Jessica Revitte

Dream Big (Like, Unicorn Big!) With Pacifica Dream Big Lash Extending 7-in-1 Mascara

March 21st, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 23 Comments

My seven-year-old is pretty adamant that unicorns exist…somewhere. They’re rare, and we don’t have them where we live, but they’re real because, “You don’t know. You just don’t know that they aren’t out there somewhere… People don’t know for sure!”

* Insert insistent head shaking and hand gestures to go along with this exclamation. *

Pacifica Dream Big Lash Extending 7-in-1 Mascara ($14) is as rare as a unicorn.

To begin with, the packaging is to. die. for. It’s got a Disney Fantasia vibe that I love, and as a makeup lover I’m all about the adjustable “magic wand” that allows you to select either volume or length (or both).

But what makes this mascara so exciting for me is that it contains natural plant fibers to take lashes to great heights. In my experience, it’s not easy to find a natural lash product that can make as big of an impact as this one — so when I find a plant- and mineral-based mascara this good, I’m convinced that there must be unicorns out there, somewhere.

Armed with an adjustable brush, Pacifica Dream Big mascara is “flexible.” I’ve been favoring applying the first layer (or two…) with the wand extended for length, and then twisting the cap to shorten the wand and adding a few coats for volume. There are no rules to makeup, though, so if you favor one or the other, there’s no need to change the wand. But I have to tell you that it’s fun!

[Continue reading…]

Dare to Go Bare With Rimmel “Essential Nude” Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate

March 18th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 19 Comments

Is there anything more Kate Moss than a smoky eye and a nude lip? Rimmel’s collaboration with the iconic Brit supermodel has given us countless iconic shades of lipstick, but none more iconic than the Essential Nude Lasting Finish Lipsticks released for Spring 2016 ($5.79 each, available exclusively at Walmart).

From the soft peach packaging marked with Kate’s signature — equal parts modern and evocative of classic vintage lipstick tubes — to the chic range of 10 nudes in varying hues and undertones, all lipstick lovers are bound to find a nude lip to love.

Like Kate’s celebrity status, nude lips can be intimidating. Some may elect to gleefully experiment with all of the shades, while others may want to more carefully follow a playbook. Alas, I belong to the latter group.

Nude lipstick can be a bit of a challenge for me personally — finding the “right” shade can be overwhelming, like picking a foundation! Like all skin-toned products, there are things to consider, from the shade, to the undertone, and a whole host of other aspects from opacity to texture that make a nude lip perfect for an individual’s beautifully unique complexion.

What I love about this collection is the fact that Rimmel seized the opportunity to make nude lips more approachable. At $5.79 each, the Essential Nude Lasting Finish Lipsticks aren’t cost prohibitive, meaning that you can pick up several shades and experiment with them, or mix, match and layer to create a customized hue.

Each lipstick is tagged with an associated undertone (more on that in the captions), making it simpler to target your “my lips but better” shade.

On the other hand, the array of diverse nudes allows you to achieve a particular effect — brightening the overall complexion, adding dimension or adding warmth — should you choose to use your lips as a way to change the overall appearance of your makeup.

[Continue reading…]

The Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo Complete Care Lipshines for Smooth, Plump Lips and Brilliant Shine

March 16th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 22 Comments

Smooth, creamy, glossy. When I think of what I look for in a lip product, these are the first three adjectives that come to mind. And oh, my gosh, you guys, that is exactly what the new Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos for Spring 2016 deliver.

I have always loved Chanel makeup, and the thrill of pulling out a product in that sleek black packaging with that eponymous double-C logo embossed in shiny crisp white never loses its appeal. That’s why I’m so excited that these easy to use and sleek little tubes of Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo Complete Care Lip Shine ($37 each) feel so good on my dry lips.

Chanel describes these lippies as having “the intensity of a lipstick, the shine of a lipgloss and the comfort of a lip balm,” and there truly has never been a more accurate product description. For a lip care formula, these Rouge Coco Stylos are incredibly pigmented and offer a pop of pigmentation perfect for spring.

On the other hand, they’re especially creamy and shiny — not unlike the brand’s much loved Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss formula — giving lips a plump appearance that I’m head over heels for.

”The intensity of a lipstick, the shine of a lipgloss and the comfort of a lip balm — all in one creamy yet lightweight formula. This innovative formula is enriched with nourishing Apple Seed Extract and hydrating Jojoba Oil and Coconut Oil. Silk Powder, Beeswax and special ingredients help visibly smooth, plump and add brilliant 3D shine to the lips. A spectrum of eight irresistible shades features pinks, reds, nudes and corals. In a convenient, twist-up ‘stylo’ form to write your colour signature.”

–chanel.com

An added plus? Fellow Francophones will note that Chanel has hidden a clever play on words in the product names. The line is called “Rouge Coco Stylo,” with “stylo” being the French word for “pen,” and each different shade is named after a type of writing — Conte (tale), Histoire (story), Recit (narration) and Script (script).

I love the little play on words. It’s sweet and oh, so Chanel.

[Continue reading…]

Feelin’ Fly With the MAC Future Forward Collection

March 15th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 21 Comments

What do you get when you mix exciting, emerging female musicians, a whole lot of creativity and makeup?

Here’s what: you get the MAC Future Forward collection (coming as a series of mini collections starting March 17th, exclusively online)!

Four future forward musicians partnered with the eponymous brand to release a unique collection that will launch in four parts and, you guys, it’s really great! (MAC has been bringing it!)

While all part of one cohesive collection, each of the musician sub-collections will launch as standalone capsules on separate dates.

This is important to note: if one of these unique products appeals to you (or if you’re a huge fan of the recording artist), then be sure to mark your calendar to snag your prize, because these pieces will not be launching simultaneously like in a traditional MAC collection.

R&B and Pop artist Tinashe will release Eyeshadow x 9 Tinashe ($38 each) on March 17th.
Pop musician Halsey brings us a lipstick in Halsey ($17 each) on March 31st.
Rapper extraordinaire Dej Loaf will release Dej Loaf Lipglass ($15 each) on April 14th.
And last, but certainly not least, modern funk artist Lion Babe will release Liquidlast Liner in Lion Babe ($21 each) on April 28th.

I love that each product brings the spirit of its associated artist, while all of the items come together and look quite “spring” while doing so. (At least spring where I live in Wisconsin, which is often grey and punctuated with rich pops of beautifully unexpected color.)

And while some may not seem approachable for day-to-day wear (I’m lookin’ at you, Halsey lipstick), I’ve been loving just how versatile a non-neutral shadow palette and a gold liner can be.

[Continue reading…]

Conceal, Cover and Correct With Becca’s New Concealers and Correctors

March 14th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 18 Comments

Becca Color Correctors and Ultimate Coverage Concealing Cream — Becca Targeted Color Correctors and Ultimate Coverage Concealing Cream

What is it about winter that makes you look in the rearview mirror of your car and think, “Were those dark circles always that dark, or did I just skip my triple grande this morning?”

I don’t know about you, but where I live, it’s cold and dark — even in March, when spring should be on the way — and to top it off, I get very little adequate sleep as a working mom. Needless to say, makeup application in the morning is all about concealing and brightening!

Building upon the success of their much beloved Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector, a product I’ve used and loved for quite some time, Becca has released four Backlight Targeted Color Correctors for Spring 2016 to be used in tandem with their Ultimate Coverage Concealing Cream.

These products may look like tools only a professional should be applying, but Becca has made it easy and approachable to color-correct on a daily basis, and this busy lady says THANK YOU.

[Continue reading…]

A High Brow Collection: MAC Brows Are It!

March 11th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 21 Comments

One of my favorite things about being a makeup devotee is watching trends come and go, and I’m sure that fashion lovers feel the same flash of nostalgia when they see ‘90s styles come back in vogue that those of us who love all things makeup feel when brown lips make a comeback and are bigger than ever.

But even though I love following the trends, I’m not one for hopping on bandwagons all too often. Contouring? Only if it’s subtle. Strobing? I thought I was already highlighting — what’s different? I’m confused…

I’ll be honest with you ladies (and gentlemen), that’s why I am SO excited that brows are having their moment again. As a child, my grandmother praised my thick, arched brows and told me never to pluck them. So I didn’t (I listened to her), and though brow fashions have waned and waxed from thin back to thick, my brows have remained my own.

The MAC Brows Are It! collection is the brow collection for those who are proud of their brows, whether bold and defined or soft and natural. Whatever your outlook on brows, this collection has something for everyone!

The MAC Brows Are It! collection includes a wide breadth of products to help you create just about any brow look, in almost any natural shade imaginable. MAC’s website offers product breakdowns on different looks and recommends which of the many products released with the collection would work best for your personal preference.
[Continue reading…]

Minimal Modern Sculpting With the Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Collection

March 10th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 16 Comments

Call me crazy, but for some reason contouring makes me think of classical sculpture.

Trust me, I know I’m a little weird, but there’s something oddly sculptural about watching makeup artists apply deep shades in the hollows of the face and brightening hues on the high points to blend and create a contoured face. And honestly, although I love watching how everything comes together extensive contouring just isn’t for me on a day-to-day basis.

Make Up For Ever has created a range of products ideal for the expert and the contour novice alike: the Pro Sculpting Collection. Each easy-to-blend, easy-to-use product has been made with convenience in mind to subtly accentuate without overdoing it.

The stars of the collection are the Pro Sculpting Face Palettes ($45 each) available in four color combos fully thought out in terms of depth for varying skin tones.

From left to right, each palette offers a matte highlighting shade, a matte contouring shade, an iridescent highlighting shade and a pop of color for the apples of the cheeks. Rather than opting for a challenging powdery formula, each of Make Up For Ever’s four shades are creamy and buildable, meaning that the user is able to control their own destiny. The contour shade buffs to add natural shadows, while the others are equally subtle on the skin. Ideal for fresh-faced fans of light contouring, the Pro Sculpting Palettes give you everything you need in one place.

Make Up For Ever has also included rather untraditional sculpting products in the collection to offer subtle shaping for both lips and brows.

The Pro Sculpting Lip pencils ($27 each) are one part satiny lipstick, one part pearly cream-to-powder highlighter, and are meant to add volume to specific areas of your lips.

Although the combination may seem like a one-trick pony, the highlighter can be applied either over, or under, the lipstick, which creates a different effect, and allows for buildable intensity based on your own preference. And more on that later.

Make Up For Ever has also cleverly paired a brow pencil with a similarly light highlighting powder (and a spoolie!) to create sculpted brows in one three-in-one tool. As far as I’m concerned, the Pro Sculpting Brow pencils ($27 each) are incredibly travel and on-the-go friendly, as everything you need to create the perfect arch is at your fingertips in a single compact tube.

[Continue reading…]