Flames eau de parfum

This is a dupe for Paco Rabanne Olympea, a fragrance I used up a few years ago. As soon as I sprayed it, it reminded me of Olympea. To me it's very close, though reviews claim it's not the same and it's a softer version, but to me just drawing from my memory, this is so similar, at least from the start. It starts with that delightful salty vanilla combination that's the Olympea's trademark, I get hazelnut too. Ok, the base doesn't feature jasmine as intensely as Olympea, but that's actually a plus to me because I disliked that note. Actually that was the reason I never repurchased Olympea and I knew a dupe won't be as "jasmine-y". I can smell it for a long time during the day, though I tend to spray perfume on clothes more than on the skin.

I got the set with the shower gel since we can only get this fragrance around Christmas here and not individually all year round like in other countries, but the shower gel has zero In Flames scent, it's just a fruity, creamy, fresh fragrance.

EMPTIES

I just posted two posts about Empties (1 and 2) and I managed to use up several more products.

JOICO K-PAK Hydrator

One of my favourite hair treatments that I've been using for years. It's hydrating enough for my hair and leaves it in better condition, but it truly shines in combination with Joico's Reconstructor.

Repurchase: Done.

PALMER'S Cocoa Butter Formula Restoring Conditioner

Another great drugstore conditioner for very dry hair. Formula is not very thick, yet it left my hair nourished well. It has a minty scent. I planned to repurchase it, but then it disappeared from online shops and they changed the packaging. I'm not sure it's they changed the formula as well.

Repurchase: Yes, but it's nowhere where I shop.

HADA LABO TOKYO C-Vitamin Sheet Masks

In theory this should be great, as it has lovely ingredients with niacinamide high on the list, vitamin C in a stable form and hyaluronic acid. But the thick material of the mask just ruined these. The masks didn't feel as saturated with product as thinner masks, they didn't have cut-outs for eyes, so the flaps were just hanging under them and they dried fast. The effect from these was nothing special. There were five in a pack.

Repurchase: No.

SCHWARZKOPF GLISS 7 Sec Express Repair Treatment

Oil Nutritive

I showed the black Repair version in the last Empties, this is pretty much the same except for the scent. These work in seconds, they emulsify with water to a rich conditioner-like formula and the hair feels silky when I'm rinsing these off. This one is strongly scented like L'Occitane's almond shower gel or at least with a similar scent.

Repurchase: Done, another version, but would buy this version again too.

LA CROA Argan Keratin Repair Conditioner

I’m a fan of the Repair mask, which unfortunately is (still) sold only in small tester-size bags in my local Müller, but luckily this conditioner is very similar and it's a great formula for very dry hair. It’s thinner than the mask, yet it manages to nourish my dry, bleached hair well. The ingredients list is great too.

Repurchase: Yes.

AFRODITA Your Hair therapy Regenerative Mask

This looks great on paper with shea butter second on the list. It also has Amodimethicone, which is my preferred silicone, as well as coconut, macadamia, argan and avocado oil, cocoa butter, hydrolised keratin, lactic acid, panthenol and rapeseedoil. It's nicely thick and rich, it left my hair sufficiently nourished, but it had zero frizz control. My hair was frizzy even after using a round hair drier, so in next uses I always mixed it with either Pantene or Gliss 7 Secs and added a lot of leave-ins.

Repurchase: No.

WISHLIST

NYX Bare with me Concealer Serum - this is supposedly one of the best concealers for dry skin.

CATRICE Under Eye Brightener - I saw this is the top selling concealer in Müller - well a corrector or brightener. I already planned to get this when it first launched, but it wasn't in stock for a long time, so I forgot about it.

BEAUTY OF JOSEON Dynasty Cream - this is now in Slovene DM's though for twice the price I paid for it years ago. It's one of my favourite moisturisers so far, but I never repurchased it because I always have so many PR creams to use up. It's a gel cream with lots of niacinamide and a ton of nice ingredients.

BEAUTY OF JOSEON Propolis + Niacinamide Serum - this has been on my wishlist for a while, but I picked CORSX's Propolis toner instead. It's good we have this now in DM, though I'll probably just repurchase COSRX when it runs out because you get more for the price.

CERAVE Facial Moisturising Lotion - I'm missing something basic and nourishing in my routine. I love Cerave's hand cream and this could be what I need.

BALEA Ultra Sensitive Barriereschutz Crème - this sounds so nice just based on ingredients, as it has ceramides, 5 % panthenol, a probiotic and more. I just hope it has a nice texture, as so far all Balea creams I tried just didn't feel good enough, they all sit on the skin for a long time.

KERASTASE Symbiose Intensive Anti-Dandruff Cellular Night Serum - my scalp hasn't been feeling ok recently. It's itchier than usual and it's occasionally irritated. It's probably because of central heating. I tried what I have in my stash, including the new Balea's 2% Panthenol face toner, which is surprisingly effective, but it ruins the hair style and the hair feels like it needs a wash. I need to find something that's designed for scalp and this has good reviews for what I've been researching, plus it claims it deals with dandruff, my decade-long undefeated nemesis. It's so expensive, though.

MOROCCANOIL Color Depositing Mask Copper - I love this formula so much, but shade Cocoa that I use washes off purple and eventually grey, so not the nicest look. I'd like Copper to mix with Cocoa to add warmth.

HUGO BOSS Ma Vie - I have an ancient bottle and it's close to being completely off. I'd like to repurchase it. It's one of my favourite scents, a fresh sort of fruity scent, but that "fruity" note is cactus, so it's green and a bit sweet with a woody base.

četrtek, november 30, 2023
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REVLON Colorstay Suede Ink Lipstick

These are currently my favourite lipsticks formula, though I won't say it was love at first try, as they left a terrible first impression - but it was likely all my fault. They were so dry and refused to swatch, but before I swatched them I took a ton of photos, meaning they were opened for quite a while or they all had this dry layer on the top, but once I swatched it off, these became as described - opaque in one swipe. I'm just saying that in case you come across a tester in a shop that's going to be dry that you don't get the wrong impression about these because this formula is impressive. These are some of the most long lasting lip products I've tried.

Like I said above once I got though the top layer, these became creamy and smooth lip colour that are opaque in one swipe. Once they set on the lips, which is quick, they don't wipe off or smudge off, they just stay in their place like a liquid matte lipstick. There is a downside, though, formula is thin and matte, so don't expect any nourishment from these. I can handle them fine and don't find them drying, but some may want to use a lip balm under or over them. To my joy I discovered that unlike most long lasting formulas, you can apply a lip balm on top and it won't shorten their staying power much. They look smooth on my lips, but my lips don't get flaky quickly.

Once these are on, you can't wipe them away and even by the end of the day, they need an oily remover to get off. If you swatch these on the hand, the don't smudge or transfer, they really behave like matte liquid lipsticks. That's why I love these - you put them on and you can feel secure they won't smudge or come off quickly. However, as resilient as they are if you eat anything oily, they will wipe off.

001 Gut Instinct

One of my favourite shades. It's a colour that is similar to my natural lips. It looks more peachy in the tube, but on the lips it's more neutral. It's overall similar to the discontinued lip liner from Essence Big Proposal, which I'm still using to shape my lips.

002 No Rules

002 No Rules is deceptive in the tube. It looks orange, but on the lips it's a deeper version of Gut Instinct and there is some rosy/flesh tones to it.

005 Hot Girl

I would never expect to like I shade like Hot Girl, especially based on how it looks in the tube, but is another shade that looks deceptively warm/orange and comes off more rosy on the lips. It's similar to No Rules, but a hint deeper and warmer.

008 That Girl

That Girl is a light pink shade with a neutral-cool undertone. It just manages to not look too girly.

009 in Charge

A deeper pink-purple shade with the coolest undertone in the bunch.

010 Tunnel Vision

A standard magenta shade, least unique in this bunch, even as far as Revlon shades go. I'll will likely look more warm on deeper skin tones than mine. This shade was also the only one that was smooth and creamy from the start, so the formula is a bit different than at the rest.

014 Spit Fire

014 Spit Fire is a muted warm red. In the Lite Crayon range, Ruffled Feathers is a brighter version on this shade, while Air Kiss is a cool red. All look very similarly matte.

Packaging is a square tube with a very tight closing system. Caps correspond to the colour inside reasonably well, thought 002 No Rules and 001 Gut Instinct are more pink.

These have no scent.

If you can handle long lasting matte liquid lipsticks, you're going to love these. They are some of the most reliable lip colours I've tried. Formula is similar to Oriflame's The One Unlimited Ultra Fix Lipsticks, but Revlon's hold more pigment and I prefer the shade range. If you can get a hand on these, I highly recommend them.

These are 13 € in Slovenia (on Click2Chic, Tuš Drogerija, Müller in drogerija Ilirija). On Look Fantastic (worldwide shipping) they are quite cheap at the moment.

nedelja, november 26, 2023
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New in #135

Melem Lips & Cheeks 2in1 Tinted Lip Balm & Blush

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REVLON Colorstay Suede Ink Lipstick

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