L'Oreal's Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

I've found yet another mascara that I really like... and best of all, you can get it at the drugstore. I am a big proponent of tossing your mascara every 3-5 months, which is hard to do if you spend $20 bucks on it! But L'Oreal's Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara is cheap, looks great, and is easily replaceable.

First of all the brush is just fabulous. It is big a fluffy, yet doesn't get in the way but allows you to get each and every lash. The result is long, full, feathery lashes that instantly curl upwards and make my eyes look HUGE. Yet its doesn't like thick and cakey like some volumizing mascaras. Its just the right amount of oomph. The packaging is nice too, a well sized tube in shiney black plastic. It makes it look way fancier than your typical drugstore mascara. Well done L'Oreal. Next time I run our of the house and then realize i found to put on mascara, I know what I am picking up at Walgreens.

Lash Lovely!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! 4-in1 Natural Mascara

My new favorite everyday mascara was a bit of a shock to be. I'll be the first to admit that packaging is very important to me. I have used other Tarte products in the past, and my biggest complaint was this funny faux patent leather quilted material! This mascara tube is twice as big as it would be without it and kind of ackward. But packaging aside, Lights, Camera, Lashes! 4-in-1 Natural Mascara is a great mascara! It goes on slightly dry (so it doesn't get everywhere and smudge) with a slight texture. It coats my lashes completely and really does all 4: lengthen, curl, volumize, and condition. It doesn't smudge off during the day (BIG for me) and comes off with just a little face wash and water, no crazy amounts of rubbing. Also, they use natural ingredients like carnauba wax, olive esters, and rice bran wax. So despite the fact that the packaging turned me off, I'm glad I finally tried this mascara out. It is definitely going in my regular pile.

Lash Lovely!

MAX Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

Brands come out with new mascaras all the time because they know, without fail, women will keep trying new ones, since no one mascara does everything they want. One can be lengthening, but not curl your lashes enough. Another makes them super thick but gets clumpy and sticky too fast. But none are JUST right.

Max Factor's new attempt, the 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper, fulfills certain demands I have for my mascara. I really like the big fat brush (hence the high caloric name) with its many plastic bristles. It gets to every lash, and curls them up quite nicely. It doesn't make them exceptionally thick, but the additional darkness and definition are great. It is a good daytime mascara but I think I want more volume when I am doing darker evening looks. Also, I had a chance to try both the regular and waterproof formulas. Although I am not a huge fan of waterproof mascara, because they are so hard to remove. But I'll make an exception since it actually it lasted all though my work day and the gym in 90 degree heat without me looking like a raccoon by the end of it. That is lasting power! So for $9.98 at your local drugstore, you can get a high quality mascara that will plump your lashes and last though a sweaty workout!

Lash Lovely!

Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara

I'm always on the hunt for good mascaras. I personally think that you need different mascaras for different looks. I have ones that I love because they make my lashes look super thick and intense. But sometimes I want something a little less crazy and more subtle, for a more casual look.

Kiehl's brand new Marvelous Mineral Mascara is one of those mascaras. It goes on easy, defines and darkens my lashes without making them look heavy. They actually look natural, only better. According to Kiehl's, they are the first prestige brand to come out with a mineral mascara. It contains nourishing natural ingredients, including natural mineral color and it’s paraben and fragrance-free. So it sounds ideal for people who have sensitive eyes and want to protect them from harsh chemicals and dyes. Makes since right?! Not sure why this hasn't been done before...

My favorite part about the package of this product is the warning label on the back. I find it quite hilarious (do people really spit in their mascara?! Gross!) and yet very good advice (don't share mascara!):

"To safeguard purity, reserve this product for your personal use. Treat the applicator with the hygienic care you give your eyes. Never apply this product in a moving vehicle. Do not dilute this product with water, saliva, or any other substance. Cap tightly after use."

So this mascara is definitely going into my arsenal of choices. Daytime: check. Natural look: check. Safe for my eyes: check!

Mineral Lovely!

Benefit's Bad Gal Plum Mascara

It might be surprising to you that up until recently, I didn't own a single mascara that was anything but black! I think the last time I did "spring cleaning" on my makeup collection, I tossed the few blues and browns had because they were gross and old. So when I had the chance to try Benefit's Bad Gal Plum I knew it was time to get some color back into my life. I know how it goes, you get very used to the way black mascara looks and anything else just doesn't seem to make your eyes POP they way it does. But honestly I think there is a time and place for this lovely Plum shade. It kinda makes your eyes look ethereal, since it is a soft purpley-brown, sending the focus on the color of your eye instead of your lashes. I used it with some gold and bronze toned shadows and the effect was pretty and soft, not super intense. I think it is a good daytime mascara, a nice change from black, black, black, but not as dull as boring brown. Try it!

Plum Lovely!

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara

Posthumously, Kevyn Aucoin has come out with his own makeup line. Not sure how that works, but hey, I like what I see. After looking over the whole line, my first purchase was The Volume Mascara. My experience with Too Faced's Lash Injection Pinpoint mascara taught me how nice it is to have a mascara that makes tubes. Tube mascaras are great because they don't smudge or fall throughout the day. They are water resistant but all you need it a little water and some gentle rubbing to get them off. Kevyn's volume mascara gives a bit more volume than the Too Faced but it tends to get a little more clumpy. It also drys a bit slower, but once it is, it will stay on for days. Literally. The brushes are the same, very small and thin, which helps you get every last lash coated. So try Kevyn's The Volume Mascara if it sounds like something you would like. I know mascara is a very personal choice, so the bottom line is find the one you like and replace it every 3-4 months!

Lash Lovely!

Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes: Creating Art with Innovation

You have to have been living under a rock if your haven't seen the latest and greatest innovation in mascara by Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes. Thought up Le Makeup's Artistic Diector Nicholas Degennes, the brush in the shape of a ball at the end of a stick is unlike anything every made for putting on mascara before. I finally got my hands on a tube (only available at Sephora mind you) and it is pretty fantastic. I'm not sure I've mastered the application yet, it is just so different that any other mascara I've applied before. The best direction I got was to use the end of the ball and paint all your lashes with it, then use the sides of the ball to go over them again and curl your lashes. The ball really allows you to get every last lash. Very cool. Definitely worth all the hype and excitement that has been buzzing. But it is not over...

To coincide with the launch of Phenomen'Eyes – a revolutionary high-precision mascara with a patented ground-breaking spherical brush – Parfums Givenchy commissioned British artist Ian Wright to create a work of art using approximately 5,000 of the Phenomen'Eyes brushes. The result was “5045 Lashes,” a work that symbolizes the "remix" of a fashion-inspired beauty collection with art.

An accomplished artist, Wright is best known for his collage work, creating portraits and artwork out of various materials ranging from buttons to strategically placed scraps of paper. With this in mind, Parfums Givenchy provided Wright with 5,000 Phenomen'Eyes mini mascara brushes in an effort to marry beauty with the art world.
The project began in August 2008 and was completed 12 days later. In the end, Wright chose to recreate an illusion of a 45' record using only the mascara brushes as his medium. The unique circular brush shape brought back memories of Wright's early childhood, listening to the voices of Dusty Springfield and Roxy Music on the record player. The pure glamour of glistening black vinyl became thoughts of glistening black lashes, and the inspiration for the Phenomen'Eyes project was born.

“5045 Lashes” was unveiled last night at the Christopher Henry Gallery (127 Elizabeth Street), and will now appear throughout New York City in pop-up galleries this fall (Oct 10th and 11th at Sephora SoHo; Oct 17th and 18th at Sephora Union Square).

Pretty innovative huh? I think it is awesome! I think of beauty as my form of art, so this right up my alley. Wish I could be in NYC to check out the show. If you go, tell me how it is!

Lash Lovely!

Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara

It seems like every month brands are coming out with new ways to coat and paint your lashes. I've noticed that the biggest and best innovation for mascaras have been with the way the formulas are applied, i.e. the brush material and shape.

I've heard great things about Too Faced's Lash Injection mascara but I've never gotten around to trying it. I only have so many lashes to test on, ya know?! So when I was offered the opportunity to try out the lasted version of their legendary formula, I jumped. Lash Injection Pinpoint Extreme Defining, Volume & Lengthening Mascara is unique because of its tiny sleek "pinpointed" brush. At first, it felt weird to use but once I got the hang out it, I loved it. You have to use lots of little strokes but the effect is great. You can literally get to all your lashes, even those tiny ones in the corners, without getting mascara on your face! It grabs on to lashes you didn't even know existed and draws them out and curls them up! I even did my lower lashes for a night out and the effect was dramatic without being spidery or over done. And a huge plus, since this is the type of mascara that forms tubes around your lashes, it doesn't smear or fall down after a few hours. It comes off pretty easily with makeup remover and a little rubbing. It costs a measly $19.50 and currently only available at Sephora.

Lash Lovely!

New Fresh Firebird Mascara

While I am quite attached to my Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara, I am an undying beauty junkie. So when the opportunity arose to try a new mascara, I jumped to the task. Fresh's new Firebird Mascara is housed in an absolutely stunning dark green tube with a gold feather pattern on it. The brush and its bristles are HUGE. A few gentle swipes on my lashes and they are coating well. It creates more of a feathery, 70s look than my usual thick dramatic volumized lashes but I like it just the same. Different is good sometimes, you know?! My only complaint is that after 5 hours or so, it seems to fall and smudge a bit on me. Must be because of the super nourishing ingredients like seabuckthorn berry oil, red algae, and panthenol in it... right?! Well, I still say try it out yourself, the tube alone is worth it, if your a sucker for beautiful packaging like me. Available at Fresh.com and at Sephora starting in August.

Lash Lovely!

Bored With Your Lashes? Try These!

Cosmetics companies are also coming up with new ways to improve your looks. Sometimes its with formulas, sometimes its with packaging and sometimes its with entirely new products. Here are some interesting things I've come across lately in the world of LASHES:

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara: This is the weirdest brush I've ever seen. Apparently, this tiny brush helps to curl and separate your lashes to perfection. I'd be willing to try it just for the novelty. Only available at Sephora.




Model Co Lash Wand Heated Eyelash Curler: I'm not sure about heat getting that close to my eye, but if it gives gorgeous curly lashes I just might try it. Only available online.




Urban Decay Skyscraper Mascara: This seemingly ordinary mascara has a special ingredient: shu extract. This the ancient Chinese herb that promotes health, pigmentation and prevents hair loss. Might be hocus-pocus but it sounds convincing.

Find A Great Mascara With Help From Splendora

I'm always on the lookout for a new fabulous mascara and it's easy to want to try new ones all the time since I try and replace mine every three months (and you should too!). The other day I got an email from an editor of Splendora, linking me to their mascara challenge results. I hadn't heard of Splendora but now I'm a member and a big fan, especially since they are based in my city!

Their mascara challenge compared drugstore and department store mascaras separately which I think is fair. I wasn't too surprised at some of the results (beauty bloggers write about Chanel and Lancome all the time!) but I am certainly going to get some of the highly rated ones I haven't tried. They didn't test L'Oreal's Voluminous mascara, a longtime favorite drugstore mascara of mine (**CORRECTION: yes they did, I missed in on the list, silly me!**) and MAC's Zoomlash didn't even make it into the runners up! Mascara is such a personal thing though. Everyone has different ideas about how they want it to go on and look. The descriptions of the top 5 are helpful since they point out what they liked and didn't like about each one.

Check out Splendora's other features too, like their city guides, classified ads. It looks like a great resource for all things stylish. Like I really needed one more website to look at for fashion and beauty!

Lash Lovely!

Disappointing Lashes

I've been waiting patiently for my MAC package to arrive so I could get my Fafi beauty powder (I'll review that later!) and a new mascara. I've been trading off between Cover Girl's Lash Blast, which I love all but the stupid fat iorange container, and MAC's Zoomlash, which over time I have grown to dislike. It's very thick, which creates vampy dark lashes, but can sometimes be too much. I usually have to comb out the clumps, a extra step that can get annoying. Maybe it is just getting old...

So I decided to try another MAC mascara, Plushlash. The name sounded cool (i want my lashes plush, not just lush!) and I've read that other people have enjoyed it. Well, I'm not excited about it at all! It's very thin and not that dark! I've never had to put on two coats with either the Zoomlash or Lash Blast but with Plushlash I had to. For $11 it was worth a try out, but I don't think I'll be buying that one again.

Lash Lovely!

The Last One To Lash

I know if you read a lot of Beauty Blogs, you are going to be sick of this review, but hopefully I can add a few additional insights into Cover Girl's new mascara, LashBlast. Its the one in the vibrant orange tube, with the funny looking brush.

Here is my verdict: Fairly good formula for a drugstore mascara, its is volumizing without clumping hardly at all. It is a slightly less dramatic look that my MAC ZoomLash, which is good some days. The brush is rather large, as they designed it to be so, and the bristles are very different that anything I've seen before. But I don't find it hard to apply or get to the side lashes at all.My major complaint is the bottle! It is this huge tube, much fatter that any other mascaras I own, and it takes up way too much space in my mascara container! I don't think I'll buy it again, just for this reason. Package is important to me, and I get that they were trying to be out there and different, but the form should be functional as well.

Lash Lovely!

Parisian Pretty

One of my favorite brands is often overlooked by American ladies. Bourjois Paris is a staple brand of the Parisian woman on a budget, according to my francophile friends. They do a lovely job combining fabulous color, high quality and a touch of whimsy into each of their products. Bourjois brings a touch of joi de vivre to your look, if you will.

I fell in love with Bourjois when my sister brought me back a tube of their Volume Glamour Mascara from her visit to Paris. Once the brand showed up in Sephora a year or so later, I began exploring the other products. If you are looking for colorful mascara, this is the brand to scope. They have every color you'd want, from plum to navy to bronze, in a variety of formulas. I also love their shadows, aka Ombre A Paupieres. They are baked powders with tons of pigment that come in a cute round pot with a mirror and mini sponge applicator for easy on the go touch ups.

Bourjois' Fall collection is a stunning mix of metallics and neutrals. They came out with a new shade of my favorite Mascara, in Ultra Black. The blush featured also looks like a good bet, Lilas D'Or, a pretty neutral pink. The lip gloss is a three-in-one product, combining the moisture of a lip balm, the shine of a gloss and the coverage of a lipstick, featured in a khaki color.

Try out some Bourjois products and let me know what you think!

Color Lovely!

Bargain Beauty Buys

Today I decided to embrace my new-found pauper lifestyle (thank god for Subway's $2.99 special!) and write about some drugstore products that I love. Although I splurge on fancy makeup all the time, there are a few products I buy at the drugstore, and some I even prefer over their expensive sisters at Sephora.

CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner: This self sharpening eyeliner is a fabulous no mess step to flawless lining. I've been using it for almost 10 years! The colors are practical and who wants to mess with sharpeners?! The point stays sharp and you never have to worry about it breaking off in your eye!

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara: This is a great drugstore mascara when you are in a pinch. I think it does a decent job at building volume and lasting through the day without smudging. I have to admit to wearing more expensive mascaras more frquently, but I do pick this up when I have forgotten to paint my lashes (which happen to me from time to time...terrible!).

Purpose Moisturizer, Redness Reducing SPF 30: This is a great sunscreen and light moisturizer for anyone who has combination and yet sensitive skin like me. Lots of moisturizers make my face sting, especially if I'm treating my acne with an BHA product, but this does not. I used to use the SPF 15, which is a smidge cheaper, but I opted up for the 30 when I was out in the sun all summer.

L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover: This is my stand by remover, no matter what. It doesn't hurt my sensitive, contact-wearing eyes and it doesn't leave any sort of oily film afterwards. Most importantly it gets everything off, even stubborn waterproof mascara.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Normal to Oily Skin: This is a classic face wash, in a slightly stronger formula than the Gentle one, but it works great for combination/acne prone skin like mine. And with the new bottle design, you can feel like you're buying a new fashionable product, instead of a old boring classic. I have the small pump bottle in my shower and it lasts forever.

Bargain Hunt Lovely!

va va voom!

I'm not one of those girls who can't leave the house without mascara on. No makeup days do exist in my life (the beach, the gym, etc). And while I am blonde, my lashes aren't so light as to always need a layer of paint. But I can't stand to wear any kind of eye makeup and not put on mascara to go with it! My current favorites are:

Bourjois Paris Volume Glamour Black was first introduced to me by my sister, which is funny because she has worn makeup maybe 5 times in her life, and prom night was one of them! She brought back a few things of makeup from Paris for me when I was in high school and then a year or so later, Sephora started carrying Bourjois in the US, for only $13.50. Bourjois single eyeshadows are nice as well, the french just know their beauty!

My new favorite mascara is M.A.C.'s Zoom Lash in Zoomblack. Its is super intense and dark. It thickens and curls my lashes instantly. They only downside is you have to use a lash brush to clean up the clumps a bit. But its lasts forever, and doesn't fall later in the day. And the price is quite good, I got it for $11 at Nordstrom.

For everyday, really neutral looks, I go for L'Oreal's Voluminous Mascara in Black/Brown. Its a little less intense, yet still quite effective for a drugstore mascara. Sometimes you want something a little more subtle ya know. And at drugstore.com, its only $4.89! Very niiice.

Lash Lovely!