Makeup For Life - Beauty Blog, Makeup Tutorials, Product Reviews, Celebrity Makeup, Beauty Advice » color swatches

CoverGirl Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner Review, Swatches and Photos

Phyllis — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:47:34 +0000

The latest addition to CoverGirl Queen Collection are six new Vivid Impact Eyeliners that promise to create striking, lasting eyeliner looks with the effortless application of a pencil.

CoverGirl Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliners
With a smudger tip on one end, the Vivid Impact Eyeliners look exactly like CoverGirl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner. The only difference? The colors, which are marketed towards women of color but much, much better in my opinion and perfect for anyone. Midnight is a flat black; Truffle is a flat brown; Jade 310 is a dark teal with shimmer; Cabernet is a dark burgundy; Gilt is an olive green with shimmer and Amethyst is a silvery purple with shimmer.

Just like the Liquidline Blast, these eyeliners have a creamy texture that glides on like butter with zero skipping and tugging. Color payoff is also excellent and once it sets, it will not budge, not even if you rub it or put water over it.

Swatches of Midnight, Truffle, Cabernet, Amethyst, Jade and Gilt

Bottom line, CoverGirl Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner is amazing and definitely comparable to my favorite Jealousness Waterproof Gel Eyeliners and Make Up For Ever Aqua Eye Eyeliners.

Overall Rating:

CoverGirl Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner is available at drugstores nationwide for $9.99.

Disclosure: The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration only. Please see my Disclaimer for more information on my posting policy.

Pixi x Tinkerbell Fairy Face Palette and Fairy Dust Review, Photos and Swatches

Phyllis — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:12:26 +0000

The limited edition Pixi x Tinkerbell PixiGlow for Spring 2012 Collection finally arrived on my doorstep. Just as expected, the products are super cute! Keep reading for reviews and pictures the Fairy Face Palette and Fairy Dust.

Pixi PixiGlow Fairy Face Palette and PixiGlow Fairy Dust

With a Tinkerbell drawing by Disney character artist John Quinn imprinted on the cover, the Fairy Face Palette – Pixi Belle is no doubt one of the cutest I have ever seen! Inside the sturdy green compact is a big mirror and two trays that slide open to a bottom compartment.

On the left tray are 5 neutral eyeshadows with a duo-ended sponge eyeshadow applicator while the right sits 5 lip creams in pinks and reds and a duo-ended lip brush. In the middle compartment is a beautiful 3-colored blush for a rosy flush and a flat blush brush.

The shadows and blush are on the metallic side and apply smoothly with great pigmentation like most Pixi eyeshadows. The lip creams, however, require a bit of layering and feel a bit dry on my lips.

Top: Lip creams + Blush; Bottom: Eyeshadows + Blushes

As for the Fairy Dust – Moonlight Luster, it is a loose pigment that can be used on the skin, eyes or even lips. It comes in a little jar with an easy-to-use sponge applicator. The color is a beautiful white gold that reminds me of MAC Vanilla Pigment and I love how the smallest dab can brighten up the inner corners of my eyes and highlight my cheekbones instantly.

Pixi PixiGlow Fairy Dust – Moonlight Luster

Overall, this is a fun collection with fun, pretty colors that are also wearable. I am also eyeing the Magic Tink Tint and will post a review once I pick that up.

The PixGlow Collection is now available at target.com and will be in stores shortly. Prices range from $8 to $34.

Disclosure: The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration only. Please see my Disclaimer for more information on my posting policy.

Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Primer + Shadow + Liner Review, Swatches and Photos

Phyllis — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:46:00 +0000

From the latest Spring 2012 collection, Stila turns my favorite Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner into Smudge Crayon Waterproof Primer + Shadow + Liner, an eyeshadow primer, shadow and liner all rolled into one.

Stila Smudge Crayon in Kitten
Measuring 5 inches long, the Stila Smudge Crayon comes in a twist-up design that can easily pass as a MAC Shadestick dupe. The only difference? Stila’s is a teeny bit longer and includes a sharpener at the bottom.

There are 8 colors available, including Stila’s best-selling shade Kitten, dark, sultry shades like Dazzle and Midnight Blue along with softer colors like Rose and Smoke. I was sent Kitten, a light beige color with fine shimmer that works beautifully a base or a highlighter.

The gel-based, multi-pearl formula is enriched with vitamin E and aloe, helping the crayon glide on easily and tug-free. Compared to MAC Shadestick, the finish is creamier, more blendable and never makes my eyelids crepey.

The crayon also stays true to its claim of 6+ hours of crease and fade-resistant wear. Once it sets, the color will not come off even if you rub it. I wore it all over the eyelid without a primer underneath and only experienced minimal creasing after 8 hours.

Pic time!

MAC Beige-ing Shadestick vs Stila Kitten Smudge Crayon

Black, Midnight Blue, Umber, Pink Violet, Rose, Kitten, Antique and Smoke

Overall, I find Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Primer + Shadow + Liner awesome and even better than MAC Shadestick. If you’re a fan of the MAC, you will definitely love this!

Overall Rating:

Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Primer + Shadow + Liner is now available at stilacosmetics.com and Sephora for $22.

Disclosure: The product in this entry was provided by the manufacturer for consideration only. Please see my Disclaimer for more information on my posting policy.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Review, Swatches and Photos

Phyllis — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:03:55 +0000

Thanks to a tip from a reader, I was finally able to hunt down a Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter at my local Target. Let’s see how it compares to the L’oreal Colour Riche Balm SPF15 that I reviewed!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Cotton Candy
Just like the Colour Riche Balm, the Lip Butter comes in a sleek-looking tube with a semi-transparent cap. Its gel formula is enriched with mango, shea and coconut butter and claims to boost lip moisture by 156%.

Color selection wise, I like Revlon’s much better and find it more versatile. Unlike the mere 8 L’oreal has to offer, there are a total of 20 shades, most of which are wearable light to medium shades of pinks, nudes and a few brights like tomato red and bright orange. Since I am a sucker for pinks, I went home with Cotton Candy, a cool-toned pink with gold shimmer.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Cotton Candy

The Lip Butter applied smoothly and slightly heavier than the L’oreal, kind of like a lipstick. Pigmentation is much much better (you can actually see color!) and the finish is shiny and on the frosty side. I also find it to be less hydrating so I have to reapply more often but the color itself stays on longer than the L’oreal.

Conclusion? Love the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter for its wider variety of colors, opacity and staying power. However, the frosty finish, drier texture and lack of SPF are its biggest cons for me (sorry all you LB fans!) Swatches of the two below.

L’oreal Colour Riche Balm and Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter swatch comparison

Overall Rating:

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter is available at mass, food and drug retailers nationwide for $7.49.

Disclosure: The product in this entry was purchased by me. Please see my Disclaimer for more information on my posting policy.

NARS Paramaribo and Lhasa Reviews, Swatches and Photos

Phyllis — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:48:06 +0000

Besides the gorgeous Douce France Trio Eyeshadow I reviewed, we also have Paramaribo Duo Eyeshadow and Lhasa Single Eyeshadow from the NARS Spring 2012 Collection.

NARS Paramaribo Duo Eyeshadow and Lhasa Single Eyeshadow
Paramaribo is a metallic, brassy, cool-toned yellow-gold with a metallic cool-toned bronze. Both shades are beautiful and apply with heavy pigmentation. Just like my other NARS duos, it wears really well and over my favorite NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base , the colors can stay intact for 10 hours. I would definitely recommend grabbing this as it is limited edition.

Described as a “lavender gray”, Lhasa is a cool-toned taupish gray with a hint of purple and fine shimmer. The color is perfect for every day and will make a great smoky eye when paired with a darker color. It also goes on smoothly with a satin finish and again, stays on very well without creasing and fading.

Swatch time!

Wearing the left shade of Paramaribo on eyelid, Lhasa on crease and the right shade of Paramaribo on lower eye. See the complete breakdown of the look here.

Overall Rating:

NARS Paramaribo Duo Eyeshadow and Lhasa Single Eyeshadow are available at www.narscosmetics.com for $33 and $23.

Disclosure: The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration only. Please see my Disclaimer for more information on my posting policy.