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The Best Revlon Makeup Products

The Best Revlon Drugstore Makeup

Revlon cosmetics have been a mainstay in US drugstores for as long as I can remember. Revlon offers a complete cosmetics line, from foundation and blush to lipstick, nail polish, and mascara. Whether it’s the advanced formulas or classic shades, they have some of the best makeup products in the drugstore.

Today I’ve compiled a list of the best of Revlon drugstore makeup. It seems that I like or love every Revlon product that I try, so I’ve narrowed down this list to my absolute favorites.

You’ll notice that I have quite a few foundations on this list because I think Revlon’s foundation and base makeup products are exemplary. But first, a little background on Revlon.

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Revlon ColorStay Full Cover Foundation Makeup

Revlon ColorStay Full Cover Foundation Makeup

Revlon ColorStay Full Cover Foundation Makeup (shown above in Sand Beige) is a full coverage matte foundation that provides up to 24 hours of wear. The foundation has a mousse-like texture that feels relatively lightweight.

The foundation blends smoothly and easily to a matte finish that never looks thick or cakey.

It comes packaged in an easy-to-use tube, which is a huge improvement from Revlon’s previous similar formula (ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup), which came in a heavy glass jar.

The foundation comes in 16 shades. Luckily I found the perfect shade for my skin (Sand Beige) from the somewhat small shade range. I have been using it consistently for a few years now. It’s the best coverage I’ve found from a drugstore makeup brand.

It manages to hide all my imperfections, and I even apply it over my dark circles before concealer application.

This foundation lasts all day and provides true full coverage and a matte finish that keeps any oil at bay. (I have combination skin). I think this foundation would be a great choice for those with oily skin, as the matte coverage is really effective.

Revlon ColorStay Makeup

Revlon ColorStay Makeup Normal/Dry Skin SPF 20

If you are looking for a high-performance liquid foundation, Revlon ColorStay Makeup works for most skin types since it is offered in both Combination/Oily Skin SPF 15 and Normal/Dry Skin SPF 20 (shown above in Sand Beige).

Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin SPF 15 is America’s #1 long-wearing foundation. It comes in a whopping 43 shades to match cool, neutral, and warm skin complexions.

Revlon ColorStary foundation provides medium to full coverage and is easily buildable. It wears for up to 24 hours, is oil-free, and provides a matte finish. Plus, it contains SPF 15 sunscreen protection in the mineral form of Titanium Dioxide.

Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin SPF 20 comes in 24 shades and provides medium to full buildable coverage and a natural finish. The oil-free formula contains SPF 20 protection in the mineral form of Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.

I’ve used several bottles of Revlon ColorStay makeup and love both formulas. I usually use the Combination/Oily formula, but I recently picked up the Normal/Dry formula since we are entering the colder months, and my skin is a bit drier than in the summer.

Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation

Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation

Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation (shown above in 150 Creme Brulee) is a lightweight yet moisturizing foundation that provides a lovely natural finish.

It provides medium coverage and contains anti-pollution, antioxidant, and anti-blue-light ingredients to protect your skin.

This foundation comes in a range of 31 shades and is formulated without oils, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and harsh fragrances. It’s nice to see Revlon offer a more natural foundation that still produces the results you want: flawless coverage that lasts all day.

This is a pretty universal foundation that is not too matte or too glowy. If you prefer a more radiant finish, PhotoReady Candid Glow Moisture Glow Foundation is a creamy liquid foundation that is also anti-pollution and formulated without parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and harsh fragrances.

It is a sheer-to-medium coverage foundation (available in 16 shades) infused with prickly-pear oil for moisture and a dewy finish.

Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix Makeup Foundation

Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix Makeup Foundation

Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix Makeup Foundation is a cream-stick foundation that uses light-filtering technology to retouch your look.

It provides light-to-medium coverage and even has SPF 20 sunscreen protection in the form of Titanium Dioxide 4.7% and Zinc Oxide 2.1%.

It can be used as a spot concealer for blemishes, redness, discoloration, and uneven skin tone or as a touchup for areas where makeup has worn off throughout the day. It’s great for under the eyes too. It comes in a limited palette of 8 shades.

Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix Makeup Foundation - Open

This touchup stick (shown above in 130 Shell) is a new favorite. This is a product I never knew I needed until I tried it. The packaging is so convenient and easy to throw in your purse or gym bag.

Application is a breeze. Simply swipe across your skin and easily blend with your fingers. You can even use it to highlight and contour your skin. The formula is creamy and natural-looking, and the SPF protection is a bonus.

For a highlighter that is just as quick and easy, don’t miss PhotoReady Insta-Fix Highlighting Stick. It comes in two shades: Gold Light and Pink Light.

Revlon Candid Antioxidant Concealer

Revlon Candid Antioxidant Concealer

Revlon Candid Antioxidant Concealer (shown above in 025 Creme Brulee) is a medium coverage concealer formulated to hide dark circles, blemishes, and other imperfections. It even helps puffiness with a hit of caffeine.

The formula includes antioxidants, and anti-pollution, and anti-blue-light ingredients to protect your skin. It comes in 18 shades and is formulated without oils, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, or harsh fragrances. This makes it the perfect concealer for the fragile under-eye area and of those with sensitive skin.

I really like the flexible doe-foot applicator, which allows you to deposit the concealer easily around the eyes and other areas of your face.

The concealer is lightweight and nicely pigmented. It covers under-eye darkness and blemishes well too.

Related Post: The Best of Maybelline Drugstore Makeup

Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder

Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder

Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder (shown above in Light/Medium) minimizes shine without getting caked or cracking on the skin. Wear it for up to 16 hours.

The powder provides medium coverage for a fresh look. The powder is Revlon’s exclusive jet-milled formula which provides a lightweight texture yet pigmented coverage.

While the powder works well with Revlon ColorStay Makeup, it can be worn over any foundation, concealer, or even by itself. It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores. The powder comes in 6 shades, including a universal translucent shade.

When I try face powders, they don’t normally wow me. I must say that I am very impressed with ColorStay Pressed Powder.

It provides a highly pigmented matte finish that looks natural and lasts. Even the black powder puff is nice. Great job, Revlon!

Revlon Powder Blush

Revlon Powder Blush in Very Berry

Revlon Powder Blush (shown above in Very Berry) is a super soft, highly pigmented powder that leaves a silky smooth satin finish on your skin.

The blush comes in 12 shades and provides a multidimensional flush of color to the cheeks. The shade range includes neutral, mauve, pink, coral, and berry shades.

I’ve worn Revlon blushes for many years. The one thing that stands out to me is that a single blush palette usually lasts me a long time. This is because it is so pigmented, and as a result, I don’t need to use a lot of powder on every application.

The finished look is a gorgeous flush and very natural looking. The blush is buildable too, so if you want a more dramatic look for the evening, you can create a deeper shade on your cheeks by layering the blush.

NOTE: I usually apply face powder first since I don’t want to dilute the rich color on my cheeks that this blush provides.

Revlon Insta-Blush

Revlon Insta-Blush in Candy Kiss

Revlon Insta-Blush Stick (shown above in Candy Kiss) is a sheer cream blush. It has a cream-to-powder formula that is super easy to blend.

Depending on the shade you choose (there are four shades), you can use it as a blush, highlighter, or for contouring.

Revlon Insta-Blush Stick in Candy Kiss - Opened

This blush is so simple to use. Simply swipe across your cheeks and blend with your fingers. It’s rather sheer, so I use it primarily for touchups.

Yet, it is very buildable if you are looking for a deeper shade. It’s perfect for travel as you can just throw it in your purse and touch up when needed.

Ease of use and speed of application makes me return to this blush stick time and again.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose

Regardless of the shade that you choose (there are over 90 to choose from!), Revlon has your lips covered with Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (shown above in Primrose).

This lipstick is formulated with microfine pigments that yield vibrant shades. The lightweight texture is buttery smooth and hydrating, thanks to vitamin E and avocado oil. The lipstick comes in cream or pearl finishes and cool, classic, and trendy shades.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick is truly an iconic lipstick. This lipstick has been around in one version or another for many, many years. This was a favorite of mine during my high school years.

This shade was THE shade to wear! I was surprised to see that Revlon still carries this shade, but I guess as much as things change, they also stay the same.

This is a super buttery lip color that works well by itself or as a base under lip gloss. It feels so hydrating that it almost feels like a lip balm. It is a classic lipstick that I could not leave off this best of Revlon list.

Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss Lip Gloss

Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss Lip Gloss in Rosy Future

Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss Lip Gloss (shown above in the pearlescent mocha Rosy Future) is an ultra-plush, beautifully pigmented lip gloss that is not sticky in the slightest.

The updated formula has new shades (24 in total) and a new design. The gloss provides dewy shine and lots of moisture thanks to agave, moringa oil, and cupuacu butter.

The applicator has an oversized reservoir tip which makes application easy and fast. While there are plenty of traditional clear, pink, rose, berry, and nude shades in the line, there are also some fun purple-hued shades like Sugar Violet and Glazing Lilac.

The gloss is perfect on its own, over lipstick or mixed with another gloss. It’s high shine, moisturizing, and very lightweight.

Related Post: The Best of L’Oreal Drugstore Makeup 2020

Revlon ColorStay Brow Crayon

Revlon ColorStay Brow Crayon in Blonde

For a natural or a dramatic brow, Revlon ColorStay Brow Crayon (shown above in Blonde) provides buildable color in a goof-proof crayon.

The formula transforms from wax to powder for a soft, blendable look. The waterproof formula provides up to 24 hours of wear and comes in 4 shades: Blonde, Soft Brown, Dark Brown, and Black.

I’ve tried so many precise micro-tip brow pencils, so this crayon is a nice alternative. I was a little reluctant about this product as I thought it wouldn’t provide precise enough application, but the wax clings to your eyebrows and creates a defined brow in only one swipe.

The crayon easily deposits color without any tugging or pulling needed. I always use a light hand on the first pass and then repeat if I need to build more color.

Use short strokes to feather the crayon in the direction of your natural brow growth. The directions say to comb through with a spoolie brush, but I usually don’t even need to. If I want to adjust the shade, I can simply use my fingers to blend lightly.

If you prefer a more precise definition, Revlon offers ColorStay Brow Creator that will fill, define, sculpt, shape, and diffuse brows.

Revlon So Fierce! Mascara

Revlon So Fierce! Mascara in Blackened Brown

Revlon So Fierce! Mascara (shown above in Blackened Brown) is designed to pump up the length and volume of your lashes for a clump-free, flake-free, and smudge-free finished look.

The tapered wand has 252 multi-layered bristles to make sure that every hair from root to tip is separated and coated with mascara.

The mascara is formulated with lash-lifting polymers, paraffin, and rice-bran waxes to build color quickly and lasts for up to 24 hours of wear. The mascara comes in three shades: Black, Blackest Black, and Blackened Brown.

This mascara really does add length and volume to lashes. The amount of volume is completely controllable and buildable. I love how precise you can get with this mascara. Plus, it coats and lengthens my lash line under my eyes without getting clumpy and smudging.

The History of Revlon

Revlon was founded way back in 1932 by brothers Charles and Joseph Revson and chemist Charles Lachman. The name Revlon is a combination of the last name Revson and the letter “L” of Lachman replacing the “S” in Revson.

Revlon’s first product was richly colored creme nail enamel that was available only in beauty salons. (Cherries in the Snow was their first red nail polish and this pretty shade is still available today!) Revlon nail enamel became so popular that they even made their way to the cover of Vogue magazine.

Revlon soon introduced lipstick to match their nail polishes. The brand expanded, and thanks to Charles Revson’s marketing prowess Revlon was the first beauty company to sign a brand ambassador (Lauren Hutton) and had a very successful sponsorship of the popular game show The $64,000 Question in the 1950s.

Revlon was also the first beauty company to feature an African American model in its advertisements.

Today Revlon is sold in 150 countries. They produce and market color cosmetics, hair color, haircare, skincare, and fragrances. They own over 15 brands, including Elizabeth Arden, Almay, and more.

Be sure to visit the history of Revlon page for more interesting historical details on the brand.

Now, onto the best of Revlon drugstore makeup!

Final Thoughts on The Best Revlon Drugstore Makeup Products

Revlon offers some tried and true products at the drugstore. I think that Revlon formulates some of the highest quality drugstore makeup available. Their base products are exceptional. In fact, I like many of Revlon’s foundations better than foundations from high-end brands that are many times the cost of Revlon.

What are your favorite Revlon products? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for reading!

Shelly

Thursday 26th of January 2023

This is such a well thought out list. I really appreciate the time and effort it must have taken to go through Revlon’s extensive list of products. I agree with so many of the choices. The “Candid” series is a fantastic foundation/concealer line up. It’s perfect for daily wear and it really leaves a nice finish. I have normal to dry skin and it doesn’t cake or enhance drier areas and fine lines. I use 2 of the concealers from this series; one for under eyes, the other for blemishes or hyperpigmentation. Their lipsticks are just as good and on trend as MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Esteè Lauder and the like, at a fraction of the cost. Their new releases are always on point with higher end and lux brands. I too, appreciate that they still have beloved colors from decades past. One thing I also love about Revlon, is their lipstick displays. They do a fantastic job or separating them into color stories/tones for example: reds, pinks, corals, berries, nudes etc. It really helps with putting looks together. Thanks for the awesome article!!

Sarah

Monday 30th of January 2023

Thank you, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on Revlon products!