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Revlon Shameless & Showy Colorburst Matte Balms Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm

If you missed the first shades I reviewed, you can check out that post here! Today, I have the last two shades of Revlon’s new Colorburst Matte Balm ($8.99 for 0.095 oz.) that I have. Revlon describes the formula as “velvety matte,” hydrating, and comfortable. These are a twist-up pencil, so you won’t have to worry about sharpening. There is a slight mint scent, but I didn’t notice any flavor. The finish is more matte, but I’d say almost a satin-matte–not a fully flat, super matte finish but not quite the sheen of a true satin finish. They have good color coverage, and they wear longer than average. As they’re just slightly hydrating, “balm” is a stretch to say, but they go on more easily than some drier matte lipsticks do.

Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm ($8.99 for 0.095 oz.) is a medium-dark, pink-tinted purple with slight warm undertones and a satin-matte finish. It had fairly opaque color coverage, but the natural lip color comes through just slightly so if you have a stronger natural lip color, you may find it alters the way the shade looks applied. The consistency was lightly creamy, lightweight, and just slightly hydrating. It wore well for five hours on me. MAC Feel My Pulse (LE, $16.00) is lighter and pinker. MAC Violetta (P, $16.00) is more shimmery. MAC Strong Woman (LE, $16.00) is darker, not as pinky. MAC Heroine (LE, $16.00) is a little brighter but similar. See comparison swatches or view The Dupe List.

Showy Colorburst Matte Balm ($8.99 for 0.095 oz.) is light-medium, cool-toned brightened pink with blue undertones and a satin-matte finish. This shade was really pigmented and applied with full color coverage that was even and smooth. It wore well for four and a half hours on me and was just lightly hydrating overall. Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) (LE, $30.00) is darker, less blue-based. Chanel La Diva (44) (P, $34.00) is a smidgen darker. MAC Dear Diary (LE, $18.00) is darker. MAC Pink Pigeon (LE, $16.00) is darker, less blue-bsed/ MAC Daddy’s Little Girl (LE, $16.00) is darker, more muted. MAC Candy Yum Yum (P, $16.00) is brighter, darker, more blue-based. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Nylon (LE, $18.00) is also brighter, darker, and more blue-based. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Narcissus (P, $18.00) is lighter, more muted. See comparison swatches or view The Dupe List.

Shameless

PPermanent. $8.99.
A-
A-
9
Product
9
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9
Longevity
5
Application
91%
Total

Showy

PPermanent. $8.99.
A
A
9.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9
Longevity
5
Application
94%
Total

See more photos & swatches!

Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Shameless Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm

Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm
Revlon Showy Colorburst Matte Balm

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
  • Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Liquid Highlighter (mixed with foundation)
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Finishing Powder

77 Comments

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xamyx Avatar

We have that a lot, even here in Los Angeles! It is *quite* annoying/frustrating…

Revlon has done several purples over the years, but since it’s been a while since I’ve been in the market for a bold lippie, I’m not quite sure what’s still available, or what you may get in your part of the world. Revlon Va Va Violet would be one to look for, though, if possible!

xamyx Avatar

Interesting… I bought mine about 4-5 years ago, when it was part of a LE collection, and it is super creamy & pigmented. Maybe the formula changed when it became permanent?

beka Avatar

i have heroine coming in the mail…i LOVE purple lipstick. i generally hate mac lipstick, but the color is too good to pass up. i see the color of heroine and shameless are pretty close, but which do you feel has a better formula?

fancie Avatar

Showy is hella pretty on you! I was just wearing Shameless around the house the other day lol. It reminds me a lot of Heroine but just a little darker. I like the formula but it is a little drying after a few hours. I’m definitely going to test it out again before I pick up any other shades. Showy is definitely tempting

Gabby Avatar

It’s really hard for me to pull off most pinks with my skintone so I took a big (for me) leap and tried Shameless. I looooved it! I was so shocked how well it works on my tan/deeper skin tone. Even my Mum, who is verrrrry conservative w/makeup said it looks lovely. I also didn’t feel it was drying or have uneven application, which was great.

Pami Avatar

MAC Violetta is one of my most favorite lipsticks!

Revlon probably came out with Shameless as Pantone’s 2014 Color of the Year “Radiant Orchid”, though Shameless is a bit deeper. I’ll bet it would look really pretty with a shimmery translucent pink lip gloss over it.

Shelby Avatar

Wow look at the pigmentation on those! The purple colour is gorgeous and I have never owned a purple lipstick but this one looks amazing on you so maybe I will give it a try. I have been getting a little more brave with wearing bright lip colours so this should be my next step!

Polly Avatar

Thanks for reviewing Shameless Christine, I’m so pleased my (very rare!) occasion of buying it before reading your review wasn’t wasted!
I love it 🙂

liz Avatar

I think I’m just gonna buy Heroine instead, hahhaaaa. These look lovely, but I’ve been wanting heroine forever so no point in dupes when a) I can actually afford it now, and b) I can get my mitts on it cause it’s permanent!

I do quite like showy though and might pick it up just to try out the formula.

Jennifer Avatar

I love it when you review drugstore products! Thank you so much! I never buy high end since I just graduated and I don’t have any money yet… Your reviews are so helpful, I ALWAYS read them before going out to buy something. I need to be sure that what I’m going to buy is going to be a good purchase that is worth it!

GloriaKae Avatar

These destroyed my lips! Maybe it was just on me, but I wore the purple one for 8 hours and the next day my lips were SO chapped. I took them right back and got my money back. For a “balm” I would expect better.

Janelle Avatar

I love how these (the matte balms in general, I don’t have the colors reviewed) actually stain my lips, but have found that I have to apply them lightly otherwise they seem to highlight my lip lines. Sometimes they leave a bright pink line around my lips as well which always fun to discover after a long work day.

lauren Avatar

Just a quick heads up – the blog post you linked to reviewing Elusive and Striking, actually links back to this post 🙂

Showy looks like a nice pink! I’m trying to break out of my “red-only” comfort zone, and this looks like a nice shade – not too in your face bright, not too boring. I’ll definitely have to pick it up next time there’s a sale going on, along with Shameless. Purple is so fun! It looks great on you as well! Thanks for the review 🙂

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