Covergirl Flashy Blastflipstick Blendable Lip Duo Review, Photos and Swatches!

Covergirl Flashy Blastflipstick Blendable Lip Duo

Have you spotted the Covergirl Blast Flipsticks on the racks yet at your local drugstore? Covergirl launched these lip duos at the start of the year, and to be honest, I dismissed them after spotting them at Walmart back in January because A) I didn't spot any barbie pink, and B) I wasn't too fond of the packaging. How shallow I must have been!

Well, I recently got the chance to try one of them, so I can share my thoughts with you all!

If these tubes look familiar to you, it's because the packagaing has a striking resemblance to the Covergirl Smokey Shadow Blasts I reviewed a couple years ago (Which I thought were pretty cool but gave my eyes an allergic reaction. My eyes were waterworks every time I wore them!). It's basically a double ended lipstick wand, with a darker cream shade on one end, and a lighter, shimmery shade on the other. Both colors can be worn separately, or you can layer the lighter shade over the darker one.

There are thirteen (13) shades in total: Whisper, Pucker, Glimmer, Flashy, Vixen, Perky, Tease, Cheeky, Stunner, Snap, Smooch, Minx and Intense.

I own the shade Flashy, a deep purple with a blue duo-chrome, and a light, shimmery magenta. This wouldn't have been my shade of choice, but it's a fab combination for deep to dark skintones!

Covergirl Flashy Blastflipstick Blendable Lip Duo

I was actually surprised with the texture and pigmentation of these. The dark purple is very creamy, smooth and opaque. The lighter color is sheer, but very smooth despite the shimmer. You can feel slight grit during application, but I don't feel the shimmer on my lips.

(light, shimmery magenta)

(deep purple with blue duo-chrome)

Here are both shades swatched on my arm. The swatches are true to color, but the purple is definitely much deeper once applied to the lips.

In this photo, I applied the dark purple and added the lighter magenta on top. It's actually very pretty, but it's not really a shade I can see myself personally wearing. I haven't really stepped into the world of purples yet (in lipstick), but I like I said, I can imagine this shade looking gorgeous on deeper skintones.

The only real downside with this shade in particular is that it stains my lips like no other product I've ever used. And it doesn't stain them purple, but a very neon, reddish pink. In fact, it stains them better than any other stain I've used. That can be a good or bad thing for some.

It felt comfortable on my lips while I was wearing the product, but after I removed it, my lips felt very dry and tingly - slight burning sensation? I'm not sure if anyone else had that problem with these, but I'm assuming it was an irritation from the dyes. I've only had that happen one other time in my life with a Styli-Style lip stain. I'm hoping it won't get worse by tomorrow! Kinda funny that the Covergirl Smokey Shadow Blasts caused my eyes irritation as well.

*EDIT 4/14 - My lips only felt irritated for the amount of time the stain was left on my lips. After scrubbing it off and applying lip balm, my lips were perfectly fine.

I most likely won't be purchasing any additional shades as I really didn't see any that interested me.

Price: Around $8 at your local drugstore. The price may vary from location to location.

What do you think of these? Have you tried them?

Covergirl Hot Passion Lip Perfection Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

Covergirl Hot Passion Lipstick

Do you have a lipstick, or any item of makeup that once applied, you instantly feel sexy? That's how I feel when I apply Covergirl Lip Perfection in #305 Hot Passion. I feel like popping some of my old cassettes in the tape player and gettin' my jam on. Rockell, perhaps?

(Rockell - In a Dream)

Haha! But, really, there is something about red that makes a women look and feel sexy.

Hot Passion is a true red that isn't 100% cool, or warm. It meets somewhere halfway. Upon application, I can tell right away that it looks cool with a blueish-pink undertone. But, when applied heavier, it starts to give off a little warmth. So, it's not entirely cool or warm. I actually attained this lipstick from my beautiful cousin, who is around the MAC NW15 coloring (with auburn hair, blue eyes & rosy cheeks), and she found it looking too warm/orange for her liking. I love it though, on my MAC NC20 coloring. Not to mention, it makes my lips look very full!

This is my first CG Lip Perfection Lipstick and I'm very impressed. It's one of the - if not the best lipstick formulas I've used from the drugstore. It's very creamy and opaque, with magnificent lasting power. After several hours, it's still there and leaves a nice reddened pink stain behind.

The swatch on the left, is the lipstick applied with one swipe. The swatch on the right, is the lipstick applied with three swipes. See how it seems warmer when opaque, but cool when sheer?

Have you tried any of the CG Lip Perfections?

CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Corrector Review + BEFORE & AFTER Pics!

CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Corrector 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Covergirl's Simply Ageless Concealer formula covers imperfections, conceals under-eye circles and visibly brightens skin. Like all Simply Ageless makeup, it's made with advanced Olay Regenerist Serum, and it stays suspended over fine lines and wrinkles, for younger, firmer-looking skin.

• Transforms from solid to liquid on contact with skin, for smooth application
• Easy to apply with finger to target problem areas
• Brightens skin under eyes for a more wide-awake look

For someone with dark (hereditary) under eye darkness, finding a product that is targeted as a "corrector" at the drugstore sounded very inviting, especially since I'm about three uses close to finishing my Bobbi Brown Corrector. Now, although I do love my Bobbi Brown, it is incredibly expensive with daily use. At $22 per 1.4g of product, the 9g jar of Olay is much more affordable and half the price; $11. Plus, there are always P&G coupons in the paper for Covergirl for extra savings.

The difference between a corrector and concealer? 
The difference is quite simple. A concealer is used to cover up or conceal any blemishes/imperfections, as well as under eye circles, redness, etc. It will usually pack more coverage than your typical foundation, so by the time you apply your foundation, all of your imperfections will be hidden. Of you can use a concealer without using foundation if you can find a good match for your skintone.

A corrector typically won't match your skintone. It is used to correct a color problem. It will contain a higher amount of color pigments to neutralize the color you're trying to conceal. Look at the color wheel for reference. The color directly across from the color you want to conceal is going to be the neutralizer.

yellow neutralizes purple
green neutralizes red
orange neutralizes blue
Pink brightens, as well as neutralizing yellow-green (olive) and gray.

So, if your under eye darkness is more on the blue side, a peach or salmon colored concealer will work well for you. For darkness that is more on the purple side, a yellow toned concealer will work well for you. I always like using concealer with a tinge of pink, as it always makes my under-eyes look brighter.

For those with very dark circles, a corrector applied before your concealer may be what you need for the fullest coverage. A corrector can be used alone, but depending on your specific needs, an additional concealer may be necessary, as it will provide coverage.

WHEW! I hope that all made sense.

The CG Olay corrector is only available in one shade, which makes me a little bummed out. It's a pale yellow, which works well for the under-eyes, but it may not suit everyone. For those with very fair skin, you may find this too dark. For medium-dark to dark skin, you may find this too light. I wish they'd add two more colors to the line, one being pink toned and another being peach. I think it would make the product a hit.

For comparison, here it is swatched next to Bobbi Brown Corrector in the shade Light Peach.

The consistency is fab, everything you'd want a corrector to be. It's very smooth and creamy (not sticky like BB - almost slippery?), applies to the skin in a thin (without being cakey) layer so you can apply a concealer over top (if necessary) with ease. I find that this product works the best when applied with the finger tips in a thin layer.

I find that it covers quite good. Many days I don't find the need for an additional concealer, but on days where I want pure opaqueness, I'll add a touch of concealer on top. I do recommend using a concealer with this product because it will fade a little by the end of the day when used solo.

In the following photos, only my left eye is concealed in order to show the difference.

In the following photos, both of my eyes are done.

I achieved this by applying a thin layer of Covergirl & Olay Corrector, then applying a layer of Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Light. With whatever foundation residue was left on my brush from my face, I patted it lightly under my eyes to blend the concealer with my foundation. I finished off with a dusting of Guerlain Meteorites (setting powder).

PROS: Dreamy consistency, blends easily, isn't sticky, thick/heavy or cakey, applies in thin layers, conceals well, brightens.
CONS: One color!? Come on. Too dark for fair skin, and too light for medium-dark to dark skin. Also lasting power could be better.
PACKAGING: A little large and bulky, but I'm not complaining because it's a lot of product! It's lightweight and travel friendly.
OVERALL: I really like this product and if you are in the light, light-medium and medium skin range, you may find this product very beneficial. I don't want to scare those of you with fair skin away though, because it's a corrector, even if it's darker than your skin, it can still work for you. Most of it boils down to preference. I personally prefer a corrector to be lighter than my skin. It does seem rather expensive for a drugstore product, but I can see one jar lasting a very long time. 

Covergirl CG Smoothers AquaSmooth Compact Foundation Review!

Covergirl CG Smoothers AquaSmooth Compact Foundation

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Designed with AquaCurrent Science, this vitamin-enriched formula directs moisture to your skin's surface to improve its condition over time, while giving smooth, even coverage that makes imperfections virtually vanish before your eyes. This solid makeup transforms into a liquid during application, then dries to an even, powder-light finish.

-Oil-Free and Noncomedogenic (won't clog pores)
-SPF 15 UVA/UVB Sunscreen
-Vitamins B3, B5, and E

There are fifteen (15) shades in total, and considering the compact is packaged closed (yes, the compact is shut and is packaged in plastic so you can't see the color), you'd pretty much have to play the guessing game when picking a shade at the store. The shades are as follows: Ivory 705, Classic Ivory 710, Natural Ivory 715, Creamy Natural 720, Buff Beige 725, Classic Beige 730, Medium Light 735, Natural Beige 740, Warm Beige 745, Creamy Beige 750, Soft Honey 755, Classic Tan 760, Tawny 765, Toasted Almond 770 and Soft Sable 775. Unfortunately, if you have very fair skin or deep-dark skin, there may not be a match for you. The main factor that brings down the rating of this foundation is the shade selection. There aren't enough golden/yellow shades, and many of the shades are too neutral (gray) or too pink. I was lucky to find a match for my non-tanned skin; Classic Ivory, which is a good MAC NC20 color match. It's also said to match NW20. From reviews, I've read that Buff Beige is good for NC25.

Classic Ivory

The consistency is a cream, that is thin and slippery to the touch. When applied to the skin, it has a velvety (silica), powder finish. Despite it being a cream, it is in no way thick or heavy. The compact includes a sponge, but I don't find the sponge yields flattering results. I prefer using a synthetic, flat top foundation brush, such as a Sigma F80 or Duo-Fiber Brush and applying it to my face in circular, buffing motions. In areas where I want a little extra coverage, I'll go back and apply a second layer, only to those areas, with short patting motions (as opposed to "sweeping") to really build the coverage. It's a very buildable foundation, so depending on how much you use, it can go from light to a heavier medium coverage. I wouldn't say it reaches "full" coverage, but a good medium.

The finish is a semi-matte, satin finish. It's very necessary to set with a powder, as cream formulas tend to transfer the easiest. I'll usually set with a setting powder such as Guerlain Meteorites or MAC Careblend Powder, but if I know it's going to be a long day, I'll dust my face with a powder foundation such as MAC Studio Fix Powder or Chanel Double Perfection Compact. It leaves my skin looking flawless.

The lasting power isn't the greatest. It's definitely not long lasting, and could use a couple of touch ups throughout the day. By hour 6, it has faded around my mouth and the tip of my nose, but is easily fixed with a quick sweep of my foundation brush and setting powder.

Left: Swatched on hand, Right: Blended

Too dull? Try dampening your brush before application to create a less, matte finish. Or, lightly mist your face with water before application.

 Here's a quick photo of me wearing the foundation a few hours after it was applied.

PROS: Good, buildable coverage, blends very well without caking, doesn't accentuate dryness, convenient for quick application.
CONS: Limited color selection - limited tones for yellow/warm skin, very light and deep skin tones. From what I've read, many shades lean pink and/or orange. Also, the lasting power isn't the greatest. It isn't by any means a "long-lasting" foundation. Those with oily skin, may find it transfers/moved around easily.
PACKAGING: I have no complaints with the packaging. It's a (somewhat clunky) long, narrow compact, that is lightweight and carries a sponge applicator and mirror. Although the sponge isn't the best for application, it's useful for touch-ups.
OVERALL: I think it's a great foundation for those who apply their makeup on the go, as it's incredibly convenient. Because it blends so well, it's beneficial for those who aren't very experienced with applying makeup. It's also good for those that want good coverage for a lower price. Dry, Normal/Combination skin types will benefit the best from this foundation, as I find the texture too slippery for those with Oily skin.

The price differs from each retailer, but the average price is around $8. The product contains .4 oz/12g as opposed to MAC Studio Tech (Creme Compact) that retails for $29.50 at 0.35 oz/10 g of product. Value-wise, you will most likely get the most bang for your buck with a liquid foundation, that are typically 1 oz of product for the same price. I always find that I run out of creme foundations much quicker, even though creme foundations tend to pack more coverage (so you won't have to use as much). I already have a big dent in my Aquasmooth compact, so I'm sure I'll have to replace it soon with continued use.