Revlon Matte Balms

The recently released Revlon Matte Balms are a collection of wind-up chubby lip pencils which provide a velvety matte finish on the lips. There's a wide range of shades available from the peachy-nude colour "Complex" through to a tangerine orange "Mischievous".  

This shade, however, is called "Elusive" and is the perfect in between of not being a 'bright' lip colour, but not a nude either. It's definitely visible on the lips without being too much for everyday work wear and could probably be described as a mid rosy pink. 

In comparison to the earlier Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains, the Matte Balms are more creamy and do not give the same "stain" to the lips that the Balm Stains give, although scenes as they are just marketed as balms, not balm stains this isn't really surprising. Nevertheless the staying power of these is pretty good, they stay on even after eating/drinking but obviously will fade by the afternoon, especially a more neutral shade like this one. The Matte Balms also have a much nicer scent compared to the Balm Stains, it's still minty, but more peppermint/candy cane which is a really nice little detail.

At £7.99 and now widely available in Boots and Superdrug (although I find Superdrug to have the better shade selection) the Revlon Matte Balms have a gorgeous, velvety smooth texture which seems to actually make the lips look a lot more full and plump than the average lip product, something which I think makes them worth picking up for that reason alone. The twist up, chubby stick style packaging is also really convenient for quick and concise application as well as throwing in your bag for touch ups.

(A post on the Revlon Lacquer Balms will be coming up soon)

Barry M Silk Effect Nail Paints ♡

Barry M's new range of Silk effect nail paints come in six different pale shades, although this one, "Pearl" is a shimmery white which would look great for Spring/Summer, especially with a tan . The collection also features a pale pink, lilac, light blue, sea foam green and metallic pale brown toned gold. They cost £3.99 and are available in Boots, Superdrug or barrym.com 

This is the polish after two coats. It's almost opaque by this point but it definitely benefits from a third coat just to make it completely opaque and build up the shine.

This is how the polish looks after three coats. It gives a really nice pearlescent finish making it a bit more wearable and less stark than a standard white.

With a top coat (OPI Rapid dry) over the top for added shine and chip resistance.

Overall this is a quite unique and wearable polish which is worth picking up, Barry M's formulation never fails and a shimmery white colour will go with whatever you're wearing and make a nice change from the standard pastels.