Revlon Elusive & Striking Colorburst Matte Balms Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Revlon Elusive Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon’s new Colorburst Matte Balm ($8.99 for 0.095 oz.) is supposed to give you a “velvety matte look,” while still having the hydrating, comfortable feel of a balm. It’s a twist-up, jumbo-sized lip pencil, so there’s no need to sharpen (and therefore, no waste). Both shades I tested in this post were nicely pigmented, had good wear time, and were fairly comfortable to wear overall, though I wouldn’t describe them really as balm-like but more as lightly hydrating. They had a slight mint scent.
Elusive Colorburst Matte Balm ($8.99 for 0.095 oz.) is a medium, warm-toned pink with yellow undertones and a satin-matte finish. It had mostly full color coverage, and the texture was light-medium in thickness–noticeable but not heavy. The consistency was lightly creamy but didn’t feel slick or slippery on. This shade wore well for four and a half hours. MAC Hoop (DC, $16.00) is slightly darker. Chanel Liaison (P, $34.00) is warmer. MAC Betty Bright (LE, $16.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches.
Striking Colorburst Matte Balm ($8.99 for 0.095 oz.) is a medium, muted orange-red with warm undertones and a satin-matte finish. This shade had a stronger sheen that lasted for about twenty minutes, but then it was mostly matte. It had mostly opaque pigmentation, and it wore well for five hours. Revlon Provocateur (135) (P, $8.99) is brighter, redder. NARS Moscow (P, $26.00) is browner, warmer, darker, less red. See comparison swatches.
Elusive
PPermanent. $8.99.
Striking
PPermanent. $8.99.
See more photos & swatches!
Revlon Elusive Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Elusive Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Elusive Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Elusive Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Elusive Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Elusive Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Striking Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Striking Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Striking Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Striking Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Striking Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Striking Colorburst Matte Balm
I have Elusive and it’s my go-to everyday lip colour lately. I love it! I really want to try more of these!
Yay!
I have several of the shades. It was hard to find the complete collection.
They should be making their way into the permanent displays, so hopefully it won’t be so hard!
Hi Christine. This post reminds me of a question I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while. Your reviews are so thorough and meticulous and I’ve noticed you always describe undertones for a color product. For example, you describe Elusive as having yellow undertones. My question is: how do you determine this? Is it based on what your eye picks up? Or just from experience? Or do you have some method such as comparison to similar colors? I hope this question makes sense. I’m very interested in this because I’m trying to learn how to do this for myself. It seems like a useful skill when choosing colors in any product. Thanks!
Hi Deb,
A lot of it is from experience at this point – what is cool/warm. If I can’t tell, then I usually swatch it between two similar shades that have more distinct undertones. For example, a red lipstick that seems like it go either way, I might swatch next to MAC Ruby Woo (very blue based) and MAC Lady Danger (orange-red), because it will look more or less like one.
Thanks Christine. I’ll try the swatch method and see if I can start training my eye.
Elusive is pretty, but i’m not fond of the formula of these “balms”!
Aww, how come, Rikki? What problems have you had with them?
Elusive? Christine what an amazing find, I used to have Betty bright and returned after a week, because it was too dry on me, so glad you found a product close enough for less. Thank you so much.
I love how you look with the darker lipstick and the black blouse, so beautiful.
Thank you, Fabiola! 🙂
Hi Christine, could you maybe elaborate on why you gave Striking a B+ rating? From the look and sound of it it looks and performs well, and I’m thinking about putting it on my wish list.
It was not as pigmented as claimed, and it did not apply 100% evenly!
Alright thanks.
LOVE the second look. Your shirt, earrings and especially the eye makeup are wonderful, and the lip color really works with it.
Thanks so much, Audrey!
I adore this second look on you. Golden/brown shadows and a red lip never fails to bring out the best in your looks imo! Hope you don’t mind me saying?! x
Thanks so much, Kate!
Loved both the shades! I guess Striking is the shade that will work for me. But elusive is so damn pretty!
I think Striking would be lovely on you!
I absolutely love these! I think I even prefer them to the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.
Oh, wow! 🙂
I was so impressed with this release, thanks for reviewing Christine!
Will you be reviewing any other of the Mattes? I only ask because I’ve just bought Shameless from this range – an awesome purple rarely found in drugstores and I’d love to know what you think!!!
I have two others, but I don’t have the whole range!
I have the Matte Balm in Standout (dark red), and I have to say it is FLAWLESS! Goes on so smoothly, completely opaque and lasts forever. It’s quickly becoming my favorite red lipstick! Now I think I need to pick up Elusive as well…
Very nice! I’ll have to try that one!
The formula looks nice, I haven’t had a chance to pick these up yet!
Are you eyeing any shades in particular, Erin?
I have Striking and absolutely love it! But my skin tone (and both hair and eyes) is very different from yours. I also have Audacious and it’s a little bright for me but also a very pretty color on. Great formula – in my opinion – but I’m also crazy about matte lips…so would like it. Have you ever tried the NYX matte lipsticks? They’re so cheap I’ve been tempted …but every time I do that I hate what I buy…
Great review!
The Lip Creams? I like the Soft Matte Lip Creams by NYX a lot!
I meant the Matte lipsticks…but that’s okay. I think I’m going to stay away.
I don’t think I’m familiar with that formula 🙁 I’ve tried the Round and Black Label Lipsticks but not matte ones!
I have one or two mattes from the NYX line, and I thought they were pretty decent. Not the most moisturizing matte I’ve ever worn but not terribly drying. This being said, I do find the red shades feathered a tad more on me than some of my other reds, so I’d recommend a clear lipliner. (Keeping in mind, reds tend to feather on me regardless of brand!)
I have sultry but it is bit too dark for me. Elusive looks perfect!
Ooh, you should try it! Hopefully it’s the right shade for you!
You look absolutely stunning in the last pic!
I like that these twist up instead of sharpen. They seem to be very similar to Tarte’s Lipsurgence matte balms, what do you think Christine?
I haven’t tried Tarte’s to my recollection!
Ok thanks!
Elusive is so pretty on you! I love how soft it is.
Thanks, Alisa! 🙂
The look you have on in the Elusive picture is SO fresh and pretty and spring-y!
Aw, thanks so much, Helena! 😀
Argh, you’re overwhelming me with too many lipbalm/lipwear choices! So many pretty pinks and neutrals to choose from! Brain…overload…*zap*
Well, actually, I’ll pick up the Revlon if it’s at my store–if it’s there. When I get there, the good stuff’s almost always gone. 🙁
I hear ya! The same happens to me at my local drugstore! These are permanent so eventually they should find their way to the permanent display!
I do want to order it online, but with this nasty polar vortex any skincare or makeup product I get it’ll freeze and possibly ruin the formula. I need to wait until it’s warmer. :/
Whoops, typo. “Polar vortex” should be “cold wave”.
Stay warm, Michelle! I hope it warms up soon for you!
Just a heads up, Michelle, I’ve lugged around these Revlon balms the -20F wind chill we’ve had in my city and haven’t had any issues with the formula degrading. 🙂 (And I bus/walk to work, so I can be outside for hours!)
Oh, good!
I’m just a little nervous because when lotions or lipsticks freeze, then I have trouble thawing them properly. When they don’t thaw properly, you can imagine the results. *sigh*.
Well, it’s going to warm up this week. Hooray for at-freezing temperatures! 🙂
Aww, these are so pretty on you! I love how your look for Striking is actually striking! 😀
WHY ARE THESE NOT HERE YET! Argh argh argh – the Revlon people say Early March, but they’ve already put the (empty) displays in the stores! Why doe they tease us so…? :-S
Oooh, that’s cruel.
Yep, I love these. By far my favorite of the balm collection. 🙂 I bought the dark red shade and Elusive, though I wound up giving the latter away as it was a little too warm for me. They aren’t really exceptionally hydrating to me but they’re definitely not drying, which is something I appreciate in a matte formula.
Not drying is definitely a good thing when it comes to mattes! I know why they went with “Balm” in the title, so it’s consistent, but they’re really not balm-like, lol!
I am such a huge fan of the Revlon balms – I liked the Lacquer formula a little more, although Striking looks quite amazing in your swatch. Elusive looks like the perfect everyday go to colour for the sping season!
Yeah, I like the slightly glossier ones more myself, since I’m not a huge fan of mattes personally 😀
Elusive is such a pretty pink. I’m so tempted to run out and look for it right now haha!
They should have ’em out, though they *might* be in the process of going from the spring display to permanent display!
These colors are really nice! I have become a big fan of the chubby sticks-so much more low maintenance (for me) than lipstick.
I love how the tubes are usually colored so you can tell what color is which!
Looking at your 1st “fresh face” photo, then scrolling down to the 2nd “sultry and striking” photo (I LOVE your eye makeup!), illustrates how much fun you can have with makeup. 🙂
You’re totally right, Pami! I’m always amazed at how lip color can change a look!
You look great in both those looks, Christine! I’m definitely going to pick up Elusive. Should go well with my new Clinique Plum Pop, lol!
Thanks so much, Linda!
I think it will for sure!
These shades are very good for daily wear
Agreed!
I was going to say you look lovely in your first full face picture, but then i saw your second one- and WOW. That make up look suits you like nothing else! I love your top (well, as much of it as i can see), where is it from?
Nevertheless, i think i will get the first matte balm, this revlon formula is amazing!
It’s from Forever 21 many, many years ago. Like eight or nine years ago, lol!
These look lovely!
Have you tried any shades from this range, Andriana?
I have striking balm and I like it more than the regular balms they had. I don’t really own my matte lip products but I’m getting into them now.
For me with all the revlon balms, the most important thing is to have moisturised lips. Unfortunately because of the cold, I can’t wear them as much as I like because my lips chap easier.
I wil be interested to see how they perform in the summer.
* I don’t really own many matte lip products 🙂
Glad you’re enjoying Striking, Rina! These are definitely more comfortable than a lot of older matte formulas, but I can see the finish still be unforgiving if you have chapped lips!
I’ve just purchased Elusive after wanting it when I saw your review. I missed out on Betty Bright and have been on the search for a warm girly pink. There wasn’t a tester but I picked mine up in full confidence. But I’m in the UK and this is really blue based I’m sure! It doesn’t look anything like your swatch. Looks like I’ll have to give it to a friend and purchase Striking instead!
Blue based! Interesting… I’m so sorry about that, Lauren 🙁
Oh I like! I’m not really a fan of glosses and balms, I’m a tad OCD with my opaque lipsticks and liners (to create my upper lip) but these seem perfect for work!
And these two COLORS are super fab!
Hope you get a chance to try ’em, Alexis!
Finally tracked this down and was so excited but Elusive looks no good on me! You and I have very similar skin tone and coloring yet often lip shades look so different on you! I think it’s because my lips are more pigmented… Sigh -_- perhaps I can find my equivalent shade in another product. Elusive looks great on you! I had to laugh because that one shade was sold out in many stores, “elusive” indeed! I think you may be to blame 🙂
I have to say I dislike the mint scent of this and Revlon’s other balm pencils.. I prefer fruity scents like the Jordana twist and shine balms – have you tried those? Cranberry Crush would look amazing on you! 🙂
Boo!! Sorry to hear that it didn’t end up being the color you wanted on you.
I haven’t tried Jordana’s but I’ll be on the look out for them! Thank you for the rec!
I know this is a bit old now, but where did you get your earrings from? they look great in both colors! thanks or the great pics as usual
Hey Jo!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/bellaanelajewelry
I purchased Elusive and Standout when they first launched, and fell so deeply in love that over the following months I’ve amassed the entire collection (sans the nude, Complex). My favourites are easily Standout (the easiest to wear bold red lip in the world), Elusive (perfect everyday), Sultry (there’s something really interesting about it that I can’t quite place), Shameless (I love a true purple), and Unapologetic (which is amazing – a hot coral pink, it looks different every time I try it, I adore it). I love, but not quite to the same extent, Showy and Audacious. The only one I actively disliked was Mischievous, which settled really prominently and lacked the same pigment – and I have fairly good lips, so I was put off by that. Striking also is a little sheerer than I’d like.
I’m the type of girl who likes the wear a bright matte lip pretty much every day, so these are the easiest way of doing that.