The matte-ness is slowly growing upon me.

a small revelation here,
i have never thought of myself as a matte lipstick fan because i've always associated matte with "dryness".
plus, growing up under the influence of japanese makeup where juicy and plump lips are the desired look,
matte lips just never appealed to me,
until recently.

that's the up side of being exposed to different standards of beauty.
not only does it widen my perspectives, i learnt to appreciate a whole new range of lip products i've never laid eyes upon before.

from my lipstick collection, i picked out these 4 matte products (because the majority are still non-mattes).
they are all drugstore brands (revlon, maybelline and l'oreal) available in singapore.



i feel like matte lipsticks aren't that popular in the singapore market because the selection is a lot smaller than other finishes.
but i managed to pick out a few good ones.



REVLON super lustrous matte (010 wine not) is a dark raisin colour, leaning towards a brownish/purplish shade. the lipstick is smooth on my lips and deposits a thin layer of colour that can be built up to my desired intensity in 2 swipes. settles into lip lines easily, works best with a thin layer of lip balm underneath it. not very moisturizing, but i can get 2-3 hours of comfortable wear out of this before reapplication.

REVLON colorburst matte balm (210 unapologetic) is a bright pink, it's closer to coral than hot pink. the lipstick glides extremely smoothly to deposit a generous amount of lipstick, you can probably get full intensity with just one swipe. just beware of getting too much product on as it might end up looking uneven. it doesn't feather, but the product does bunch up. doesn't feel drying, but it will sink into my lip lines after several hours. a complete removal before reapplication is recommended (to prevent overdose of product). thankfully, removing this stuff is as easy as wiping it off.

MAYBELLINE coloursensational bold matte (MAT 3 cheeky coral) is an orange! application is smooth but sheer, even after several swipes the colour fails to build up to the intensity of the bullet. probably works best as a blusher than a lipstick. it's not even a full matte as there's a slight sheen after application. feels more moisturizing than the previous 2 revlon lipsticks though!

L'OREAL moist matte (PR511 spring rosette) is dark dusty pink, even though it looks pretty dark on the swatch above it looks a lot lighter when on my lips (it's probably looking darker when compared to the white tissue) the formulation is perfect, the lipstick glides like butter and deposits just the right amount of products. highly pigmented, even, and moisturizing. it can feel dry after 4 hours and accentuate lip lines beyond that, so it's time to reapply. from memory, i can reapply straightaway without removing the remnants first.

MY FAVOURITE?

this is my ranking:

L'OREAL moist matte > REVLON colorburst matte balm > REVLON super lustrous matte > MAYBELLINE colorsensational bold matte

one thing for sure, my matte lipstick collection is only going to grow.

Just so happened that they are all from REVLON.

i have a thing for plum/wine/burgundy lipsticks, and i think my collection of such colour will grow in time to come.
it's definitely a colour i would wear any time,
not just reserved for fall or winter.
who am i kidding? there is no fall or winter in singapore!
i wear whatever makes me feel and look good.

wine shades are hard to find among drugstore brands,
this might be the reason why all three that i own belongs to revlon,
since they are the only brand (out of the drugstore brands in singapore) that releases such a colour.

i'll be comparing them against each other in terms of texture, finish, and how i like them.



the three lip products are:

1. SUPER LUSTROUS MATTE (010 WINE NOT)
2. COLORSTAY ULTIMATE SUEDE (035 BACKSTAGE)
3. COLORSTAY MOISTURE STAIN (005 PARISIAN PASSION) 

you can click on link to see more swatches and detailed review of the individual product!



swatches of the respective lipsticks on a piece of white tissue paper


COLOUR AND FINISH:
010 WINE NOT is the darkest of all, leaning on the brownish/purple side. it also has the least red in it. it's a true matte.

035 BACKSTAGE is in the middle, a little more red and less brown as compared to 010 WINE NOT. after it sets, it has a slight sheen to it but doesn't look gloss.

005 PARISIAN PASSION has the most red in it compared to the other two. the finish is downright glossy.

CONSISTENCY AND TEXTURE:
010 WINE NOT glides relatively smoothly and deposits a thin layer of colour on my bare lips with ease. requires building up to amp the intensity of the colour. the bullet is considered hard when compared to the matte balms.
 
035 BACKSTAGE glides too smoothly, resulting in a sheer layer of colour. will require more layers in between the setting time. the bullet is harder than 010 WINE NOT.

005 PARISIAN PASSION is a thick liquid that has a balmy feel, goes on evenly and easily.

MOISTURE LEVEL AND AFTER FEEL:
010 WINE NOT is hydrating for the first few hours, reapplication is necessary to re-hydrate your lips. doesn't have much of an after feel, especially when i smack my lips.
 
035 BACKSTAGE not very hydrating but it doesn't make me feel dry either. has the typical sticky feeling the ultimate suede line has.

005 PARISIAN PASSION most hydrating out of all since it's a liquid. makes my lips feel like cushion the first few hours of wear (until it dried down to nothing). lips can feel dry then.

LONGEVITY:
010 WINE NOT transfers to cups like it's supposed to be married to it. without eating, i get 4-5 hours of wear.

035 BACKSTAGE doesn't transfer to foreign objects, but they do transfer to each other when i smack my lips. without lip smacking or eating, it can last the entire day. but that's unrealistic, so i get about 2 hours of wear out of it because i can't stop smacking my lips.

005 PARISIAN PASSION might have transferred but it's not observable since the liquid just meld into each other. the gloss only stays for 2 hours at most, but the stain stays till next morning!

IN A NUTSHELL:
there're pros and cons to each lipstick. for a habitual lip smacker, i'd say the moisture stain is the best because both the matte and ultimate suede lipstick will result in some transfers between my lips. constantly worrying about whether my lipstick is even or not tires my mind out unnecessarily. but if you're not a lip smacker, you might like the lipsticks more than i do.

so in a very biased ranking, my favourite plum/wine/burgundy lip product:

MOISTURE STAIN (005 PARISIAN PASSION) > SUPER LUSTROUS MATTE (010 WINE NOT) > ULTIMATE SUEDE (035 BACKSTAGE)

HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF THESE? HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM?

My thoughts after using it for more than 2 months.

i've already done a first impression for this product, in this entry i'll just add a little more details shots and swatches.


the shade i got is 005 parisian passion.

i've been eyeing this shade ever since it was released in the U.S. because it's hard to come across such a gorgeous deep purple shade in the usual drugstore brands. after praying hard that revlon singapore will bring in this shade, my prayer is answered!!!


the paddle applicator has a tapered top, giving you more control and precision when maneuvering around the delicate corners/cupid's bow.



COLOUR:
i've colour corrected the photos so as to show a more true to life colour. i've mentioned in my first impression that this is a purplish wine-burgundy shade, that description still holds true. it's reminds me of black berry juice perhaps - a dark purplish shade.



PACKAGING:
the colour on the packaging is a good depiction of the product's colour. if you can't test this out in your local drugstore, it's useful to place the tube over your lips to imagine how this colour will look with your skin tone.

WEAR AND TEXTURE:
the product is slightly viscous and can go on a little too thick and cushiony initially, hence it's best to apply many thin layers instead of one thick layer or product. after several hours however, it will thin out and by the time i blot my lips with a piece of tissue, there is little emollient that transfers to the tissue. most of it either absorbed into my lips or evaporated away.

my lips continue to feel hydrated and moisturized for up to 3-4 hours, however do not be surprised when you realize your lips feel a little rough and hard at the end of the day unless you keep reapplying it. the long hours of no touch up definitely speeds up my lips' renewal process.

once the stain gets onto our lips, the colour of the product will change. i noticed that if i were to wipe off the products off my lips initially, the product looks just like it did from the tube (as in dark purplish). hours later, when i blot my lips the lip stick stain i get is a clear blackish shade. i have no idea what transpired, but it's probably the loss of water soluble stain that got stuck onto my lips.

despite the glossy/balmy texture, i'm happy to report the product DOES NOT feather.

STAIN:
the wonderful thing about this product is its staining power. i'm left with a berry-bitten lips after wiping it off after several hours. i'm not exactly sure how long it'll take to stain your lips, but the longer you leave it in, the deeper the stain. common sense right?



VERDICT:
i absolutely adore its texture and how it feels on my lips. it's hydrating, the colour payoff is amazing, and that stain is so lovely.

however, this might be the kind of product which will require the user to learn how to work with it. it's not idiot proof and one must be patient when applying - many thin layers instead of one thick layer. also, make full use of the paddle applicator by pressing it hard against your lips for the best application possible. just speaking from personal experience.

i mean, this is a very kissable product because you can use it as a lip stain. no transfers to your lover's cheeks or lips!

My thoughts on the highly pigmented gloss after wearing it just once.

i have been keeping a look out for these lip gloss ever since they made their debut last year. i didn't buy it immediate because 1) i wasn't in the right condition or mindset to wear makeup last october, 2) the price is too jarring.



i got it a few days ago as it had a 50% discount. it's a weekly special at watsons, so i took my chance and made my long awaited purchase. there's only one shade that have captured my heart since a year ago, so i brought it home.






STAINING POWER: it stained my bare lips pretty well within 10 minutes. the longer i have it long, the darker the stain. i love the natural look of my wine stained lips! (note: my lips are clean and bare prior to application)

FORMULA: the product is very hydrating and can be worn on its own (without any lip balm). in fact, i think it's best to start off with a pair of bare lips if you want to get stained well. the viscosity of the product allows it to be spread out evenly, thus ensuring an even stain. even though it adheres well to the skin, it isn't overly sticky.

STAYING POWER: the gloss itself isn't long lasting, but the stain is.

SCENT: lightly scented, i can't quite pin point what's the smell but it doesn't smell unpleasant.





HOW TO PERFECT YOUR APPLICATION: when i said some skills are required to fully maximise the benefit of this product, i just mean for you to utilise the paddle applicator for a perfect application. i find that the best way to apply this new kind of liquid balm (similar to the maybelline lip polish/elixir and innisfree creamy tint lip mousse) is to use enough force to smooth the product over your lips. lip smacking pre-maturely may result in an patchy application. also, make sure your lips are clean and bare without a trace of lip balm for the best application experience.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: you may also want to dip the applicator slowly back into the tube to prevent over spilling of the product because the thickness of it will increase the risk of trapping air and thus, spilling out of the tube. you don't want to get this sticky mess onto anywhere that's not your lips.

VERDICT: a lovely formula with amazing colour payoff. i love how it moisturizes my lip which packing the colour on so intensely. i would prefer it to the loreal shine caresse glossy stain as the former is more hydrating and pigmented. one layer of product gives you about 70% of the colour, but if you're aiming for super dark lips, two coats might be necessary.

Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder (020 Light Pale)

i almost never win things, but i won this in a revlon official giveaway a few months ago from their facebook page :D but i wasn't allow to choose the colour - they sent me the shade in the middle since there are only 3 shades available in singapore's collection.

the nearly naked pressed powder claims to
1) even skin tone
2) a non cakey formula that provides a shine free finish
3) blends into skin to create lightweight finish, almost naked!

my experience, IN A NUTSHELL:
1) really non cakey/powdery formula! what!?
2) not sweat resistant
3) doesn't really even skin tone since it's so naked
4) can't detect presence of powder on my face
5) it smells very weird


the entire compact case is pretty huge, it contains a small mirror and a sponge puff.


ingredient list. that's a whole lot of yeast extract (saccharomyces) in this powder! it's use? snooped online and it only identified it as a skin conditioner.


the sponge has a really weird capability, it's really soft and squishy, and has some memory :P but i didn't use it to apply the powder. felt that it was too small to deposit the powder evenly.


in the pan, 020 light pale looks like a light beige with yellow undertone.


swatched on bare skin.

on my skin, 020 light pale looks nothing like what's in the pan, it looked more ashy and seem to match my skin tone, probably due to the low opacity of the product. it's almost invisible after i blended it out. if not for enhancing my lines on my hand, you can't tell that i've anything on.

IMHO

i've been using it for the past few months, i can't say i love it because i really dislike the scent of the product. but i do like the very natural finish it gives me. i really can't detect any powder on my face at all.

the powder itself doesn't feel like a powder. it's not powdery at all! i tried swirling my finger and it hardly picked up any product unlike my powder foundation. i swirled my brush next and nothing gets kicked up at all, a small amount of powder gets onto the brush and that's it. sometimes it frustrates me because i feel like i'm not picking up any product at all (but i actually am, just that they're really quite naked).

the only way i know i have the powder on my face is the way it takes away shine. it does a pretty good job at mattifying my face. it doesn't last the entire day though, especially if i perspired as this product isn't sweat resistant. it comes off by blotting.

this powder is a very weird powder.

i had some problem with it - there was build up on the surface, so i tried to wipe it off with a tissue. it usually does the trick, but it didn't work this time. it buffed the surface into a shiny surface. whattttt???





so i scraped it off, but the surface is still gritty no matter how many times i swirl my brush over it. i don't know why the texture is like this. while it doesn't affect the quality of the powder (it still comes off after i scraped off the build up), i don't like the sight of a gritty product. the powder on display are all super smooth for some reason. not sure if it's just this colour, or just this particular product that i own. maybe there's a slight defect?

all in all, this product does what it claims. i wish they smell nicer. and less gritty in the pan.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation 200 Nude (Swatch and Full Review)

i just checked back, the first time i tried this foundation was in mid april. it's now mid august, a good 4 months. it's about time to do a full on review on this foundation, which has quickly risen to become my favourite foundation out of the few that i have. bye bye dr jart bb cream!

a little recap on the product:


i got it in the shade 200 nude.

the foundation comes in a glass bottle with a black cap. i like simple packaging! a lot of people complain about the lack of a pump. initially, i detest it as well because i find it difficult to control how much will end up flowing out. BUT! after 4 months of our loving relationship with each other, i've learnt to overcome the difficulties and to devise ways to make things work out for us (just like another other relationships huh!).

i find that it's easiest for me to shake the bottle so that the product will hit the root of the cap, and then i just have to open the bottle and dip my finger into the pool of product on the bottle cap and VOILA! it's even better than a pump that way because some pumps may dispense too much products at one go, and isn't that friendly about letting you do a half pump.

the only issue that may still concern some will then be the hygiene issue.

some of the claims off the bottle:
1. wear for up to 24 hours.
2. flawless look, lightweight feel.


ingredients and usage instructions concealed within the white sticker that can be peeled open.



taken in two different lightings: natural and camera flash.

200 nude is a light peach colour with a tinge of pink undertone. 180 sand beige has more yellow in it, but just as light.


close up in flash lighting.

you can see the blended foundation as a slight sheen to it. it's a very lovely and natural looking foundation that imparts a slight sheen to it. i find that a fully matte product looks way too unnatural on me. this is just perfect for my needs.

IMHO
i did like it after trying it out the first time because it's incredibly sweat resistant, but i was quite aghast at the white cast it gave me (because i applied too heavily and over an area too wide). i must admit that this colour is not matched to my skin tone, that's why it had that kind of effects on me. i got this foundation because i wanted to use it on the centre of my face as brightening. my complexion is okay enough to skip a full face foundation routine.

after so long, i can finally declare my love for this foundation. i feel like it's a MUST HAVE for me because i simply sweat too much. being sweat resistant earned it a lot of brownie points. the fact that it stayed bright on my face after the entire day makes me love it even more - it doesn't oxidize on me.

also, in my first impression video i spreaded this thing out with my fingers, not the smartest move. i've since learnt to use my foundation brush to blend it out after dotting it on my face with my fingers. you can watch how i do it when i demonstrated my summer proof makeup. the coverage is light to medium coverage. when blended out with a foundation brush, i get a really light coverage which helps with brightening.

i can't be happier with my purchase because the peace of mind this foundation gives me is worth more than anything. i don't need to worry about foundation being blotted off by my tissue paper, uneven skintone after some time roaming outside.. :)

just do note that my skin isn't SUPER OILY to begin with. this foundation is meant for oily combination skin, but i've read reviews that it's not as efficient in the oil control department. i don't remember seeing my face looking very shiny at the end of the day (maybe because i blotted the oil and sweat off all at one go?). if you fall into the group with horribly oily skin, an oil control base would definitely be your best friend. if you sweat a lot like me, consider investing in this drugstore gem.

i find myself reaching out for this foundation subconsciously whenever i know i'll be out in the heat for an extended period of time.

i bought it from watsons when it was having a sale for $24.90.

IN A NUTSHELL
1. very sweat resistant
2. acceptable oil control properties (but i'm not a good gauge)
3. doesn't oxidize on me
4. wear for at least 8 hours on me.

MAKEUP LOOK

i've worn this many many times by now :D you'd have known if you saw my instagram! i wear this on the centre of my face only.





xoxo
karman

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Matte 010 Wine Not


i got this lipstick when i was in the fall state of mind, even though singapore does not have autumn, but my mind was obsessed with the typical fall colour - wine. some call it ox blood, or a deep berry shade. but wine suits it to a T, it's a deep reddish purple shade, and this is in a matte formula! SO FALL.

the revlon super lustrous lipstick line needs no further introduction i guess. it's supposed to be super moisturizing, as the name suggest.






one swipe on the left, 3 swipes on the right.



010 wine not is a deep raisin shade - reddish and purplish, with a hint of brown. it resembles the red velvet cupcake's interior colour. this lipstick is in matte finish, and boy, it really is matte.

application is pretty smooth - it doesn't tug, neither does it glide like butter. it deposits a thin layer of pigments, which can be built up based on your liking. it doesn't glide like the matte balms do, maybe that's why it only deposits a small amount of product with each swipe. the colour may emphasize dry skin, and may apply uneven on dry lips.

the lipstick is unscented.


IMHO:
i love this colour, that's the reason why i bought it in the first place. it took me some time to get used to the application as it wasn't as smooth as the other lipsticks (but it's still pretty smooth consider it's a matte lipstick. and i was comparing it to the creamy and shine formula that i own), once i got used to it, there's nothing to stop me from loving this lipstick. the matte formula makes it harder to transfer to cups (due to the lesser oil content), which means the lipstick stays on my lips much longer than the shine formula lipsticks. the other thing i like about it's smooth (but not buttery smooth) application is that it won't over deposit the products, which gives me more control over the colour and intensity.

but it may apply unevenly (after i blot my lip balm off). i don't know if it's my lips or the product :/

i usually have some lip balm on before i apply any lipsticks, and how much i have on will affect the colour that gets transferred to my lips. hence, it's best to blot off any excess lip balm prior to applying this lipstick if you want a fuller look.

however, this is not going to be moisturizing enough if i intend to wear this throughout the entire day. reapplication would be much appreciated by your lips, especially with a thin layer of lip balm before applying the lipstick again. i did try to add a layer of gloss over it, which defeats the purpose of it being matte, but sometimes i like to switch things up :P

each product have their own drawbacks. i love its long lasting power and the colour, and will love it even more if it is a little more moisturizing. i'm greedy, i know.

i bought this when guardian was having a sale for $13.90.

MAKEUP LOOK




worn lightly as a tint.



also worn lightly as a tint.

Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede 025 Socialite

revlon is taking over my lipstick stash. the revlon colorstay ultimate suede lipsticks claims to be a moisturizing and long wearing formula (16 hours!). formulated with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and aloe, it's supposed to keep my lips moisturized AND makes sure the colour stays on for the entire day! it's supposed to have a velvet finish, not matte nor shiny, but a velvet.

a claim is but a claim.






one swipe on the left, 2-3 swipes on the right.



025 socialite is a very beautiful warm rose pink with a subtle hint of gold shiimmers (that is quite invisible on the lips). it applies VERY SMOOTHLY, you know how some lipsticks will tug your lips when you apply? this lipstick does not tug my lips at all! it deposits just the right amount of product on my lips, and it applies very evenly. 

the finish is velvety - i'll try my best to describe this - it has a slight plastic-ky sheen to it that makes it look smooth.

the lipstick is slightly scented with a faint sweet smelling floral scent.

as to the wear, after it sets, it doesn't transfer at all (for the first few hours). 

IMHO:
there are only 3 things i love about this lipstick. the colour, it's initial application, and the initial consistency. i love the way it melts onto my lips the first time the bullet touched my lips. i also love the way it deposits just the right amount of product to colour my lips evenly. immediately after application, my lips are moisturized and feels pretty good.

i'm not sure if it's the formula for this colour that makes it the way it is - after the lipstick sets, my lips feels sticky. moments after it sets, the product starts to gather around my lip lines, such that when i smile, my lip lines appears to have no product on them! and when i do a lip smack, the product will stick to each other - those from my bottom lip get transferred to my upper lips. i have to be mindful not to smack my lips when i wear this lipstick, which isn't a problem. the worse is when i eat - some of the product comes off unevenly and what's left is a patchy lip. the worst is.. those that stay on my lips will not budge when i try to remove them so i can reapply this lipstick. it's disappointing that the product's staying power is not constant.

anyway, i have found a way to remove this lipstick most efficiently, that is to applying vaseline and let sit for a while before wiping it off with a tissue.

i tried wearing this lipstick for the entire day without touching it up, i realize i hate the feeling at the end of the day as it feels like a piece of plastic encasing my lips. i guess this is how long wear formula feels like? i didn't feel that it was any more moisturizing than the usual lipsticks that i own.

i wish the formula didn't set. i wouldn't mind it being a normal wear lipstick at all as i would prefer touching up anyway because i need that moisture on my lips. even though i don't like the feeling of it on my lips, i still wear this once in a while because i really love the colour.

i got this in the DFS for hkd$78.

MAKEUP LOOK

SwatchSunday #2 - Lipstick Swatches

GOOD SUNDAY!
this time round for swatchsunday, i've raided some of my mom's lipsticks (ok, actually that's the only two that she has.. and they were gifts from me!) to do this "battle of the sultry lipsticks" entry.

the contestants:

from left to right:
revlon super lustrous matte 010 wine not // revlon colorburst matte balm 225 sultry // revlon super lustrous 130 rose velvet  // za pure shine lips be1 praline

in different lighting:

from left to right:revlon super lustrous matte 010 wine not // revlon colorburst matte balm 225 sultry // revlon super lustrous 130 rose velvet  // za pure shine lips be1 praline


revlon
super lustrous matte 010 wine not: a deep reddish-purplish berry shade. it's very much like a wine shade, as the name suggests. matte finish.
colorburst matte balm 225 sultry: a slightly lighter version of the wine not, more pink, less purple. velvetly finish.
super lustrous 130 rose velvet: it appears brown next to the previous two shades, much warmer. i described it as a brown with a pink undertone in my previous swatchsunday. creamy and has a slight sheen.

za pure shine lips be1 praline: a sheer and shiny beige, most yellowish out of all.


let me know if you found this useful!
i am up for requests!!! :D