Revlon Holiday 2011 Colorburst Lip Glosses - Swatches

After a short hunt I finally located the display for the latest Revlon Colorburst Lipglosses!  Revlon has come out with some of my favorite lip products this year, and I'm so psyched they've released more shades of these awesome glosses.  I think the packaging is so nice and elegant, reminiscent of Chanel Glossimers at a fraction of the price <3
Revlon Colorburst Lip Glosses also don't really have any flavor or fragrance, are non-sticky, and are often on sale, yay!

Left to right: Ignite (shimmery), Cheers (not very shimmery), Decadent (not very shimmery), Glitz & Glam (shimmery but not very pigmented), Eggnog (no shimmer, sheer), Cocktail Dress and Chilled (surprisingly similar when swatched!)

Left to right: Glitz & Glam, Eggnog, and Cocktail Dress. I was a little disappointed with the pigmentation of these three.  In spite of their sheerness, they're all quite lovely!

I was hoping Chilled would be a dupe for MAC Dazzleglass in Pleasure Principle (they really look it in their tubes), but as you can see from my swatches here the Revlon isn't nearly as nice.  The shimmers are far smaller and more subtle in Chilled (it really just seems very shiny, rather than shimmery, in person. Some people will probably really like that!).  What a bummer, because the Revlon glosses are non-sticky whereas the MAC glosses are infamously sticky! It would have been awesome to have a cheap, non-LE, non-sticky version of Pleasure Principle, but no dice!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in Chilled

I got all but one of the colors. I skipped Spice it Up because I just couldn't see myself using such a browned, deep red much.  I'm sure there are lots of women that color would flatter, but I thought it would just make me seem pale. I didn't see any indication that these are limited edition; however, their Holiday-friendly names make me think there is a good chance they're only limited edition. Has anybody heard otherwise?

DUPE SMACKDOWN #3: MLBB GLOSSES

Left to right: NYX Spong Cake, Buxom Sugar, Revlon Rosepearl

My lips but better (MLBB) glosses are a must-have for women of every age - you can throw them on for any occasion, whether you want to play down your lips for a dramatic eye or just have an easy, everyday go-to daytime lip look.  Whether you prefer neutrals or colorful looks, an MLBB gloss is one that is likely to get tons of wear as long as you're not Gwen Stefani -- with a perpetually red pucker.

I'm comparing three shades that are MY lips, but better; I have rather pigmented lips and my skintone is NC25, though I think these picks would work for many people in a wide skintone range:
Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Sugar $18, described as "rose beige" in "original" finish (not super-shimmery).
NYX Mega Shine Gloss in Sponge Cake $5.50 on nyxcosmetics.com, and my favorite gloss formula and packaging by NYX.
Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Rosepearl $7.49 at my CVS.

In different lighting, the colors of these glosses all appear to change... they are all subtly nuanced but the effect when they are worn is basically a dupe.

It was really hard to capture their true colors. In different light, these glosses look nothing alike in the tube and in swatches!  But the picture of them on my lips at the top of this post is true-to-color .

Smell: If you like your lip products with minimal scent, the only one you're going to be okay with is Revlon Rosepearl.  Colorburst lipglosses do have a slight smell to them, but it is by far the subtlest of the three. Buxom Lip Polishes have an extremely sweet, almost cloying candy scent that you will definitely notice.  Most of the NYX Mega Shine Glosses smell of an artificial cherry fragrance, which some reviewers have called overly fake and sweet.  Personally, I like the fragrances of both the Buxom Lip Polish in Sugar and NYX Sponge Cake, so it is a toss-up for me.  I think Rosepearl wins this category because a larger range of people will be unbothered by its scent.

Taste: I don't think any of these really have a flavor, except the sweet fragrances of the Buxom Lip Polish and NYX Mega Shine Gloss impart a sweetness when you wear them.  If you can't stand sweet lippies, Revlon Rosepearl will win again.

Texture:  None of these glosses are what I would describe as sticky.  If I had to choose, I would say the Buxom Lip Polish is the the stickiest of the three, but it's generally not very tacky.  All three of these glosses last a couple of hours and are smooth and pigmented, though the Buxom is the most sheer.  It also has the most reflective shine of the three, which is also going to be a matter of personal preference -- Sugar has that wet-lips look to it.  It is also the only plumping gloss of the three so some might be irked by it's menthol-like tingle.  I often want to remove lip-plumping glosses immediately, but I am not at all bothered by the Buxom Lip Polish formula (though whether it actually plumps is questionable).  My husband complains of the "weird" tingle if I get it on him, though.  The NYX and Revlon glosses do not tingle or cool lips at all, but their shine is also more muted compared to the Buxom Lip Polish in Sugar.  Their relatively high pigmentation means you'll want to apply them with a mirror, but the Buxom gloss is sheer enough that you can apply it without looking.  If you have less pigmented lips than I have, you'll probably prefer the NYX or Revlon, but pigmented lips will appreciate the convenience of the Buxom Lip Polish.

Left to right: NYX Sponge Cake, Revlon Rosepearl, Buxom Sugar (so light-reflective that it looks quite different than the others in all my pictures. I swear in person these three look like dupes!)

Color:  These are all MLBB for me and look quite similar on, though the differences are infinitely more apparent in swatches.  The Buxom Lip Polish in Sugar's sheerness will make this look more different from the other glosses on another person.  It's so shiny, though, that I think it is actually less versatile than Rosepearl or Sponge Cake.  The glassy shine makes me feel I need a stronger eye look to pair with Sugar, and that it's best relegated to when I want to look sexy (it's okay, but not ideal, for the office).  Even though the pigments are MLBB, the shine level has a color-erasing effect in some light.  Also, the reflection is so obvious that I'm less likely to get a kiss from my husband when I wear it because he has a greater fear of transfer! Obviously the sore thumb in this lot is the Buxom Lip Polish - I think Sponge Cake and Rosepearl are basically interchangeable for color when worn.

With a different angle of light, Buxom Sugar (center) appears much lighter.

Winner: Revlon Rosepearl, my latest acquisition of the three, has got to be the winner for several reasons:
No intrusive smell or taste,
Affordable (especially if you get it like I did, with a coupon or on sale for $6.49 with $5 CVS Extrabucks in return!),
Widely available (at just about every drugstore vs. NYX at Ulta or online, Buxom at Sephora or BE Boutiques). 
All three have fairly nice packaging, but I do feel that the Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polishes are just a bit gaudier and less elegant than the NYX and Revlon wands, due to the shiny silver topper and large BUXOM text.  They don't feel to me like they ought to be two- or three-times the price via the packaging.  While I appreciate the fragrance, feel, and finish of the Buxom Lip Polish in Sugar, I think the Revlon gives a comparable luxury experience that is only diminished slightly by how easy-to-find it is (no sense of rarity or exclusivity).  I think Revlon Glosses are the best drugstore lip gloss because of the high-end appearance of the packaging and quality of the product itself.
I'd love to know your MLBB glosses! Please comment below :-)

Tag Again! Top 10 Cosmetic Products Right Now

The other tag I got from the knock-out Penelope of Inspired by Beauty was a Top 10 Cosmetics award.  These are my current besties in no particular ranking:

1) Vivo Per Lei Peel ($28 at amazon.com)
2) Origins Vitazing ($35)
3) E.L.F. Personal Blend Foundation in Light ($8)
4) Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush ($20)
5) Cherry Culture Lip Balm (free with purchase at cherryculture.com, bubblegum-flavored)
6) Bath & Body Works Liplicious Double Delish Lip Gloss in Peanut Butter & Jelly ($4, bronzey-berry tint and tastes like grape lollies)
7) MAC Lush Amber (lustre) Lipstick ($14.50, LE Semi-Precious Collection, beautiful nude)
8) Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Light ($4)
9) Illamasqua powder blush in Lover ($24)
10) Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum ($25 for 1.7 oz., lightly fragranced of warm spices mmm! Somehow I managed to forget it for the photo... weird)

Friday is tomorrow... huzzah!

FOTD: Stila Travel Girls Beach Palettes for Summer 2011: Stunning in Sayulita Palette with Lorac Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss

Today I'm wearing my favorite of this Summer's Stila Travel Girl Palettes!  It's based on a book by Katie Lee.  I don't think the other palettes from this collection are based on anybody... weird.  But I digress!
 I wore it almost exactly like the look described inside the palette, except rather than layering the two lighter colors on my entire lid I put the lighter on the inside and darker on the outside.  I also only lined my upper lashline with the green, instead of my entire eye, to keep it soft.  The crease color doesn't look like it does in the pan at all but makes a pretty, purplish taupe crease on me that I just love.  It's $14 right now but it has got to go on discount at some point if you don't already have it; the blushes are nicely pigmented, too (wearing them below in terrible office lighting).  These pictures were taken after 8 hours of wear over primer.  Not too shabby!

I paired the palette with my Lorac Multiplex Gloss in 3D because it's GORGEOUS. I got it in a set and I would buy another set Lorac puts out if it has this gloss in it! On it's own it's a bit pricey at $22, a little rich for my blood ;-) You have to see it in person, though, for real. Make it a goal. I'm serious.

I reapplied this gloss as needed, of course. Enlarge to see the sparkles, but I swear it's prettier in person.  The sparkles absolutely glow!

Ooh, tiny pink sparkles in a rose-bronze base!

Sooo glossy, a vaguely fruity smell, and less sticky than MAC Lipglass

Lip Combo of the Day: Barry M Peachy Pink and Jordana Dazzling

What is it about cheapie lip colors that makes me combine them with abandon?  I don't like to even put lipglass over my MAC lipsticks, but an inexpensive matte Barry M ordered on a whim from ASOS? Sure :) Plus, I layered this dirt-cheap Jordana orange gloss #10 Dazzling, Made in the USA (available at Walgreens).  This combo looks a lot like MAC's LE Ever Hip lipstick to me.
Do you feel better about playing mad scientist with lip combos when the lippies are cheap? 

REVIEW: NYX pump it up lip plumper

NYX pump it up lip plumper was obtained by me from Cherry Culture (about $6 each) a few weeks ago.  I got Angelina (shimmery beige), Scarlett (clear red tint), and Liv (clear).  Who wouldn't be swept up by glosses named after those famous lips?  When I recieved it I tried it on, noticed the lack of smell and taste (so far so good), waited a minute or so and...

exclaimed "Ow!" once the slow burn began, wiped it off and haven't really thought about it since.  These definitely are a nono for sensitive lips!  I don't have sensitive lips, but these bother me.  I have no problem with MAC plushglass or Buxom Lips glosses, but NYX's plump it up lip plumpers definitely provide a burning sensation. That alone would make me write these off, but do they do what they claim?

My bare lips

Liv (clear)

Scarlett (hardly... red tint)

Angelina (pale beige shimmer, the least stingy of the three)

Actually, I think they kind of do!  If you don't mind (or actually like?) a burning sensation on your lips and weak pigmentation, these might be for you. I, on the other hand, don't know what I was thinking when I bought these (hoping for a MAC Bubble Tea plushglass dupe, I suppose...).  My lips are plenty plump.  I don't think the colors are very distinct from each other, but I prefer more pigmented lip products in general.

Left to Right: Angelina, Scarlett, and Liv NYX pump it up lip plumpers.  BTW, my swatching arm started to burn just like my lips, and still tingles while I type up this review!

The burn continues after I've wiped it off... these just aren't for me, even though they work.

Milani LE Swatches, and All My Purple Lip Swatches

At last I've had the chance to do lip swatches of the Milani LE High Speed Fast Dry One Coat nail lacquers in Yellow Whiz (hehe) and Purple Rush, as well as the four limited edition Milani Haute Flash Glosses.  The purple, In a Flash, got me itching to compare it to all the random purples I have, so I thought I'd include them as well.  Sorry, this will be picture-heavy!  But please note how white teeth look with purple lip color, and how my green eyes are intensified.  If you're curious, I'm wearing Stila's Beach Girl Travel Palette in Living the Life in Laguna $14 on eyes and cheeks, with Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara (much better than Hypnose Doll Lashes, imho).

Left to Right: Sephora OPI IM Beauty topped with Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Disco Ball, Sephora OPI IM Beauty alone, Milani High Speed Fast Dry in Yellow Whiz

Left to Right: Milani Yellow Whiz, Sephora OPI IM Beauty, topped with Sally Hansen Disco Ball, Milani Yellow Whiz

Milani High Speed Fast Dry in Purple Rush on Thumb. I couldn't photograph the red tones in this polish, but it is really a good purple between warm and cool

Yellow Whiz is definitely a cheerful, Corvette yellow, while IM beauty is more of a Marshmallow Peeps yellow.
Guess what? Between the bottle, the brush, the coverage (1 to 2 coats to full opacity), the shiny finish, and the quick dry-down time, this is without a doubt the best fast-drying polish I've ever used.  However, fast-drying polishes always chip on me within a day, so if these make it 1 day or more they are still winning.  I am very seriously considering ordering the rest of the colors but I have a million nail polishes I've yet to use...

Next up, the Haute Flash Glosses. These aren't so much glossy or moisturizing as they are shimmery (not frosty, though, which is nice).  They feel similar to other Milani glosses I tried before but I can't remember the line name.  They smell as usual, too, which is sort of plastic vanilla, but it's light and doesn't bother me.  They are a little tacky but I don't personally have to worry about getting hair stuck in my gloss, obviously :P
The feel and wear time are nothing special but these are definitely show-stoppers:

Star Flash (is more opaque than it looks)

Flashy

Hot Flash (I lovelove this in the center of my lips over Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Are You Red-dy)

In a Flash

My lips bare, for reference

That purple is GORGEOUS!  I don't know why I have so many purples, but I love to put them on when I'm not going anywhere and In a Flash triggered a swatch-fest:

Milani In a Flash (FYI the gloss pencil Milani makes that is also called In a Flash is far lighter and pinker)

MAC All of My Purple Life Lipglass

Wet n Wild Megalast Lipstick 919B

Cover Girl LipPerfection Lipstick in Divine (I have worn this to the office a few times XD)

The "divine" stain CG Divine leaves behind

NYX Round Lipstick in Castle

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in African Queen

Stila Lipglaze in Guava, for reference. Notice how my eye color appears duller?

I hope you enjoyed the comparisons!  I'm going to make a colorful look with the LE Milani paint palette this weekend and actually wear it around (it's not ideal for the office... duh).

Regular Teeth

Holy Nuclear Smile, Batman!

Brighter Teeth

 Of course, the only woman of my coloring who'd wear a lipstick this intense would probably be a Batman character, ha.