Revlon

Pre-Fall Ulta Haul!

September 16th, 2015 by Karen 27 Comments

What the world needs now is 1) love, sweet love; 2) free pumpkin spice lattes (I finally had my first one of the season yesterday, and it was so good that I felt myself float out of my body and fly toward the sun, OMG!); and 3) more lady-dates.

MOAR LADY-DATES.

You know what a lady-date is, right? It’s when you go out with a friend — ideally, someone who likes makeup as much as you do — for coffee, snacks or what have you, and then, ya know, if you happen to wander into someplace where lipsticks and eyeshadows are available for perusal…so be it. 🙂

I went on one a couple weekends ago with my friend Marisol. We had acai bowls, then paid homage to our homeland, also known as Ulta.

Here are the things that came home with me that day.

It was mostly a nail-centric visit, because my nails have been very crabby lately (they’ve been splitting, boo), with a sprinkling of skin care and body care, and a dash of makeup for good measure.

PRODUCTS MENTIONED

As always, thank you again for watching.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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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New Revlon Ultra HD™ Lipstick and Ultra HD™ Lip Lacquer, Available at CVS/Pharmacy Meow

March 19th, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

As a participant in this program with Revlon and CVS/pharmacy, I’ve received product samples and/or compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m sitting here with my lips in high definition! — just for you. 🙂

So…what does HD even mean anyway?

Maybe it refers to back in the day (seven years ago), when HD filming took off on TV, and everybody was like, “Oh! Let’s do makeup for HD,” which was completely different than regular makeup (but really, a lot of it was marketing).

Hey, whatever. I’m a sucker for it.

In Revlon’s new Ultra HD™ Lipstick and Ultra HD™ Lip Lacquer lines ($9.99 each and available now in a wide range at CVS/pharmacy stores), the HD is more or less code for “Gel Technology,” which is what they say these have. Basically, you’ve got a gel base, rather than a wax, and it’s designed to deliver purer pigments that are truer to what you see in the tube. They also feel softer and bouncier on the lips.

I really get the sense that both of these are hugging my lips, and when I say “hugging,” I don’t mean like a bear hug, or one of those “Hey, girl!” hugs with the two hands, where you pat somebody’s back. I mean, like a good hug, where you feel the product caress your lips and hold them tightly.

It’s kind of a pervy hug…like if someone comes up to you and hugs you a little too tightly, and you’re like, “Oh!”

But it’s not that gross! It’s actually very nice.

Wear time depends on whether we’re talking about the lipsticks or the lacquers, with the lacquers lasting 3-4 hours, and the lipsticks lasting about half as long.

With the lipsticks — they’re super smooth, and you get a lot of color from a single swipe. I think they’re closer to really intensely pigmented lip balms than straight-up lipsticks, and even the brighter colors still have some sheerness to them.

Revlon Ultra HD Lipsticks — Six of 20 available Revlon Ultra HD™ Lipsticks

Revlon Ultra HD™ Lipstick
$9.99, available now at CVS/pharmacy in 20 shades

Smooth, lightweight, non-sticky formula, brief 2-hour wear time, and a caramel and raspberry flavor and scent (officially, it’s whipped vanilla and cream mango?). Medium coverage. And they’re all named after flowers. 🙂

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Azalea — Revlon Ultra HD™ Lipstick in Azalea

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Sweet Pea — Revlon Ultra HD™ Lipstick in Sweet Pea

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Rose — Revlon Ultra HD™ Lipstick in Rose

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Hibiscus — Revlon Ultra HD™ Lipstick in Hibiscus

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Pack Less and Do More With a Multitasking Neutral Eyeshadow Quad You Can Also Use as a Highlighter

September 12th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Wearing the $5.97 Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eyeshadow Quad in Brazen on my eyes, and also used as a highlighter on my face. Available now at Walmart stores and walmart.com

As a participant in the Totally Her program, I’ve received product samples and/or compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

To the millions of makeup lovers trapped in cars for long, grueling hours on trips (I feel your pain!), horror is the very thought of forgetting your makeup bag.

But seriously, whether it’s a 14-day late-summer dream vacation or a quick weekend jaunt, chances are you will not be leaving home without your makeup bag.

I’m always looking for ways to lighten mine, to which end multitasking makeup products like these Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eyeshadow Quads definitely help.

Available in a dozen color configurations with sturdy, travel-friendly packaging, they’re just $5.97 each at Walmart.

The two I’m using here, 505 Decadent and 520 Brazen, are both conveniently neutral, which means I can do a lot of different looks with them. Plus, they also double as powder highlighters, which saves a few precious cubic inches in my makeup bag.

Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Quads in 505 Decadent (left) and 520 Brazen (right), $5.97 each at Walmart

To use them as highlighters, I’ll swipe a finger across one of the lighter shades (and when my neurons are firing and I feel extra creative, I’ll mix two of the light shades together, ooh-la-la!), and sweep that wherever I want more light to catch, which for me usually means blending down the bridge of my nose…

My Cupid’s bow…

My upper cheekbones…

And just above the highest points on Mt. Eyebrows.

The ColorStay formula gives a soft glow to my skin and lasts all day long.

Without highlighter on the left, and with highlighter on the right

Wearing Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Quad in Brazen on my eyes and as a face highlighter — Wearing the Revlon ColorStay Eyeshadow Quad in Brazen on my eyes, and also used as a face highlighter

Gotta love multitasking makeup! 🙂

Both Brazen and Decadent (and 10 more quads) are available now at Walmart.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Simplify Your Look With the Right Highlighting Palette

September 11th, 2014 by Karen 36 Comments

Revlon Rose Glow 02 Highlighting Palette (1) — Wearing the Revlon Rose Glow 02 Highlighting Palette, available now at Walmart for $9.97

As a participant in the Totally Her program, I’ve received product samples and/or compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Looking for a new full-coverage, layered makeup look to wear during the last days of summer?

Uh…wait.

That’s not right. How ’bout this instead?

Looking to simplify your late-summer/early fall looks with something light and fresh? The Revlon Rose Glow 02 Highlighting Palette ($9.97) can help. It works well as a highlighter, blush and an eyeshadow, all rolled into a single useful palette.

Here’s the simple step-by-step:

After filling in my brows and applying foundation and concealer, I apply the shimmery taupe shade (it’s the one in center of the palette) on my lids with a flat eyeshadow brush.

Next, I load a fluffy tapered eyeshadow brush (because a regular blush brush would be too big, and would also pick up the neighboring colors) with the pink shade, second from the top, and buff that on the apples of my cheeks for a fresh wash of summery color.

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Use a Matte Balm on Your Lips and Cheeks for Double-Duty Beauty When You’re in a Rush

September 10th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

As a participant in the Totally Her program, I’ve received product samples and/or compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Crunched for time and crazy busy? If you’re running ragged and barely have any time at all to get ready, let matte lip balms like Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm be your makeup BFFs.

Say “Hallelujah, thank you!” to matte orange Audacious and hot pinkish coral Unapologetic, two of the batch of shades available now at Walmart for $6.48 each.

And here’s the kicker: in these pics, I’m wearing them on my lips and my cheeks.

Revlon Matte Lip Balms, $6.48 each, available at Walmart

210 Unapologetic (left) and 245 Audacious (right)

Yup, cheeks!

Talk about no-brainers. Not only are these multitasking matte balms available at Walmart (read: easy to find), you can use them to add color to your lips and/or cheeks, which also makes them versatile.

Before Revlon Matte Lip Balm in 245 Audacious (left) and after (right)

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Pose for Your Picture [CLICK]: Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow in Graffiti

October 18th, 2013 by Karen 7 Comments

Are you ready for your photo?

Of course you are, with the Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow palette in Graffiti (about $7.50).

Available now online and at CVS, Rite Aid and Target stores (and probably about a zillion other drugstores that carry Revlon).

Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow in Bohemian

October 9th, 2013 by Karen 4 Comments

I had a great time at the Rite Aid in Corte Madera a couple weeks ago. I left with my little basket filled with things I wanted to try, like this Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow palette in Bohemian (about $7.50).

I still haven’t worn it yet, but I love the colors, especially that light blue…

It’s available now online and at CVS, Rite Aid and Target stores (and probably most other drugstores, too).