Revisiting the Red Ladies

Recently I got the urge to revisit red lipstick; but as always it a long and slightly arduous task considering that you really need to try on a bunch and match for your correct undertones. Thus I decided that it wasn't just time to find a new tube of red lipstick but to revisit The Red Ladies in general. By that I mean, actually wear them.

Over the next few posts I'll be trying on new ones and possibly revisiting old ones. In the lineup are the following reds:

1. e.l.f. Studio Matte Lip Color in Rich Red
2. Nuance Salma Hayek Color Vibrance Lipstick in Paprika
3. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in 01
4. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Matte Collection Lipstick in 107
5. Maybelline Color Sensational in Very Cherry

I'll likely be covering their longevity and wear within the next few posts as I slowly go through them. Other colours that I may cover appear below. Some of these have been with me for a while so pardon their appearance. 

1. COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipcolor in Embrace
2. MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense in Moulin Rouge
3. Bobbi Brown Metallic Lip Color in Ruby
4. Estée Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Orchid

As this might take me a bit of time to slowly go through them (who knows, I might get a bit fed up and combine them all into one mega post, I'll leave you with some preliminary swatches of them.

From left to right: e.l.f., Nuance, Rimmel Kate,
Rimmel Kate Matte, and Maybelline.

Covergirl, MUFE, Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder.

Now I know that it might seem a bit confusing that with the first batch being red, the second jumps to purple and pinks. The reason for this is that I've been on the hunt for a purple lipstick as well, but not one that is too bright since my undertones don't take to well too colours at time. While perusing the makeup aisles at Target, I came across Covergirl's Embrace and I had to grab it. Given the devation, I figured that it would be worth it to try out all of my lipsticks if time allows.

Rimmel Kate Matte and Covergirl.

Review: CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher

Something that I noted right away is that it was a bit hard to pull the wand out of the tube. This isn't a deal breaker or anything, but I did find it kind of odd that I had that issue. That issue has presently gone away so if you encounter it, it gets bvetter. The wand itself is a bit curved, black, and plastic -- I only mention the colour because I saw a lot of pictures with a neon green wand but this wasn't like that. Overall the transition from the PF mascara to this one was seamless. Especially because the performance of the mascara was so good.

On several makeup forums that I frequent, Clump Crusher was (and possibly still is) all the rave. I got wind of it a few weeks ago and picked it up but because it wasn't time to get rid of my other mascara, I kind of just held onto it.Then on the night of my boyfriend and I's anniversary, I finally got the chance to use it (along with Tarte's Amazonian clay waterproof liner which I also used for the first time). So just so that you understand context, the previous mascara I was using was Physicians Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascara (review) and while there was nothing wrong with it -- the six month mark was up so it was time to get a fresh tube.

I was able to apply 2-3 coats of mascara without any clumps. I didn't even need to fish out my spoolie brush to separate my lashes or do a bit of touch-up. It wore well into the night, so much so that when we got back from our dinner, I was hesitant to take it off. 

While I couldn't get a lot of my makeup to work correctly that night (like my Everyday Minerals eyeshadow falling down my face and creating a problem or the other cornsilk eyeshadow coming off too strong, which gave my eyes the appearance of being oily -- my mascara was lovely.

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Product: CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher

Price: ~$6-$10

Would Recommend? Yes!

Takeaway: This is another mascara I can happily add to the "LOVE" pile and might quickly become a staple as it is on par with my two other favourites. Applies well, doesn't clump, and lasts for a long time -- I can't say I've found anything that I don't like about this mascara.

Review: CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm

Forgive the sloppy nature with which I applied the NatureLuxe Gloss Balm but I was really excited (translation: I had a headache). 

I was really a bit excited about this one because I'm a sucker for lip balms (and lip gloss). I was hoping to get a bit of colour out of it but also afraid to go too sheer so I opted for 210 Tulip which looked like a bright pink. Knowing my skin tone, I knew that it probably wouldn't be that distinguished (meaning that it probably wouldn't really show) but I was hoping that a bit of colour would pop given the pink colour.

Mango and shea butter? Yes! I love the creamy feel of the lip balm but the thing about it was that the colour didn't show. The picture on the left shows the lip balm, which isn't really showing up at all -- you can tell my lips are moisturized but what really sets this one apart from a normal lip balm?

Nothing. 

For $6 (which is what it costs), I could spring for a tin of Rose Salve and I'd be all the more happier knowing that the salve has multiple uses. While I love the idea behind the gloss, I couldn't rationalize getting it when there were better lip balms out there. I think that if you can find a complementary colour, it would be worth it but otherwise, you might want to pass.

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Product: CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Tulip
Price: $6
Would Recommend? Perhaps.
Takeaway: While it feels good and has a good pitch, you have to find the right colour otherwise it's useless. The colour just disappeared on me which left me wanting.

Review: CoverGirl Blast Flipstick Lipcolor

I picked up 815 Flashy of the line (or at least, that's what I think it was). The Flipsticks seem to be quite popular at my local store so the selection was reduced.

When I first tried the darker colour, I was amazed. I loved how it looked as it was amazing. I didn't even really see how the second colour looked but I was in awe of just how pretty it looked. The picture to the left shows the initial application -- heavy on the darker colour with just a bit of the lighter colour to accentuate it. The lip color was creamy and had a sheen to it, which I adored. 

But obviously, there was a drawback. After I took it off for the night, I noticed a slight residue but didn't pay too much attention to it. The next day though, that residue became all too... annoying. Yeah, there, I said it. The residue was ever present and came off on everything. Morning coffee to afternoon coffee, when the talk about this thing lasting it does -- much much to my own chagrin.

Okay, that was a little bit annoying so I decided to try again, but instead of direct application I decided to try a lip brush. The third picture on the left is what it looked like applied with a lip brush and note how soft the colours come off. Not as strong, definitely do not pop so I'd recommend not applying with a lip brush. 

After the second application, I decided to use a makeup remover in order to get rid of any residue from the lip color. Much better during the second try but I admit, I was already kind of annoyed that I had to use it in the first place. The colour is long lasting, which is a plus, but the downside is that it takes a while to go away which is just downright frustrating. 

Last critique before the wrap-up is the container itself. On the right is a picture of what happened right after I opened the container. The lip color doesn't fully retract into the tube and given it's angle, it will easily get nicked. I haven't even been paying attention (which is probably why this happened in the first place) when I realized the lid had already been attacked.

Obviously at this point I am not a fan when any brand packages lipstick like this.

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Product: CoverGirl Blast Flipstick Lipcolor
Price: $6
Would Recommend? No.
Takeaway: While the colour is vibrant and the texture is creamy, the colour lasts and it took me two days to finally be rid of the colour in it's entirety. Not cool.