Revlon is set to launch its Colorburst Lipstick range in the UK - FINALLY, after they've been in the USA for months! I'm so excited - but there's only one snag to the story. It's that after I went through all the trouble of getting my US-based friend to buy and mail the Colorburst lipsticks to me from across the Atlantic, I find out that Revlon is launching these babies in the UK! Thanks a lot, Revlon. Advance warning next time please? Oh well, I guess it's just my enthusiasm to have pretty lipsticks that got me into this. I do hope Revlon brings them to Asia though, because the colour selection is pitiable when it comes to Asian drugstore lipsticks. We could use some good wearable colours.
Anyway, the Colorburst Lipsticks caused a little bit of a buzz when they first launched in the USA - it was as though every other blogger was covering them. And I can see why. In general, I do like these very much. The two shades I bought (all the way from the US, too!) were Soft Rose and Rosy Nude.
First up, here are pictures of the lipsticks in question:
Top: Revlon Colorburst Soft Rose, Bottom: Revlon Colorburst Rosy Nude
As you can see, they're pretty similar, although they aren't identical. Soft Rose is more brown, and Rosy Nude is a tad more pink and, well, rosy! And I wouldn't actually call these nudes, despite the name. To me they're more like My-Lips-But-Better (MLBB) colours. Which I prefer to nudes, actually, since nudes can wash out some people and visually age them. But with MLBB shades, you can't go wrong, and they go with everything! Also worth noting is that these are a cream finish. No shimmer, no glitter, nada - just the way I like it.
Now for lip swatches. Here's a picture of my bare lips first, so you'll have something to compare to when evaluating the level of pigmentation in the lipsticks. And now the whole world knows I know I have fish lips. What can I say, it's in my DNA:
Here's a lip swatch of Soft Rose:
As you can see from the photo, Soft Rose is definitely not a nude shade on me. But I really like it! This is a perfect neutral pinky-brown with a hint of rose, very work appropriate, and very wearable.
Now, here's a lip swatch of Rosy Nude:
Rosy Nude is a pinker, rosier version of Soft Rose, and it's less brown than Soft Rose. Rosy Nude is also a tad cooler-toned, but only by a smidgen. Once again, this is perfect for office wear.
Both lipsticks were very nicey pigmented, and surprisingly emollient, especially since they're drugstore. I really liked the smooth, creamy finish too.
Here are comparison swatches of both Soft Rose and Rosy Nude beside each other, just so you can see the subtle differences more clearly:
L - R: Revlon Soft Rose, Revlon Rosy Nude
I really liked these lipsticks overall, and I can't wait to check out the other colours there are once these enter the UK. (Revlon, please bring in the entire range, and not just a few wimpy colours when you come to the UK, OK? Ditto for Asia.) The only snag is that these smelled a bit off to me. Maybe I got a bad batch, but mine smelled a little plastic-y. However, as far as I can tell, no one else seems to have a problem with the smell, so perhaps it's just my over-sensitive nose. But the smell is bearable, and dissipates fast, so I don't have a problem with that.
