CoverGirl "Blush Twist" Jumbo Gloss Balm Swatch + Review

In the past I've said some pretty harsh things about a few of the colors in this range. Need proof? Just check out my reviews for the shades "Ballet Twist" and "Coral Twist" and "Watermelon Twist". But this particular color has me swooning. It would be a wonderful addition to a lot of women's everyday makeup bag.

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Blush Twist"

"Blush Twist" is a soft, delicate, baby pink. Like all of the Jumbo Gloss Balms I've tried, the color swatched on the skin doesn't quite match the color in the tube or on the cap. It isn't glossy (the finish is more akin to a satin or lustre) and I wouldn't recommend using this product to replace your lip balm...I still love it. The formulation isn't very pigmented but it applies smoothly and easily to the lips. It is just an effortless product. 

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Blush Twist"

For the last week this product has been a staple in my purse.This is something that I can apply without thinking and I don't have to worry about what it'll look like as it fades. Unfortunately, it does not have the best lasting power (somewhere around one hour). It is something to wear when you have time for touch up--so I probably wouldn't wear it if I knew I was going to have a long day at school or work. In conclusion, not all of the colors from this range are fantastic but this one is better than others. 

BH Cosmetics 88 Color Matte Eyeshadow Palette Swatches, Photos, + Review

How long has it been since I bought my first BH Cosmetics pallette? I don't even know. I remember I bought it when I first discovered the beauty blogger and YouTube world. It was all so new and exciting. It's still exciting but the novelty has worn off a bit. And I still proud to consider myself an active beauty blogger. 

Back in those days everyone was talking about MAC, BH Cosmetics, and Sigma Makeup Brushes. I was organzing my makeup collection last night and stumbled across this neglected eyeshadow pallete and it brought back so many great memories. There are so many great products on the market that I know a lot of products fail to get the attention they deserve--and BH eyeshadow palletes are one of those products. 

BH has a wide range of 88 eyeshadow palletes available (matte, shimmer, neutral, and many more) but the one that I adored the most when I was beginning to get into makeup was the 88 Matte Pallete. There were so many colors to chose from and it gave me the freedom to explore. Now, when I first received this in the mail I was surprised that not all of the shadows had a matte finish. Odd beacuse this is, after all, a matte pallette. But I wasn't too disappointed (and I don't think too many of BH customers will be either because it's only a couple shadows). 

For the past couple weeks (especially while I was on spring break) I started using this pallete again and I fell in love with it all over again. The bright pinks, blues, and greens are the colors I love using the most. Probably because, while I have a hundred neutral eyeshadows, I don't have a ton of bright, bold shades. They're the perfect thing to add a little color to a neutral look or to go completely crazy. And even though I've had this pallete for years, I still haven't put a dent in half the shadows. 

Some of the shades take a little more work than others (for example, the black is a bit chalky) but most of them are ultra soft and pigmented. I mean look at those bright colors. How did I ever misplace this thing? It's amazing. And the price is even more amazing! I don't remember how much I paid for my pallete but right now, you can get it for $11.50! 88 amazing colors for only $11.50? I think it's such a steal--especially for girls who are new to makeup. 

However, as much as I love this pallete. I am well aware of its flaws. One) These BH palettes are very inexpensive and as a result, the packaging is not the best quality. I remember being a bit annoyed when mine broke a few months after I'd received it in the mail. Two) These eyshadows are very pigmented but they will fade if not used in conjunction with a good primer. Three) If not used over a  primer, they can stain the skin and be a bit difficult to remove. This isn't so much of a problem with the neutral shades but be wary with some of the darker or bolder colors. 

But despite it's flaws (most of which are minor or can be fixed with the use of a good base/primer), I still love this thing. It is a great product for both new comers and experts. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I've given one of these palettes as gifts a few times and I've heard nothing but rave reviews from the people I've given them to. This is such an amazing product--really, really amazing. 

CoverGirl "Coral Twist" Jumbo Gloss Balm Swatch + Review

A few weeks ago I reviewed two of the new CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balms in the shades "Ballet Twist" and "Watermelon Twist". I was torn about my overall opinion of the range--I liked "Watermelon Twist" but was unimpressed with "Ballet Twist". And so, because I have no self-control whenever I walk into a Target, I bought two more shades so that I could further flesh out my opinion. 

My thoughts on the packaging have not changed. It is nice but nothing special (but that is just my humble opinion). 

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Coral Twist"

Here is the color swatched on the back of my hand. It is a lovely bright coral color--perfect for spring and summer. It applies easily but it is neither a gloss nor a balm. I talked about this in my past reviews but the finish on this lip product is more similar to a satin or luster. And while it feels moisturizing on the lips, I would never describe it as a balm. The title is very misleading and, quite frankly, I'm disappointed with CoverGirl. 

But that being said, after trying out four shades from this range, I have to admit that I do like the formulation. And I'm not alone because I have heard a lot of great things about these bad boys all over the internet. However, the colors are very hit or miss. "Watermelon Twist" and "Blush Twist are perfect colors for everyday wear. But "Ballet Twist" was too light and while "Coral Twist" is a lovely shade when I first apply, it quickly becomes a bit of a mess. 

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Coral Twist"

As you can see in the swatch above, the product likes to collect in the crevices of my lips--and unfortunately, accentuating any dryness in the process. It is noticeable at first (unless you look really, really close) but with "Coral Twist" and "Ballet Twist", these colors fade in such a patchy, ungraceful manner and in the end the collection of the product in my lip crevices become very noticeable. And as a result, my lips look very dry. The drying effect can be avoided if  you moisturizing thoroughly before applying. It will also be less of a problem as the temperature warms up during the hot summer months. But still, I can't help but be disappointed. This is supposed to be a product that is effortlessly moisturizing--a lip color and lip balm in one product. I haven't found this to be much a problem when I wear either "Watermelon Twist" or "Blush Twist".

The lasting power of the Jumbo Gloss Balm range isn't impressive. The satin-like sheen disappears well within the hour mark and the product is literally undetectable by hour three. I will not be repurchasing this shade but there are other shades from the range that I really love. These Jumbo Gloss Balms are a bit hit or miss--so I recommend that you do your research before buying one. 

Revlon Lip Butter Swatches, Photos, + Reviews

 Revlon Lip Butters have received mountains of praise on the internet and I am here to reassure you that the hype is well deserved. I am the proud owner of five shades and there has yet to be a color that I didn't love. The Revlon Lip Butters are light weight, pigmented, and easy to wear. They apply like a dream and they fade like a dream (which is even better in my opinion). These things aren't the longest lasting products on the market but once they're gone they don't leave behind a trace of unflattering and uneven product on the lips. 

Revlon Lip Butters: Tutti Frutti, Gumdrop, Lollipop, Strawberry Shortcake, Sweet Tart

The Revlon packaging is--bar none--the sleekest and most modern on the drugstore shelves. They also come in a wide range of shades that are flattering for everyone. They do get a bit messy around the edges of the tube due to their ultra creamy formulation but it is only a minor nuisance--if anything. 

The Revlon Lip Butters (like all other Revlon products) are on the higher end of the drugstore price spectrum. They retail for around eight dollars each (but if you are clever, you can catch a sale and pay somewhere around five or six). But with that higher price tag, customers get a high quality product and excellent packaging. Buy or Bust? In my opinion, this a no brainer. Buy!

Revlon Lip Butters: Tutti Frutti, Gumdrop, Lollipop, Strawberry Shortcake, Sweet Tart

   

Revlon Lip Butters: Tutti Frutti, Gumdrop, Lollipop, Strawberry Shortcake, Sweet Tart

Here are the colors swatched on my arm. It is barely detectable in the picture (and in real life) but Gumdrop, Lollipop, and Strawberry Shortcake have the slightest hint of glitter. It doesn't bother me (one who normally abhors glitter in any lip product other than lip gloss) and to be honest I think that the glitter is a nice, but extremely subtle, touch. 

If you are looking to add a color to your makeup collection, I would recommend Lollipop, Sweet Tart, or Gumdrop. Lollipop is an effortless but bold fuschia pink. It is great for summer days out shopping or a late-night party. Sweet Tart is a beautiful everyday shade. It would look great on a wide range of skin tones. Gumdrop is a light, easy color to wear. It is extremely subtle (as you can already tell from the sheerness of the swatch above) but it gives a lovely hint of lilac and shimmer to the lips. It is a fantastic color to wear--especially during hot summer days. 

Have you tried any of the Revlon Lip Butters? And if so, what did you think? If not, tell me what is your must have summer make-up essential? Leave your thoughts in a comment below!

OPI "Strawberry Margarita" Swatch + Review

OPI "Strawberry Margarita"

Looking at this nail polish is like taking a walk down memory lane. OPI "Got A Date To-Knight" was the first nail polish I ever remember buying. OPI "Japanese Rose Garden" was the second. And OPI "Strawberry Margarita" was the third. I have so many great memories of the summers I would wear nothing but those three colors--mostly because those were the only three colors I owned (It was hard for a middle school student to save up nine dollars each for a nail polish). As you can probably tell from the swatches I've posted, my collection has since expanded. There are many brands out there with colors that are similar to this color but I always go back to "Strawberry Margarita". Maybe it's because of all the great memories I've associated with this color, maybe it's because it's my Grandma's favorite nail polish, or maybe it's because it was the first nail polish I ever finished and had to repurchase. But I think it's mostly because I'm a creature of habit and I know that I can always count on this color to look great--winter or summer. It is also a great color for anyone to buy a little girl (or boy) who is justing getting into nail polish. I know that my little sister and I loved it at that age--and as I've grown older it's continued to be one of my most worn polishes.

OPI "Polka...Com" Swatch + Review

OPI "Polka...Com"

"Polka...Com", other than having the cleverest name out of any of the polishes in the new OPI Euro Centrale collection released a few months ago, is also the most unique polish I picked up from the collection. While "You're Such A BudaPest", "Suzi's Hungary AGAIN!", "OPI...Eurso Euro", and "Can't Find My Czechbook" were lovely colors, they were also all very dupable. They were all beautiful colors with cream finishes. Nothing so unique that these colors would be impossible to find anywhere else. I loved all of the colors from this collection but I am realistic enough to acknowledge that fact. "Polka...Com", on the other hand, is like nothing I've ever seen in stores before. Yes, this chunky glitter polish is quite popular but this color combination of blue, pink, teal, and purple is beautifully unique (with the added bonus of almost perfectly matching any of the colors from the Euro Centrale collection I listed above). This color is buildable but it would take six or seven coats to get a completely opaque finish--although this often leads to chipping within a couple days of application. Instead, I recommend wearing a cream finish polish with a few coats of this color on top.

CoverGirl "Euphoria" Lipstick Swatch + Review

It is official. I am in love. I got this color at the beginning of January (it was the first CoverGirl lipstick I've ever own) and I cannot wear it enough. It isn't the most "spring" color but I don't care. I am still going to wear it. This was the color I was hoping the Stila "Pomegranate Crush" Cheek + Lip Stain would look like. Unfortunately my first Stila product was a big disappointment while my first CoverGirl lipstick was a major win.

CoverGirl Lipstick in "Euphoria"

The CoverGirl LipPerfection range of lipsticks is very moisturizing and "Euphoria" is no different. It won't help "create soft, smooth, beautiful lips in just 7 days" like CoverGirl has claimed but it applies smoothly and easily to the lips. "Euphoria" is very long lasting (at least four-five hours) but it doesn't stain the skin like many of the other shades from this line making it easy to remove at the end of the day. I loved this shade so much that I went out to buy five more shades. A little excessive--I know.

CoverGirl Lipstick in "Euphoria"

 Here is the color swatched on my lips. I understand that in the tube and even swatched this color can look a little intimidating--okay, a lot intimidating. But as you can see, once you get the color on the lips it looks like a pretty berry-red color. Isn't it just gorgeous? I know that spring has just begun but I highly, highly recommend this color if you're looking for a beautiful lip color for fall/winter. Or even if you are looking for a darker color to wear in spring/summer. I cannot say enough good things about this color and I am almost one hundred percent positive that I will have to end up buying another tube sometime in the future. 

What is your favorite drugstore lipstick? Leave your answers in the comments below! 

OPI "OPI...Eurso Euro" Swatch + Review



OPI "OPI...Eurso Euro"

Summer is still months away but I can still hear it calling my name. "OPI...Eurso Euro" is one of the colors from the new Euro Centrale Collection OPI released a few months ago. It was one of the colors, that as soon as I walked up to the display, I knew I was going to talk out of the store with. It is a beautiful royal blue that would look great during the summer months paired with a tan and bright white shorts. It doesn't have any shimmer and reminds me vaguely of  OPI "Dating A Royal"--my bottle died almost a year ago when it crashed onto the tiles of a my bathroom floor, otherwise I would've done comparison swatches. But, if my memory serves me right, "Dating a Royal" was a lighter and less of a vibrant. I think this is one of the seasonless polishes. It'll look dark enough to wear effortlessly in the fall and winter months but is bold and bright enough to rock during spring and summer. In conclusion, I am in love with this color. It is utterly fabulous.

CoverGirl "Watermelon Twist" Jumbo Gloss Balm Swatch + Review

After being so disappointed the new CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Ballet Twist", my hopes were not high when I started using the shade, "Watermelon Twist". But let me begin this review by saying that I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe I judged the range too harshly by assuming that all of the other colors were like "Ballet Twist". I will probably go out in the near future and pick up a few more colors. Then, I can finally be sure of my opinion of the CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balms because, right now, I'm a little torn.

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Watermelon Twist"

Unfortunately, like "Ballet Twist", the color in the tube looks significantly different than what the product looks like swatched on the skin. But despite that fact, I ended up loving this product. I was a bit disappointed that this product didn't quite qualify as either a gloss or a blam but once I got past my initial disappointment, I was happy to see that instead it was a lightweight lip product that fit effortlessly into my everyday life. 

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Watermelon Twist"

"Watermelon Twist" is a lovely medium-pink color. It is a great everyday color. Unlike "Ballet Twist", it doesn't make my lips look overly chapped or have the frosty finish that was a little off putting under certain lighting. The lasting power isn't magnificent (three hours max) but it fades evenly and beautifully throughout the day. The color is very subtle, making it wonderful shade for women looking for a "no-makeup

 makeup look.

This is a product that is so easy to apply that reapplication doesn't really feel like a hassle. It's a perfect product to throw in your purse. I know that this shade in particular has been receiving a ton of love on the internet and I can definitely understand why. But as much as I love this particular color, I'm hesitant to give the range a rave review. I will reserve my final judgement until I have tried more colors. But I will say that "Watermelon Twist" is a winner. 

L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick Swatches, Photos, + Reviews

I'm here with another range review--this time featuring the L'oreal Colour Caresse Lipsticks. Weirdly enough, this is the first time I've ever reviewed a L'oreal product on my blog. So, hooray for trying new things! I have being eyeing these bad boys (in addition to the L'oreal Colour Caresse Shine Stain--reviews will be coming shortly) for months now and I finally just took the plunge and bought a few shades of each. 

The L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipsticks are marketed as "vibrantly sheer color, non-cakey, [and] deliver  a feather-light finish without being sticky or heavy". After trying out these lipsticks for a couple weeks I was pleasantly surprised with how accurate the L'oreal's statement was. Both of the colors I purchased are medium to light pigmentation that glides onto the lips without any tugging. I would compare the texture to the new Maybelline Color Whispers but the L'oreal lipsticks feel slightly lighter on the lips and are definitely more of a sheer formulation. 

These aren't designed to be a long-lasting lip product and tend to last for about three hours before fading. When first applied, the lipsticks have a lovely glossy finish. This finish slowly fades to a more matte finish an hour after application. These lipsticks retail for around nine dollars--which is on the higher end of drugstore price range-- and comes with .1 oz of product. 

L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipsticks: Blushing Sequin and Cardinal Plume

L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipsticks: Cardinal Plume + Blushing Sequin

 Here are the colors swatched on my arm. When applied to the lips, the color intensity is variable depending on your natural lip color. On my lips, "Cardinal Plume" appears more like a pinkish-red color rather than the true red color above. "Blushing Sequin" is a fantastic every day color. It isn't a bright or bold color but it gives the lips a beautiful hint of pink. If I could only repurchase one color, I would chose "Blushing Sequins".

In conclusion, these L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipsticks are fantastic for every day wear. They feel almost non-existant when applied to the lips and fade very naturally and beautifully as the day goes on. Their medium to light pigmentation makes application effortless. These lipsticks are perfect for "no-makeup" makeup looks to wear to the office or to school. Plus, the packaging is beautiful--especially for drugstore. I will definitely be buying a few more shades in the future.  

OPI "Can't Find My Czechbook" Swatch + Review

OPI "Can't Find My Czechbook"

"Can't Find My Czechbook" is just another reason why the latest OPI Euro Centrale collection is so amazing. I bought five colors and so far I've loved each and every one of them. There are a million nail polish brands to chose from out there but OPI is still my favorite brand. The cream formulation is flawless and while the color range is not top notch, the brushes truly are. I took a OPI hiatus for a few weeks but as soon as I used this polish I was reminded of how easy these brushes makes application. "Can't Find My Czechbook" is a lovely medium green-based blue. It isn't the most unique color I've ever seen but it really is gorgeous and I can't want to wear this color during the spring and summer months. 

OPI "Do You Lilac It?" Swatch + Review

OPI "Do You Lilac It?"

Where has this nail polish been all my life? I have heard everyone and their mother raving about this polish for years. And I don't know why but whenever I was buying nail polish I would see it but then think "Nah. I'll get that next time". But then I never got it next time and that was a mistake. I probably never would have bought it for myself if I hadn't picked it up for my sister (it was on her Christmas wishlist) and trying it over spring break when I went back home and we decided wanted to have coordinated spring nails. It is a medium pastel purple. Darker than Essie "Lilacism" but equally beautiful and perfect for spring. It was also very opaque--two coats was more than sufficient. OPI has a wide range of colors and not all of them are hits. It is hard to know which colors to buy and which colors to pass on but I highly, highly recommend this shade. It isn't the most unique shade but if you don't have a lilac nail polish, check this one out. Don't be put off by all the hype surrounding this product because the hype is well deserved. 

CoverGirl "Ballet Twist" Jumbo Gloss Balm Swatch + Review

After receiving a decent amount of hype on the internet, I finally went out and purchased one of the new CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balms. I picked up two shades--"Ballet Twist" and "Watermelon Twist". From the color of the cap I assumed that "Ballet Twist" would be a subtle baby pink color but as I would find out after swatching it on my hand and then my lips, it is actually more of a shimmery nude.

Many people have been comparing this product to the Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stains or the Tarte LipSurgance Lip Tints (because they look similar) but these comparisons couldn't be more misleading. The Revlon Stains are just that--stains. They are smooth and pigmented and last for hours. These CoverGirl Balms are not meant to stain the skin and have a much shorter wear time (1-2 hours). The Tarte LipSurgance Lip Tints are highly pigmented and uber moisturizing. They also have a longer wear time than the CoverGirl Balms but their luxurious quality is heavily reflected in the price tag. If you are expecting your CoverGirl Balm to be similar to either of these products, you will be disappointed.

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Ballet Twist" 

Here is the color swatched on my hand. It is almost impossible to see. I have a light-medium complexion and  I don't think the color would be very flattering (or show up) on skin tones much darker than mine.

The CoverGirl packaging is getting a thumbs down from me. It is packaged very similarly to the Clinique Chubby Sticks, Tarte LipSurgance Lip Tints, and the Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stains but I find that the dark purple/black color scheme isn't very flattering. It looks and feels cheap. I've also read a lot of reviews on the internet with consumers having problems with the product breaking and falling out the tube. I dropped my Jumbo Gloss Balm on the bathroom floor mat one morning and the same thing happened to me. I originally thought it was just an accident but after reading about so many other women having similar experiences, I'm beginning to believe it might be a design flaw on the part of CoverGirl.

CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Ballet Twist" 

Here is the color swatched on my lips. "Ballet Twist" is averagely pigmented. It is not very buildable but it does make my lips a lovely shimmer nude color. Even after three weeks of testing out this lip color, I am still a bit torn. I like the way it looks on my lips. It is more lightweight than my other nude lipsticks (Revlon "Nude Attitude" or MAC "Myth") and it also has a subtle sheen (and thus I don't feel like I have to wear a lip gloss every time).

But at the same time this isn't the product that I thought I was buying from CoverGirl. This is not a gloss or a balm. It feels like any other moisturizing drugstore lipstick (although maybe a tad bit lighter) and while it does have a sheen to it, the end result is more similar to a luster finish lipstick than anything else. Maybe my expectations were too high ( I was hoping for a drugstore equivalent to the Tarte LipSurgance LIp Tints) but I was doomed to be disappointed. It is a nice product (I'm not trying to say that it is horrible and no one should buy it) but I'm disappointed that CoverGirl is not making it easier for their consumers to pick out makeup products by naming them appropriately. These probably should have been called CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Luster Lipstick Pencils--or something like that. I'm not in marketing or advertising, so please don't judge too harshly.

In conclusion, the CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Ballet Twist" is an okay product. It is not a true balm or a true gloss but it is a nice nude lipstick for everyday wear (although, beware, it can look a little frosty in certain light). It isn't very buildable and as a result might not show up on people with darker skin tones.