L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Swatches and Review

Lipstick-lipbalm hybrids have been all the rage in the makeup world over the past few months.  Hard Candy has had colored balms out for awhile, but more recently Maybelline, Revlon, and Wet-n-Wild have joined in the trend.
One of the most recent hybrid lip products to hit the scene is L'Oreal's Colour Riche Balm.  Currently available in 8 shades, Colour Riche Balm offers SPF 15 in a smooth, moisturizing formula that promises 8 hours of hydration and lasting softness, even after the product has been removed.

Right: Caramel Comfort, Left: Pink Satin

You can see the two shades I tried - Caramel Comfort and Pink Satin - swatched above. True to L'Oreal's claims, the formula is extremely moisturizing and feels smooth as silk on the lips. 

They are not highly pigmented, but offer a wearable tint while making your lips look and feel very hydrated.

However, in my experience, the color and shine doesn't last anywhere near 8 hours.  I find myself reapplying at least a few times over the course of an average day, which doesn't bother me, but those hoping for 8 continuous hours of color and moisture may be disappointed.

Caramel Comfort

Caramel Comfort

Pink Satin

Pink Satin

Out of all the different tinted lipbalms I have tried, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm are by far my favorite so far.  Depending where you buy them, they can be a little pricier than other brand's versions, but for anyone looking for subtle color and hydration without the heavy feel of a full lipstick, you can't go wrong with these. 

TokyoChel Rating: A-



DISCLAIMER: This product was purchased myself for the purposes of review and the above opinions are my own.

Maybelline Baby Lips Review & Swatches

Left: Peach Kiss, Right: Pink Punch

You may have seen these in the Maybelline makeup section of your local drug store or Walmart lately.  Baby Lips is a new tinted lipbalm offering SPF 20 sunscreen and promising 8-hour moisture and more supple, "better looking" lips after 4 weeks of use. 
Of the 6 available shades, I tried 2: Pink Punch and Peach Kiss.  As you can see from the blurry swatch (sorry, camera phone :P) below, Pink Punch is a cool, matte, cotton candy pink offering medium color coverage.  Peach Kiss is a warm, sheer, and slightly sparkly peach tone. 

Right swatch: Pink Punch, Left: Peach Kiss

Although Pink Punch offers a higher color payoff, I found that it dried, or stopped feeling moist on my lips, faster than Peach Kiss.  Pink Punch also tends to highlight any dry, flaky patches on your lips more than Peach Kiss which, in my mind, kind of defeats the purpose of a lip "balm."  Both colors do provide a glossy finish that fades faster than the color.

I really liked both colors, but overall, Peach Kiss was the winner for me.  I haven't been using it for 4 weeks yet, so I can't speak to the product claims of more supple, better looking lips over time, but I do really like it.  The color is very subtle so will work with any makeup look (or no makeup at all), and the balm gives my lips a nice, moist feeling and shine.  Although I wouldn't say Baby Lips provides 8-hour moisture, it definitely lasts for a couple hours, maybe more if you're not eating or drinking anything.

Overall, despite some negative or mediocre reviews of Maybelline Baby Lips I've read online, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, and for about $3 a pop, you can't beat them!

Disclaimer:  I purchased this product myself for the purposes of review.

My First Haul! Ulta and Sephora, Part 1

I live in a pretty big town, but unfortunately it has nothing fun and is close to nothing fun for a makeup junkie like myself.  The two closest Sephoras are both over an hour away, and up until a couple months ago, I didn't even know there was an Ulta in my state (also an hour away).  Around here, if you need the kind of makeup you can't find in the drugstore or mall, you order it online.  Lame.

So when my bf offered to take me shopping this weekend, I jumped at the excuse for a makeup roadtrip!  I love browsing in Sephora, and I had never even seen an Ulta before, so I was super excited!  Keep reading if you want to see what I picked up and hear some of my initial impressions of the products :)

Ulta Wild Side Collection

Flirty Pink

I could have looked around in Ulta for hours!  They were doing this great promotion where you received a $75 makeup kit in one of three color varieties and wristlet with any Ulta purchase of $17.50 or more.  So basically I bought a couple eyeshadows and an eyebrow pencil and got all the stuff in the pic above for free! :D O happy day!

Top row: Smoke and Black Ink
Bottom row: Truffle and Polished

Top row: Flutter and Chianti
Bottom row: Iceland and Cherry Bomb

Girlie Cheek Color

Swatches of the Ulta Dual Ended Lip & Eye Liner
Left: Bloom, Right: Raisin

Swatches of the Ulta Dual Ended Eye Liner
Left: Plum, Right: Black

Swatches of Ulta Dual Ended Lip Gloss
Left: Starlet, Right: Siren

I got a couple other things (like NYX white eye base. Looove it!), but Blogger's been so tempermental lately and this post is already picture-heavy.  I've wanted to post this for two days now! 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

So far, I'm really liking the Ulta eyeshadows that I've tried from the neutral palette, and the lipglosses are pretty great.  They're not at all sticky and last a pretty long time. 

The mascara has a super strange wand which has taken some time learning to use, but I like the effect it gives my lashes.  Just can't use it on the bottom lashes as it's not waterproof and tends to give me raccoon eyes half-way through the day.

The blush is a pretty, universally flattering shade of pink which, while not making a big impression, does give my cheeks a subtle blushed look.  I love the packaging which feels sturdy and is the perfect size and shape for a fluffy blush brush.

The eyeliners are decent.  I've read many reviews saying they're too hard or dry, which is luckily not a problem I'm having.  They're smooth and creamy, but don't seem to last overly long.

Next time, I'll post on the rest of the stuff I picked up at Ulta and the cute little Benefit set I got at Sephora, so stay tuned!  If you have any questions about anything I mentioned here or my experience in general, don't hesitate to ask :)



Beauty Review: Artistry Essentials Balancing Skin Care System

I'm embarrassed to say that, with as much effort as I put into my makeup routine, I have long neglected basic skin care.  My skin care regimen consists of cleaning my face in the morning and at night with Pond's cleansing towelettes.  That's it.

So when my friend Crystal introduced me to Artistry Essentials skin care products and told me how great they were, I was intrigued and agreed to put her products to the test.

 Because I have combination skin (oily around the t-zone, and dry everywhere else), she recommended Artistry's Balancing skin care line.  The 3-step system includes the Balancing Cleanser, Balancing Toner, and Balancing Lotion.

First you clean your face with the Balancing Cleanser.  Once it's rinsed off and your face is patted dry, you sweep the Balancing Toner all over your face to remove any remaining cleanser and makeup.  Finally, once that's dried, you apply the Balancing Lotion.

Left: Balancing Lotion
Right: Balancing Cleanser

 I agreed to use the products as directed for a few weeks and see if I had any positive results.  My first impression of the Balancing Cleanser wasn't great because it is a fairly thick gel that is supposed to be applied directly to your dry skin and worked into a lather.  I had a hard time getting it to lather on my dry skin and felt like I had to use a ton of it to cover my face.

Luckily, Crystal being the great Artistry representative that she is, contacted her director with my concern and came back with the suggestion to wet my face a little first and then work in the gel.  Once I tried this, it worked like a charm and I was very satisfied with application.

According to their website, Balancing Cleanser contains oat extract, Indian fig, burnet root, witch hazel, and Hypo Lipid Matrix - unique, exotic ingredients that combine to exfoliate, refine, smooth, maintain moisture, and control shine.  Over time, it claims to also reveal more even and younger looking skin.

The Balancing Toner feels so refreshing on my skin and smells great.  The lotion is smooth and cool, and blends easily into the skin, leaving it soft and supple.  All three of the products smell organic and fresh, no chemical odor whatsoever.

Aaahh! Me with no makeup!  Don't expect to ever see this
horror again :P

After using the Artistry Essential Balancing skin care line for the past few weeks, I have to say I am impressed.  My skin is much softer and smoother.  Much of the redness has disappeared, and I seem to have fewer random breakouts.

This is something I can definitely recommend and approve.  Try it for a few weeks and see if you don't see the difference!

For more information, or to place your order for the Artistry Skin Care system, please contact Crystal Breitenbach at   cbreitenbach85@gmail.com   She is very friendly and knowledgeable and will help you find the best products for your skin care needs.

Disclaimer:  These products were given to me for the purpose of review.  I am in no way affiliated with Artistry and offer only my honest impressions of these products.

Product Review - Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Concealer

The problem I've always had with concealers is that they never seem to last very long.  I was using a Rimmel concealer forever, and when it was finally empty, I decided to try something new.

When shopping for a new concealer I knew I wanted something that lasted longer, so when I saw this Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Concealer, I decided the extra money was worth it if it lasted that long!

I've been using it for about a month now, and it has its good and bad points.
First of all, the color (Cream) matches my skin perfectly.  Also, it covers very well and does last longer than the Rimmel concealer.

However, the formulation dries very quickly so you don't have very long to blend it out.  And, on me at least, it doesn't last anywhere near 24 hours.  If I accidentally touch that place on my face, or have to blot my face during the day, it starts to rub off pretty easily.

Overall, I do like this concealer for its color match and coverage, but you have to blend it out very quickly before it dries, and don't expect it to last 24 hours.  It's pretty good, but I'll keep looking for a perfect concealer - if there is such a thing! ;P

Disclaimer:  I purchased this product myself for the purposes of review.

Product Review - Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara

 I purchased this Wet n Wild Mega Length mascara last month when I was running low on my go-to fave Maybelline The Falsies mascara.  It was only a few bucks so I thought I'd give it a try.

On the left: Wet n Wild Mega Length mascara
On the right: bare lashes

Bare lashes

With two coats of Wet n Wild Mega Length mascara

As you can see from the pics, from afar the mascara adds nice length and color, but up close you can see how clumpy my lashes look.  For the purposes of this review, I used two coats, but normally I only apply one coat to prevent clumping as much as possible.
The problem with this mascara is the formulation.  It is very wet and takes a long time to dry, so clumping and smudging is inevitible.  However, I do like the length it provides, so I would like to try the waterproof version since it would probably be a little drier and thus, less clumpy.
I think this mascara has decent lasting power, once it dries, with minimal smudging throughout the day.  Overall, it's decent in a pinch, but it would not replace my daily mascara.

Disclaimer:  I purchased this product myself for the purposes of review.

Product Review: Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner

I've been using Avon Perfect Wear Eyewriter for years and it's always been my favorite liquid eyeliner for it's ease of use and long wear.  I have several gel eyeliner pots but haven't found a good enough brush to apply them so they don't really get used. 
So when I recently ran out of my Avon Eyewriter in Evening Black, I decided to try something new that would also be easier to ahold of when I run out.  Enter Wet n Wild Mega Liner.  I picked this up at Walmart for around $3.00 and I'm very impressed! 

The color is super-dark and pigmented.  It applies very evenly and easily.  And perhaps most importantly, it lasts all day without smudging or flaking!  I had previously tried their H2O Proof liquid liner and that flaked off horribly half-way through the day, so this is a far superior product in my opinion.  I really like this liner and it's an amazing quality for the price.  Now I want to go back and get the other colors :P  Try it for yourself here.
(For pics of the product on, see yesterday's Spring Greens makeup look)

Disclaimer:  I purchased this product myself for the purposes of review.

Product Review: Kiss Premium Eyelashes Strip Eyelash Adhesive

I picked this product up about a month ago and have been waiting till I tried it a couple times before I wrote a review.  I saw it at Walgreens for a good price and since the much-recommended Duo Lash Glue doesn't seem to work that well for me, I thought I'd give it a shot.
The glue itself is white but dries totally clear, so I haven't noticed a need to go back over my eyelash strip with more eyeliner to hide the glue like some people do.  It has a fairly strong odor straight from the bottle but it seems to fade quickly once you apply it.  I also think it dries/gets tacky much quicker than Duo.
One of the coolest features of this product is the little wand that you apply the adhesive with.  It makes it so easy to get on just the right amount and it's much less messy than the tube variety.

The product claims to have "24 hour flexible hold."  Although I've never worn my lashes for 24 hours and don't know anyone who would, it definitely lasts for as long as I wear them.  I've had no problems whatsoever with my lashes coming unstuck at the corners or anything so I really like that.
Overall, I have to say I'm a big fan of Kiss Strip Eyelash Adhesive and can recommend it wholeheartedly!  If you're like me and have had a hard time finding a lash glue that works for you, or you just want to try a new one, definitely give it a shot!  Get your own here.

Disclaimer:  I purchased this product myself for the purposes of review.

Milani Crystal Eyez Sparkling Eye Shadow

I was on Spring Break from school all week so I went to spend the night with my folks Tuesday.  While we were out and about, I spotted a CVS (of which we have none where I live) and stopped in to see their Milani makeup (again, of which there is none to be found where I live).
There were lots of sparkly things I wanted but I thought the prices seemed a bit high.  So mom ended up getting me this gorgeous Milani Crystal Eyez Sparkling Eye Shadow !

Pictures cannot show how multi-dimensional and sparkly this eye shadow is!  The shade is "01 Lovely & Luminous" and I would describe it as a deep grayish-navy background with mult-colored, irridescent glitter. Also the packaging is so pretty too!
So far, it seems to have decent staying power with little creasing once it dries but I have yet to put it to the full test. Can't wait to do a new makeup look with this product. Thanks mom :)

Layered w/a bit of Chamelion by ID Bare Minerals

Applied to bare lid with fingertip