Jordana Modern Matte Lipsticks Swatches and Review

*Press Sample*

It's no secret Jordana has some serious gems hiding at the drugstore. I've got some new ones to show you today! 

Matte lipsticks have been a major trend this year and the Modern Matte line has got you covered! There is a huge range of shades to choose from and the formula is amazing. Matte lipsticks have really come a long way in terms of comfortable wear and these are right up there. Of course, you always want to exfoliate your lips and wear a light balm for a while before applying. If you do that, you get a pretty smooth application. 

Once on the lips, wear time for me is almost 4 hours before needing a touch up. Even then, it was just that- a touch up. Most of the color was still on my lips from my original application, even through eating and drinking! These are not extremely drying on the lips either. If I noticed my lips needed a little something during the day I would lightly apply a clear balm on top. 

Let's look at the shades! These first 12 were sent to me first, and I recently recieved 6 more shades to round out this collection to 18! I love the packaging. For a budget brand, it's not too cheap looking at all. I like that the tube perfectly matches the actual lipstick inside. 

The neutrals- Matte Bare, Matte Blush, Matte Frappuccino, Matte Tease, Matte Classy

The pinks- Matte Adorable, Matte Popular, Matte It Girl, Matte Dare

The oranges/red- Matte Pretty, Matte Caliente, Matte Style

These are the recent additions to the line:

Matte Whisper, Matte Innocent, Matte Goddess, Matte Divine, Matte Gorgeous, Matte Ambition

So many colors to choose from, definitely something for everyone! My top two are Matte Style and Matte Divine. But being the makeup addict I am, I love them all for one reason or another. ;)

Let me know which colors you are loving!

Pick these up in select Walgreens and on Jordanacosmetics.com for just $2.99!

*Products sent for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Zoya Matte Velvet Collection Swatches and Review

*press sample*

It's the return of the Zoya Matte Velvet collection! These mattes all have a soft focus finish with a hint of shimmer. And they are SO pretty...perfect for the fall and winter seasons! 

As with most matte polishes, no base or topcoat is needed. In fact, the application is much easier when the base coat is skipped. The wear time for matte formulas is not as long as your typical glossy finish either. But don't let that deter you! I have gathered some ways to help a matte polish last as well as application tips in a previous post you can view *here*.

Now, on to the polish!

Loredana is a gunmetal shade. This is 3 coats. 

Posh is a festive and chic red. This is 2 coats.

Harlow is a magenta purple. The shimmer in this is a bit more large than the others in this collection. This is 2 coats.

Savita is a bright, blue-based purple. This one is a favorite of mine! This is 2 coats.

Veruschka is an emerald green. This one really looks like velvet! This is 2 coats.

And finally, we have Dovima. A charcoal black. This is 2 coats. This is the only one that for me had a more satin like finish compared to the rest.

I have been a fan of Zoya since before these mattes were first discontinued, and always wished I could have gotten them. So if you are anything like me, don't hesitate on these!

The Matte Velvet collection is currently available at Zoya.com for $9.

Do you own these beauties yet or plan to buy them?

*Polish sent for review in exchange for my honest opinions. 

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Liquid Mani-a Matte Collection 2014 Swatches and Review

*press sample*

Hello and happy Monday!

I've got swatches of Sally Hansen's latest Insta-Dri collection and this time it's MATTE! This finish has been popping up more frequently (at least to me) and it's a welcome change for another option to mix up your typical manicure. I received half of this collection for review but because the Insta-Dri line is my fave from Sally Hansen, I had to get the rest when I came across them in Walgreens!

If you are familiar with matte polishes, you know they dry very quickly, take more effort to apply, and don't typically last as long as a glossy finish polish. But don't let this deter you! I'll give you some tips and tricks at the end of this post! Let's take a look at these beauties first. I did 2 coats of each.

White Pick It Fence. A white creme. White is notoriously a difficult shade to apply so this was the most finicky being a white and matte but it's nothing that can't be handled!

My personal fave is Coastin' By. Because who can say no to a perfect mint creme?!

Mauve Matter is a nude with pink undertones. This is great for a natural look with the matte finish giving it a little twist.

Mattitude in Motion. A bright pink. This one almost has a rubber finish to it...can you tell?

High 'n Dry is a true blue. It's very pigmented and I only needed a 2nd coat to help even out the coverage of the matte formula.

And finally, In a Haze. A gorgeous purple.

I honestly think the Insta-Dri signature flat and wide brush is a match made in heaven for applying a matte polish. Since mattes dry quickly, you have to work fast to get an even layer on the nail and this brush spreads to cover the majority of the nail in one swipe! Love it.

A few tips for applying matte polish:

* Skip base coat. Matte polishes will apply more smoothly instead of dragging and skipping over the smooth base.

* Buff your nails. Matte polishes tend to show ridges on the nail once dry and buffing will provide an even surface for a more flawless application.

* Hurry up and wait. Matte formulas dry much faster than a glossy finish, so to get a flawless application work quickly on each coat. But once you've completed a coat, wait for that to dry for a few seconds before doing a second coat, otherwise the polish will drag and create uneven patches.

*Make a sandwich. To help extend the wear of a matte polish, apply a coat or two of your matte polish and once that's dry, top it off with a glossy top coat making sure to wrap the tips (very important!). Once your top coat is dry, apply another coat of your matte shade. This really helps! I wore Coastin By as a full mani using this technique and after 48 hours there were only minor chips at the tips of my nails which is pretty good for a matte!

Are you loving these matte Insta Dri shades as much as I am?

*Product was sent for review in exchange for my honest opinions.