Review: Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer and Eye Primer

I had never really been interested in trying makeup primers, even though I know they can really make a difference to how long your makeup lasts and how it looks. Perhaps it's because I don't know what primer to go for, as I only know a handful of brands which have affordable primers (I'm not willing to spend a lot on primer for some reason) or maybe it's due to laziness. However I've been lucky enough to receive these Revlon primers for free- the PhotoReady Perfecting Primer and PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener.

I have always considered Revlon as a higher-end "drugstore" brand, and this is also reflected in their prices. Prices for makeup here in Australia are exorbitant, ridiculous, whatever you would like to call it! The Perfecting Primer and Eye Primer and Brightener retail for $29.95 and $24.95 respectively- which to all your fellow American bloggers may find crazy! I am so jealous at the inexpensive makeup overseas. Alright that is enough rambling for now!

Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer $29.95

A primer that applies on smoothly and effortlessly, this lightweight Perfecting Primer is described to create a perfect canvas for makeup, and softens the skin by reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. Packaging wise, I like this primer- the glass bottle feels solid and of good quality, and the easy to dispense pump doesn't hurt either (as opposed to L'Oreal Paris' Base Magique Smoothing Primer which is in a jar which isn't a very hygienic way to use a primer!).

On first application I found this primer to be greasy, but only afterwards I realised it wasn't the primer itself- it was all the other products I had on; my rosehip oil, moisturiser and sunscreen! On another attempt, the primer melted into my skin which was amazing! I can't really comment on its minimising pores and fine lines capability as I don't have either of those! I couldn't really feel or see a significant difference between using it and not using it under foundation, however that isn't to say there wasn't a difference. It probably did make my foundation last longer, but I just didn't realise it. A nice product but doesn't really "wow" me, and as a result I don't use the Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer very often.

Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener $24.95

I've been using this eye primer daily, but seeing as I haven't used any other eye primers before, I don't have anything to compare it to! Claiming to be a perfect base for the eyelids, this PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener can be used to prime the eyelids and under the eye, as well as brighten anywhere on the face. The brush applicator makes the product easy to apply, although dispensing it is sometimes difficult- one twist isn't enough for any primer to come out, but a couple more makes too much come out! I personally like to apply it using my fingers as I find I can get more control over its application. Instead of eyeliner pencils dragging on my eye sans primer, the PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener allows eyeliner to glide on smoothly and effortlessly! Any eye makeup stays on for longer too, and eyeshadows look more vibrant. As a brightener, I'm not a fan. It doesn't really do much, and when it isn't blended out properly, it looks terrible. I would rather use other products as a highlighter- even a light coloured eyeshadow would work better! However as an eye primer, this is excellent!

L-R: Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener, Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer

L-R: Eyeshadow without primer, eyeshadow with Eye Primer, eyeshadow without primer, eyeshadow with Perfecting Primer

If you look carefully, you can tell there is a difference when applying the eyeshadow with and without primer! Both primers work amazingly under eyeshadow, and you can definitely tell that it looks more pigmented and vibrant. What I also love about these Revlon primers is that they are oil free, talc free, fragrance free and paraben free which will give you an extra peace of mind! Maybe I should give my Perfecting Primer another chance after all...

After I use up my PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener, I'm not sure what eye primer I will go for next. I've heard that Urban Decay has a great formulation for its primer, but I have no clue where to get it (in Australia) and how much it would cost! If anyone could help me with that it'll be much appreciated :)

Have you tried any of these Revlon primers? Do you use primers, and if so, which ones?

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Review: Revlon Nail Enamel in Popular

The first time I set my eyes on this beauty, I knew I had to get it. A pale pink with just the right amount of silver hexagonal glitters and minute shimmers dispersed throughout, Revlon 230 Popular is quite the pretty one. At $13.95 a bottle, it isn't cheap but I did manage to get this at half price!

Most of you aren't strangers to the Revlon Nail Enamels, but to those who are, you are missing out on the beautiful shade varieties on offer (55 of them!) with smooth formulations which can be available at drugstores (haha yes, I am using American terminology). Revlon claims that their formulations are smooth, chip resistant and give up to ten days worth of lasting colour and shine. The nail enamels also contain a "silk-protein shield" which helps even out the surface of the nail while smoothing away bubbles, streaks and brush marks.

This photo doesn't do any justice to this pretty glittery polish!

Such pretty glitters

Revlon 230 Popular applied smoothly and quite nicely. One coat is quite sheer so at least two coats are needed to be able to clearly see the light pink base colour. I was quite happy with the formulation as I've been disappointed before with another Revlon nail enamel I have, Blue Lagoon. It was streaky, had brush marks, was difficult to apply and took a long time to dry. I took the chance with 230 Popular and hoped that the formula was much better and I ended up happy with it. 

How do some people take such nice photos of their nails?
Mine looks awful!

This polish did chip after a few days which was expected (especially since it is a glitter!) but did not last the ten days it claimed. I adore this polish though- the combination of pale pink and the two different glitters make it so pretty and girly. Revlon have a couple of more other glitter shades too which look amazing too! Even though people have raved about how great Revlon Nail Enamels were, I wasn't too impressed especially after my encounter with the streaky formulation of Blue Lagoon. I still think that OPI make the best nail polishes by far- they have an extraordinary range of shades and glitters, as well as having fantastic formulations- shame that they cost $20 a pop here in Australia though! All in all, Revlon 230 Popular is a joy to wear and has a beautiful smooth finish.

What do you think of 230 Popular? Have you tried Revlon nail enamels before?

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Review: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

Sometimes a deal is just too good to ignore, even if it is for something we don't really need! Not only did I come across a "buy one get one free" offer for Revlon lip and nail products, I got my staff discount of 25% off on top of that! Needless to say, I walked out with two lovely lipsticks in hand at 63% off each (you don't get better than this for products that aren't discontinued!) from Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick range. After a long time swatching and admiring the amazing 48 different shades on offer, I decided to get Peach Me and Blushing Nude.

L-R: Peach Me, Blushing Nude

Shiny black packaging, so simple yet elegant

Before settling on Peach Me and Blushing Nude, the other shades I was contemplating on were Demure, Soft Suede, Teak Rose, Apricot Fantasy and Blushing Mauve (okay that listing was unnecessary but oh well...) but they all looked very similar to each other, moreso than the two I chose. If only I could afford to buy all these gorgeous shades!

Described as a lipstick enriched with moisturisers Aloe and Vitamin E which has a formula that seals in rich, luscious stay-true colour- I knew I wouldn't be disappointed with Revlon's Super Lustrous lipsticks. MakeupAlley averages reviews of a rating 4.3/5 which is amazing and on Beautyheaven a full 5 stars!

On application these lipsticks glided on like a charm, even with dry lips, and is much more moisturising than Rimmel's Kate Moss Lasting Finish lipstick which I reviewed here. Staying power is good, about a couple of hours too with eating and drinking in between. But what impresses me the most is the huge selection of shades on offer which are all absolutely gorgeous and appear flattering on me (perhaps not including Va Va Violent, a very scary and intimidating dark purple).

Peach Me

Blushing Nude

Yes, these two shades do look quite similar in the bullet but I swear they aren't! At least I didn't get the Soft Suede shade which is nearly identical to Blushing Nude. Peach Me has a pearl finish while Blushing Nude boasts a beautiful creme finish- and the pearl lipsticks do not look frosty or glittery at all which is amazing! I absolutely love the formulation of the Super Lustrous lipsticks as it is creamy with beautiful colour payoff!

L-R: Peach Me, Blushing Nude

Now you can see the difference between these shades! Peach Me is just like its name- a peachy orange shade that surprisingly looks more pink on the lips; and Blushing Nude a modest rosy pink that I convince myself that it doesn't look anything like my 07 in Rimmel's Kate Moss lipstick range... hehe.

I haven't really been a lipstick girl until quite recently, as I had never been able to find shades that flatter my skintone and lipsticks which have a lovely formulation- but the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick has changed this! Even after purchasing a Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter and reading many praises about it, I wasn't completely "wowed" with it. The Super Lustrous range just works and I think I might indulge in a few more shades...

Have you tried the Revlon Super Lustrous lipsticks? What shades do you have?

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