Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer

Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation is a drugstore staple for most people.  I use it in the Normal to Oily line and have always had good results wearing it.  So when Revlon came out with a Colorstay Compact, I knew I had to try it.  Bed Bath & Beyond {aka Harmon} always has the releases earliest by me, so that's where I picked mine up in Sand Beige.  If you know your MAC shade, there is a great chart of which Colorstay shades correlate to which MAC shades here {my own shade comparisons will be below as usual}.

Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer
Claims from Revlon:
Expertly matched shades of makeup and concealer for a flawless, longwearing look that’s perfect for you. Smooth, blendable formula with buildable coverage and a demi-matte finish. Compact includes a unique applicator for precise application and a mirror for touch-ups on the go. Choose your match.
• 12 expertly matched shades of foundation and concealer
• Flawless, demi-matte finish
• Sweat resistant formula lasts all day
• Buildable to full coverage
• Mirror and applicator included

Price: $12.99 [vs $9.99 in regular Colorstay line]
Amount: 0.4 oz [vs 1 oz in regular Colorstay line]
Shades: 12 Shades [vs 16 in the regular Colorstay line]

This foundation is super easy to apply - I agree with the claims of smooth and blendable.  I applied it with a damp Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge {review here} and it went on like a dream.  The coverage is definitely medium and buildable to full coverage.  I find it doesn't have as much of a matte finish as the regular Colorstay liquid foundation, so it's spot on with the semi-matte claim.  Setting to a demi-matte finish, it creates a perfect skin-like look that's not too matte.  I topped it lightly with the Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless Powder in Buff Beige 130 and they looked beautiful together.

The concealer is on its own separate ring that lifts up so you can access the full pan of foundation.  The concealer was kind of an odd color when I put it on the first time (almost gray and cool toned) so I added a touch of the foundation on top to even it out and it turned out fine.  Thinking it was because it was the first layer, I tried it out again.  It wasn't as gray looking, but I still find it a tad light for me, but with my Fit Me Matte and Poreless Powder over it, it wasn't noticeable.  The concealer reminds me of the Revlon PhotoReady concealer so it's a thicker formula.  For some it may be better just for spot treating.  I wouldn't use something this thick every day under my eyes, but it has its time and place.

Wear Test:  I wore this for 8 hours each time and it didn't have obvious signs of wear, smearing, or breaking apart.  The only spot would maybe be a tiny bit by my nose but it was so minimal I hardly noticed.  There wasn't shininess like I normally get.  I think it has great staying power.  I wore just moisturizer underneath the first time, and the elf Radiant Glow Primer the second.

If you like Revlon Colorstay, this is a great foundation.  I like it just as much as the liquid Colorstay, probably even more!  Similar to the L’Oréal Lumi Cushion, you only get 0.4 ounces versus 1 fluid ounce in the regular liquid Colorstay, but that's the only downside.

This is a beautiful foundation and the compact makes it super easy.  I will definitely be keeping this one around.  If you're an on-the-go mom like me, this is a great option for throwing in your diaper bag or makeup bag!

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My Foundation Shade Comparisons:
MAC -- NC 20-25
MAC Studio Fix Powder -- NC30
Makeup Forever HD -- 130 Warm Ivory
Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation -- Light 48
Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation -- Medium 52
Urban Decay Naked -- 3.0
Bare Minerals -- Medium Beige N20
Tarte Amazonian Clay  Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation -- Light-Medium Neutral
Sephora Collection Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation -- Light
Revlon Colorstay Combo/Oily -- Sand Beige 180 [winter] | Medium Beige 240 [summer]
Revlon Colorstay Whipped -- Medium Beige 250
Neutrogena Healthy Skin -- Nude
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear -- Nude 40
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation -- Nude 40
Maybelline Fit Me! Matte - Nude Beige 125
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse -- Nude (Light 4)
Maybelline Dream Smooth -- Nude Beige 180
Maybelline Dream Wonder -- Nude 40
L'Oréal Magic Nude -- Natural Buff 318
L'Oréal True Match -- N3 Natural Buff
L'Oréal True Match Lumi Cushion -- N2 Classic Ivory
CoverGirl Outlast Stay Luminous -- Buff Beige 825
CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 -- Nude Beige 832

March/April 2015 Favorites

I missed my March Favorites so I combined them with April 2015.  Here are my quick rundowns of the products I loved in March and April.

Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation in Light

This is supposedly a dupe for the Dior Airflash.  I haven't tried the Airflash, but would love to someday.  The Sephora Airbrush is a bargain at $28 vs $62 for Dior Airflash and holy cow, does the Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation make your face look flaaaawless.
 

Revlon Colorstay Makeup - Normal to Oily - Medium Beige (summer) / Sand Beige (winter) {Buff is a match for lighter NC20's, but these two look the best on me}.
This is a tried and true foundation that I will always have in my rotation.  You know you can count on it to look great at a drugstore price and last a long time.  I use it with the Colorstay Powder in Light/Medium and the Photoready Concealer in Light.

NYX Baked Powder Blush in Wanderlust

This leaves a gorgeous glow on your cheeks in a light pink/coral color.  I don't like heavy or too pink blushes and this is perfect.
 

Kat von D Innerstellar Palette

If I use colorful eyeshadows, I usually lean towards purple tones because I wear a lot of purples and blues.  When I saw this palette I knew it was right up my ally!  The colors are right on and the pans are huge and will last a long time.  Kat von D does a really nice job with her makeup.  Everything is pigmented so well and the palettes are always a really great value.
 

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows in Bella Charcoal, Bella Espresso, Bella Taupe
These eye shadows are quickly becoming my favorite drugstore shadows...hands down.  Milani in general is becoming my top drugstore brand.  These shadows have great pigmentation, plus they have any color you could possibly need or want.

Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipsticks - Matte Orchid and Matte Confident

Matte, but moisturizing?  Seem like an oxymoron?  Yet they are both, I promise!
 

Real Techniques Brushes:

Multi-Tasking Brush (in the Travel Essentials Set) - great powder brush!
Setting Brush - awesome size for setting under eye concealer.
{See my full review of all the Real Techniques brushes I have here}

Burt's Bees Hand Salve

My hands get super dry and crack a lot in the winter time and this is a lifesaver!  I slather it on and wear cotton gloves at night to let it sink it without getting it all over my sheets.
 

Other 'Non-Beauty' Faves:

Old Navy Active Go-Dry Compression Capris in Blue
It's not quite warm enough for shorts everyday here, but when I work out I don't like wearing long pants either.  I do pilates/yoga, ride inside on a spin bike, or do weight training.  These keep me warm enough without getting caught up in the bike or under my feet if I am barefoot doing yoga or pilates.  Great quality and affordable.
 

The Best of Tamilee Buns, Abs & Arms Workout DVD
Workout like it's 1997!  This DVD is quick and easy and all you need is weights and a mat!  The segments are only 15 minutes each but you'll definitely feel the burn.  I love doing the Abs & Arms workout back to back on days I don't ride my bike (cardio).  I do them 2-3 times a week and have seen results really quickly, especially on the arms segment.

Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Foundation Makeup Review

Neutrogena as a brand has been a long time love of mine.  When I started wearing makeup I used the Cover Girl Clean Foundation then quickly found the Neutrogena Skin Clearing Foundation.  I used the Neutrogena foundation from when I started wearing makeup regularly (Sophomore/Junior year in high school) , and through college.  I love that Neutrogena offers great coverage but doesn't feel super heavy or clog your pres.

So with a love for Neutrogena already in place, I knew I had to try the new Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Foundation Makeup.  I picked it up in the shade Nude 40 at Target since Cartwheel had an extra 10% off (plus if you use your Red Card, another 5% off).

Claims from Neutrogena:
- Lasts 12 Hours (Resists Heat and Humidity)
- Erases Skin Imperfections
- Tone Correcting Complex: nourishing antioxidants, soy, Vitamins A, C, E, and light diffusing powders
- Improve Skin Tone and Texture in 4 Weeks

I would say the downside is that there is only 8 shades (ivory through dark beige range).

Swatch of Nude 40

 

Wear Test for the Foundation!

I did a wear test on this on Saturday and wore it for about 10-11 hours.  I didn't set it with a powder like I normally would because I wanted an honest opinion of what the staying power was going to be like without it.  I have to say, for having combo/oily skin, the only thing shiny on me after the 10-11 hours was my nose and that's pretty impressive!  Nothing came sliding off or looked shiny elsewise.

The coverage is really good!  It covered all my little marks I wanted covered but didn't look cakey or like too much coverage either.  I would call this full coverage, but doesn't feel like it, in a good way!

The closest thing I can compare it to is the Revlon Colorstay (I have the Combination/Oily Skin Foundation in Medium Beige-240).  It's very thick like the Colorstay and stays put for a long time.  I wore this in about low 80 degree heat and in and out of places so I would say it holds up pretty well to it's claim.

I will definitely keep this in my foundation rotation!
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My Foundation Shade Comparisons:
MAC -- NC 20-25
Makeup Forever HD -- 117-118
Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation -- Light 48
Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation -- Medium 52
Urban Decay Naked -- 3.0
Bare Minerals -- Medium Beige
Revlon Colorstay Combo/Oily -- Medium Beige 240
Revlon Colorstay Whipped -- Medium Beige 250
Neutrogena Healthy Skin -- Nude
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear -- Nude 40
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers -- Nude 40
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse -- Nude (Light 4)
Maybelline Dream Smooth -- Nude Beige 180
L'Oreal Magic Nude -- Natural Buff 318
L'Oreal True Match -- N3

Happy National Lipstick Day!

I posted this picture on Instagram (Follow me @BeautyFreckled) of some of my favorite lipsticks right now...so here they are:

Mac Matte -- Russian Red
Mac Creemsheen -- Brave Red
Urban Decay Revolution -- F-Bomb
Revlon Super Lustrous Creme-- Wine with Everything
Mary Kay -- Red
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter -- Wild Watermelon
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter -- Pink Truffle

DIY Gel Nails & Revlon Colorstay Gel Review

Who doesn't love a good gel manicure?  That feeling that you know you can get the next week (maybe more if you stretch it) out of your manicure, can bang into things (because it dries right away), and has a hard set finish is such a relief, especially for a clutz like me.  However, who has time to go to the nail salon all the time?  Not me!

I tried a "gel mani hack" on Pinterest (ah, the Pinterest vortex...) a while back.  The topcoat they suggested was the Sally Hansen No Chip Acrylic Top Coat.  This was probably the worst topcoat I have ever tried.  I think a cheap clear coat would've been better.  I was really surprised because usually I am a huge fan of Sally Hansen products.  This one just seemed to crack and crackle all over within 24 hours,

For a while after I was using the Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat.  This stuff is great, plus it's a two-for-one!  I apply one coat on clean, dry nails as a base coat; apply 2 coats of whatever polish I am in the mood for; then one coat of this as a top coat.  I recently used it over the 4th of July and my polish was hardly chipped after four days (more on that look below).

On a recent trip to Target (hmm...another vortex), another gel product caught my eye.  A bunch of Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy products had been marked down so I grabbed the Gel Envy Top Coat.  Again using the Double Duty as a base coat, I applied two coats of an Essie polish, and used the Gel Envy to seal things in.  It was amazing!  My nails lasted at least five days, which for me is a record for nails I did myself.  And I didn't even have to find time to go to the salon.

Left: Double Duty      Right: Gel Envy

I was so thrilled with the Gel Envy top coat I used it for a wedding I was in over Essie's Sugar Daddy (three layers of the color).  I did my nails two days before the wedding and they lasted the whole wedding weekend, plus!  Longwearing color you can do at home for half the price?  That's my kind of deal!

$18 Gel Mani (at home!): $5 Double Duty Base Coat + $8 Essie Polish + $5 Gel Envy Top Coat

Essie in 'Sugar Daddy'

4th of July Polish: I picked up the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in 'Wild Card' which is almost an exact dupe for Essie's Butler Please.  I wore 'Wild Card' on eight of my fingers with OPI 'Alpine Snow' and 'I'm Not Really A Waitress' on my ring fingers.  I haven't tried the Gel Color with the Gel Topcoat yet, but I only see good things for this line!  Check 'em out and let me know what you think!

4th of July Nail Colors

-BeautyFreckled