NYX Absolute Red Xtreme Lip Cream Review & Photos!

NYX Absolute Red Xtreme Lip Cream

NYX Absolute Red Xtreme Lip Cream ($5.99) is an opaque cherry/blood red lip color with a glossy finish. NYX Xtreme Lip Creams are a lipgloss/lipstick hybrid as the product is completely opaque with one coat, yet it has the texture and shine of a gloss. I'd compare the pigmentation to OCC Lip Tars, though these are much more moisturizing.

Absolute Red is such a perfect, sexy shade of red, and I can't imagine it looking bad on anyone. It looks like a "Snow White" red with one coat and if I blot my lips with a tissue, it takes on a bright raspberry color (which is essentially what it fades to on me). With two coats, it takes on a deeper red-wine shade. It's kind of like a chameleon..

The first ingredient in this gloss is Castor Oil, so if you're familiar with it, you can imagine the consistency. It's thick and moisturizing, yet it's completely non-sticky/tacky or greasy. Also, if you're familiar with the scent of Castor Oil, that's what the gloss smells like - kind of woody/plastic-like, but I don't even notice it anymore.

The lasting power is just as really good - the red in particular is still on my lips after several hours (although it will fade slightly).

NYX Absolute Red on my lips.

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection Preview (Part 2)

 MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Gift Sets

There hasn't been too much information released other than some pixelated promo and product images for the upcoming MAC Holiday Collection (which is HUGE, btw!). But I can't help but share the photos and information I've come across related to the collection.

I don't normally get excited about upcoming MAC Collections because they come and go so quickly, but I'm actually kind of excited for the MAC Holiday Collection! I'm over my obsession of bows, but I can't help but love the packaging for the all of the palettes. They are so elegant and glam!

*The actual names of the products as well as the descriptions and prices have not been released yet. 

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Eyeshadow Palettes

There will be three eyeshadow palettes with each palette containing five eyeshadow colors and a mini-size eyeshadow brush.

• Palette 1 – Taupeless, Satin Taupe, Love Spice, Spellcaster and Black Slip
• Palette 2 – Blonde Mink, Magical Mist, Brun, Enviable and Smut
• Palette 3 – Glamour Light, Retrospeck, Honesty, Cognac and Sketch

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Face, Eyes and Lips Palettes

• There will be three palettes with each one containing three eyeshadows, two lip colors, one face powder (not sure if it's a bronzer or Blush) and a mini double-ended eyeshadow and lip brush.

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Complexion Touch-Up Palettes

• There will be three sets to choose from with each palette containing one lipstick and one oil-absorbing/touch-up pressed powder.

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection Preview (Part 1)

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection

There are so many things I love about the holidays - Fall Fashion (scarves, long sleeves and boots), the cold weather (and good hair days - see ya next year humidity!), pumpkin spice lattes, fun-size candy bars, the Christmas lights that light up Chicago, wrapping myself in my self-made cocoon of comforters at night.. and of course, the holiday makeup collections.

We're beginning to see a ton of previews for the new holiday collections and I'm already anticipating October/November so I can go on a swatching rampage at Macy's (Chanel and Dior, I'm coming for you!).

The MAC Holiday Collection is as usual in two parts - the Colour Collection (below) and the Sets (brush and makeup sets).

If you missed out on the highlighters from MAC's Extra Dimension Spring 2012 Collection, don't worry! They are being re-released (the most popular ones, anyway).

Extra Dimension Eyeshadow

• A Natural Flirt – soft peachy nude
• Divine Blue – midtone aqua
• Ready to Party – pale lilac
• Stylish Merry – midtone dusty violet
• Tall Dark and Handsome – black with pearl
• Evening Grey – steel silver
• Round Midnight – dark burgundy
• Stolen Moment – dark taupe

Fluidline

• Catch My Eye – cool taupe grey with dazzle pearl
• Little Black Bow – charcoal with dazzle pearl
• Feminine Edge – pink mauve with dazzle pearl

Kohl Power Eye Pencil

• Raven – intense black with red pearl
• Orpheus – intense black with gold pearl
• Mystery – intense black with green pearl
• Feline – intense black with black pearl

Extra Dimension Skinfinish

• Superb (Repromote)
• Whisper of Gilt (Repromote)

Powder Blush

• I’m the One – midtone blue pink
• Easy Manner – light dirty peach
• Small Vanity – dusty rose tan

Lipstick

• Beauty – pale cool pink (Glaze)
• Dramatic Encounter – deep purple (Amplified)
• Glamourdaze – midtone creamy plum (Cremesheen)
• Innocence – soft coral (Frost)
• Outrageously Fun – midtone magenta violet (Cremesheen)

Lipglass

• Deliciously Demure – soft cool brown with pearl
• Flight of Fancy – rich purple
• Impossibly Sweet – sheer soft pink with multi-dimensional pearl
• Pink Fade – light creamy pink
• Talk Softly To Me – light creamy coral pink

Nail Lacquer

• Endless Night
• Girl Trouble
• In the Limelight
• Everything that Glitters

Availability: Late October/Early November 2012. Although, I don't have the confirmed date yet.

Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blushes Review, Photos and Swatches!

Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush

Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blushes ($12.99) are a small range of cream blushes that were released with Revlon's Summer 2012 Collection. They are now part of Revlon PhotoReady's permanent range, so if you've been curious to try them, don't worry, they aren't going anywhere (for now at least).

There are (3) colors to choose from: Flushed (cool pink), Coral Reef (vibrant coral) and Pinched (natural peach).

If cream blushes scare the wits out of you (because some formulas can be tricky to work with), the Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blushes are a good place to start. It's silicone-based (the first ingredient in the blush is dimethicone), so the very smooth texture allows the product to glide easily across the skin. 

The cream is firm  - somewhat like the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, but they aren't tacky, and they aren't as sticky/greasy as a lip balm. They offer sheer pigmentation with one layer, but are buildable. I find that Coral Reef builds much better than Flushed. Even after several layers Flushed remains quite sheer.

I don't tend to use my fingers much for application of cream blush, but you can literally use anything without messing up. I still prefer using a brush, and it doesn't necessarily have to be a duo-fiber, because of the texture, you can use any blush brush.

They are cased in small, plastic containers with a glossy black screw-top lid, very reminiscent of the older style Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges. They are compact and lightweight, so you can toss them in your bag without weighing down your bag or taking up too much space.

Revlon Coral Reef on my cheeks