Maybelline

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color: Review & Swatches, Part 2

March 30th, 2016 by Adia Goss 16 Comments

Here are swatches of the second group of $6.99 Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors. (Click here to see pics and swatches of the first batch.)

Just as a recap, here are my thoughts on the formula overall…

First, these are incredibly vibrant, and almost all of the 10 available colors are completely opaque, even after a single layer. Unlike the name suggests, though, I didn’t find them to be particularly matte. I’d describe them more as satin, with some appearing a bit glossy. Also, they don’t ever completely dry down, and they aren’t nearly as transfer resistant as the liquid lipsticks by Kat Von D, ColourPop or Sephora, for example.

That being said, they aren’t as drying either, so there’s the big trade-off with this formula.

I love the color range and how comfortable these are. But, I don’t love the incredibly strong scent or how easily they smudge and transfer.

If you’re sensitive to fragrances, be very careful about these. Upon application, there’s a strong floral/powder scent (maybe freesia?) that I can still notice after 20 minutes (though it’s weakened by then).

I also feel a bit of a tingle on my lips after I apply them. I’m not sure if it’s a reaction to the scent or an ingredient in the lipsticks, but it isn’t painful and doesn’t make my lips red or swollen or anything like that. Just something I thought I should note.

Overall, if you’re looking for intense pigmentation in a comfortable and affordable liquid lipstick, these are worth checking out; however, if you’re looking for long-lasting lipsticks, you may be disappointed. And be careful if you’re sensitive to fragrances!

Here are swatches and details of the last five shades (the reds and purples) — Fuschia Ecstacy, Orange Shot, Rebel Red, Vivid Violet and Possessed Plum.

maybelline color sensational vivid matte liquid lip color — L to R: Fuschia Ecstasy, Orange Shot, Rebel Red, Vivid Violet and Possessed Plum

Fuschia Ecstacy.

Swatched on my arm, this looks like a pink/red, but on my lips it looks much redder.

I really like this color.

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One Wash Wonders: 4 Eyeshadows You’ll Love if You’re Lazy or Busy

March 29th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 14 Comments

KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow 06 Golden Brown — KIKO Long-Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06 Golden Brown on my eyes and MAC Velvetease Lip Pencil in Lover’s Lane on my lips

One Wash Wonder Eyeshadows — My favorite One Wash Wonders. Clockwise, from top left corner: Burberry Eye Colour Wet & Dry Glow Shadow in 002 Nude, Essence I Love Nude Eyeshadow in 04 Sweet Like Chocolate, Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Leather 24hr in Creamy Beige, KIKO Long-Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06 Golden Brown

Can we all please take a moment to thank the Beauty Gods profusely for creating One Wash Wonders?

Those magical neutrals that look amazing on their own, don’t require any makeup skills, and cut down the time you spend on your eyes to a handful of seconds are definitely the types of shadows I’m most grateful for.

In case you need a little inspiration for your first (or tenth) OWW purchase, here are my all-time favorites!

The Budget Buy: Essence I Love Nude Eyeshadow in 04 Sweet Like Chocolate (€3.19/$3.56)

Essence I Love Nude Eyeshadow 04 Sweet Like Chocolate — Wearing Essence I Love Nude Eyeshadow in 04 Sweet Like Chocolate last summer…

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Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color: Review & Swatches, Part 1

March 29th, 2016 by Adia Goss 27 Comments

The $6.99 Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors are, in a word, VIBRANT, and almost all of the colors go on fully opaque with a single layer, but despite what their name suggests, I didn’t find them to be particularly matte. I’d describe them as more satin, with some of them even appearing a bit glossy.

Also, they never quite completely dry down, and they aren’t nearly as transfer resistant as the liquid lipsticks by Kat Von D, ColourPop or Sephora.

That being said, they aren’t as drying either, so that’s a tradeoff.

I do love the color range and how comfortable they are, but I don’t love the incredibly strong scent or how easily they smudge and transfer. If you’re sensitive to fragrances, be very careful about these. Upon application, there’s a strong powdery floral scent (possibly freesia?) that’s still noticeable after 20 minutes (though less so). I also feel a bit of a tingle on my lips right after I apply them, but I’m not sure if it’s just a reaction to the scent or due to an actual ingredient.

It’s not painful, and it doesn’t make my lips red or swollen or anything like that, but it’s something I feel I should note.

Overall, if you’re looking for intense pigmentation in a comfortable, affordable liquid lipstick, these are worth checking out; however, if you’re looking for something long lasting (or you’re sensitive to fragrances!), you may be disappointed.

Here are first impressions and swatches of the first five shades (the nudes and pinks) — Nude Thrill, Nude Flesh, Pink Charge, Electric Pink and Berry Boost.

Nude Thrill.

This one is very much my kind of nude lipstick. It goes on smoothly and opaque, even with one layer. The color really reminds me of Maybelline’s Truffle Tease.

Nude Flesh.

As you can see from the swatches, Nude Flesh looks similar to Nude Thrill, only with more pink. On my lips, the difference is more noticeable.

I think they’re both great nudes, and I can see myself wearing either one daily.

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4 Lipsticks I Love That No One Ever Talks About

March 25th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 31 Comments

Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in Fiery on my lips

Well, I’m sure that some people did talk about them back when they were first released, but they seem to have fallen into oblivion in favor of more recent launches…

We beauty lovers are a little like spoiled children sometimes, don’t you think? We like our brand new toys for about 10 seconds, and then we want newer, shinier things to keep ourselves entertained. 🙂

But today is a different day, and I’m bringing back the love for four these not-so-recent lipsticks I absolutely adore!

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick Carthage Maybelline Superstay 14H Fuchsia Forever Tarte Matte Lip Tint Fiery Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick Rebellious Rose — Clockwise from the top left corner: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Rebellious Rose, Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in Fiery, Maybelline SuperStay 14HR in Fuchsia Forever, and NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage

Swatches NARS Pure Matte Lipstick Carthage Maybelline Superstay 14H Fuchsia Forever Tarte Matte Lip Tint Fiery Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick Rebellious Rose — L-R: NARS Carthage, Maybelline Fuchsia Forever, Tarte Fiery, Estée Lauder Rebellious Rose

1. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage ($28)

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5 Fabulously Affordable Fall Lipsticks

September 14th, 2015 by Karen 28 Comments

I have a tabby by my side (as opposed to on my lap — what’s up with that?), and I’m wearing a snuggly long-sleeved sweater and long pants to keep away the unseasonably fall-like chill outside.

I’m also wearing layers, as weird as that sounds, but it’s brisk and overcast outside. The leaves have even started to fall, and I’m seriously contemplating socks (toe oppression!).

Technically, it may not be “that time of year” yet, but I’m definitely getting a fall vibe.

There’s no way I’m ready for El Niño or the cold weather fall entails, but I do feel full-on ready for fall makeup, like these five fabulously affordable fall lipsticks that are all less than $10 each.

1. L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive in Blake’s Red ($8.99)

Blake, as in Lively, the lucky lady with the long, luscious blonde hair (and, um, Ryan — oh, what’s his name? Not Gosling! Ryan Reynolds, how dare I?! — Ryan Reynolds’ baby mama). L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive in Blake’s Red is her red addition to the L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive line.

Blake’s Red is a beauty of a neutral red, neither too warm nor cool, with an opaque demi-matte finish, and it won’t just work through fall. This one will also carry you through the holidays.

I love this lippie with classic fall looks, and it suits a wide range of skin tones. Wear it with a simple cat eye for something vintage, or a black or gray smoky eye (a la Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love video), or metallic golden lids.

SO PRETTY!

Because it’s by L’Oreal, it has their very strong floral flavor and scent (both fade quickly), which folks seem to either love or hate. I don’t mind it at all.

It’s available now online for $8.99 and at drugstores and Ulta.

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipcolor in Toast of New York ($7.99)

This is so old-school, you guys! I wore this color back in the day, and it’s making a comeback again.

I feel like there have been an overabundance of dark browns with almost grayish undertones lately, and I like that look on some people, but I feel like it looks a little macabre on me. THIS kind of brown has a little yellow in it, and I think it makes it more wearable. The matte finish also has a hint of a shine to it.

It’s available now online for $7.99 and at drugstores and Ulta.

3. COVERGIRL Star Wars Limited Edition Colorlicious Lipstick in Dark Purple 50 ($6.99)

Do you think this lipstick is on the dark side or the light…? Ooh, Star Wars reference! Where’s my light saber, Tabs?! 🙂

This dark purple berry is a classic fall color. It’s from the new limited edition COVERGIRL Star Wars collection, and it has a creamy finish.

It’s also flexible. You can wear it as a stain by applying one layer, then blotting, or build it up like I’ve done here. I’m wearing three layers, so it looks a little vampy.

It’s available now online for $6.99 and at drugstores.
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With The Blushed Nudes Palette by Maybelline, Imitation Naked 3 Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

May 18th, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

maybelline blushed nudes — Maybelline’s $10 The Blushed Nudes Palette

On the drive to the NKOTB/TLC/Nelly concert in San Jose last week, my friend and fellow makeup lover Marisol asked if I would mind us making a pit stop at a Walmart down there to see if they had Maybelline’s new $10 The Blushed Nudes Palette.

She said that she’d looked all over for it up in the North Bay where we live to no avail, and that the closest place she could track it down was the Walmart right next to the concert venue.

A $10 dupe for Urban Decay Naked 3?

“Do you mind if we swing by?” she asked.

Uh…do I mind stopping by a store with a huge beauty section to look at makeup?

I said I didn’t.

Marisol said that she heard the palette was a $10 drugstore dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette.

“Of all the people I know,” she told me, “I thought you would understand.”

I did. 🙂

With a $10 dupe for Naked 3 on the line, shirtless Jordan Knight would just have to wait, LOL!

When we got to the Walmart, we made a beeline for the beauty department, where we found two Blushed Nude palettes in stock. I took it as a sign from the makeup gods that I needed to bring one of them home, and Marisol did too. She snagged the other one.

Forget about buying an overpriced New Kids t-shirt at the concert. This would be my souvenir instead. 🙂

The Blushed Nudes Palette by Maybelline: 12 eyeshadows in rose gold shades

With the rose gold packaging and 12 eyeshadows in rose gold shades, The Blushed Nudes looks a lot like UD’s $54 Naked 3 palette… Right? The resemblance is uncanny! For this one, it’s pretty easy to see where Maybelline got their inspiration.

Eyeshadow Trickery 101

But while very similar, there are some pretty big differences between the two.

Like first, the price. One is $10 and the other is $54.

That’s huge.

Second and third, the levels of pigment and shimmer. The Urban Decay Naked 3 shadows contain much more pigment and pearl. With them I think you definitely get more intense color and shine on your lids, but you can get there with the Maybelline Blushed Nudes eyeshadows. You just need to resort to a little makeup trickery.

Like you could…

Basically, use more. You can build up the Blushed Nudes shadows in layers, but you’re probably looking at using two or three times as many as you’d need with the Naked3s. Maybe five or six total layers with the lighter shades.
Intensify the colors by applying them with a wet brush.
Use your fingers instead of a brush, so you can really apply some pressure directly on your lids.

Of course, none of this is necessary if you actually want a softer, hazier eye look. Most of The Blushed Nudes shades are fairly sheer, so if that’s your agenda, your regular brushes would do you just fine.

Where are my mattes!?

And then there’s the whole matte situation… You get three matte shades — matte beige Strange, light matte pinkish taupe Limit and matte purplish taupe Nooner — in Urban Decay Naked 3, which are very handy as transition shades.

The Maybelline Blushed Nudes palette, on the other hand, has only one matte, a sheer pinkish taupe that looks like UD’s limit (only sheerer). I tried using it as a crease color…but I wasn’t too crazy about it. I had to use hella layers (I’m talking five or six) to have it really register on my medium skin tone, and even then I still couldn’t see it very well.

It may not be an issue for paler princesses, or if mattes just aren’t your thing, but if you’re around my shade (I’m a MAC NC42) or darker, or if you’re just all about that matte crease life, it’s something to consider.

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I’m Really Lichen Golden Mossy Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Forest Fatale

August 19th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Maybelline’s Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Forest Fatale (1)

Next to Downtown Brown, which I love for its practicality, Forest Fatale is my second favorite Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow shade.

An ethereal, almost mystical golden mossy color, it’s a beauty all on its own. It doesn’t need any help.

Forest Fatale is like waking up on a bed of leaves in an enchanted forest, and looking up to see sunlight filtering through the branches of the trees above you.

I simply lurve it, but it has a darker side…

Ooh! Mysterious. Don’t worry, though — it’s a good darker side.

Layer it on top of a black base like MAC Smolder Eye Kohl, and jello, drama! Forest Fatale transforms into a total @ss-kicker color worthy of cute brass knuckles and a kickin’ moto jacket (complete with skull and crossbones).

Yes, I said cute brass knuckles…because you know I’m not about to roll with a pair of fugly ones. 🙂

Fashionable Forest Fatale is also an affordable $7, and you can find it now at Ulta stores and online.

Get Down With Brown: $7 Maybelline Downtown Brown ColorTattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow

August 15th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

Maybelline Downtown Brown ColorTattoo Pure Purigment Eyeshadow

Yeah, the last thing I need in my life is one more brown eyeshadow (rolls eyes), but this one is just so pretty — and it’s only $7!

It’s Maybelline’s Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Downtown Brown, a loose eyeshadow with a magical golden brown, taupey glow, and for only $7, I think it looks much more expensive than it actually is.

I’ve mostly been wearing it by itself on my lids with a black liner on my lash and water lines, but I think it’s also really pretty layered on top of creamy gold shadows like Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Mirage and Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Gold.

Um…did I mention that it’s only $7??

That’s less than I had to pay Zac Efron to show me his abs (wishful thinking). 🙂

You can get down with Downtown Brown now wherever Maybelline is sold (like Ulta).