All posts by Chelle
Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipsticks (Review & Swatches)
Smashbox has jumped on the liquid matte lipstick train with an enormous range of shades! 20 different colours promise “a lip-smoothing, 8-hour power pout that just won’t budge”!
The Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipsticks promise to be non-feathering, water resistant and will stay solid for eight hours straight. They “contain [a] primer oil complex, [are] rich in moisturizing jojoba, apricot and sunflower oils. Always smooth and never drying, keeps lips soft-as-suede, supple and comfortable”.
The applicator is diamond shaped with a small pocket in the middle that helps to collect product from the tube and make for an easy lip application. Because of the rounded, yet pointed, tip I am able to get a really smooth line while drawing this on my lips. (Well… as smooth as *I* can draw – liquid lipsticks always make me nervous because there’s that point where if you don’t draw it straight, you know you’re going to have to take it all off and start from scratch!)
Of the four colours I have, Girl Gang was the only one that swatched a bit streaky and wore that way as well. The other colours are all completely opaque in one swipe and wore without any streaks. The formula goes on with a slightly mousse-y texture which makes it easy to apply since it takes a few minutes to settle and dry down.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick Swatches
My Thoughts
Although the Smashbox Always On formula promises to be non-drying, I have to point out that these did feel dry while they were ON my lips. After the product was removed, my lips were totally fine, but it’s worth mentioning that these aren’t an especially comfortable matte liquid lipstick as your lips will feel incredibly dry while wearing the product (not dissimilar to Colour Pop‘s Ultra Mattes). That detail out of the way, these liquid lipsticks are solid. The colour stays put without fading or bleeding (no lip primer required!) and I never had any need to touch up the product while I was wearing it. I really liked the diamond-shaped applicator as I found it easier to apply the product to my lips with this as opposed to the usual doe-foot. I never tested it for eight hours as I just can’t bring myself to wear ANY lipstick that long, but I only had minor signs of inner lip fading around the four hour mark.
Of the four I tried, only one shade had minor streaking and it’s not surprising that it’s a purple as pigmentation seems to be a struggle when creating anything purple coloured in the makeup world. The remaining three shades were completely opaque on the lips without needing to fuss around. I really, REALLY in love with the grey shade Chill Zone. Totally and completely wowed by that cement-like shade and I will definitely get some use out of that since it’s very unique and unlike anything else I own.
Let me know if you’ve tried these out!
The Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipsticks can be purchased at sephora.ca for $28 CAD or on sephora.com for $24 USD. In Canada, these are also available at Shoppers Drug Mart and on beautyboutique.ca.
The products featured in this post were sent to me for review.
Swatch Sunday: Joe Fresh Neutrals
Being the eyeshadow fiend that I am, it’s really nice to see that Joe Fresh has started to put out some palettes!
They’ve started out by releasing their Neutrals palette, and I really, really hope to see more by them because I was totally floored by just how well these swatched. Pigmentation is not only excellent, but there are even plenty of matte shades in here!
Joe Fresh Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette Swatches
The product featured in this post was sent to me for consideration.
Skincare Saturday: StriVectin Silver Peel-Off Purifier
Some of you may have seen the silver peel off masks that have been floating around on the skincare market for a little while, and StriVectin now has their own!
I was sent two lab samples of this product (first time that’s ever happened to me!), so I can’t speak to what the actual bottle looks and feels like, but I was provided with the shot above which is pretty darn sleek looking.
The StriVectin Silver Peel-Off Purifier is an “innovative mask, formulated with the power of colloidal silver, [it] helps purge skin of built up debris and pollutants. Complexion is left soft, smooth, and radiant, perfectly primed for the application of serum, moisturizer, and makeup.” It’s intended to be used before you continue your skincare routine, kind of as a prep step. It was formulated to physically draw out dirt and environmental impurities that builds in our pores on a daily basis.
Key ingredients:
- Proprietary NIA-114: scientifically proven to reinvigorate skin surface for optimal performance, strengthen and nourish the moisture barrier, inhibit the impact of environmental aggressors, and intensify the efficacy of other ingredients.
- Refining Enzyme Complex: comprised of five potent enzymes found naturally in the body, the non-abrasive compound promotes skin surface renewal to reveal radiant, smooth skin and diminishes the appearance of wrinkles.
- Encapsulated Moisture Delivery System: a controlled release of hydration to the skin ensures long-lasting moisture throughout the night leaving skin soft and cushioned.
I applied a generous layer to my face, but be aware that if you apply too much in some areas, it will pool up and take a heck of a lot longer to dry. They say you can wait 15-20 minutes before removing, but I found I had to wait a teensy bit longer because I applied a bit too much in some areas.
While the mask was on, I had a slight tingling sensation on my skin as the mask worked into my skin. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I really, REALLY like when I can feel my skincare at work on my skin, so I was really pleased about that. (If I can’t feel SOMETHING happening, I often feel like NOTHING in happening!) Once the mask has fully dried it’ll be transfer-proof (test it with your fingers!) and you’ll have the absolute delight of pulling off a full face mask in on fell swoop. LOVE!
My skin felt really nice afterwards – not tight like some masks can make it feel, but smooth and supple. Amazingly, I also felt like I didn’t need to apply moisturizer, which is not something I expected to feel with a purifying mask!
The StriVectin Silver Peel-Off Purifier mask retails for $72 CAD. It can be purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart and Murale locations, as well as online at beautyboutique.ca.
The product featured in this post was sent to me for review.