Two weeks ago I was so lucky to go to a Maybelline Blogger event launching all the new product launches for the second half of 2016. Everyone left the event with a huge goodie bag with most of the new products, which was very generous of Maybelline, so a huge thank you! Below is a quick run-down of all the new products.. and make sure you get a cuppa before you settle down to have a read, as there are a massive 12 new products to run through, so while I'll do my best to keep it short, it is inevitably going to be a long one..
For the face, Maybelline is launching the Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation, which is a foundation suitable for those with combination and oilier skin types, offering a velvety matte look for up to 12 hours, so right up my alley with my combination skin always struggling to get my foundation to stay matte past lunch time. It has gel-whipped formula containing more water than usual, so unlike other mate foundations that often leave the skin looking dry, this one is a hydrating formula making if feel very comfortable on the skin too. It's available in 10 shades.
Then there's the Master Conceal Camouflaging Concealer, which offering full coverage, easily hiding anything from dark circles under the eyes, redness and pigmentation, yet while still looking natural and not caked on, thank to being so easy to blend. It comes in a small tube with a tiny nozzle that makes it easy to squeeze out just the amount needed, and you can then pat it onto the skin and blend it until you get the coverage you want, using either your fingertip or a brush. The concealer is available in five shades, and the Maybelline also suggested trying using the lightest and the darkest shades to contour, which I have to admit that I am yet to try.
With my combination skin, I am so used to my makeup getting shiny, fading and settling into lines, so I am also very excited about the Maybelline’s Master Fix by Face Studio. The Master Fix is a translucent, lightweight mist that helps to fix and extend the wear of your makeup, preventing it from fading, settling or getting shiny. When finished applying your makeup, you simply shake the bottle, close your eyes and spray a couple of times, concentrating, naturally, at the more greasy areas such as the t-zone. The mist is so light, that you wouldn't even know you're wearing it, although the light spray does feel nice and refreshing when you apply it.
Thanks to Kim K, contouring is all the rage at the moment, and all brands from luxe all the way down to drugstore, seem to be launching contouring kits, including now Maybelline with the Master Contour Palette. This Contour Palette includes a highlighter, blush and contouring powder, as well as an angled brush, and thereby makes it easy to define and highlight your preferred features. It even comes with easy to follow instructions and images on the back of the palette, so if you're a novice at contouring like me, there's help to be found. The palette is available in two shade combinations, Light to Medium, and Medium to Dark.
The Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara promises 'dramatic lift and massive volume' - by helping to thicken and give the lashes volume, and thanks to the unique curved push-up brush that scoops the lashes from roots to tips, it also plumps and lifts the lashes, which holds throughout the day, thanks to the added styling wax. At first use I did find that it was a little clumping, but then again, I mostly find that is the case with new mascaras, and you have to use them a few times before they stop over-applying, and apply just the amount of mascara needed to avoid the clumping. With a name like Express Falsies, it does imply that you can skip applying false lashes when using this mascara, and while I am the first to admit that I never use false lashes, I wouldn't quite say that it manages to do that. However, that said, a few coats and it certainly gives my lashes a decent amount of volume, thickness and lift, so I will enjoy using this mascara. And besides how cute is the pink and red packaging!!
Brows are still one of the key trends, and to match, Maybelline is launching the Brow Drama Pomade Crayon, which is essentially a chubby stick/crayon that helps sculpt, tame and colour brows. You simply draw over your brows with feathery strokes to fil in sparse areas. It's super easy, and the result is natural, so this one is sure to become one of my favourites too. It is available in three shades, Dark Blonde, Medium Brown and Dark Brown. 
Moving on to the lips, Maybelline is adding to the ever popular Baby Lips with the introduction of the Baby Lips Balm & Blush, which as the name suggests adds a hint of tint, a sheer natural flush of colour to both lips and lips. They come packaged in cute little pots with coloured lids, but unfortunately a little bulky in the handbag. They have been enriched with antioxidant rich vitamin E to add moisture to lips and cheeks. The round balm is easy to apply to either lips or cheeks, and once dry, the leave a nice sheen too, without being greasy or sticky. There are four shades available;
- Innocent Peach
- Shimmering Bronze
- Flirty Pink
- Juicy Rose
Of these I prefer the two darker shades, the Flirty Pink and the Juicy Rose, as they, while still going on sheer, still apply the darkest. For me, these will be its something that I'd wear on no-makeup days, otherwise preferring more intense lipsticks to tints, but if I had been younger, I can easily see myself wanting to get hold of every shade available, so I can also imagine that these will be a big hit with younger teenage girls.
Maybelline is also launching a new limited edition range in the Color Sensational line, the Color Sensational Blushed Nudes Lipsticks, which are enriched with pure precious oil to make then feel rich and creamy on the lips. The shades all have a nice golden sheen due to containing rose gold pigments to create a warm blushed look on the lips. The range includes six shades;
- Fairly Bare (107)
- Tip Top Tulle (117)
- Sunset Blush (137)
- More to Adore (157)
- Pink Fling (207)
- Lust Affair (407)
I'm not particularly fond of very pale shades, so my favourites are Sunset Blush which has a slightly coral tinge, More to Adore with its mid-pink shade, Pink Fling with a dusty rose/mauve shade, and in particular the darkest shade Lust Affair with its pinky-red fuchsia shade.
Another new lip stick launch is the Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid, which is probably what has most girls excited with its intense pigment and matte look. These liquid lipsticks have a really good colour payoff, and unlike most other matte look lipsticks, they surprisingly still feels lovely and moisturising on the lips. No more flaky dry, and uncomfortably feeling lips. The range is available in 8 shades;
- Nude Flush (05)
- Electric Pink (15)
- Orange Shot (25)
- Fuchsia Ecstasy (30)
- Rebel Red (35)
- Berry Boost (40)
- Possessed Plum (45)
- Nude Thrill (50)
Again, I am not particularly good with nudes, so unfortunately Nude Thrill is not right for me, and Electric Pink is a little too fluoro pink, reminding me too much of the 80s, so not a match for me either - but other than that, I am surprised to say that I really love all the other shades. If I had to pick favourites, you just cannot go wrong with a classic red such as the Rebel Red, and the I really love the orangy-red Orange Shot, but again, the remainder of the shades are sure to get some good outings too.
Finally, Maybelline is also adding a few new limited edition shades to Color Show Blushed Nudes Nail Polish, which includes;
- Make Me Blush
- Dusty Rose
- Mod Mauve
- Crimson Flush
Of these I particularly love the dusty fuchsias shade, Crimson Flush and the dusty mid-brown shade, Mod Mauve. The other two shades are lovely too, but I think i will love them more come spring and summer. These nail polishes are easy to apply evenly and streak-free thanks to the short wide brush. It does require two coats for a solid colour pay-off, but that's pretty normal, and they have a good wear of a few days, which as always can easily be extended by a few days by using a base and top coat.
So there you go, all the new releases from Maybelline launching from now and the rest of the year. Some of them have already hit the stores, and others will be arriving over the coming months, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation - RRP: $22.95
Maybelline Master Conceal Camouflaging Concealer - RRP: $17.95
Maybelline Master Fix Wear Boosting Setting Spray - RRP: $15.95
Maybelline Master Contour Face Contouring Kit - RRP: $19.95
Maybelline Color Sensational Blushed Nudes Eye Palette - RRP: $25.95
Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara - RRP: $14.95
Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel 24H Automatic Pencil - RRP: $16.95
Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon RRP: $21.95
Maybelline Color Sensational Blushed Nudes Lipsticks - RRP: $17.95
Maybelline Baby Lips Balm & Blush - RRP: $9.95
Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid - RRP: $17.95
Maybelline Color Show Blushed Nudes Nail Polish - RRP: $5.95
Maybelline New York is available from Priceline, variety stores and select pharmacies and supermarkets
* Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.