Sunday, November 21, 2010

Review: Revlon Colorstay Active Light Makeup

Rexall Pharma Plus in Canada has a 50% off sale on all their face makeup, this includes foundation, concealer, primer, blush and bronzer this week. I picked up a couple of foundations to try out and a blush during this sale, I tried to be good and not go too crazy. I picked up the Revlon Colorstay Active, I did not want to pay the regular $20 for it, so $10 sounded good to me. I heard this is being discontinued, which is too bad because it is one of the better drugstore foundations that I've tried. It rates 3.9/5 on Makeupalley.com. I've only used it for two days, but I really wanted to rave about it.

This foundation comes in a squeezy tube, which is fine by me, I would much rather have a squeezy tube or a compact cream foundation than a crappy glass bottle with a pour top (hello Revlon Colorstay). You get 30ml (foundation standard).  This comes in only 4 colours, I know it really sucks, how can everyone fit into 4 colour choices? I read online that there is an Ivory shade, but I do not see it on their website nor at the store. Well, I picked up the lightest because I am pale and it worked fine for me, in the colour "Buff". It's not exactly like the Colorstay Buff, I would say it's lighter and more cool toned (less yellow). This stuff is supposed to provide "smooth, radiant, light coverage that lasts up to 16 hours even during exercise with SPF 25" (Revlon website). Well I ain't wearing this to exercise, mostly because I don't exercise but if I did I think it would work fine. I did some serious packing today (for my apartment move) and this stuff did not budge. 


(slightly blended in, not totally to show texture, colour etc)

The consistency is thick, but not the thick that you would think of Revlon Colorstay (when I say Colorstay I mean the original foundation). It's also a bit sticky too. It's light-medium coverage, (more on the light end) it evens out your skin and neutralizes redness and leaves a semi matte look. It does feel light on the skin which I appreciate because that is what I hated most about Colorstay, it felt like paint on my face. However, this one does smell too, not as terribly as Colorstay, but I could smell it on my face the entire day, this stuff does not tone down at all. Does Revlon put a lot of preservatives in their foundations? or do they just not mask the scent? I think it does stay for a long time, 16 hours I am not sure. It's nice that it comes with SPF 25, which is higher than the regular Colorstay. 

I apply this with my Sigma F40, it applies very easily and looks natural on. I love that it doesn't dry out or look cakey on my skin, which a lot of foundations tend to. I think this would work for oily skin too since it stays put and does not transfer. What a fabulous drugstore find, and shame on Revlon if they are discontinuing this. Please let me know in the comments if you are still able to find this in your area. I like this leaps and bounds over the original Colorstay foundation. If you liked Colorstay, but found it too thick and nasty, you might like this one better.

Have you tried Revlon's Active Light Makeup?

14 comments:

Flora D. said... Best Blogger Tips

I like this too. I noticed that this foundation colors seem to be lighter than it shows on website/I expected or normal other foundation colors. I used this on pool side photoshoot yesterday. It is water resistance for sure as model had to shower, swim in pool and stuffs. It is also not bad for outdoor photography. That is all I can say for now. :)

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Shaylee Anne said... Best Blogger Tips

I almost bought this at Rexall yesterday but was hesitant! I'm really glad it worked well for you, I might have to go back and pick it up for $10! :)

Renay said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow, I'm going cosmetic shopping on black friday! i'll have to pick this up :)

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I hated Colorstay-so thick and mask-like. But this sounds way better-I'll have to check out Rexall now and pick one up!

Nikita2471 said... Best Blogger Tips

They are going to discontinue this? Crap, I need to stock up on it then! Big Lots in the US sells it for just $2 a tube and they always have my color (Tan).

I have super oily skin and this works fine on it. I use it during the summer when I'm outside a lot and it is definitely sweat proof!

Val said... Best Blogger Tips

I love my colorstay, but the active sounds a lot more light... thanks for the review!!

Val

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@Flora - Definitely, I didn't test it out in the store, but expect Buff to be like the colorstay Buff and it's not, definitely lighter, in a good way for me.

@Shaylee Anne - It's a good buy for $10!

@Renay - ahh yes Black Friday, you lucky Americans!

@Tracy - I know, I hated colorstay, it was too thick and masky for me as well.

@Nikita - I read on makeupalley that it's being discontinued, but I honestly have no idea, I still find it here no problem.

@Val - it's MUCH lighter, while still giving decent coverage.

Kalmo said... Best Blogger Tips

Great review Justine, too bad they are discontinuing it and you like it. I've heard lots of good things about this foundation.

abigail said... Best Blogger Tips

after reading your review i went back to rexall to get this foundation, i had purchased a couple of things but somehow i missed this one!

thanks for the review hun =)

Nikosmommy said... Best Blogger Tips

Apparently I need to get my butt to Rexall ASAP! I've tended to stay away from foundations with higher SPF's (b/c of how they photo poorly with a flash) but since this is an active formula it would be good in the summer?!
I actually like the regular Colorstay...my only complaint being that it dries WAY TOO FAST. I've honestly never noticed a strong smell from it...but then maybe I'm just oblivious!

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@Kalmo - I should contact Revlon and check for sure what is going on.. in Canada it takes a while to notice these things discontinuing cause we have different timings of things.

@abigail - No problems, thanks for coming by and reading my review! ;)

@Nikosmommy - This dries quick too, not as fast are the original colorstay, from what I remember. Ya I tend to stay away from SPF ones too cause of that white cast, this was okay that way... but I haven't taken pictures with it, so I am not sure.

Cydonian said... Best Blogger Tips

I haven't tried this and now I want to! I love anything saying light/active/etc, love tinted moisturizers as well. Hmm... thanks for the review!

Donna said... Best Blogger Tips

I got this clearanced out, if I remember correctly, at Walgreens. I like regular Colorstay so thought, might as well give it a shot, and I'm glad I did. I agree with your review, it's pretty much the same coverage as Colorstay for me. Evens out my skin tone which is my number one reason for wearing foundation, but it isn't as heavy as original Colorstay. It doesn't last quite as long, but still it's hanging in there most of the day and I just need a little touch up if I want to wear my makeup later into the night. And I do have oily skin and it stays matte for most of the day except for that touch up late afternoon/early evening.