Revlon Red Velvet: The Lip Butter that Changed my Mind

I had pretty much written off the Revlon Lip Butter movement and all its balmy efforts with my last three purchases because truthfully they whelmed me. But when I caught glimpse of one of this years newest additions swatched online, I knew Red velvet might just be the one to sway me. 

Praise Jebus I was right. I'm going to let the pictures take over at this point because LOOK: 

First Step: The torturous task of finding blog props to photograph before use!

Rich and Moist just like its namesake

Revlon's Red velvet is a deep red with pink/plum leanings

You can almost taste it, right?

I'm just shocked the cake lasted this long

On the actual kisser. Red Velvet, it makes me smile, wha? 

I think what thrilled me more than anything else with this lip butter is the fact that it didn't bleed or feather on my lips. Now I know I'm no Spring chuck but I've never had a difficulty with feathering before and the thoughts of carrying 'round a lip pencil just for my lip balm was far too much faff to be doing with. 

Not only is Red Velvet soft, moisturising and fairly long wearing (2 hrs approx) but it's the most flattering red I've worn in a while, considering my aversion to bright colours. I've had several compliments while wearing this shade and you know what? That makes me happy. 

There are five limited edition Revlon lip butter shades available for Summer 2013 with the last two here joining the permanent collection: Wild Water / Juicy Papaya / Sorbet / Pink Lemonade / Brown Sugar / Red Velvet / Sugar Plum. Thankfully Red Velvet made the cut!

You can check out the other shades in action, Brown Sugar especially over here on Sunday Girl's delectable blog. Truth be told I'm not sure I'll be picking up any others though I know for a fact I'll be stocking up on this. Thankfully they're 3 for 2 at the minute in Boots. 

What think we? 

Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse Make Up

I've never tried a Revlon foundation before, despite being an avid fan of both their polishes and their lipsticks. Today I've part of their new PhotoReady range to show you, PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse.

One of the most interesting concepts in foundation I've seen in a while, PhotoReady Airbeush Mousse is nothing less than innovation on the part of Revlon and I really like it. I had worried that the mousse wouldn't translate to any kind of decent coverage but check out these swatches:

Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse - €15.30 (030 Nude)

On first squeeze, PhotoReady Mousse is a lightweight mousse chock full of bubbles that bears an uncanny likeness to beige Bwainz! 

Rubbed slightly the bubbles are slow to dissipate as they transform to a heavier cream foundation. This is like nothing I've ever used before & is a real pleasure to apply. 

Fully rubbed in the mousse has changed completely into a medium coverage photo ready cream foundation. It's not clear from this swatch photo but there's a very slight glitter shimmer in the final product, I can see that that will be a deal breaker for some.

Although medium coverage, PhotoReady Mousse behaves itself nicely when layered and covers all pigmentation and slight skin issues. It photographs beautifully (probably due in no small part to the shimmer) and wears really well for up to 7 hours.

Priced at €15.30 (€4 off right now in Boots!) this Revlon offering is definitely one I'd recommend, unless you're not a fan of the sparkle, I'd say get to the Revlon stand and swatch a small amount of this one to fully make up your mind.

Have you tried this one yet? Or any of the PhotoReady range?

Getting Lippy with Crayon Colour Balms - Revlon Just Bitten Kissables & Clinique Chubby Sticks

You'll know from my Chunky Cherry review of Cliniques Chubby Stick back in June that I'm a huge fan, that's why when I saw a similar Revlon offering in Boots last week I had to pick one up. Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (How LONG is that name?!) is very similar in design, so much so that I thought I'd show you a little comparison. 

You might think from the above that Revlon has Clinique beat when it comes to the amount of product on offer but going by listed weights Clinique has 3g, whereas Revlon only 2.7g (If someone could explain to me why Revlon looks bigger on paper (literally) I'd love to hear it).

Both are packaged in sturdy plastic crayon type pens with twistable uppable (it's a technical term) product, doing away with the need for sharpeners, thankfully.

When it comes to consistency, Chubby Sticks are softer to apply than Just Bitten(s). The Revlon version seeming a little more waxy to touch and drags slightly when applied.

Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon - €19

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - €11.00

As you can see from swatches Revlon is drier on the lips than Clinique, I used two non shimmer colours for the want of a close comparison. Crush is a deeper pigment than Mega Melon but the longevity of the Stains over the Chubby Sticks has to be mentioned. You're looking at least 4 hours with Revlon, as opposed to 2-3 with Clinique.

Price, of course will always be a concern if you're trying to decide between the two brands and €7 is a big difference when you're on a budget, add into that equation, the lasting power on the lips and that might just sway you in one direction. Revlon.

The final consideration between these two products is colour availability, Boots, at the moment, have seven Revlon offerings compared to sixteen from Clinique. There's bound to be a colour in either, if not both collections to suit your lip balm loving needs.

Having used both for a little while now, I have to say Clinique gets my preference for sheer comfort of use. That's not to say Revlon isn't brought into action time and again, just not as much in my day to day wear. You really can't go wrong with either of these Lippy Lovelies.

What do we think? Have you tried one or both of these products? Have you a leaning either way?

Metallic Marshmallow Nails - Fun Twist on the Classic French

Yep, I realise this is the second day this week I'm bringing you a nail tutorial but this one was a little bit too pretty not to show you - that and I'm living in a house of teenage hogs and if I didn't do these today the props would have mysteriously disappeared. As it stands there was only half a bag for these shots! Beasts.

Today's creations are a simple twist on the classic French manicure, a bright metallic nail that's stunning in the sunlight yet subtle enough to be worn to the office. I'm all for getting my fill of bling every day of the week.

Colours Used: Gosh Frou Frou & Revlon 860 Metallic

While my choice of colours is a little bit girly, this design will work with any combination of metallic polishes for a fun but simply achieved French look. I genuinely can't stop looking at this version though so how about some more pics?

Two thin coats of Gosh Frou Frou finished with a Revlon tip

I've worn these pretties a couple of times now as they're so simple to put together and every single time I've had compliments. They suit either long or short nails (mine have just been trimmed back for the first time in weeks) and the tip can either be done freehand, by using the tape method or by using a reinforcement ring (full tutorial on their uses will be up next week).

What do we think? Would you try 'em? Would you love 'em? Would you savage a handful of marshmallows right about now?

NOTD- Sherbet Dots

Nails today are about as simple as they can be, I wanted something light and summery but quick to put together as I was running late and Tan-spankle-ah-dah! This is what I came up with.

Colours Used:

• Ciaté - Purple Sherbet 
• Sally Hansen - Greige Gardens 
• Revlon - Metallic 860
• NYC - Prince Street

So simple a tutorial isn't even needed, two coats of Purple Sherbet followed by random dots of the rest of the colours. This look takes, literally, minutes and is an easy one to replicate on your non dominant hand. 

We like?

Revlon Lip Butters - My Picks

The world and his Uncle have heard all about these new lip butters on the market, right? Manys the Beauty Blogger that clutched her bosom in anticipation of them crossing the pond and I was right there with them.

Although all shades didn't make the trip, the gorgeous Adrienne from The Sunday Girl has helpfully swatched every one that did. By the by, if you don't follow Adrienne already, hop to it - her photos are some of the quirkiest, well thought out pics that I've yet to see online and are always a joy to behold. Check out her individual posts on the lip butters to see what I mean. 

Anywho, finding myself in Boots (happy accident) I spotted that they have a 3 for 2 on at the minute on these babies. They're €11.42 each, so €22.84 for 3 is not to be sniffed at. Wanna see my picks?

These are honestly the only shades I was really drawn to, despite fearing for my poor purse following Adrienne's swatch fest. They're a mix between a lipstick and a balm and, while I like them, I have to admit I'm a little dissapointed. I thought they'd be softer, more moisturising but no such luck. The colour pay off is great for what is essentially a lip balm but they're just not doing it for me. While they are buttery and comfortable on your kisser, the colour seems to clump slightly, which gives an uneven finish and bleeds easily from the lips. 

Lollipop is a bright Summer pink, Peach Parfait (my favourite) is a light peach with gold shimmer throughout & Candy Apple should really be called Candy Orange, it's a bright corally orange with red undertones.

Now all is not lost, they are fairly decent as daytime shades to pop in your purse. I did only buy 3 and won't be purchasing any more from this line but if the popularity of Revlon Lip Butters is anything to go by we can expect to see the formula reworked and improved several times over by other brands looking to cash in on its success. (Avon's Shine Attract or L'Oreal Caresse Sheer, anyone?)


What do we think? Have you picked up one or three yet?