The Balm Mary Lou Manizer - Review + Swatch!

I absolutely adore highlighters. Whatever color or shade they are, I like to have them in my stash. Not that I have many (I'm still building my collection). In fact, The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer was my first highlighter. And it is, by far one of the most amazing highlighters I've ever tried. I bought it on Amazon, for $16.99 (it actually retails for $24.99 I think, on the official website). I totally think it was worth every penny, which I'll explain in the review. Also, Hautelook every now and then has sales on The Balm makeup where it is for 50% off.

The retro packaging is very cute. It's a sturdy compact, with a mirror on one side, taking good space in the palm. It holds 8.5g/0.3 Oz which is a lot of product. Especially considering how pigmented it is, it feels like it'll never finish. There isn't any fragrance to the powder I feel. And oh, it is so soft! Which is why I use a flat brush and pat it on the compact, to avoid fall out. Since you need very less to get a good glam look. It may give you the disco ball look if applied heavily, so it's better to start off using a light hand. It has some sparkle in it, I wouldn't say too much, since it ends up looking just like a beautiful sheen when applied lightly.

The lasting powder is nice too, even though I have very oily skin. It lasts about 6-7 hours without primer or setting spray. I would say though that the compact is kind of delicate plastic. Since my luminizer chipped from the side, after which I added a little rubbing alcohol and pressed it. So, maybe it's not too great for travel...
Overall verdict, I absolutely love this product. Even though some people feel it's hard to pull it off during day time, I think it's very possible using a light hand. And that it gives a very beautiful champagne highlight to the face.

The Balm Hot Mama Review + Swatch!

So, when I started going crazy about makeup and makeup tips I came across The Balm. Which was popularly known for producing very pigmented products and their cute retro packaging. Seeing the reviews and swatches (and of course, the hype) I would go crazy and definitely wanted to own it. So, well... I guess I couldn't hold for long and ordered Hot Mama from Amazon. I got it for $13.79 (which is actually $21 on the website). And I don't think The Balm products are readily available at many stores, it's kind of hard to fine them. They can be bought on the website, or on amazon. Though sometimes Hautelook, which is a premier members-only site featuring private, limited-time sale events of the world's premium fashion and lifestyle brands, has The Balm products available too.

Anyway.. Coming to the review. I absolutely LOVE this blush. I can't rave about it enough. I use it everyday since I got it. Even though Hot Mama kind of has a prominent sheen to it, I think it's wearable during the day too if you use a light hand. This is how it looks: 

The packaging is really cute. It comes in a paper cardboard type packaging and has a strong magnetic lid. It holds 7.06 grams, 0.25 oz. Which is quite a lot of product. People say its a dupe for the NARS Orgasm (the universally flattering blush). Hot mama is a very beautiful pinky peach colored blush with a golden sheen. It doesn't really have any big chunks of sparkle in it, which I love. And which all together makes it a lot more wearable. It's lasting power is good too, and it lasts me around 5-6 hours without primer. it doesn't really have any scent. It's texture is very soft and buttery, just tapping it with the brush gets you enough product for one cheek for a natural look. 

I wanted to include a swatch on the hand, but for some reason the camera wasn't doing justice to the color of the blush. So I didn't include that.. Regardless, all the pictures were taken indoor without flash. I hope they're clear and give a good idea of blush. Please leave a comment and let me know what you guys think about it too. Also, you feel free to ask questions. :)

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Rendezvous (040) - Review + Swatch!

Since it's summer, I'm loving all my coral, peach and orange lip color shades. Today I'll be reviewing Revlon's Balm Stain in Rendezvous (040) which is a sheer orange shade. It comes in plastic packaging and with it's bottom being twistable, to move the crayon shaped balm stain outward. It holds 0.095 Oz/2.7 g. 

It has a very mild fragrance, like a mint candy sort. The plastic packaging matches very much to the actual color of the balm, which I think is really good. Though the crayon seems bright orange it applies as a very wearable orange and isn't too bold. If you look closely at the balm, it has very fine golden sparkles. But once applied to the lips you can't see any.

Left 3-4 swipes, Right 1 swipe.

The lasting power for me of this balm isn't impressive. It hardly lasts 3-4 hours. But it leaves behind a beautiful stain! It has warm undertones, but I think it is a color that could suit all skin tones.

Overall, I really like this product. I do agree that I might have to give more touch ups cause of it's poor lasting power, but it's hydrating and I love the color. It's a great color to be paired with a bronze summery look!

Pros:

• Hydrating
• Leaves behind beautiful Stain
• Unique orange shade, great for summer
• Suits several skin tones
• Fresh minty fragrance

Cons:

• Poor lasting power
• Not too many shades of balms to choose from

Hope the review was helpful! Please comment for any questions or suggestions. :) Have you tried any of the Balm Stains, if so what do you think about them? 

The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF 15 - Review

I have very dry and chapped lips, whether it's summer or winter. Most lipsticks dry on my lips too, and give the dry dehydrated lips look. Which is why I'm always on the search for a lip balm that keeps my lips hydrated. When I saw the Vitamin E Lip Care Balm at The Body Shop I had to pick it up. Especially cause of the added advantage of SPF 15, which I think is very important especially if you go to school or college.

The lip balm has a very faint sweet smell. It holds 4.2g/0.14 Oz. It doesn't feel cool on the lips. It's very moisturizng and still manages to somehow not feel greasy. Though I'd say the lasting power isn't too great. Since I have to reapply after around 3-4 hours. But I think it's really nice because of the SPF and how it moisturizes without feeling heavy or greasy at all. Though I haven't really noticed much improvement in my lips, but they do stay hydrated with the lip balm on. 

When going to college I mostly use this prior to putting lipstick, because lipsticks don't have SPF or any sunscreen in them. Also, it makes the application of most lipsticks smoother.

Overall, I really like this lip balm, especially cause of the added advantage of SPF. Also cause it soothes my lips and moisturizes them better than any other lip balm I've tried. 

Hope the review was helpful!