Before I get started on my first ever product review, I wanted to introduce myself, as well as my new blog “Secrets of a Beauty Junkie.” I think the title of the blog says a lot about me. I am, indeed, a beauty junkie, lover of all things makeup, skincare and hair care. I could spend hours in Sephora, Ulta, Rite Aid, or basically any store that sells cosmetics. I spend way too much money trying new mascaras, skin creams, and other products. I’ve been reading a lot of beauty blogs lately, and that’s what gave me the idea to start my own blog. For now, I’m going to do mostly product reviews, but I eventually want to do some other types of articles as well.
For my first product review, I decided to try Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. Admittedly, the ads featuring Emma Stone (one of my favorite actresses, see my entertainment blog for more ramblings about TV and movies) were part of what made me want to try the balm stain, which comes in 12 fun shades. I also liked the idea of a moisturizing lip color, since my lips tend to become dry and cracked easily.
Smitten (Left), Sweetheart (Right)
I decided to try the “Sweetheart” and “Smitten” shades. Overall the colors were both great, and I loved that my lips never dried out. The color was also long lasting, especially when combined with a lip-gloss like Smith’s Rosebud Salve (my personal miracle worker). The colors are bright, beautiful shades, definitely standing out in the crowd. Don’t be afraid to buy more than one and use them for different occasions, or even combine two shades!
Me wearing the Smitten shade
I found “Sweetheart” and “Smitten” to be the best shades for my light-olive skin tone. For fair skin tones and blonde hair, “Honey,” “Charm,” and “Precious” are all great shades to try. For darker skin tones, “Adore,” “Precious,” and “Rendezvous” would be absolutely gorgeous. For anyone daring enough to try a bright red lip (think Taylor Swift, Emma Stone), “Romantic” works with any skin tone.
Now the materials scientist in me wants to tell you why lip stain lasts so much longer than lipstick. The reason lies in the base ingredients. While most lipsticks are wax-based, lip stains, like “Just Bitten,” are often gel based. This is also the reason why lip stains tend to be more drying, and that’s why the addition of balm makes for pure beauty harmony.