Review: Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipsticks + Swatches

Milani Cosmetics Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipsticks

Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipsticks ($5.99) are part of Milani Cosmetics permanent Spring 2015 line. Infused with grape seed extract imported from Italy, this smear-proof lip soother delivers mega color that won’t budge. The lightweight, creamy formula contains Vitamins A & C to keep lips kissably soft and hydrated. 
 

Left to right: Matte Innocence, Matte Naked, Matte Blissful, Matte Diva, Matte Orchid, Matte Glam, Matte Passion, Matte Confident

SCROLL DOWN FOR SWATCHES!

Available in (8) shades: 60 Innocence, 61 Naked, 62 Blissful, 63 Diva, 64 Orchid, 65 Glam, 66 Passion, 67 Confident.

Matte Innocence is described as a soft whisper of pink. It is a very sheer nude. Not my favorite of the collection as I've never been into canceling out the natural color of my lips but some will appreciate the pale nude color.

Matte Naked is described as a "Your lips but better" medium nude. Of the nudes/pinks this is my favorite shade. It compliments all skin tones nicely.

Matte Blissful is described as a girly blush pink. It is a blue toned pink which is hard to pull off and can make your teeth look yellow but some skin tones pull this color off pretty well.

Matte Diva is described as a happy, poppy hot pink. Matte Diva is a beautiful hot pink that flatters most skin tones.

Matte Orchid is described as a super flattering, complexion friendly fuchsia. This is one of my favorite colors that looks great on all skin tones. It is a true pink with purple undertones.

Matte Glam is described as a grape-Italian-ice purple. This unique true grape purple is a nice treat to drugstore lipsticks.

Matte Passion is described as a fiery sunset orange-red. Another favorite, it is a beautiful red with orange undertones that don't overpower the redness of this lipstick.

Matte Confident is described as a bold, gusty brick red. It is a true deep blue toned red that is flattering to almost every skin tone.

SWATCHES

Skin Swatches left to right: Innocence, Naked, Blissful, Diva, Orchid, Glam, Passion, Confident.

Skin Swatches left to right: Innocence, Naked, Blissful, Diva.

Skin Swatches left to right: Orchid, Glam, Passion, Confident.

Lip Swatches top left to right: Innocence, Naked, Blissful, Diva. Bottom left to right: Orchid, Glam, Passion, Confident.

I appreciate true matte lipsticks but not the dry feeling they leave on your lips. At first I was skeptical with Milani's claim about their new hydrated matte lipticks but these really do apply smoothly and feel quite comfortable on your lips. I wouldn't say they feel like a balm or as moisturizing as their previously released Color Statement lipsticks but they don't leave you with that common uncomfortable dryness that most matte lipsticks give. They also don't budge while eating or drinking and have about 6 hours of wear time before fading. Certain colors will stain your lips after having them on for a little while. I had to put in work in order to remove all the color ofl my lips when doing the swatches for this review.

I typically always use a lipliner with my lipsticks, not only to make my lip color appear neater but to prevent it from feathering and last longer throughout the day. My lip swatches were done without using lipliners but I would definitely recommend the use of them with these lipsticks.

PACKAGING
If you're a fan of Milani's packaging from their original Color Statement Lipsticks as I am then you will love the mattes the same. Although I do love the gold sleek packaging, it would be nice to differentiate the original lipsticks from the new mattes. The color names do include the word "matte" before them which is a plus but a distinction in packaging would have been nice. Color names are found engraved on the bottom of the tubes with the corresponding color of each lisptick. The fragrance of these matte lipsticks has been changed up from Milani's previous fruity melon scent, so if you love the scent of MAC lippies you'll appreciate the switch to the new vanilla scent.

OVERALL THOUGHTS
Milani Cosmetics has done good with the release of these affordable matte lipsticks. Although I do appreciate the color selection these lippies offer I would like to see a wider color range the way they released their original Color Statement lipsticks. Otherwise.. The scent, on point. The way they apply, on point.  The way they feel on your lips, on point. Let's just say Milani nailed these NEW Color Statement Moisture Matte Lispticks! Let's just hope there are new colors coming soon!


Availability: Milani Cosmetics / CVS
Price: $5.99


Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration by the manufacturer. This does not affect any opinions featured in this post as they are my own honest experiences with the product.    

*Limited Edition* Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liners Review + Photos

Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liners

Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liners ($6.99, .14 oz) are part of the Limited Edition Bedazzled Collection. These vibrant shimmery gel liners provide smudge-proof, long wearing pigmented color for the classic cat eye or a smoldering smoky look. Please note that the shimmer is an overspray.

I haven't seen them at my local drugstores but if you happen to.. honey you better get you some! These babies were reportedly flying off the shelves and that's why many people haven't even had the chance to spot them.

Available in (3) colors: (01) Enchanted Lapis, (02) Enchanted Black Opal, (03) Enchanted Emerald.

Enchanted Lapis (01) Constellation Gel Eye Liner

Enchanted Lapis is a mix of dark blue, purple and silver with the overspray. Once the overspray has been mixed it becomes a deep bright metallic blue with a silver shimmer.

Enchanted Black Opal (02) Constellation Gel Eye Liner

  Enchanted Black Opal is a mix of black, silver, pale gold and burgundy with the overspray. Once the overspray has been mixed it becomes a metallic charcoal with silver shimmer.

Enchanted Emerald (03) Constellation Gel Eye Liner

Enchanted Emerald is a mix of teal, purple, green and silver with the overspray. It becomes a beautiful deep teal once mixed together. Enchanted Emerald is my favorite of the three colors.

As with most brushes that are included in drugstore cosmetics, I would just chuck them into the trash bin but these liner brushes are surprisingly amazing! Not only do I use them to apply these liners but they also work great with my other gel liners. The brush itself is a travel sized brush with dense bristles meaning it is super easy to use and provides more control when applying your liner. It picks up just the right amount of product; the tip is perfect for creating thin lines and with just a twist of the brush you can easily create thicker lines.

Travel-sized brush included

As you know when it comes to drugstore liners it's pretty much a hit or miss but as always Milani did not fail us with these babies. The texture is very creamy, glides on easily and is very rich in color. It's so creamy, you have a good amount of time to work with them - take your time creating that perfect cat eye or smudge them out for a smoky effect. They also create a great base for shadows. That being said, you will need to allow the product to set for 1-2 minutes so it won't smear. I'm not complaining though, I'm a happy camper as long as a creamy product sets. These babies won't budge once they have.

Mixed overspray

The product itself is an array of mixed colors that simply put, resemble galaxies. Trust me when I tell you that you won't want to touch these because of the stunning embossed swirl of gorgeousness. The downfall is that the shimmery goodness is a just an overspray. Regardless, the colors are still very pretty and unique compared to other drugstore products.

Enchanted Lapis (01), Enchanted Black Opal (02), Enchanted Emerald (03)

Enchanted Lapis (01), Enchanted Black Opal (02), Enchanted Emerald (03)

PACKAGING
The Constellation Gel Liners come in the ever popular Milani packaging known for their gold plastic. They are housed in a round container with a clear twist off cap. Although I have always loved the Milani packaging, they are a bit too bulky for my liking. The amount of product (.14 oz) is at the standard of other gel liners (Inglot's liner has .19 oz of product). Now, I understand that in order to design the galaxy effect on the product they would need the space for that, but then maybe the packaging could have been thinner. I don't know if there are reasons to the bulky packaging but I'm hoping that these liners don't dry out quickly. I hate it when that happens!
 

OVERALL THOUGHTS
If you come across the Milani Constellation Gel Liners I recommend that you pick them up, especially since they are limited edition. The pigmentation, formula and distinctive colors are well worth the price for a drugstore product and they will not disappoint. The only con I have with these liners is that the shimmer designs are an overspray, I've never seen anything more gorgeous, it would be nice to keep the design. Although we don't continue to see the constellation effect in the product, the colors are still beautiful when mixed. For a long-wearing unique gel liner, Milani has definitely done a job well done.

Availability: Drugstores - CVS, Walgreens
Price: $6.99 ea.


Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration by the manufacturer. This does not affect any opinions featured in this post as they are my own honest experiences with the product.   

*NEW* Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow - Full Collection + Swatches + Makeup Look

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow Collection

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow ($3.99, 0.05 oz) is a new collection of gel powder eyeshadows that has been added to the permanent makeup line. They are described as rich, vibrant colors that glide on in a single stroke, delivering a stunning multi-dimensional effect.The formula of a gel powder starts off as a gel then is transformed through a special process into a powder eyeshadow that delivers pure color and power wear.

The collection features neutrals as well as bright vibrant pops of color. This formula is meant to be crease-resistant and can be applied wet or dry. The texture of these shadows are soft and powdery, some colors more than others. At first touch they feel more dry than soft but it is as though body heat warms the product up for a buttery smooth feel. They apply effortlessly and blend easily on the lids. Use a brush to apply or for an intense pop of color I prefer to use my finger to apply the shadow directly onto my lid. To achieve a foiled look using the metallic finish shade, add a bit of MAC Fix+ to your brush before dipping it into the eyeshadow.

The formula has a lasting power of about 7 hours. I began to see some fading after that time span especially on my lower lashline. Some colors fade faster than others though. I saw the most fading with Bella Navy. So far my favorites have been Bella Mandarin (for my crease), Bella Gold (I apply it to the center of my lid), Bella Sand (as a lid color) and Bella Ivory (for my browbone).

SWATCHES
These shadows are available in (30) shades and (3) finishes - Satin Matte (SM), Shimmer (S), Metallic (M):

Top (left-right): Bella Ivory, Bella Sand, Bella Cappuccino
Bottom (left-right): Bella Caffé, Bella Taupe, Bella Espresso

01 Bella Ivory (SM) is an off white pearly shade. It is great as a subtle inner corner & browbone highlight.
02 Bella Sand (S) is a beautiful soft gold with fine shimmers. This is great for a soft natural sheen on the lid.
03 Bella Cappuccino (SM) is a soft warm brown with the slightest sheen. The sheen is not that noticeable. It is great for the crease or as a light healthy-looking wash on the lids. I like the definition it gives to my crease.
04 Bella Caffé (SM) is a soft cool brown with a slight sheen not easily noticed on the lid. It is a great crease color.
05 Bella Taupe (SM) is a soft muted grey-brown shade with a slight sheen in it. Use it all over the lid or in the crease.
06 Bella Espresso (SM) is a medium brown with a gold undertone in it. The sheen it has is much more noticeable than the previous shades. When applied wet the color deepens significantly.

Swatches (white background): Bella Ivory, Bella Sand, Bella Cappuccino, Bella Caffé, Bella Taupe, Bella Espresso

Swatches (open background): Bella Ivory, Bella Sand, Bella Cappuccino, Bella Caffé, Bella Taupe, Bella Espresso

Top (left-right): Bella White, Bella Sky, Bella Navy
Bottom (left-right): Bella Gray, Bella Charcoal, Bella Black

07 Bella White (SM) is a translucent stark white with a subtle shimmer. I love to use this on my browbone and inner corner for a bright highlight.
08 Bella Sky (S) is a translucent pale sky blue shade. It has a very shimmery finish.
09 Bella Navy (SM) is a deep blue with a satin finish and slight shimmer. When applied wet it is richer in color. This is a great lid shade.
10 Bella Gray (SM) is a light translucent gray with a satin finish and slight shimmer due to its transparency.
11 Bella Charcoal (S) is a deep steel gray with brown undertones. It is very shimmery and would be a great lid color for a festive eye look.
12 Bella Black (SM) is a dark black with a satin but almost matte finish. Great for smoking out a look on the outer v.

Swatches (white background): Bella White, Bella Sky, Bella Navy, Bella Gray, Bella Charcoal, Bella Black

Swatches (open background): Bella White, Bella Sky, Bella Navy, Bella Gray, Bella Charcoal, Bella Black

Top (left-right): Bella Pink, Bella Violet, Bella Purple
Bottom (left-right): Bella Champagne, Bella Khaki, Bella Emerald

13 Bella Pink (S) is a frosty pale pink with a shimmer finish. The color applies lighter to the skin than what the pan shows. This is a great shade for the lid.
14 Bella Violet (S) is a light violet with a pink undertone and has a shimmer finish.
15 Bella Purple (SM) is a deep purple with a slight sheen. This is a gorgeous lid color.
16 Bella Champagne (S) is a pink champagne shimmery shade. I would put it over an eyeshadow base for a more glossy effect.
17 Bella Khaki (S) is an olive green with a gold undertone. I has a shimmery finish and has great pigmentation.
18 Bella Emerald (S) is a rich deep green with a shimmer finish. It has more of a metallic finish when applied with MAC Fix+.

Swatches (white background): Bella Pink, Bella Violet, Bella Purple, Bella Champagne, Bella Khaki, Bella Emerald

Swatches (open background): Bella Pink, Bella Violet, Bella Purple, Bella Champagne, Bella Khaki, Bella Emerald

Top (left-right): Bella Rouge, Bella Silver, Bella Teal
Bottom (left-right): Bella Gold, Bella Copper, Bella Bronze

19 Bella Rouge (M) is a red metallic shade with pink undertones. Apply wet for a foiled look.
20 Bella Silver (M) is a light silver metallic shade with fine shimmer in it. It has great pigmentation.
21 Bella Teal (M) is a blue-green metallic shade. It swatches more blue than green compared to how it looks in the pan and applies more as a shimmer until built up with more product.
22 Bella Gold (M) is a deep yellow gold with a metallic finish. It is very pigmented. It can be used in the center of the lid or inner corner for a pop of color.
23 Bella Copper (M) is a pigmented rich copper with gold undertones. Use it wet for a foiled finish.
24 Bella Bronze (M) is a rich warm brown bronze with a metallic finish. It is greatly pigmented when applied dry but loses its pigmentation when applied wet.

Swatches (white background): Bella Rouge, Bella Silver, Bella Teal, Bella Gold, Bella Copper, Bella Bronze

Swatches (open background): Bella Rouge, Bella Silver, Bella Teal, Bella Gold, Bella Copper, Bella Bronze

Top (left-right): Bella Cobalt, Bella Fuchsia, Bella Mandarin
Bottom (left-right): Bella Chiffon, Bella Rose, Bella Diamond

25 Bella Cobalt (SM) is a bright opaque cobalt blue containing fine silver shimmers. It has great pigmentation.
26 Bella Fuchsia (SM) is a sheer light fuchsia with a slight shimmery finish. Layer it on to build pigmentation.
27 Bella Mandarin (SM) i s a satin cool orange. It has a slight sheen when swatched but when applied on the crease it isn't noticeable. I love applying this color to my crease for the majority of my looks.
28 Bella Chiffon (Highlight/S) is a frosty yellow-toned white with a shimmer finish.
29 Bella Rose (Highlight/S) is a frosty pale pink with silver shimmers.
30 Bella Diamond (Highlight/S) is a very frosty white shimmer.

Swatches (white background): Bella Cobalt, Bella Fuchsia, Bella Mandarin, Bella Chiffon, Bella Rose, Bella Diamond

Swatches (open background): Bella Cobalt, Bella Fuchsia, Bella Mandarin, Bella Chiffon, Bella Rose, Bella Diamond

PACKAGING
Each shadow comes in a round gold compact with reflective snap shut caps. The packaging is like the Milani blush compacts. Although they are very pretty they are a bit bulky for eye shadow compacts. They will take up a good amount of storage space. You can depot them if you are looking to store them in a palette but please RESEARCH how to before trying to pop them out of the packaging. The shadows themselves seem to be baked onto a terracotta pan instead of a metal pan and there is a process to depotting them.

 
OVERALL THOUGHTS
The Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows are a breath of fresh air to the drugstore makeup brand. I have not come across any other brand selling single shadows that are as pigmented, versatile and easy to blend as these at that price point. Their lasting power is about the same as other drugstore brands, as an artist I'd like my shadows to last all day but it's fine as most women keep their makeup on for about 9-10 hours a day. I'm glad that they are not limited edition and are a part of the permanent Milani line. Although the packaging is pretty to look at they do take up a lot of storage space (I currently have to keep them in a bag until I find out what to do with them) and I am considering in depotting them to make room. With a vast array of colors you are sure to find what is right for you. In that sense I like the fact that they are single shadows and you don't have to buy a whole palette to restock on just one color (this happens often to me with drugstore palettes). I definitely recommend my beauty junkies to check these babies out!

Wearing Bella Navy & Bella Copper on lid / Bella Mandarin on crease / Bella White on inner corner & browbone

Wearing Bella Navy & Bella Copper on lid / Bella Mandarin on crease / Bella White on inner corner & browbone

Follow me on Instagram for makeup looks inspired by the Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows!

Availability: Drugstores / Milani
Price: $3.99 ea.


Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration by the manufacturer. This does not affect any opinions featured in this post as they are my own honest experiences with the product. 

Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes Review

REAL TECHNIQUES CORE COLLECTION BRUSHES

If you haven't heard of the Real Techniques brushes you've been living under a rock. Created by the very talented Samantha Chapman from Pixiwoo on youtube, her collection of makeup brushes have become a hot commodity within the beauty community. At an affordable price accompanied with great quality, why wouldn't these brushes be so popular?!

Contour brush, pointed foundation brush, detailer brush, buffing brush

The Core Collection was my very first Real Techniques purchase. It comes with (4) essential brushes and (1) carrying case:

• Detailer Brush: precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas; or, use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition. I use the detailer brush when I need to apply concealer on smaller sections of my face; to clean up my eyebrow makeup and to keep my bold lip colors from bleeding out.

Detailer Brush



• Pointed Foundation Brush: use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage. I don't reach for this brush as much as the other but when I tend to mix my foundations with it or use it to apply cream highlights on the top apple of my cheeks. It can also be used to apply a highlight to the bridge of your nose and your cupids bow.

Pointed Foundation Brush



• Buffing Brush: ideal for full coverage application of powder or mineral foundation. This is an amazing brush for buffing in your foundation. I only use liquid foundations so this is what I apply them with when I'm not using my beauty blender or Sigma Flat Top Kabuki brush.

Buffing Brush



• Contour Brush: delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish. This brush is my go-to brush for contouring the hallows of my cheeks. I then go over it with a slanted contour brush and bronzer and continue with bronzing the rest of my face like the temples of my forehead, jawline and neck. 

Contour Brush



• Panaromic Brush Case: 2-in-2 case + stand This stand/case was pretty much useless to me. It got tossed away in a makeup draw the second I removed the brushes from it. It's only worth using as a carrying case when traveling but even then I don't use it. It is way too small for all the brushes I carry. And yes, the brushes do look pretty in it when being used as a stand but it is impractical and inconvenient to me. The brushes get stuck within the bands and when applying makeup, I like to be able to switch back and forth with my brushes without the hassle.

Compared to other makeup brushes these are super lightweight and easy to deep wash since they have these sleek aluminum handles, meaning no worrying about getting water in the ferrule of your brushes here. Best yet, they are very easy to wash as far as getting product out of the hairs. If there is one thing I can't stand is trying to get my Sigma Flat Top Kabuki brush 100% clean. It takes me many so long to get that brush clean and getting the foundation out of the Real Techniques Buffing Brush is a breeze compared to the Sigma brush. Each brush has its name imprinted on the side of the handle. To ensure that it doesn't get rubbed off through wear-and-tear I applied a bit of clear nail polish over the names of them.

Soft dense synthetic bristles

All of the brushes made by Real Techniques have very soft, dense synthetic taklon bristles that have been hand-cut and are 100% cruelty-free. If you are vegan or just choose to not use animal hair products then these brushes are perfect for you. When choosing makeup brushes regardless of the brand I opt for synthetic bristles above all else. Choosing synthetic bristles over other options, like animal hair, comes with its benefits. But, if you prefer to choose otherwise that is fine, it all depends on what the person is looking for in a makeup brush. For me the following benefits aid in my choice..

• synthetic brushes are easier to maintain clean since they don't absorb pigments as much as other brushes-meaning less cleaning time.
• synthetic brushes create a more airbrushed look on the skin-offering a more natural makeup look.
• synthetic brushes are less prone to being damaged by makeup products you use or brush cleansers.
• if you have allergies to certain animal hairs, synthetic brushes are your best friend. I have sensitive skin and am known to having allergies to certain animal hair so al around I just try to stay away from brushes made of animal hairs.

Description of brushes located on back of the box

Beauty lovers will be happy to know that Real Techniques brushes are very affordable. Makeup brushes can get very expensive especially when looking for good quality brushes. At $18 for the set, that's $4.50 a brush. I got my set about a year ago from Ulta and used their usual $3.50/$10 coupon making the set under $15. I've been very happy wit my Real Techniques brushes and have yet to experience any shedding from any of them. Go get yours today!

Price: $18

Availability: RealTechniques / Ulta / Walmart

HAVE YOU TRIED REAL TECHNIQUES BRUSHES? WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE?