Rimmel Temptation Lasting Finish Lipstick ($5.19) is a bold, ruby red with subtle red shimmer (very fine!). It’s creamy, opaque, and wears for a good four or five hours. Even when it does fade, it leaves behind a nice stain (as many reds often do), so you could always slick on some lipgloss for a softer red pout later on. As far as drugstore brands go, Rimmel’s lipstick impressed me with its staying power and rich color. It had a sweet scent that felt a little synthetic, and the packaging feels cheaper than what I like, but overall, it was pretty good for $5! (As I mentioned previously, Temptation is Rimmel’s blue-based red, while Alarm is their more orange-based red!)
What about you? Would you wear this red?
The Scarlet Season is a series of posts showcasing and featuring my favorite shades of red lips–from glosses to lipsticks that runs through December 2009. You can sure expect to see a lot of red this holiday season!
Rimmel Alarm Lasting Finish Lipstick ($5.19) is a bright cherry red with a frosty sheen. It feels fairly creamy, goes on opaque in just a layer, and it is (obviously) quite pigmented. Rimmel describes this lipstick as giving the wearer up to eight hours of wear; I’d say I got about four or five, which is average for me — not the best, but certainly not bad. It did leave behind a soft stain, since it is a red shade. It has a sweet, kind of synthetic scent, but I can tolerate it. The packaging is decent, particularly for a $5 lipstick. This is Rimmel’s more orange-based red, while Temptation (to be reviewed) is more of a blue-based red.
What about you? Would you wear this red?
The Scarlet Season is a series of posts showcasing and featuring my favorite shades of red lips–from glosses to lipsticks that runs through December 2009. You can sure expect to see a lot of red this holiday season!
Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Garnet Lipstick ($4.99) is a glossy, bright raspberry red — it’s not even what I’d really think of when I think raspberry, because it seems so much redder, but it’s clear that there are some strong signs of pinkness to this shade. Sally Hansen’s Color Comfort Lip Color is one of my favorite drugstore lipstick brands to turn to; they’re moisturizing, beautiful, and easy to apply. The color is rich and lasts a good four hours on me.
What about you? Would you wear this red?
The Scarlet Season is a series of posts showcasing and featuring my favorite shades of red lips–from glosses to lipsticks that runs through December 2009. You can sure expect to see a lot of red this holiday season!
Maybelline Eye Studio for Spring 2010: Natural & Baked
According to WWD, it looks like Maybelline’s spring launches are going to be driven around the idea of being “natural.” Maybelline Eye Studio will include quads with “wet technology” and baked marbleized eyeshadows. I’m curious about what exactly “wet technology” means (are they like Kryolan’s Aqua Colors?) and of course, how the baked eyeshadows stack up against MAC.
What do you think? Will you be stalking the aisles for these?
Warm Up Your Mornings: Aveeno Positively Ageless Warming Scrub
Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Warming Scrub ($9.29 for 4 oz.) is a gentle exfoliator with a warming feel. It uses shiitake mushrooms in it (this is where you might find your “anti-aging” properties). Like most thermal products, it heats up when it comes into contact with water. It has very fine, sand-like exfoliating beads that slough away dead skin without being overly abrasive nor too fine that you’re not sure if it’s doing the job right or not. I’m not going to discuss the anti-aging claims, because even if they worked, I’d unlikely to be able to tell since I’m 23 and don’t have too many signs of aging yet (thankfully). The skeptic in me doesn’t really feel that a scrub that you rinse and wash off in a few minutes is likely to turn back the hands of time in a truly significant way either.
I was really, really impressed by Aveeno’s Warming Scrub, and it’s definitely a new favorite and easily in line to become a shower staple. As someone who pretty much lives and breathes new products, it’s always difficult to actually stick with a staple–but for the sake of argument, if I was a normal consumer, this would totally be a buy and buy again product. It smells kind of like a more natural version of baby shampoo. I couldn’t think of a better description for the scent other than that; it’s kind of clean, lightly sweetened, kind of natural. I liked the scent quite a bit, just because it was soft, pleasing, and relaxing.
The exfoliating bits and bobs in this product seem gentle enough to be used several times a week, and I’ve encountered no problems using it about three or four times a week. I use mine in the shower, so typically in the AM, so I don’t have to worry about getting off any makeup. I’ve been a long-time user and fan of Aveeno products, so I’m happy to see this one work out for me as well. I think I’ll have to pick up a tube and pass it along to my sister and see if she likes it. (We both grew up using Aveeno skincare products.)
For a very long time, my favorite thermal scrub wasPrescriptives’ Instant Gratification ($45.00), with Clean & Clear’s In-Shower Facial coming close as a more affordable option. Instant Gratification is much more of a mask kind of product, because it’s not something you’re meant to use on a daily basis (I used mine about once a week or less), and it’s more abrasive than both the In-Shower Facial and Warming Scrub. I really like that I can use the Warming Scrub more often, because I love that thermal/heat sensation that comes along with it. It doesn’t last long (20 seconds or so), but it’s so relaxing and a great way to start your day off. Smooth, soft, and radiant skin, courtesy of $9 well-spent!
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
Product: 29/30
Value: 9/10
Ease of Use: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: For an affordable, thermal exfoliating scrub, Aveeno has you covered!
NYX Goddess of the Night Lip Gloss in Deep Bronze ($5.00 for 0.53 fl. oz.) is just one of sixty shades (from what I counted on NYX‘s website) available in the Lipgloss with Mega Shine collection. Deep Bronze is part of the “Goddess of the Night” collection. It’s a deep plum burgundy with burnt burgundy and copper shimmer through it.
The formula has a very glossy, almost frosty look, and it goes on semi-opaque–it’s not completely opaque, but it certainly is noticeable. I consider it pretty pigmented for a lip gloss, so that was a pleasant and happy surprise! The gloss itself is non-sticky, thick without being gooey, and it doesn’t feel drying when you wear it. The shade range is incredible, and you’re sure to find at least one or two that catches your eye. I wish NYX represented their colors with more true-to-life photos (rather than flat, graphical color swatches), because it would make purchasing online easier.
I did notice that it didn’t last as long as the average gloss does on me; it went about two hours before I felt I needed to reapply, as opposed to my typical gloss wear-time of four hours. I also found that, at least in this deeper shade, the color did have a tendency to settle into the lines of my lips. I like these glosses, and I think that aside from the wearing time, the formula and product are certainly well worth the five dollar price tag. It’s not a big deal to reapply, because it does fade evenly and doesn’t leave any rings behind, so reapply and be on your way. (However, if you need long-wearing lip color, these won’t meet that need.)
For me, the only part I really had trouble with was the very synthetic, almost plastic scent of sweetened cherries. I know that they were going for a cherry scent, but it just read synthetic and almost as if it went bad. The scent doesn’t linger, thankfully, though so just breathe through your mouth while applying! I have also noticed that my NYX glosses and lipsticks don’t last as long on the shelf as my other lipsticks (they noticeably change in smell/texture after a year or so)–I had some NYX glosses from a year or so ago, but Deep Bronze is new. I also wish the applicator grabbed more product, because I felt like I had to get a few swipes to get the amount I needed for the best coverage.
Bottom Line: These are good glosses and worth checking out, partially because they are so affordable. The formula itself (aside from wear-time and the scent) wears well, feels nice on lips, and packs some pigmentation. If they only last a year, it’s not a big deal to chuck it and replace it the next (if you find yourself wanting it again), since they’re so inexpensive. It’s also a nice way to play and experiment with colors without blowing your budget–not to mention there’s an extensive selection of shades to choose from!
NYX is one of my favorite brands if you’re on a tight budget (and certainly worth looking into even if you aren’t on a tight budget!). NYX also regularly has these ridiculous blowout sales where you can nab a ton of product for 50-80% off the original price. For example, right now they’re offering a bundle of sixty lipsticks for a mere $48. Seriously. $48! The sales change regularly, so you never know what they might offer next!
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
Product: 24/30
Value: 10/10
Ease of Use: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: For an affordable non-sticky, high gloss lip gloss, NYX has enough shades to keep you busy!
