Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain

A Few Regretful Purchases

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Well look at me, getting up early today and dragging my behind out of bed and being all productive and being able to get back into the swing of things despite the growing pile of work that has my name on it. I thought that I would write on a bit more of a negative note today and share a few of those products that aren’t necessarily bad but I regret nevertheless…

Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser ($24)

Their infamous three-step system aside, I’m a fan of the Clinique skincare range but still this one left me rather disappointed. I will warn you that I bought this cleanser years ago but have left it unused for ages because it’s not one that suits my sensitive dehydrated skin. I was sold this to use as a makeup remover, to be used before cleansing the skin at nighttime and while it works well in that respect, lathering up nicely with its nice creamy texture too, it’s just not suitable for my skin. While the cleanser is technically sulfate-free, it is far too irritating on my fragile skin and I presume this is down to the inclusion of potassium myristate as the primary cleansing agent.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion ($32)

I will acknowledge that part of the reason that I regret this purchase might be down to my buying error, being mislead into thinking that the slight amount of oil produced in my t-zone and my tendency for the occasional hormonal breakouts meant that I suffered with true combination skin and therefore would suit this range. However, it’s high alcohol concentration doesn’t strike me as anything but irritating on anyone’s face regardless of their skin condition and on sensitive types like myself, this is one of the most irritating products out there. I love Kiehl’s as a company but this product was such as disappointment.

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Stockholm Chic ($14-16)

I’ve raved about the comfortable formula when I tried the Milan Moment shade so when these popped up on sale at my local drugstore I couldn’t resist going for another shade and I figured that I would go with one of the deeper ones to branch out and this deeper burgundy shade seemed ideal. Seemed was the key word here; on my lips, the shade comes out as a rusty-leaning brown shade and it is just so unflattering.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 107 ($7-8)

I do realize that I’m being more than a little bit controversial here, expressing regret for purchasing everyone’s favourite berry shade but as much as I like the comfortable matte formula, the shade is far too cool-toned and fuschia-leaning to flatter my warm-undertones. I’ve tried wearing this in a variety of ways but I don’t seem to be able to make it work.

What are some of your regrets?
Maggie, x.

The Beauty Bargain #5: Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain

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To tell you the truth, I used to think that the whole “the simplest things in life make me the happiest” was bullshit but as I sit down at the table, wearing clothing that would be acceptable to wear to the gym, enjoying the feel of my makeupless face and being thankful that it’s not boiling hot today, I sort of get it. I haven’t gone all out of character on you, I promise, though, as I’m here at least talking about all things makeup-wise. The product in question? The Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Milan Moment ($14-16 CDN). I’ve more than hinted in a few posts that I’ve been loving this offering and now the time has come that I feel confident to provide a (glowing) review of the rather expensive liquid lip-stains.

The texture and formula was what initially impressed me and after use, it still strikes me as the standout attributes of the product. I’m not a lip-gloss girl and these looked like a long-wearing gloss-stain hybrid so I was nervous about the stickiness factor — I’m pleased to report there is no stickiness in sight. The nondescript-smelling liquid lip-stains glide onto the lips without highlighting dry patches in the slightest, with a somewhat glossy balm texture that reminds me of the L’Oreal L’Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks – with increased longevity, of course. Upon initial application (and until three hours where the stain only remains), the lips feel soothed, a bit hydrated and as comfortable as can be. Strictly speaking, the formula isn’t drying but it can be slightly on my sensitive chapped lips after the balm has worn off and the stain has been left for hours (without any balm application or reapplication) but unlike every other product that has this quality, they do not irritate my lips in the slightest and a wee bit of balm brings them back into health afterwards.

While these are flattering on my sore chapped lips and are remarkable in that aspect, they do apply sheerly at first, requiring some building up and can be a bit streaky or patchy at first, so they’re not infallible in formula. Also, the product itself isn’t a longwearing one but it’s the stain that the product leaves behind that is long-lasting; the glossy balm texture lasts about 3-4 hours on my lips with a little bit of eating and/or drinking but won’t last a meal or anything, but the even stain that the product leaves behind after being left on the lips lasts ages and ages. Unlike many lip products, my lips don’t feel raw after the stain is only left and the stain is even around my lips. They are low maintenance and because of this, I’ve found this one ideal as an everyday kind of shade. I’ve only tried the Milan Moment shade, which is a neutral-toned muted tangerine colour but the shade range is intensive with 11 or 12 shades in total, spanning from nudes into vampier hues. This shade is a unique one, adding a slight bit of brightness to the lips without being bold in the slightest — it’s about the lightest shade that could actually stain my pale lips — and flatters my warm undertones without being unflattering on the teeth. I’d say that stain lasts five to six hours, also, but if you’re looking for the longest lasting and most intense stain in the world, I don’t think these are for you. I think these are ideal for a low-maintenance staining lip colour that feels comfortable and hydrating on the lips instead of drying them out beyond belief. I definitely have my eye on more of these. I haven’t included a swatch photo of the shade in this post but I swatched it here, in my Summer Edit. And here I am, wearing it again here:

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Have you tried these yet? If not, do you plan on trying these?
Maggie, x.