One of the best things about being a blogger is discovering brands you’d probably never come across weren’t for the blog. And Reina Rebelde is one of them.
Not long ago FeelUnique invited me to an indi brand event, ahead of the IndiBeauty Expo. Don’t get me wrong – I am a lover of all types of beauty brands, big or small – but there is something special about independent brands and the individual(s) who managed to instill they point of view, passion and dreams, onto the brands. It is a very personal outcome a lot of the times.
When I looked at Reina Rebelde, I knew the brand would resonate with my personality. Latin connections aside, the aesthetic and range of products are really “my thing”. And it does help they are great products too!
The Bold Lip Color Stick in Brava could not be more “made for me”. A bold neutral classic red compliments many a complexions and I am sold. Durability is great, pigmentation fantastic and application good – you do need a lip liner for a sharper finish. Obviously very elegant but fierce, as all good reds.
My daily eye makeup is made of neutrals. And the 4 Play Wet Dry Color palette in Azteca hits the spot. The quad has chocolate, rose gold, metallic gold and bronze hues for sophisticated day and night looks. I think it could do with a lighter gold for highlight, but overall, this palette is super versatile.
Pigmentation is fantastic, they eyeshadows are buttery soft and super blendable with great durability. And it takes you from desk to dancefloor effortlessly.
Finally, a the Rebel Eye Definer Liquid in Zapatista is a fine jet back liquid eyeliner. Now, you will now liquid is not my favourite type of eyeliner as I can make a huge mess but the a hard tip fine applicator makes the job easy and precise.
It dries super black with a slight gloss finish and durability is exceptional. It does not budge once dry.
I don’t often go on about the brand itself, but I feel I have to on this one. Products are made in the U.S. (proudly as they state!) and are cruelty free. They endeavour to use vegan ingredients; however, products are not created in a vegan-only facility, and some products (not the ones reviewed here) may contain trace amounts of carmine.
“For today’s mujer” (woman) is their motto and I feel they meet that – beauty that is, well, beautiful, but edgy, a bit tough and a slight retro touch. It is a mix of a woman mixed background that makes her so special and unique – it talks from experience and I really like that.
Reina Rebelde lipstick in Brava, eyeliner in Zapatista and eye shadow quad in Azteca
Regina Merson, the founder, grew up in Mexico and got inspired by a telenovela “Rosa Salvaje” (which also made it Brazil) and her mum’s makeup rituals. The brand embodies that heritage as well as an American existence. Being from Brazil and living in the UK, I totally understand the beautiful, and sometimes conflicted balance of not losing where you came from, but at the same time shaping the person you are based on your environment.
Currently you cannot get products individually in the UK but you can get gorgeous kits from FeelUnique.
You know the drill, but I’ll say again: this post contains GIFTED PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.
Sleek is bringing the sparkle back. And they don’t it by halves: living proof is their new Rockstars collection, just launched.
Perfect for Christmas and by that I mean all the parties soon to commence, the Rockstars collection has two sides.
On the lighter side, Diamonds in the Rough with a lot of rose, golds, champagnes and peach in their eyeshadow palette, with two rich cream shades; the golden one makes the best highlighter!
All metallic and beautiful, including the gorgeous Scandalous lipstick, a metallic deep red and a highlighting soufflé in pretty shimmery peachy pink, called Pink Opal.
The Superstar lipstick is a metallic shade of deep warm purple with iridescent particles, also present on Scandalous.
The highlighting soufflé here is Smoky Quartz, a gorgeous slightly glittery light gold, perfect for cheekbones but even better for finishing the eyes with an intense shimmer on top of colour.
The bullet on the lipsticks deserves a chapter to itself: faceted, they have a sculpted shape, cut as the jewels they are.
Anyone who knows me in person will know I wear eyeshadow and eyeliner pretty much every day.
I’ll start with Urban Decay Naked 2. Now, I have 3 and Smokey, but they don’t quite measure up. The mix of earthy and gold tones, in shimmer and matte, are perfect for any occasion. Add a matte black and voilá: you cannot go wrong.
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Sleek has a couple that really work for me. The iDivine eyeshadow palette in ‘A New Day’ mixes beautiful golds and browns in shimmer and matte, as well as a bit of pinkish earthy tones, for an all-round look. The browns are dark enough for a lovely smokey that is not too heavy.
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And they are all quite affordable, ranging from £6.99 (Makeup Revolution) to £38.50 (Naked 2).
Every season gosh does not fail to impress. They always bring something out that stays with me until their next launch – and beyond.
Decidedly neutral, and very matte, this baby is all you need to keep your eyes in check. And its size means it’s handbag-friendly and the day-to-night transition is easy-peasy!
My second favourite is the Lumi Drops. A lovely highlighter with a tint, this light liquid formula will apply well and stay.
One that is already available (all the others launch in March), the Primer+ Illuminating Skin Perfector is really great.
Their big launch are the lip oils. Rather similar to the Clarins ones, these are the first “drugstore” version of the product. I am not big on lip gloss, but these are not too sticky and offer good moisturisation to lips!
Of course, I couldn’t leave the lipsticks behind. I have a mini arsenal of GOSH lipsticks at home, which come in to play pretty much every week.
Finally, the eyeshadow pencils. Oh, how I love those. I do not joke when I say my beloved Charlotte Tilbury Don’t have that much on them. I have the metallic ones, from a few season ago and this time they brought them out in matte.
So Many Lovely Things 