Revlon Expressions Experiment!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Revlon for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

I got some fun stuff in the mail last Friday:

 

 

Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer & Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow in "Inspired."

 

I'll admit I squealed a little, which caused my husband to ask me what was wrong and when I showed him, proudly, what I got in the mail...well I just didn't get the same reaction.  In fact I think the word "nerd" was tossed around but I wasn't paying attention, I had make up to unwrap.

 

Revlon asked me to try out a couple of new products for the "Revlon Expression Experiment."  An experiment to get women to break out of their shells and try new things! I didn't know what I was in for and I was worried I was getting sent some "mulberry" lipstick.  Why? Because whenever anyone besides myself tries to put make up on me - they ALWAYS put Mulberry colored lipstick on me - without fail.  But Revlon decided to push my comfort level another way with new products to try in colors I wouldn't choose for myself.

 

The first product:  Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer:

 

This is a great primer for before you apply make up or to use as a foundation.

 

Let me first tell you, I have pores the size of Texas so I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to try this out and see what kind of results this gave.

 

 

I used it today and this is my before picture:

 

 

This is straight out of the camera, all I did was crop it so I didn't include the rest of my scary face.  Also there is a HUGE, and I mean scary-huge "blemish" that has taken up residence on my chin as of yesterday so my chin will not be photographed.

 

My pores are awesome at collecting dirt and grime and producing pimples not unlike that of an adolescent boy.  As you can see I have some awesome red spots that are either healing blemishes or ones that are threatening to make an appearance.  Just lovely.

 

 

Fun Fact: Did you know that you can go on Revlon's website and check out online tutorials on how to use each product?  True story.  I actually watched this tutorial to make sure I wasn't skipping a step.

 

 

Now - I used a few pumps and IMMEDIATELY started noticing my skin's appearance was looking more smooth and almost creamier.  My skin never does that - ever.  So you can imagine, I was pretty excited. 

 

This is my skin after:

 

Yes, the right side of my face is just blurry, but in my defense - it is REALLY difficult to take pictures of yourself in a mirror with a DSLR camera.  But the left side of my face is actually in focus - no blur, no airbrushing, no editing whatsoever.

 

The effect is smaller looking pores and a matte finish which is very nice.

 

Also after using this I noticed I didn't have to use as much concealer and gave my skin a smoother look:

 

Again - this is no editing whatsoever.  Just cropping out scary almost-dry hair.  

 

My skin never looks this smooth.  I love the effect and I'll definitely keep using this because it's such a nice change!

 

 

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Now - this second product I was sent is not your Mama's eyeshadow.  In truth it's not my normal eyeshadow either.  I always keep it neutral with browns and tans, and if I'm feeling fancy, some shimmer.  So this definitely is above my comfort level.

 

 

This is Revlon Colorstay 16 Hour Eyeshadow in "Inspired."

 

 

My first reaction was "Green and blue...on me?!!"  I was once told that I have the perfect eye color because I can wear any color of make up because my eyes compliment most shades.  I don't know if this was brown nosing, but this helped a little when I went to try this out.  

 

The back comes with four step instructions about which colors to use when and where.  It was helpful but I still decided to go back to the video tutorial for a little more help.

 

And then I started with Step One which is the highlighting color to put toward the inner part of the eye and also along the brow:

 

 

Please ignore my intense need to fill my eyelash extensions.  Highlighting the eyebrow and inner eye really makes your eyes open up a little - or at least that's how it goes in my situation so the first step wasn't anything too new.

 

It's the next two steps that were new to me - 

 

Step Two: Apply the turquoise shadow to the entire eyelid.  Step Three: Apply the green shadow to the outer eye for dimension.

 

 

I was worried this would resemble stage make up or look a little clown-like, but I was pretty happy with how pretty the colors compliment one another and aren't nearly as intense once they're applied to the eye.

 

The Fourth Step is to swoop the deep purple along the crease of the eye for a dramatic effect:

 

I also decided to apply eyeliner and mascara to the bottom lid as well for this step.

 

Again I was a little worried this purple would make the overall effect too intense and it would look ridiculous on me but I think the purple really sets the other colors off as well.

 

This is the finished product:

 

I think it turned out well!  I'm happy with it and I think it would be the perfect eyeshadow for a night out.  Especially now with all the bright tops and fashion - this would compliment a turquoise or purple top really well.

 

Also - the "16 Hour" wasn't a lie.  When it came time to take my make up off - and we're talking after midnight - it still looked fresh - no weird creases or fading and no odd streaks of color on my cheeks.  Can't complain!

 

I was really apprehensive about trying a new eye shadow, especially with blue and green because in my mind, those colors were reserved for the late eighties and early nineties, but clearly I was wrong.  It was a lot of fun playing with new shades and I'll wear this eyeshadow more often.  I'm glad Revlon pushed me a little with trying new things.

 

It's important to be pushed in new directions sometimes.  Have you ever seen that lady in the grocery store straight out of 1992?  The hair, the make up, the pants?  And you think, "Well maybe...that year was really good to her...?"  More often than not, it wasn't.  That lady probably just got so used to doing the same thing over and over again, with her hair, make up and style, and nobody every pushed her to try something new.  And now after so many years, it's all she knows.

 

Without trying new things, new styles and being even a tiny bit adventurous, life gets a little dull.  It's empowering to try new things and to evolve your own style.  How will you know your limits of style and color and "how big is too big when it comes to hair" without pushing it?

 

I mean look at me?  I never thought I could pull off blue and purple eyeshadow, but I must say - I freaking killed that look.  Now I'll wear it more often.  In your face 1992 lady!

 

Because I realize I can totally pull off these looks, I believe I'll try Revlon's Super Lustrous lipstick in Nude Attitude - because nude lips is what's up.  Also I'd love to try Revlon ColorStay Longwear nail polishl in Midnight...or Marmalade...or Bold Sangria.  Ok, it's a problem.