May 232013
 

RiriWoo lipstick

If you’ve been paying attention to the makeup world, you already know about the release of MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick. There was an extreme amount of anticipation for this limited edition which was designed by Pop Superstar Rihanna.  I have to admit that I got caught up in the hype as well. It was only available online 5/2/13.

It took me about an hour but I was finally able to place two separate orders to get my two tubes of lipstick. (MAC only allowed you to order one at a time .) I ordered two for two reasons.  #1 If I really liked it, I wanted a backup. #2 I’m almost out of Ruby Woo (staple in my makeup bag) and needed a replacement.

 Below is my comparison of the two gorgeous red lipsticks

RubyWoo vs RiRiWoo

 You’ll notice that there’s a very subtle difference between them.  Riri Woo is a tad bit darker.  If you’re anything like me, the fact that they’re so close doesn’t really matter because I LOVE red lipstick. However, if you’re not that big on red lips, you’ll probably be okay not getting it when it’s relaunched next month.

May 012013
 

I received this Revlon Photoready BB Cream for free as a Klout Perk.  I was very excited about it because I’ve begun to fall in love with BB creams. So far I’ve tried Garnier, Bobbi Brown, and Maybelline.  I was eager to see how this Revlon version would compare.Revlon Photoready BB Cream Collage

I wasn’t expecting too much because of the very limited range of colors.  I was only able to choose from Light, Light/Medium, or Medium.  Really Revlon? Ya’ll are just going to totally disregard women of color huh? SMH!  I got to the point of being upset because in 2013, there’s NO excuse for a major cosmetic company to just not have a wide range of colors available for it’s fan base.  It was really confusing to me because it’s not like Revlon doesn’t normally have products for people with darker skin.  For example, Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation is very popular (I wear Carmel and I love it) and has a great range of colors to choose from.  I would have only imagined their BB Cream would be the same.

Here’s what it looks like on me.

Revlon BB Cream So you know I was concerned after swatching this on my hand.  Of course I know that my hands are darker than my face, but still.  I was very worried this Medium color was going to be way to light for my skin.

Revlon BB Cream B4 picAbove is my before pic. I’m wearing absolutely no makeup. Yep, I’m pretty brave. LOL! ;-p

Revlon BB Cream on face In this picture, I’ve started to rub in the  Medium BB Cream.

Revlon BB Cream finished lookThis is the finished look.

So what are my thoughts?

I’ve worn it for about a week. I really really like the way it feels on my skin and how it makes my face feel soft.  I also like that a litte goes a long way.   It’s very long lasting and I’ve noticed my makeup goes on more smoothly when I wear it.  I don’t wear it alone because I need more coverage.  As you can see in the above pics, my blemishes still show, which is fine.  I wear BB Creams to combine skin care products, not to replace my makeup.

It seems as though Revlon was trying to play the “Brown Paper Bag Test”, and I barely made the cut.  :-(  Strangely enough, it does blend well into my skin, even though the color range is extremely limited. I can’t explain how it somehow still works for me even though it looks too light at first.  I think I just made the cut.  So if you are any darker than me, it’ll be a risk buying this BB Cream.  I’d recommend Maybelline instead.  I just finished my tube and I truly like it.  Maybelline has a good variety of colors, however, I will say I like the Revlon BB Cream better because it’s more light weight and I feel it  blends better.  It’s not really matte, but it’s not as creamy as the Maybelline BB Cream.  So far, I like Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream the best. On the downside, this is another company that didn’t make a wide range of colors.  I just made the cut for the darkest color as well. The Bobbi Brown BB Cream gave a little more coverage, which meant I didn’t have to apply as much makeup afterwards.

I truly hope Revlon will extend the color range of this product.

 

 

Apr 232013
 

I happened to walk down the cosmetic aisle of Kroger’s Grocery store and saw my sorority sister Melody. She told me about a new line of Maybelline lipsticks that were dupes for MAC lipsticks. She was looking to find dupes for Embrace Me and Candy Yum Yum. I was a bit hesitant because I’ve never tried Maybeline’s lip products.  When it comes to drugstore lippies, I’m a huge fan of Revlon.  I decided to go look anyway. While looking at the pinks, I happened to pickup a pretty purple called Brazen Berry.

Maybeline Brazen Berry Label

It was love at first sight. Now mind you, I had no intentions of buying any lipsticks. I was only supposed to be “looking”. Needless to say I went home with Brazen Berry. Here’s my review below.

Maybeline Brazen Berry

Maybeline Brazen Berry swatch

I’m in love with this lipstick.  It feels really, really good on my lips.

Maybeline Brazen Berry on lips

It’s not quite as hydrating as my beloved Revlon Lip Butters, but it feels creamier than MAC Cremesheen lipsticks.  The staying power is really good.  I put on Brazen Berry early this morning at around 7:30 and it lasted well after lunch.  I still had some color left on my lips, it just wasn’t as vibrant.  That’s a shocker! I was pleasantly surprised at the great quality and value (less than $6). I’d definitely recommend these and I’ll be purchasing more colors.

Feb 072013
 

Black Opal Heatwave lipstick

Black Opal Heatwave Lipstick closeHere’s a swatch on my hand with a flashBlack Opal Heatwave lipstick swatch with flashDSCF8463I really, really like this lipstick. I’m happy with both the color and the texture.  I couldn’t tell from just looking at it, but there’s a bit of shimmer but not enough to make it frosty.  It glides on really smooth and feels hydrating on my lips. I know I’ll have to get a full size soon.  Sending this free sample was a good idea from Black Opal.

Feb 052013
 


Black Opal Eyeshadows with Elf Brush
I used my new Black Opal Eyeshadows to create this Inexpensive Look Of The Day last week.  I later realized that I didn’t do actual swatches of the colors.  I’ll show you what each of the four colors look like in this post.

DSCF8494

The first color I’ll show you is Emotional Me. It’s a frosty golden yellow.

Black Opal Emotional Me on brushBelow is what it looks like on my skin.

Black Opal Emotional Me Swatch

The next color is Illusion.  It’s a gorgeous frosty light gold.  Illusion reminds me of MAC Vanilla Pigment, but it’s a tad bit darker.  Black Opal Illusion LabelBlack Opal Illusion on brush

I’ve been using this color a lot on both my eyes and as a cheek highlight, however, it didn’t really photograph well on my hand. :-( Black Opal Illusion Swatch flashWith the flash above and without the flash belowBlack Opal Illusion Swatch no flash

Next up is Ring a Ding. Black Opal Ring A Ding LabelBlack Opal Ring A Ding on brushI’m in love with this color. It’s a wonderful matte orange.  I have another matte  orange that I use in my 42 Matte Coastal Scents Palette, but this color is more toned down and also darker.Black Opal Ring A Ding with FlashWith a flash above and without the flash below.
Black Opal Ring A Ding swatch no flashIt’s great for the crease and it blends really well.

The last Shadow is Nookie Cookie. That name makes me giggle. Ha ha! ;-p Black Opal Nookie Cookie Label Black Opal Nookie Cookie on Brush This color is a nice matte dark chocolate brown. When I saw it online, I thought it was going to be like MAC Embark, but it’s not as red. Black Opal Nookie Cookie Swatch flash The picture above is with a flash and the one below is without a flash. Black Opal Nookie Cookie no flashFor only $5, I’m very pleased with these Black Opal Shadows and I do want more of them.   I’ll check my local Beauty Supply stores to see if I can get them there. So far, I haven’t seen them at Wal-Mart, but I’ll keep looking.

Feb 052013
 

I was introduced to a lot of companies I’d never heard of at The Makeup Show Orlando.  According to James Vincent, a major focus was to highlight female owned companies, especially those in the area. While walking through the exhibit area, I passed by a pretty pink booth. I just had to stop by to see what they were selling.

wpid-IMAG1554.jpgwpid-IMAG1552.jpgI’m standing with Donte’, the owner of Lolade, at the booth.

wpid-IMAG1551.jpgI’m applying my brand new Party Girl Lip Laquer.  I instantly fell in love with it.

 They had a special which was buy 2 get one free.  You could mix and match different products.  I chose two Lip Laquers and a creme’ eye shadow.Lolade productsLolade Products LabelsLolade Creme shadow boxLolade Curacao Creme shadowLolade swatches no flashFrom top to bottom:  Party Girl Lip Laquer, What Lolita Wants Lip Laquer, and Curacao Creme’ Eye shadow. The indelible creme’ eye shadows can also be used as a liners, so I have a thin and a thick swatch.  The above picture was taken without a flash. The picture below was with a flash. Lolade swatches with flash

Below are more pictures of the products. Lolade Party Girl ApplicatorParty Girl Lip Laquer
Lolade Party Girl on lips closeupLolade Party Girl Full FaceLolade What Lolita Wants applicatorWhat Lolita Wants Lip Laquer
Lolade What Lolita Wants applied to lipsLolade what Lolita Wants full face

These Lip Laquers feel wonderful on my lips.  They are very opaque but not thick. They feel like a liquid lipstick.  Once they dry, they stay on for hours without any transfer. I’m extremely impressed and pleased that I purchased them.