Swatches: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters Part 1

From Left to Right: 005 Sugar Frosting, 080 Strawberry Shortcake, 055 Cupcake, 060 Gumdrop, 045 Cotton Candy

Hey beauties! Sorry that I haven't posted in a while. I've just been really unmotivated to blog because the quality of my pictures are not what they used to be. In my previous condo, I had a balcony; therefore, I could take product pictures in natural lighting. However, I haven't found a spot in my new condo where I can take clear pictures. Please bear with me for the time being. =)

From Left to Right: 005 Sugar Frosting, 080 Strawberry Shortcake, 055 Cupcake, 060 Gumdrop, 045 Cotton Candy

Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Butters* claim "to boost lip moisture by 156%." Although, these lip butters feel more moisturizing than lipsticks, I find that I still need to wear a lip balm before I apply the lip butters because my lips get chapped easily and they're very dry.

In order for the color to show up better, these shades have been swatched heavily.

I didn't detect any taste or smell with any of the lip butters, which is a big plus for me. Also, the shades that I have swatched in this post are all pretty sheer, but they do provide a hint of color. (Other Revlon's lip butters, which I will swatch soon, provide a more opaque finish.) They all glide onto my lips effortlessly and they all feel buttery smooth. However, because the formula is so buttery, the product can get messy when you're twisting it back into the tube.

Nevertheless, I still recommend checking these out at your local drugstore, especially if you're a fan of subtle and sheer lip shades. Also, you can enter my current giveaway and get a chance of winning them. ^_^

In order for the color to show up better, these shades have been swatched heavily.

Note: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters are available at Ulta, Target, and drugstore.com for around $7. As with any drugstore product, I would definitely wait for a sale because there is always a "buy one, get one half off" or even a "buy one, get one for free" sale.

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Which shades have you tried and 

do you need to wear a lip balm before you apply it?

Benefit Coupon Code 2012: FREE Makeup Bag

Get a FREE Benefit snap sack bag* with any $35 order. Enter OHSNAP at checkout. 

Offer valid 1/24/12 to 1/30/12.

*affiliate link

Clarins Coupon Code 2012: Free 6pc Gift with $75 order ($100 value)

Clarins is offering a free 6pc gift with $75 order* ($100 value). Use code DRAGON at checkout. Offer expires January 23, 2012.

*affiliate link

MakeupByJoyce's Giveaway (Prize Includes 15 Items)

Prize: You get to pick 15 items from the following

• CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow Single in 710 Champagne 2.5g
• CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow Single in 730 Swiss Chocolate 2.5g
• CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow Single in 740 Brown Smolder 2.5g
• CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow Single in 750 Mink 2.5g
• CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow Quad in 215 Country Woods 5.5g
• CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow Quad in 220 Urban Basics 5.5g
• EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer Brush
• ELF Studio Powder Brush
• Hard Candy Blush Crush Baked Blush in 128 Bombshell 8g
• Hard Candy Fox in a Box Bronzing Duo in 395 Truth or Dare 5.7g
• IMAN Luxury Eyeshadow in African Violet 1.42g
• IMAN Luxury Eyeshadow in Pewter 1.42g
• IMAN Luxury Eyeshadow in Safari 1.42g
• L'oreal Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in 222 Infinite Sky 3.5g
• L'oreal Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in 555 Perpetual Purple 3.5g
• L'oreal Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in 998 Sultry Smoke 3.5g
• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in 20 Peach Satin 5.6g
• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in 40 Pink Plum 5.6g
• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in 50 Plum Wine 5.6g
• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in 70 Hot Tamale 5.6g
• Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in 25 Rose Petal 5.75g
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Single in 10S Vanilla 2.6g
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Single in 165S Antique Jade 2.6g
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Single in 170S Earthly Taupe 2.6g
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Single in 250S Tastefully Taupe 2.6g
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Duo in 70D Browntones 2.4g
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Trio in 35T Almond Satin 3.6g
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in 06Q Amethyst Smokes 4.8g
• Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner in 05 Everlast 5ml
• Milani Runway Eyes Eyeshadow in #13 Aubergine 2.1g
• Milani Baked Eyeshadow Metallic in 602 I Heart You 1.5g
• Milani Baked Bronzer in 06 Golden 7g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 005 Sugar Frosting 2.55g + Lancome Juicy Tube Sample in Tickled Pink 10ml
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 015 Tutti Frutti 2.55g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 020 Brown Sugar 2.55g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 025 Peach Parfait 2.55g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 035 Candy Apple 2.55g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 045 Cotton Candy 2.55g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 050 Berry Smoothie 2.55g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 060 Gumdrop 2.55g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 075 Lollipop 2.55g
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 085 Sugar Plum 2.55g
• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 460 Blushing Mauve 4.2g
• Rimmel London SunShimmer Maxi Bronzer in 002 Sun Love 17g
• Rimmel London SunShimmer Maxi Bronzer in 003 Sun Queen 17g 
• Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Pointed Foundation Brush
• Target Up & Up Eye Crease Brush
• Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Single in 251A Brulee 1.7g
• Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in 380B Walking on Eggshells 3.5g
• Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in 383B Knock on Wood 3.5g

Deadline:

• This giveaway will end at 11:59pm EST on February 17, 2011.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. ^_^

Swatches + Review: Sonia Kashuk Eyeshadow Quad in 07 Purple Haze

Pros:

• not expensive compared to other eyeshadows, such as Mac or Urban Decay
• doesn't crease when used with a primer
• these eyeshadows have not been tested on animals
• both purple shades and brown shade have decent color payoff when layered and when used with a primer

Cons:

• fades a bit after 6 hours, even with a primer
• blends too easily (color disappears when I blend too much or too hard)
• fallouts during application
  
  

This is not your typical eyeshadow quad. The eyeshadows are more like pressed glittery pigments that flakes in the pan and gets loose a bit. If you're a fan of glitter and sparkle, then this quad is right up your alley because all the shades contain silver sparkles that appear "wet" when swatched in person. Also, the lilac purple, the bluish purple and the charcoal brown shade all have decent color payoff when layered and when used with a primer. As for the silvery white shade, it lacks pigmentation, which can be a good thing because you can apply it over a matte eyeshadow to give it a pop of glitter and sparkle. Also, fallout is expected, but can be easily wiped away if you apply your eye makeup before foundation or can be minimized by using a damp brush to apply the product.

Bottom Line: Those that hate glitter should stay far away from the Sonia Kashuk Purple Haze eyeshadow quad. However, if you love to sparkle in glitter, then I recommend grabbing this quad, but I would reserve it for Halloween or for special occasions because the chunky glitters can be a bit overbearing for day use. 

Note: The Sonia Kashuk eyeshadow quad contains 4g of product and you can purchase this at Target for around $12.99.

Have you tried the Sonia Kashuk Purple Haze Quad?

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Collective Haul (Lancome, Burberry, Shu Uemura, Mac, Clinique, Japonesque + Drugstore)

Hey beauties, hope all is well. I hauled quite a few stuff during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and around Christmas time. However, I returned most of the things because they either just didn't work for me and/or I didn't like them for one reason or another. The following products are items that I kept and have been using for the past month or so. (All drugstore products mentioned in this post were given to me for free from one of my wonderful friends. The rest were purchased by me, using coupon codes, ebates and gift cards.)

1. L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara in 630 Blackest Black around $7 - During the first few uses, it did nothing for my lashes. Still, I continued to use it and now when I apply the mascara, it lengthens and volumizes my lashes with 2 coats. However, it flakes throughout the day and makes the tip of my lashes curl downwards a little bit. Also, it starts to clump when I apply the second coat and I end up having to separate my lashes with my Royal & Langnickel BC515 brush (mini review).

2. Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara in 291 Very Black around $6 - It lengthens and volumizes my lashes with 2 coats. However, after 3 weeks of opening, it now clumps my lashes when I apply 2 coats and I end up having to separate my lashes with my Royal & Langnickel BC515 brush.

3. Milani Infinite Liquid Eye Liner in 05 Everlast around $6.99 for 5ml - The formula is goopey. So, I have to wipe off alot of the excess before applying it or else it applies very thick. Also, I wish it was a felt tip applicator because the brush applicator is a little too thick and a little hard to control. I have to be extra careful or else the liner ends up being too thick. Other than that, I love using it because it does not fade or smudge and it's waterproof. Just make sure to wait about a minute to let it dry & set. 

4. MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC30 $23 for 12g - I got this at the CCO for $16.75. My Mac foundation shade is NC30/NC35. I always buy a setting powder that is lighter than my skintone (NC25) to set my Dior foundation because the setting powder in NC30 & NC35 oxidizes throughout the day and makes me look orange. However, NC25 is too light when I use it to set my L'oreal True Match foundation. So, I got NC30 and it's a perfect match for me currently when I use it to set that foundation.  

5. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler $19 - I regret not getting this sooner. I used to own a Revlon eyelash curler because it's cheap and I thought all eyelash curlers were the same, but I was so wrong. The Shu Uemura eyelash curler curls my lashes effortlessly and it doesn't pinch my skin or break my lashes like the Revlon eyelash curler does.

6. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream around $20 for 0.5 oz - Although I don't have any wrinkles (yet), I still like wearing this eye cream underneath my eyes before I apply my concealer. The eye cream makes my MAC Pro Longwear concealer apply more smoothly and it doesn't leave a cakey finish. I just have to make sure that I wait for the eye cream to fully absorb into my skin before applying the concealer or else the concealer will slide off throughout the day.

7. Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover around $9.99 for 4.75 oz - It removes waterproof mascara and eye liner really well, doesn't sting my eye and it doesn't feel greasy when applied with a cotton pad. However, it feels greasy when I touch the product with my bare hands. Also, please keep in mind that it does leave a white residue if you use too much, but this doesn't bother me because I usually wash my face with a facial cleanser afterwards. By the way, it's similar to the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, except that the Neutrogena one is cheaper. However, I prefer the Sonia Kashuk one because I only need to use 1 cotton pad for each eye in order to remove all my waterproof eye makeup.

8. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover around $5 for 3.8 oz - The 5.5 oz bottle retails for about $6.50. It's similar to the Sonia Kashuk one. However, it takes 3 cotton pads to remove all my waterproof eye makeup. I recommend it for those who are on a beauty budget because it still gets the job done.

9. Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion Toner $12.50 6.7 oz - I got this because it's gentle and it doesn't dry or sting my face. It also removes any makeup that my facial cleanser missed. However, it has a thin gel consistency and alot of the product gets absorbed into the cotton pad, which is wasteful. Also, pieces of cotton from the cotton pad get stuck to my face when I apply too much of the toner. (I use Market Spa Cotton Rounds and Swisspers 100% Cotton Facial Cleansing Pads.)

10. Lancome Bienfait Aqua Vital Lotion $45 for 1.7 oz -  It has a watery consistency and feels very light. It quickly absorbs into my skin and my skin feels and looks moisturized after I apply it. However, when I apply any brand of liquid foundation, I can see some minor flaking, which is due to the fact that I use a facial cleanser that contains 2% salicylic acid. (Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and can be drying.) Therefore, I need a heavier moisturizer when I'm wearing foundation. However, the Lancome moisturizer is moisturizing enough if I don't wear foundation over it.

11. Japonesque Professional Eye Detailer Brush Medium $19 - It is made from soft, natural bristles and is very similar to the MAC 239 brush (full review), except that the Japonesque brush is a little bit firmer, thicker and longer. The brush tip is thin enough to apply eyeshadow on the lower lash line and it does not feel prickly whatsoever. I actually prefer the Japonesque brush over the MAC 239 because it's easier to clean, it dries fast and it's less expensive. Compared to the Royal & Langnickel BC410 brush (mini review), the Japonesque brush is smaller, but not too small for packing on eyeshadow onto my lids. It is also great for applying highlight under the brows. 

12. Japonesque Professional Eye Detailer Brush Small $13.50 - It's made from soft, natural bristles and it's significantly smaller and thinner than the medium Japonesque Professional Eye Detailer brush. The small version offers better precision and is great for detail work. It also doesn't irritate my lower lash line. If I had to choose either the small or medium version, I would choose the medium version because it's more versatile.  

13. Burberry No. 10 Definition Liner Brush $32 - It is made from soft, squirrel hair. The brush tip is thin and it does not scratch or irritate my lower lash line. However, it's also a little bit flimsy and it's hard to control when I apply eyeshadow on my lower lash line. I still prefer my Japonesque detail brushes for lower lash line application. (The Coastal Scents C138 brush (full review) is pictured for size comparison.)

Hope you all enjoyed my haul. =)

Have you tried any of the products that I have mentioned above?

What have you bought during the holiday sales?

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Blog Update + Giveaway Winner Announcement

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a great & safe holiday and are doing well. I sincerely apologize for the lack of posts these past couple of weeks. It's been a super stressful and busy December for me, especially because of the holidays and the moving. I'm having a lot of issues  that I need to resolve with my new condo and my last condo, but I promise that new posts will be rolling in, in the next couple of days. 

I'm going to miss the beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty outside my balcony, but most importantly, I'm going to miss the balcony itself because that's where I took all the pictures for my blog. Because of the natural sunlight that I was getting on my balcony, I was able to take clear, good quality pictures. However, I don't have a balcony in my new condo, so I'm probably going to have to make a "light box".

I will make a haul post in the next couple of days, so please let me know how the quality of the pictures are and I'll decide if I should still make a "light box" or not. =)

As for my holiday giveaway, the winner is Hannah@My Nutty Life. Congratulations! Please refer to the prize list on this post and email me the 20 items that you would like to receive and also your full shipping address. I will ship either tomorrow or Wednesday, so you can get the package ASAP. =)

Please don't be discouraged if you didn't win, I will have another giveaway soon. =)