Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stains

As a true lipstick addict - seriously, they're practically one of my greatest joys in life - who eagerly anticipates the launch of new lippies and runs to buy them as soon as they hit the shelves, I can't tell you how lucky I felt to be invited to the Revlon event - here - and to be the proud owner of lip products that aren't even out yet. It has been positively dreamy.

I don't know about you, but I'm quite protective of my pennies and never frivolously splash the cash unless I'm 95% sure that I'll like a product. Maybe it's a habit of reading beauty blogs since the age of fourteen, but I read through countless reviews and Google swatches of products so that I can decide which shade(s) I want to add to my ever-expanding family of lipsticks. So, here are my two cents on the 'globe-trotting, gorgeous, glossy colours' that are launching in the UK this August - the new Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stains!

This photo is very representative and true to how the colours look in 'real life'
Top to bottom:
'Barcelona Nights'
'Parisian Passion'
'Miami Fever'
'Cannes Crush'
'India Intrigue'
'Shanghai Sizzle'

On first impressions, I thought these were drop-dead gorgeous. With chic, sleek black packaging that's satisfyingly weighty and even more satisfying to line up in a row, I thought that they could easily pass for a YSL or Dior classy lip offering at a fraction of the price. 

Promising "intense pigment with a non-drying formula", the formulation is a gel-stain hybrid that's like nothing I've ever tried before and these most definitely pack a punch in the colour department. Even the lightest shades such as 'LA Exclusive' and 'London Posh' are densely pigmented and leave your lips drenched with opaque, glossy colour. I'm a big fan of the fact that there isn't a shimmer particle in sight with these and despite not being too big on gloss, these (along with the L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks) have totally converted me. And you know why? Because they're balmy. Whilst the Moisture Stains offer a 'glass-like shine', I prefer to swipe on then pat things out with my ring finger to 'take the edge off' and tone things down to more of a balmy hint of colour. Balmy. Great word. 

The colour range is really up my street, are we in agreement that Revlon covered every base with this range? You've got corals, pinks, reds, nudes - the gang's all here! 'Barcelona Nights' well and truly hit the spot for me as pink lips are my thang, not to mention how pretty darn smoking Olivia Wilde is looking whilst sporting it in the oh-so-glam visuals. 

'Barcelona Nights'

'Parisian Passion'

'India Intrigue'

My only gripe is that the application process can get a little streaky and if you aren't armed with a mirror, a minute to apply your lippy and a smidgen of patience, maybe these aren't for you. Despite having one of the best-shaped wands for getting a clean line even with the brightest reds and no liner, I still had to work quite hard to get an even finish. The trick, however, is to apply one coat and then go in with a second for a polished - not patchy - finish. Loaded with nourishing Vitamin E, these feel so comfortable and smooth on the lips that I've been wearing them around the house instead of lip balm. Wild, I know.

We've established that the Moisture part of their name is justified, but what about the Stain claims? I've heard a few people say that their staying power isn't on par, but I have to disagree. Here's why. Not thinking much apart from, 'ooh, pretty shade', I applied 'Cannes Crush' and went about my day - drinking litres of water, eating copious amounts of chips and dips, living life in general - and when it came to removing my makeup some seven hours later, to my surprise and astonishment, 'Cannes Crush' was still there. I kid you not - the stain lived through guacamole, people - that's saying something. Impressive stuff.

For some reason I expected these to smell like sweet vanilla à la MAC lipsticks but in actuality they smell a little... alcohol-y. To me, anyway. It isn't overpowering and the scent doesn't transfer onto the lips - nobody will think you've been knocking back the vodkas or anything - but in the tube, I can detect a faint hint of what I can only describe as 'spirit'.

'Cannes Crush'

'Miami Fever'

'Shanghai Sizzle'

Priced at £7.99, these babies will be stocked in Boots and Superdrug as well as their corresponding websites from August. With 12 shades in total, the remaining 6 are 'LA Exclusive', 'London Posh', 'Milan Moment', 'New York Scene', 'Rio Rush' and 'Stockholm Chic'. To see the Revlon 'Jet Set Beauty' preview event that I attended in July, click here. 

Will you be picking up one of the new shades? Which one(s) do you have your eye on?

Meg

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These products were gifted to me by Revlon. All views are 100% my own and honest.