November 11, 2015

Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer ($12.79) is a new cream or if you will balm foundation compact that’s launching now at drugstores and will be available permanently for Spring 2016.

Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer kinda sorta reminds me of Stila’s Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector that launched with the Stila Fall 2015 Collection. I actually JUST now ordered the Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector so I’ll be able to compare the two formulas shortly but just visually I thought Revlon’s formula looked a lot like Stila’s.

I should start off by saying even though I have drier skin I tend not to like cream compact foundations as 99% of the formula set to a powder finish. I also run into that rare formula that’s just to emollient and feels like a mask on my skin. I’m just not into cream compacts and I prefer actual liquid cream foundations.

Unfortunately Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer is not a good pick for my skin type. I have drier skin with a bit of shine sometimes at the T-Zone. My driest areas are the sides of my nose and cheeks. But before I tell you more about why it didn’t work for me let me rave a few things about it.

First off, the packaging is really quite well done. This is a chunky compact that features three different tiers. Open it and you’ll find the concealer is located on a tray over the foundation. Now that tray flips up and reveals the foundation completely. And finally beneath the foundation you’ll find a generously sized well which holds a sponge for application and a mirror.

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Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer11

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At a glance it looks like the compact could be a potential pain to work with because the concealer lays on top of the foundation and the foundation is in a moon shape. Bu don’t worry, as I mentioned above the concealer tray lifts up and reveals an entire circular foundation.

The shades run light or at least I think so. I choose Buff 150 which appears to be a lighter creamy beige with yellow undertones. It actually goes town at least three shades from what I pictured it applying as. The color is actually a very, very fair shade with creamy almost neutral beige undertones. A nice touch is the fact the concealer shade is one shade down from the foundation. I think most people choose their concealer a shade down particularly the one they use around their eyes so it was rather nice that the concealer and foundation weren’t exact matches here. However, on the downside I found the concealer was very dry and best suited for facial concealing versus undereyes. The formula is pigmented but not pigmented enough to hide darker circles, etc…It’s enough coverage to concealer minor redness, smaller blemishes, etc..but not major issues particularly ones undereyes. I have drier eyes so the formula is a big no for me under my eyes.

Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer

Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer swatches

The actual foundation is beautifully formulated. It’s quite creamy but not terribly emollient or greasy. I ran into issues because it does set to a satiny matte finish and adheres to my drier areas. I mean this brought out dry areas I didn’t even know I had. It just clung very, very badly to these areas. On the upside it did provide a beautifully flawless finish on my skin (even though I couldn’t wear it out as Buff made me look like a pasty ghost) and wore for a nice six hour period without fading. I liked how natural it felt on with the soft, silky finish of a powder and that second-skin coverage that looks so natural and that’s so very popular right now. Sadly, the fact that it clung to so many of my drier areas didn’t actually make it looks amazing.

On that note I will say this might prove a better pick for me in the Summer when my skin is a lot less dry. If you are going in for a purchase I’d say oily skin should get on nicely with this formula. I think the packaging is well done and even the formula of the foundation is quite easy to apply, blend, and wears with a natural finish. I do wish the concealer was a touch more hydrating so I could use it under my eyes so that and the fact the foundation clings to my drier area did make for a crummy experience for me.

I would recommend trying it out as you might just like it. But if you have drier skin, do beware.

Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer is available now at drugstores (I purchased mine at Harmons for $12.79).

If you’ve tried it do share your thoughts!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • The Silver Nail

    Wow, this is an old idea brought back, concealer plus foundation. I like that the concealer is one step lighter than the foundation. But, alas, I have dry-normal skin (and getting drier as I age) so I’m not sure it would work for me. Especially under my eyes — that skin is soooo thin and dry now. Thanks for the review!

    • Isabella Muse

      My pleasure and yes, mine too, I’m getting there now. It seems like my skin seems drier and drier daily particularly under the eyes le sigh!

      • The Silver Nail

        Doesn’t look it! Your skin always looks so beautiful in your pix. Btw, bought the Bare Minerals serum concealer largely due to your review and LOVE it. I think I have to have liquid concealer from here on out under my eyes. Creamy ones are still OK for scars, red spots, etc.

        • Isabella Muse

          aw thanks. I think my complexion is still great but the finer lines under my eyes are drier and drier and drier which ages me 🙁 I’m constantly moisturizing 😀 yay! Also please try Em’s the great cover up! It’s so creamy and hydrating for eyes like ours 🙂 very nice texture!!!!!!!!!! I can’t rec it enough for girl’s like us!

  • Nancy

    Wayne’s Goss’ tip of adding a drop of facial oil to foundation may make this work better for you. I use this tip with liquids and it really makes it smooth and even. Worth a try!

    • Isabella Muse

      Mmm I typically prime well with a hydrating primer but facial oil tends to make me shine badly even at a drop!

  • Dee

    Just found this yesterday and tried it today. I was so hoping I would love this as much as the liquid foundation but it really is dry and definitely clings. The Tarte Balm foundation is dry on me in the winter too, so maybe I’ll come back to this next summer and see if I have better luck with it.

    • Isabella Muse

      that’s what I’m doing. I’m headed to exchange it today for another shade and I’m hopeful come summer I’ll like it 🙂

  • Jane

    I am so glad you swatched this; in store the product looked so dark I passed. I know you couldn’t wear this out of the house, but did it start to oxidize at all (or “cure” as I call it when the end color is okay, if unexpected) that you noticed?

    • Isabella Muse

      I actually sadly did notice it oxidizing, I kinda wish it did change a little, I was ghastly white through the entire wear :-/

  • Shannon

    It’d be great if you could include photos of the foundation on your face so we can see how it looks on. Also if you haven’t already tried it, I highly recommend the Dior star liquid foundation, it’s my fave!

    • Isabella Muse

      I know sorry Shannon! :-/ I’ve been trying to redeem that situation for a while as I’ve been trying to set up an area to take back photos just haven’t had the time due to work/life/etc 🙂 But I’m getting to it! Yes, agreed, the star formula is lovely!

  • Kelli

    Lol, thats my shade!! I love cream foundations. I will have to try this soon! My skin is an oily mess atm, winter seems to just make it worse! I usually switch between cream foundation in the winter, and liquid in the sumer. Do you think this would work well for oily skin and an albino skin tone?

    • Isabella Muse

      I think you’d do great with it Kelli! It seems a better option for oily skin imho!

  • Jen

    I also have dry skin and I completely agree that the texture is so nice but it just clings to every dry patch (and even spots that aren’t all that dry!). But I am a huge fan of Stila’s Putty Perfect or. The two are as different as night and day! The Stila formula is very putty-like and not nearly as slick. It sits on top of the skin more, so it doesn’t cling as badly. I wore it all summer with no problems. Granted, I haven’t tried it now that the colder weather is here. Still, they feel completely different.

  • Katherine T.

    I read another review, and it said almost the same thing -great for oily skin gals but not for the drier skin ones. I have to try that EM concealer — my face is normal atm, but my undereyes get dry and there are some fine lines

  • Anna

    Hi , can you tell me where did you got this foundation ? I can’t seem to find it anywhere !

  • Krissy

    Thank you. I just found this at my work and have been dying to try it, but was scared of wasting my money. I do have oily skin and I’ll take your advice and give it a try. I’ll let you know how it goes 🙂

  • Amber

    I’m excited to try this! I’ve stopped using the regular colorstay just because it feels so heavy, but I loved it for years. So glad you mentioned it is so much lighter on skin than in the pan. I was going to look for Buff, but it’s definitely way too light for me.

  • Amanda

    Muse you make everything look beautiful ! That being said this was just not for me. I have hormonally combo/oily skin. My chin is always a problem so I have to keep it hydrated but not oily (aquaphor at night seems to help a great deal). Just one swipe of this stuff anf my chin looked dry and cracked. My inner cheeks next to my nose, oil slicks. I really wanted to like this but the only thing like this that I can use is the Clinique cc cream compact. Sad face.

    • Isabella Muse

      You’re too too kind Amanda thank you! Sorry this one was a no go for you 🙁

  • Deborah

    Satiny matte finish – I don’t understand? A shiny matte? It’s either satiny (shiny) or (matte) flat.? Help?

  • Steffy

    Late to the party, sorry!
    Long time lurker, 1st time commenting 🙂 but I’ve been using this applied with a duo fiber brush and buffing lightly. It goes on and looks SO much better on my dry/combo skin. I think because its applying a lighter amount than using a sponge- that method made me feel like I was applying spackle to my face, lol! I use Buff, and haven’t noticed iy oxidizing, but as with anything, YMMV.