Jordana Matte Lipsticks

Jordana is a new brand to me, though I've heard about it before, at least about their Best Lash mascara (which I have and find impressive for a regular formula),  I didn't know they have matte lipsticks that are so highly rated on Makeup Alley as well. I've got four shades that a bit of everything, but they have quite a large selection of shades, so these are great also if you want to experiment with colours as they are really affordable.

Texture: These are thick, but still creamy enough for an even application. They remind me of some Mac lipsticks, to be more precise their Please Me and Lady Danger which is are both Matte finish. The colour is fully opaque and have that classic lipstick matte finish, which isn't as matte as lip creams, but still a bit on the creamy side upon application. I don't think I've ever tried a more impressive matte lipstick for such an affordable price. Essence has nothing on these, while Catrice's are already as impressive, but cost a bit more. I don't find these actively drying, but they are not moisturising, however, on my lips this does not present itself as a problem. I find these comfortable on the lips and as far as I read reviews on Makeup Alley, an overwhelming majority feels the same way, but as I always say it also depends on in what condition are your lips.

Colour: These come in tons of shades and I picked four that I thought might be more interesting to you. I got the good old classic red called 10 Red, something for nude lovers - 28 Natural, a light pink 48 Pink Passion which I got to compare with Please Me by Mac and the wild card in this selection 60 Plum Obsession because I suspected it may be a pretty popular colour. 

10 Red

I wanted a good selection of red shades that would be useful for future posts and this was my choice for a warm red. It's a bright orange based red that isn't as punchy as Mac's Lady Danger, so it's a lot easier to wear. I chose Matte Style from the Modern Mattes for a cool toned red and I wear it more often because I think it suits me a bit better, but if you have a warm skin tone, this one will look amazing on you.  

 28 Natural

Natural was my choice for a warm nude. It's a peachy nude that is very easy to wear and is appropriate for almost any occasion. Such shades differ the most on different skin tones, so keep  that in mind. If you're not as pale as me, this will look more nude on you.

 48 Pink Passion

I picked this shade because I heard it's close to Mac's Please Me and because it's such a standard everyday colour. It's a warm light pink that is indeed similar to Please Me, but it's a bit less vibrant. In terms of formula and finish they are very similar as well.

 60 Plum Obsession

This is a shade that I wouldn't pick up if I were in a shop, but I chose it deliberately because it looked like it might be interesting to you. And you know what, I ended up really liking it. It's a cool toned fuchsia-violet/orchid shade, a fun and bright colour that might appeal to fan of lipsticks like Flat Out Fabulous by Mac. 

Staying Power: is comparable to Mac's matte formula, so really good, though it depends on the intensity of the shade. Darker ones obviously last longer than the paler ones.

Scent: The intensity of the scent varies from shade to shade, but they all have a fruity vanilla scent.

Packaging: the only thing that isn't impressive at these lipsticks. The packaging is seriously cheap. When I was in my very early teens I got those cheap lipsticks from our version of a dollar shop (199 SIT če se kdo spomni) and the packaging of those was exactly the same as these. It's very fragile, so don't plan on carrying these in your bags. However, it's the product inside that matters and that one wins hand down. I'd rather have a cheap packaging and a great product inside than vice versa. The shape of the lipsticks is different at every shade, which means you might have a problem creating a nice shape, but at matte lipsticks I always like to use a lip liner anyway. 

Price and availability: Mine are from Click2Chic where they cost 2.60 € (I got them to swatch for their website). I hear you can get them for a dollar in the US in some shops, but I don't know their regular price. Europeans can get it on the official Jordana Cosmetic EU site where they cost 1.96 € (but the shipping is crazy expensive at 7.74 €). By the way, I was told that Jordana is a sister brand to Milani.

If I overlook the cheap packaging, which is forgiveable considering the price, these are some of the best budget lipsticks I tried and the cheapest most impressive ones. The formula is outstanding, I really wish Essence would take the page out of their book and attempt to do something similar. I think Milani's one are even better, at least in terms of finish, while the formula is very similar, but in general this is a company that knows how to make a good matte lipstick for an affordable price. The selection of shades is also impressive which is just another plus. These don't have such a high rating on Makeup Alley for nothing.

Have a great day!

Deborah Smalto Gel Effect

I've had these nail polishes for quite a while now. I got them to review for another website where you may have already seen my swatches (post is in Slovene) and I didn't plan on posting them here as well, but it can't hurt if I do, after all these have a pretty damn good formula. There first one in the row, 01 Pink Fusion, is the one I got myself about a year ago and it's one of my favourite nail polishes ever. I already have a review for it, but I'll repost the swatches here as well. The other four new colours I have, which were released this year, are 49 Peonia Pink, 52 Starlette Violet, 54 Amaranto and 58 Delhi Curry. I'll admit these are not the colours I would have chosen for myself, maybe just Amaranto, but the rest aren't really me, however that not what's important at this review. A few more colours were added, but I haven't seen them in person yet. 

I wrote about the formula in my review of 01 Pink Pulse, but it's a gel formula, so super smooth, fully opaque and very shiny. These are excellent quality nail polishes and there is a reason why I rave so much about shade 01 (it's also the most "borrowed" nail polish in my collection by other people). 

01 Pink Fusion

01 Pink Fusion is one of the original colours and one of my favourite ever shades. It's a nude with a rose-violet-taupe tone and I just love it on my nails. It's close to my skin tone, but those cool hues keep it from looking like mannequin fingers. It's a perfect nude on a skin tone that is around NC20-25 (Catrice Velvet Finish Foundation 010 Light Velvet). In terms of application, I think this one is the smoothest in the bunch.

49 Peonia Pink

49 Peonia Pink is a pastel Barbie/bubble gum pink with a cool undertone. Formula isn't as good as at the rest, it's less smooth, but considering it's a pastel, it's still nice. Two coats are needed for an even finish, on some nails even three.

52 Starlette Violet

52 Starlette Violet is a Milka chocolate violet. It really is the same shade as the Milka wrapper, so if you ever wanted such a shade, look no further. The formula is very smooth and pigmented, but it still needs two coats for an even finish.

54 Amaranto

54 Amaranto is a muted red-vine colour with a retro feel. It's another very pigmented and smooth nail polish, so if you're used to thick coats like me, one is enough, two if you need to fix anything, but despite that I always like to apply two, so it lasts longer. 

 58 Delhi Curry

58 Delhi Curry is an olive green shade that needs two coats for an even finish. It's probably my least favourite colour in my entire collection, but my preferences don't matter, I'm just showing you the shade. 

These cost 5.75 € on Click2Chic and I think they are a couple of cents more expensive in DM's. I don't know if you can get these online with international shipping.

Have a great day!

TheBalm Hot Mama Shadow/Blush

Hot Mama holds a special status among theBalm fans (reviews on Makeup Alley). It's often described as a dupe for Nars' Orgasm, but I disagree and you'll see swatches bellow which confirm that. Hot Mama is a much more unique shade and dare I say even prettier, actually it's one of my favourite blushes I got recently and I ended up wearing it a lot. 

It might surprise you how gold it looks in the pan. There is a considerable amount of gold sheen in this, much like in Nars' version, but compared to that one Hot Mama is a lot more coral. In fact, I'd compare it more to Benefit's Coralista, however, it is already a bit more pink. The sheen gives you that healthy glow on the cheek, so it's like a mix of a highlighter and blush in one (it's described as a highlighter + blush in one and I agree. Actually it's almost like Mary-Lou Manizer was added to the blush). If you have a warm skin tone you'll love this shade. I actually like it more than their Frat Boy because I've always been a fan of Coralista and this is very close. They describe it as a blush and eyeshadow, but I wouldn't wear this on the lids because such shades around the eyes would make me look ill, but it would probably work on someone with green or hazel eyes.

L'Oreal's Color Riche in Laetitia on the lips as a stain.

The formula excellent, it's pretty much a standard high end blush and it also performs that way. It's nicely pigmented, blends well and lasts so well on the cheeks (I wore it with another blush on the other side and this one lasted so much longer that that drugstore one, basically until the day was over). You get a very nice blush in this one.

The packaging is cardboard and it also has a mirror, though it is small. It has a retro inspired image on the front which you either like or you don't, I fit in the "it doesn't appeal to me" camp.

I'm a fan of this blush. Everything that looks like Coralista is my jam and this is a slightly pinkier version, but with the same awesome gold sheen. The quality is excellent, especially the staying power, so I'm impressed. But it is a blush that is very warm and I'm not sure if it will work for cool skin tones, even I sometimes feel it's too golden if I wear a foundation with a pink undertones. If your skin tone is warm this will look awesome on you. It costs a bit over 19 € in Müller.

Have a great day!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara

Since its release this mascara has received a fair amount of attention. I've read quite a few of very positive reviews of both the regular and waterproof formula, but in general its rating on Makeup Alley is average, still I was itching to try it, especially since I heard this was close enough to Benefit's Roller Lash. We only have regular formula in Slovenia (if I don't count the online shop Salma, which got it recently) and I had the hardest time finding a waterproof version for months, until it magically appeared on Look Fantastic. I was so unimpressed by this mascara the first week, but things took a dramatic turn and now it's in my top three.

Brush: It has a plastic curved brush that has short bristles on the inner part of the curve and longer on the outside. I think I used it wrong at first as I used the short bristles side first, but it's much better if you use it in the reverse order. The longer bristles comb and separate the lashes, while the short bristles deposit the product and add volume.

Formula: As I said things were really bumpy from the start. I was almost at the point of hating it. The formula was too thin, but at the same time it stuck the lashes together, so it gave the appearance of half less lashes than I have. Then on a completely random 8th day of use, it got fabulous. It  now makes my lashes absolutely huge, adequately separated, long and with tons of volume. It behaves like a mascara that doesn't have a plastic comb. No idea what made this switch, but now I love it. This mascara holds curls like nobody's business. It's in the rank of Lancome's Hypnose and Essence's I Love Extreme waterproof, however, it makes the lashes more stiff than the two. In fact so stiff that I have to use an eyelash curler otherwise it's quite painful for me, since I wear glasses a lot and the lashes hit the glass, so they need to be either soft or very curled (such a stupid problem, but it's the reason I started curling my lashes at a very young age). The formula is classically very black, but be careful not to get this on the skin or do the makeup afterwards because it's difficult to clean off (almost impossible without an oil-based remover). It lasts forever on the lashes and doesn't smudge at all.

Price: Mine is from Look Fantastic where it was €11.26. 

I think it's a great mascara once it's opened for a while, but it's no smooth sailing from the start as at Essence I Love Extreme. I still love the latter more than this one, not just because of the price, but because it's amazing the moment you open it and it gives some pretty fabulous lashes. But Lash Sensational definitely gets top marks from me, especially because it manages to hold a curl on my stubborn lashes, plus I love the fabulous volume and length it gives to my lashes. Some real great stuff here and I wouldn't be surprised if I end up repurchasing it (especially if Essence discontinues I Love Extreme out of the blue).

Have a great day!

Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Cheek & Lip Beauty Balm

You may remember this little ball from my big pile of Physicians Formulas stuff from a couple of months back. I just have so many reviews to go through here and on the other blog that this slipped through the cracks, but no matter, it's here now (Slovene version has been up for a while now). The design is very similar to those EOS sphere lip balms that have been popular for at least a couple of years now, but this one isn't a lip balm in anyway, it's actually a tinted blush and cheek product.  I don't know about you, but I always fall for these cute designs, whether the product inside is good or not.

The shade is just as the packaging - adorable. It's such a sweet girly colour, but it's actually not the same shade on the lips or cheeks as you see in the container. It looks raspberry medium pink, but on the lips it's a light, almost Barbie pink that is semi-transparent. I don't think you can get a fully opaque colour out of this, so it actually may be a nice product for a young girl. This is more of a silicone based product, meaning it's not at all moisturising, which does suggest it was more intended to be used on the cheeks than on the lips. I would advise you use a lip balm under it when worn on the lips. 

On the cheeks that semi-translucent characteristic keeps the blush from being too bright and it looks far more natural. It performs better on the cheeks than the lips and creates that cute baby doll flush. The ball design makes the application easy, you need a couple of swipes and it blends ok with fingers, though you don't even need much blending so it's a nice product on the go.  

The packaging is obviously a sphere. The lid screws on, so there is no fear it may open. I'm not going to say that this is easy to hold and before you misunderstand me, I just mean that it can slip out of your hands because of the round design. It would be better if they decided on a rubbery outer layer instead of plastic, but it's fine, it's not a thing to fuss about to be honest.

It smells so good, like those candy raspberries from Haribo. 

I got mine from Click2Chic where it cost 8.91 € (I got it to review for their website), but international readers can get it on iHerb. Another shade exist called Natural Peach.

Have a great day!

Catrice Nail Lacquer 18 Bloody Mary To Go

There is nothing like a good old classic red for the nails, am I right? You would think such an essential colour would be one of the first ones in my collection, but I will sheepishly admit I only got it a few months ago when I was making my post about reds and realized I have nothing like it. For shame. As far as I know Bloody Mary To Go was a very popular colour a couple of years ago, but you know when Catrice (Cosnova) decides to discontinue things, they do it with such a zealous attitude which is unmatched by any other brand apart from Essence (rule number one: do not get too attached to things from Essence and Catrice *sobs quietly for Essence's Stay Matte Lip Creams*). I remember being very disappointed when I first went in search for this shade a year or two ago, it was one of the first things I put on my Pinterest wishlist, but alas I was too late and it was already gone. Luckily Catrice came to their senses and re-released this shade again probably sometime this year. A company that actually listens to their customers - nice.

Bloody Mary To Go is a very classic blue toned medium red. It's one of those standard shades like a nude that everyone should have in their collection. This kind of shade that makes you appear like you give a damn in looking very classy as well as professional. 

Red nail polishes are usually all great when it comes to formula and this one is no exception. The formula is really pigmented and smooth, so you can settle for one coat, but it might look a bit see-though on some nails (it's a jelly/crelly). I stick to two layers like always. I love the new brush of these nail polishes, it fits my nails perfectly, though on the pinkies I turn it sideways.

I picked up my bottle in DM for 2.59 €. 

Have a great day!

Catrice Eye'Matic Eyepowder Pen 050 Al Cappuccino

I'm always up for eyeshadows that are easy and quick to apply. I have a few cream ones, but I've never tried a powder one in such a form. Catrice released a collection of stick powder eyeshadows, with the colour/product in the lid and a sponge applicator. A majority of the shades are light and act more as a sheer shimmery wash, while Al Cappucino is already packing a bit more of a punch. These take seconds to apply and you can easily blend them with fingers if you wish, so I find these perfect to throw in the bag for either "beauty emergencies" or if you're simply not a morning person and you end up quickly slapping on makeup in your workplace/school. It actually came handy a lot in these months since I got it. 

The shade I got is called Al Cappuccino and it's a shimmery taupe-brown shade that is a browner version of L'Oreal's Infallible in Tender Caramel, though on the lids the look very similar. It's a simple neutral colour that isn't too much and but it gives a bit more definition to the eyes as well as a touch of a sheen. As I said before the actually product is in the lid and it has a spring in it, so the applicator is squished in the cap thus ensuring that it get a new coat of product every time.

The colour transfers well to the lids, at least most of the times. Sometimes you need to shake the product or open and close it again to get the colour on the applicator, but strangely it doesn't annoy me that much. It sticks on well, so there is not much of the shimmer falling down and landing on your cheeks, which is surprisingly considering this is a loose product.  For a more intense look I like to apply it over a cream eyeshadow (Kiko's stick one that are also super easy to apply and blend). The sponge is a big version of those that are added to cheap palettes and I actually like it because it also helps you blend the product around the edges. The pen is very sleek and travel friendly, plus the top of the cap is in the colour of the eyeshadow inside.

Staying power is ok, but this does crease on me after several hours if I don't use a base. 

I didn't expect to like this as much as I do. First impressions based on the press release was that this is certainly just a gimmicky product, but it is lazy girl's best friend. It's easy and quick to use and the colour is everyday appropriate. 

I got mine in Müller for 4.29 €.

Have a great day!