Review: ELF Essential Lip Stain

Aloha Everyone!

   

   Today I will be doing a quick review of ELF's semi-new Lip Stain from their Essentials line. Up until this point, I have liked everything I have reviewed. Sadly, this will be a first dislike. When I first started using it, which was (let's be honest) right in the target parking lot, I thought I found a real keeper. At only $2 a pop, I was super excited to find a long-lasting stain that actually stains.

Color Selection: This comes in four shades, so not a big one.

Packaging: Cheap, plastic casing but simple.

Top: 22124 Crimson Crush
Bottom: 22122 Nude Nectar

Scent: While I love having a nice smelling lip product, if they don't smell like anything it doesn't bother me. Crimson Crush doesn't have any crazy scent, however, Nude Nectar has an incredibly odd almost vomit like scent. It is  seriously gross!

Finish: A matte "stain".

Texture: Very dry, after all it is a stain.

Pigmentation: Like I said earlier, I did like these at first because Crimson Crush swatched especially nice for only being $2. After only one week, the pigmentation diminished greatly, getting virtually none. The swatches above are about ten times back and forth. Nude Nectar never had great pigmentation, just a weird smell! 

Staying Power: This being a stain, I expected it to do so... Stain my lips! However, it didn't. While if you rub on the swatch it won't come off, it lasted only about an hour or two before needing to be reapplied. Also, if you got any water/moisture on your lips, it came right off. Hence, defeating the "stain" idea!

Easy to Remove: Yes.
                                                                      
Who's it best for? While I'd like to say for $2 bucks you can't go wrong, I can't. I'd say skip out on this one! The scent/pigmentation just isn't worth it for me.

Thanks so much for reading!

xoxo, Sam :)

New Product Alert!: Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer Review

Aloha, Everyone!

Clean & Clear has released a new line of ultra hydrating skin products this July. While it still hasn't reached most stores, I was able to find the last one at Walmart yesterday for $5.94.                                    

The moisturizer comes with 3 oz. of incredibly moisturizing gel, and a little goes a long way. It is water-based, oil-free, contains no alcohol which is usually ideal, and it's third main ingredient is glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant used to attract water to your skin, hence soothing and hydrating.

This reminds me a lot of the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, which retails at $37 for 1.7 oz. They have the same consistency, and both are super lightweight yet still intense. Also, I find both moisturizers to have a cooling feel when applied which is nice. It keeps the actual skin dry to the touch, after moisture has been deposited. In other words, it doesn't feel like you have vaseline or a heavy, thick cream on your face. The only big, obvious difference is the price tag. Personally, I know skin care is something I'd rather spend more money on for better results, but when there is almost an exact dupe at drugstore price, it is just plain silly to pay $37 for the high-end brand.

Clean & Clear on the left, Clinique on the right!

I would recommend the Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer to all skin types. Yup, that's everything from extremely dry to even oily skin types. Having oily skin, I can say that it is one of the best moisturizers I've tried. It is oil-free which is great, and it doesn't leave me already looking oily to start my day. 

I think anyone would have a pleasant experience with this product, and for $6, you can't go wrong! 

Thanks so much for reading! 

xoxo, Sam :)

Review: Revlon Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon & Swatch

Aloha Everyone!

(How a lip butter should look! Courtesy of missbudgetbeauty.)

The Revlon Lip Butters have been cult favorites ever since they were first released a couple of years ago. I have always been very interested in them, as I have always heard they are super moisturizing while still having an amazing color payoff at the same time. For whatever reason, I never picked one up until now. After reading Amarixe's blogpost on these bad boys, I needed to pick up Wild Watermelon.... ASAP! She couldn't have described it better, like you just ate a cherry popsicle. :)

Price: $6.48 at Walmart.

Color Selection: The Lip Butter line comes in 20 shades ranging from super bright to nude, and everything in between. It was this spring that they released 4 new shades, including Wild Watermelon.

Packaging: I love the packaging because the "top" matches to the color of the lip butter, making it easy to choose from in a pile of lip products. (Especially if you're a makeup lover!)

Scent: A slight sweet scent, but nothing else. 

Finish: This shade itself contains no shimmer, but has a ton of shine. 

Texture: It is super creamy and smooth on the lips!

Pigmentation: This has crazy pigmentation, yet is extremely easy to work with. 

Staying Power: This is by no means a long lasting "lipstick". It lasts about 3 hours before I need to reapply. (It does transfer a bit.)

Who's it best for? Anyone who wants a bright, moisturizing, fun lipstick for the summer season. I wouldn't recommend it to people who need something long lasting. 

Downsides: Since it is super creamy, it will melt! So just be sure to keep it in a cooler place if you can. 

(After being in super hot weather, sadly it was melted & a bit ruined.)

Would I repurchase? Yes, I definitely want to pick up some more lip butters. They're awesome. :)

Thanks so much for reading! 

xoxo, Sam :)