I couldn't resist picking up a few Maybelline Color Elixirs while they were on sale at Rite Aid for 40% off. The regular price for this is $8.99 but with the 40% off, it only cost me $5.39 each. I wanted to try these for a while after seeing some rave reviews on Instagram and Youtube, especially for the colors Nude Illusion and Vision in Violet.
Here is the description directly from Maybelline:
Fall under the spell of the elixir effect. Hyper-saturated color, ultra cushiony feel. The new hypnotic lip sensation. Why You'll Love It:
- A trio of concentrates delivers the color of a lipstick, the cushiony care of a balm, and the glass shine of a gloss
- Our exclusive smoothing angora brush delivers a polished , even application and smoothing sensation to lip
I was honestly a little disappointed after swatching them on my hand and wearing some for a few days but I think it's because I was expecting more of a liquid lipstick or a stain gloss. This product is very sticky but has good pigmentation (for a gloss). The stickiness helps it to last a while but when it wears off it leaves my lips feeling really dry. The main thing I don't like about these is the scent and taste. The scent is very sweet and perfumey and reminds me of Fruity Pebbles. The strong scent seems to cause a bad perfume/chemical taste but it's not bad enough to keep me from wearing it. This "lipstick-balm-gloss" trio would be a good product for you if you like glosses and don't mind the scent.
Breathtaking Apricot 005: pinky coral with shimmer and good pigmentation. This shade left the most stain on my hand from swatching
Caramel Infused 065: pinky/mauve nude with light shimmer and good pigmentation
Vision in Violet 040: bright deep violet with no shimmer; Very pigmented
Raspberry Rhapsody 030: blue toned fuchsia with shimmer
Mauve Mystique 025: mauve with no shimmer; darker than Caramel Infused
Caviar Couture 050: deep wine/burgundy with shimme. The shimmer in this shade is the most noticeable.
Amethyst Potion 045: purple mauve with blue shimmer
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| (Indoor lighting) Row 1: Nude Illusion, Breathtaking Apricot, Caramel Infused, Vision in Violet. Row 2: Raspberry Rhapsody, Mauve Mystique, Caviar Couture, Amethyst Potion. |
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| (Taken with flash) Row 1: Nude Illusion, Breathtaking Apricot, Caramel Infused, Vision in Violet. Row 2: Raspberry Rhapsody, Mauve Mystique, Caviar Couture, Amethyst Potion. |
Am I the only one that's not crazy about these? I have been hoarding so many lipsticks and lip crayons so I was trying to build up my lipgloss collection with these but maybe I just don't like lip glosses. Let me know your thoughts on this product if you've tried it! Also leave me some recommendations for lip glosses that are long wearing but not sticky. Thanks for reading! XOXO
The holiday season is finally upon us and OPI is here to help us get ready for the festivities! This holiday season, OPI has collaborated with Gwen Stefani to release a beautiful collection of 18 colors (plus a special 18K gold glitter topcoat called "OPI Don't Speak" that I don't have for this review). OPI has divided these shades into 3 mini-collections: reds, classics, and nail effects.
GWEN STEFANI RED SHADES
- Fashion A Bow: "So busy- all tied-up today loving this bright reddish-orange!" This is definitely more of an orange instead of red and has a thin jelly texture so you have to use at least two coats.
- What's Your Poin-settia?: "So what if I think this is the one truly perfect holiday red?" This is a true red creme that's not too bright or dark.
- Cinnamon Sweet: "Sugar and spice... this deep, warm red is everything nice." Slightly darker and warmer than What's Your Poin-settia? with the same creme finish. Great opacity.
- Red Fingers & Mistletoes: "This smooch-worthy red shimmer is holiday perfect." This red is filled with bronzey gold shimmer. The gold is not as noticeable when applied to the nails but its definitely shimmery.
- Sleigh Parking Only: "Tell the violet to take good care of this exclusive dark burgundy." This deep burgundy creme has a slight brown or mauve undertone to it and is very opaque.
- First Class Desires: "This melange of gold and eggplant shimmer is #1 on my wish list." Deep, dark purple with gold shimmer that definitely shows through on the nails. This one has a great formula and is beautifully unique.
