Product Review: L'Oréal's Infallible 10HR Lipstick in Bold Bordeaux

Lipstick. One of the makeup items I can't get enough of. Not only can it turn one's face from blah to ahh, it also gives one that boost of confidence, making them look more "made up", thus, "presentable". And because of the recently concluded National Lipstick Day, I had one more reason to buy new lippies! Including L'Oréal's Infallible Le Rouge/10HR Lipsticks, which had me at long-wearing.

Product Benefits:

Take your lips to the next level with Infallible 10HR Longwear Lipstick. This revolutionary and innovative formula delivers bold, luscious color that lasts all day long, making it the ultimate beauty indulgence.


Innovations:

Infallible 10HR Longwear Lipstick offers up to 10 hours of vivid, hi-definition colour and shine, while hydrating Vitamin E keeps your lips moist and comfortable. Discover the truest color payoff in a creamy, conditioning base.
From.lorealparis.com.ph

Image from beautymnl.com

CLAIM TO FAME: A moisturizing, long-lasting lipstick with a demi-matte finish

FAST FACTS: Delivers up to 10 hours of vivid, high-definition color; leaves a gorgeous, healthy sheen; formula mattifies when blotted; hydrates lips with Vitamin E for moist, comfortable lips; creamy, conditioning base won’t dry or flake off 

PERFECT FOR: Everyday wear
From beautymnl.com

This line has been around for quite some time, but just like any other lines from other makeup brands, it took a while for it to be released in the Philippines. In the U.S. they refer to the Infallible lipsticks as Le Rouge, whereas in the Philippines, we  just call it Infallible 10HR lipsticks. When it was first launched in the U.S., it came in a slim silver tube, but they soon changed it to a black base with color-coded caps. And with the change, there were claims, the formula and shades/color changed as well. I can't say for sure if that is true, as I don't own any  of the older versions. But most of their old colors are still available and more.

I got the shade Bold Bordeaux, eventhough the reviews I've read about this are hit and miss, because I wanted a dark red wine shade. I guess, since I was under the impression, long-wearing is equivalent to matte, I was expecting this to have a matte finish. Unfortunately, it does not. Although, one can just blot the lips to remove the shine. It applies like a lip gloss and it has tiny shimmers that gives it an almost frost(y) finish.

Two swipes at the top. One swipe at the bottom. List of Ingredients on the right.

It was easy to apply, but I didn't find it creamy. In fact, I immediately felt my lips shrink and dry up like a prune. It felt very tacky and it takes several minutes to set. It has a sweet floral scent during application, but it goes away quickly and is not really bothersome to me. And because I got a dark shade, as with other brands, it could be challenging and tricky to get an even color.

In person, Bold Bordeaux is darker and more wine colored versus what's seen above (pictures taken with flash)

This was no exception, this shade was very streaky, even after trying to layer it. I'm not sure if it was because my lips' original color was not even or becuase they're dry, but I tried different ways to make it work to no avail. I tried exfoliating, applying a lip balm, covering my lips with concealer, but still, it came of streaky and uneven. It also transfers. The only consolation I got was once it wears off, the stain it leaves, is more even. However, what made it really disappointing was it did not live up to its name of being long-wearing. It didn't last 10 hours. It didn't even last 5 hours on me! It was gone after I had a meal, and although it left a stain, the stain only lasted for an hour, even without drinking or eating.

Pros:
- Leaves an even stain
- Sleek packaging
- Gives lips a lipgloss shine effect

Cons:
- Streaky/Patchy color
- Sticky on the lips
- Color transfers
- Not long-wearing as it claims
- Expensive than other drugstore lipsticks

The Final Verdict:

I was hoping to get more wear time from this lipstick as it is one of the more expensive lipsticks I have from the drugstore (original price: Php 500, I got it on sale for Php 300 plus shipping). I will try the other shades I have soon (Forever Frappe and Tender Berry). I'm still looking forward to trying them as the reviews I saw for the other shades are better than Bold Bordeaux's. But if you're looking for a deep wine shade, you'd be better of getting a different lipstick, I suggest, Maybelline's Divine Wine or Wet n' Wild's Spiked with Rum. 💄

See yah on my next post!

Xoxo,
Missus C 💋

Product Review: Maybelline Creamy Matte Brown Nudes Lipstick Collection

A rainy day/night, Makeup Junkies! Living in the Philippines, means monsoon season has started and we're in for cold and wet days (maybe even weeks) ahead.

That, however, does not hinder me from sharing some awesome finds!

To celebrate National Lipstick Day last July 29, a lot of makeup brands had offers on their lipsticks that were too good to pass, including, Maybelline. These are Php 299 each, but I was able to get mine for Php 199 from Beauty MNL. They also took advantage of the hype around National Lipstick Day by releasing their newest collection, which is every 90's girls' dream, the Brown Nudes. When they first released their Creamy Mattes line, everyone went gaga over Touch of Spice, I guess that's partly why they were inspired to make more colors similar to it. In fact Touch of Spice is part of the collection. But since it was released earlier, the buzz surrounding this shade is not as loud as the others. 

WHAT IT IS

Color Sensational® Creamy Matte Lip Color. Creamy matte-finish lip makeup available in gorgeous hues. Achieve beautiful-looking lips in just moments.

BENEFITS

Achieve statement-making color with our supremely sensational matte lipstick. Precious oils leave a sensuous finish. Available in a collection of eye-catching shades.

HOW TO USE/APPLY

Step 1. Apply lipstick in the center of your upper lip and follow the contours of your mouth. Step 2. Glide the lipstick across the entire bottom lip.

From www.maybelline.com

They have 6 shades in total. I didn't get the lightest one, which was Nude Embrace.

CLAIM TO FAME: Maybelline’s best-selling matte lipstick formula, now in a collection of flattering nudes and browns

FAST FACTS: Buttery-soft formula applies rich and creamy; delivers vibrant, opaque color payoff; glides onto lips seamlessly for comfortable wear; long-lasting formula with a shine-free, velvety finish

PERFECT FOR: Everyday glam

From www.beautymnl.com

From Top Left to Right: Nude Embrace, Daringly Nude, and Clay Crush

2nd row L-R: Nude Nuance, Touch of Spice, and Burgundy Blush

1. Nude Embrace - Although I didn't get this color, I did get to try it. It was a nice caramel shade with neutral undertones. It looked straight up beige on me and what I imagined "Nude" to be. And because it was very light, it accentuated the lines on my lips more than the other colors. It also made me look washed out a bit.

2. Daringly Nude - is the second lightest shade in the line. A nude with pink undertones. A great color for fair-skinned girls.

3. Clay Crush - a light brown with orange tones, that looks almost terracotta. 😍  I am in love with this shade, as it looks flattering on the skin if you have a yellow or warm undertone.

4. Nude Nuance - a darker brown version of Clay Crush, think burnt sienna. This was the shade I was eyeing at first and I was stoked when I got this as a freebie when I took a #Lipfie at Maybelline's counter in SM Makati.

5. Touch of Spice - a muted mauvey-brown with plum undertones. A great everyday color. If you'd like to see a more in-depth review of this color, you can check my previous post here.

I apologize for the less than perfect bullet. This lippy has been living in my purse since I bought it. 

6. Burgundy Blush - The darkest shade this line has to offer. A vampy dark brown with a touch of red. I would have like this more if it was less patchy and did not cling to the dry skin on my lips or emphasize my lip lines.

I am just missing the swatch of the 2nd shade, Daringly Nude

Ingredients:

All of these lipsticks are pigmented! They applied smoothly without tugging on the lips. They go on opaque after the second layer and, like what it's name suggests, very creamy. Although not very matte, it still does not have the shine other lipsticks have. And if that is what they had to sacrifice to make sure these lipsticks do not feel dry on the lips, I'd gladly accept that. It lasts 4-5 hours with minimal drink and food intake (shorter for the lighter shades). It smells sweet like vanilla, bordering Play-Doh, but you only smell it when you're applying it. All in all, just like how I fell in love with Touch of Spice, I am in love with the rest of their shades as well. So if you are the nude lipstick kind of girl, you better not pass on this. 💄

Xoxo,
Missus C 💋

Product Review: Essence's Lash Princess Volume Mascara

Hello, makeup junkies! 💋

I've been dying to post this review of Essence's Lash Princess Volume Mascara ever since the (first) day I tested it.

I've been on a hunt for a decent and inexpensive mascara since I finished my Celeteque one months ago. I haven't been really successful, until I dropped by Essence to pick up a new eyeliner, and saw this cutie!

Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara 

Php 349

The packaging looks like a corset and is extra girly because of the peachy pink/orange color. The cap is made of rubber that makes opening easier (I can just imagine how useful I would find this little "feature" once the mascara is not as new and the formula on the outside rim start to dry up).

I think I startled the sales lady after squealing like a little girl when I saw it on display. I wasn't expecting it to be available in the Philippines as I haven't noticed it before (seems impossible as who can miss this adorable packaging). I wanted the green one, which was their waterproof version, but they didn't have it. I was actually lucky because I got the last piece.

Bare lashes on the left. 1 coat of mascara at the top and 2 at the bottom

Royal! the lash princess mascara with a specially-shaped cobra-head wand covers each individual lash to create dramatic volume and a gorgeous, sweeping look. for intensive fluttering lashes. just as unique as any princess, the mascara is presented in a beautiful evening gown.

from www.essence.ue

The wand reminds me of a twisted cobra head as the middle tapers off a little bit. The bristles are made of hair and are spaced apart perfectly, to make sure lashes are volumized, but still be able to brush out the clumps.

Initial application at the top. 8 hours after application at the bottom.

Initial application at the top. 8 hours after application at the bottom

The formula sets and dries (that looks really dry) fairly quickly. It did not make my lashes crunchy or sticky. It made my lashes look really black and I would say, a little thicker. Although it didn't mention anything about length, I still see that it has made my lashes look a little longer. Which is a plus in my book! In fact, it made my eyes look more "open" since it did a good job in making my lashes curl up, even without the help of an actual curler (something I really wanted to get out of my mascaras). It doesn't have any strong nasty scent, although, it still has a slight, somewhat chemical smell that goes away right after application. It was also easy to remove by the end of the day.

The only downside to this mascara is, it smudges and flakes a little on me. And since I wear contact lenses and I tear up  constantly, I get raccoon eyes after 8 hours of wear time (which is pretty common for me even with other brands).

Ingredients:
AQUA (WATER), CERA ALBA (BEESWAX), PARAFFIN, CARNAUBA (COPERNICIA CERIFERA) WAX, ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, STEARIC ACID, PALMITIC ACID, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, CERA MICROCRISTALLINA (MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX), AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL, MAGNESIUM SILICATE, GLYCERIN, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, POLYIMIDE-1, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES).
from www.essence.ue

Pros:
- Adds volume and makes lashes really black
- Separates lashes and coats each lash giving the appearance of more lashes
- Mascara wand combs out clumps and gives lashes a fuller look

Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Smudges and flakes

The Final Verdict: This is a decent mascara and I'd say I will repurchase this product. That's because for me, the smudging and flaking issue can be easily resolved by cleaning and touching up. Like what I've mentioned, it's something I've always experienced even with other mascaras and it's not really new to me. But because I really noticed a difference in my lashes, and this mascara didn't make my lashes feel (and look) brittle, I'd say it's one of the better mascaras I got to try.

Until next time! I'll see you on my next post.

Xoxo,

Missus C 💋