Product Comparison: Loreal Colour Riche Lipstick vs. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick

Although Loreal's Colour Riche Lipsticks have been out longer, they seem to be following Maybelline's example and now categorizing them into different groups based on color: pinks, browns, corals, mauves, and reds. Maybelline's new line of Color Sensational lipsticks are categorized the similar although their categories are nudes, pinks, reds, and plums.

Here are each products' descriptions, taken from their respective websites:

Loreal Colour Riche

"Indulge in the colour of pure luxury. Colour Riche Nurturing and Protective Lipcolour is now richer, creamier, and more moisturizing than ever before. In addtion to nourishing indgredients like Omega 3 and Vitamin E, the formula has been enriched with Argon Oil to condition and soften lips. Your lips are kept soft, smooth, and ultra-hydrated. With a spectrum of new and improved 54 gorgeous shades in sophisticated new packages, Colour Riche Lipcolour offers a shade that's perfect for every look and any occasion."

Maybelline Color Sensational

"Fall in love with color, all over again

Crisper color from pure pigments

Creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar

Lipcolor so rich, so stunning...it's sensational

48 Captivating Shades"

Okay, so pretty much both products are promising rich, creamy colors in a variety of shades, which they bothy deliver. It's very nice having the colors categorized, however, some of the colors seem like they should be in a different category, like a lipstick will be in the nude category when it is actually more pink than nude. Maybe that's just my own pickiness :P One thing I don't understand however is Loreal's statement about their new packaging. I've had one of their lipsticks for a couple years now and I haven't seen any change in their packaging, in fact I just compared the old one and the new one and there's no difference, so I'm not sure what that is about.

As far as packaging goes, I really like both tubes, although I think the Loreal's packaging is more sophisticated and sleek. But I do like the Maybelline's packaging because 1.) It's different than most lipstick tubes 2.) The outer casing is color coded so you know if your lipstick is a nude, pink, red, or plum color.

The Loreal shade is Fairest Nude and the Maybelline is Totally Toffee

Both shades are very similar and even seem to swatch the same as well...however...

(the left is Loreal, the right is Maybelline)

The Loreal one is actually much more nude than the Maybelline in real life. In fact it is almost a concealer like color, while the Maybelline is more of a warm pinkish nude. Other than that, 99% of the time the lipsticks are very true to color so even if you can't try them on, you can get a pretty good idea of what they'll look like.

Both formulas are creamy and moisturizing, however since I have dry lips, I need to apply lipbalm beforehand and make sure my lips are not flaky, otherwise these lipsticks may enhance the dryness. But for those with normal lips, these should glide on smoothly and evenly, as well as last a good couple of hours.

So who is the winner?

It's a tie! Honestly, these lipsticks are so similiar in formulas that I can't declare one better than the other. Both products have great shades options, cute packaging, are inexpensive, and are available at most drugstores or mass retailers. I would definitely recommend stocking up on both of these lipsticks!

Product Comparison: Revlon Photo Ready Foundation & Make Up For Ever HD Foundation

I've decided to add another style of product review on here by comparing two similar products with each other . They won't always be drugstore vs. department store, but rather two products that are supposed to be similar in style and formula. I hope you like it!

For my first product comparison, what better to start with then two of the most talked about items to come out recently: Make Up For Ever's HD Foundation and Revlon's Photo Ready Foundation. Granted, MUFE's Foundation has been out longer than Revlon's, but I still thought I would compare them since there is still so much hype about them.

I have MUFE in #127 Dark Sand & the Revlon in #008 Golden Beige. While they are both golden yellow based, the Revlon seems to match my skintone a little better because the MUFE is just a little too dark .

Here is a description of each one:

Revlon Photo Ready:

"Looking for that dewy glow? This lightweight, non-greasy foundation by Revlon goes on smooth to hide your imperfections. It has light coverage, but is builable for a more full coverage. Contains sunscreen. "

(taken from Ulta.com website)

Make Up For Ever HD:

"An oil-free medium-to-full-coverage liquid foundation that covers skin imperfections flawlessly while remaining invisible on-screen and in real life. This foundation creates a soft-focus effect, which is designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight. It leaves your complexion with such a flawless finish, it can withstand bright or harsh lighting."

(taken from Sephora.com website)

Okay so now you know the jist of the two-they were both designed to give your skin a flawless, airbrushed finish that can photograph well and look natural in real life.

Each foundation comes with 30ml of product, even though it may seem like there is more in the MUFE bottle, it is just because it is taller and skinnier. Both bottles have a pump dispenser which is very handy and sanitary, but the Revlon's pump is way better in my opinion. You barely have to push down on the pump and you can get as much or as little as you want, whereas with the MUFE pump, you have to push harder and way too much product comes out, even if you only want a tiny bit.

Here are the two side by side, the one on the right is the Revlon

See how much came out when I pumped the MUFE? As you can see, it is a bit darker than the Revlon

When I tried to blend them in, the Revlon blended in great, but the MUFE spread all over the place because there was so much product!

Here is the MUFE

And here is the Revlon. You can see tiny shimmer particles after blending it in, some people don't like them, but I actually do, they give my skin kind of a glowy finish

So how do these products compare? Well the Revlon formula is lighter, which means it has less coverage but is still very buildable. The MUFE is heavier with full coverage, but if you layer too much on it would start to cake. The Revlon contains shimmer particles and also SPF 20. The MUFE does not contain either. They both offer great coverage in my opinion, and result in an airbrushed finish. Using a stippling or buffer brush enhances this effect as well. The Revlon is definitely cheaper, costing around $13.99, while the MUFE is about 3 times that amount at $40.00.

The final verdict?

Surprisingly, I am actually liking the Revlon one just a little better. The formula is lighter so I don't feel like I have foundation caked on, and also it matches my skintone exactly. The pump dispenser also won me over! I don't have to keep wasting so much foundation because of the pump. It is also waaay easier on my wallet :P However, when I do want to splurge I will definitely purchase the MUFE, it was a verrry close tie!

You can buy the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation at Sephora and Sephora.com

The Revlon Photo Ready Foundation is available in a limited distribution at CVS, Target, Walmart, and other drugstores.

A full release is expected in March 2010

Note: This review is based on my own opinion and experience with the products, I paid for these products with my own money. Also, just because a product works for me does not mean it will work for you, please use your own judgement before trying a product.