Hello Lashes!

It has been awhile again hasn't it?  Well my first post for this year is a goodie and when I say goodie, it is a luxe one!  As a member of the Influenster community, I was excited to be a part of the Marc Jacobs Beauty VoxBox.  For the last month, I have tested out the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume mascara in my daily routine. I have continued with a very simple routine of powder foundation, highlighter and blush, a mix of pencil or powder eyebrows and mascara.  

Excited when I saw this in the mail!

Even more surprised that this was a full size!

Easy as 1, 2, 3 to review.

While the ingredients do not have any parabens, sulfates or phthalates, this is not a natural formula.  I did a check on ThinkDirty and did not find the product and would have to do further research on the toxicity/

The packaging is pretty with a faceted design.  I do like having a larger bristle wand since it reaches the inner and outer corners.

Volume, yes!  Super wow length, not so much.  I do have short lashes to begin with, but this does give it a little bit more oomph.  This mascara does not flake, but at the end of the day, I do see smudges on the outer corners of my eyes.  Overall, this was a great trial and would consider purchasing.  

Cost: $26 @ Sephora

Pros:  

-Gel formula volumizes

-Brush can reach the inner and outer corners

-Buildable formula

Cons:

-Pricey

-Large packaging might not be to the liking of everyone

-Smudges at the end of the day

Would I recommend this to a friend?

Maybe.  If you have the opportunity to test out this product first before committing to the full size, do it.  Spending almost $30 on something that you change out every 3 months is expensive!

Physican's Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara

Looooove my Ate Donna's lashes and asked her what kind of mascara she is using right now.  She already has gorgeous long lashes that just popped with the mascara.  I picked up Physician's Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara in Ultra Black and lucky it was BOGO!  One for me, one for my Beeb.  ;)  

Bare lashes, just curled. So short!

After 1 coat

Let's add another coat

After 2 coats

What the website says:

• 1st EVER mascara with 100% natural origin lash extension fibers for the full-on fringe of lashes without irritation.
• Innovative formula amplifies lash volume, length & curl.
• Oversized brush creates a fabulously false lash effect instantly!
• 100% of the Total Ingredients are from Natural Origin.
• 70% of the Total Ingredients are from Organic Farming.
• Hypoallergenic. Fragrane Free. Safe for Sensitive Eyes and Contact Lens Wearers. Opthamologist Approved.

Pros: -100% free of harsh chemicals
         -Formula is flake free
         -Buildable

Cons: -Wand is a bit big
          -Not exactly the look of false lashes

Cost: $9 from Fred Meyer

Would I recommend this to a friend? If you're looking for a natural and safer mascara, then yes.  I wasn't completely impressed with the formula and found it to be fairly average.  Larger wands can be difficult to work with if you have shorter eyelashes, I get smudges when coating the inner and outer lashes.

Mascara Review: Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black

This was included in the Sephora Lash Stash I bought awhile back. Its tough trying to go through lots of mascaras when you usually change them out every 3 months. I think I still have about 5 or 6 I need to try and reaview.

I really wanted to like it, but I couldn't find myself to like it at all. The formula was dry and the brush was CURVED. I have a dislike to curved brushes. First of all, when you remove it from the tube, its difficult to scrape off the excess product. This leaves too much mascara on the wand and you're more prone to clumping. Secondly, the formula seemed a bit dry that I couldn't build the product on my lashes without it clumping. Ugghh! Not even a month after opening and I just had to get rid of it. What a waste!




Eeepp! A bit blurry! Guilty of one of my own pet peeves. >.<

After 2 coats of mascara on the top and 1 coat on the bottom lashes. Ehhh...


Cost: $20 on www.stila.com (They don't offer this on Sephora's website anymore)

Would I recommend this to a friend? Sadly, no I would not. The curved brush just does not do it for me!

Vanity Mark The Lash Mascara & Daiso Mascara Guard

Two products I've been using and now getting around to reviewing. In one of My Pretty Pink Boxes, I received a Vanity Mark The Lash mascara. Since I can only test out a new mascara every 3 months, it takes awhile for me to get around to test them. I also picked up a mascara guard at Daiso sometime last year that I got to try out as well.


From www.vanitymark.com

THE LASH mascara
net weight: 8.0 m. / net 0.270 fl oz.

The thickest, blackest mascara on earth

Shade: Blackest

* Not Too Wet - 'the LASH' has a satiny texture that dries quickly and resists clumps

* Shine - I like a pretty, healthy sheen to lashes, so I made sure that 'theLASH' dries to a crisp, polished finish

* Blackest - I like a mascara that's REALLY dark, so I chose the deepest blue/black shade humanly posssible

* Curl Safe - Since I always curl lashes before and after applying mascara, I had FLEXI-LASTIN added to 'the LASH' so there’d be no worries...curl like crazy...its okay!

* Weatherproof - Holds true, yet removes easily with your favorite facial cleanser

-Cruelty free & not tested on animals

Cost: $16 Now on sale for $8!

Would I recommend this to a friend? I'm on the fence. I do like this mascara, but it seems a bit dry for me and I feel like I can't layer this on as much as I would like.

Here are the naked lashes. Just curled a bit with my trusty Shu Uemura curler.


Here is the Daiso Mascara Guard that I've been sitting on. Really, I don't have any issues getting mascara on my eyelid. Actually, it doesn't really bother me and I can easily clean it up with a wet q-tip. For $1.50, why not try it? I have seen some other guards, but this one in particular was nice because the handle has a comb to go through your lashes.

In action! See my lame attempt to hold it up and use it with my mascara? I was too lazy to set up the tripod and use the self-timer. Haha! You get the idea.

And the results after - clean and ok to my standards.

Here is the right side used without the guard. I'll admit, having the guard as a base helped to pull the lashes upward.

Cost: $1.50

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes! Some gals have issues with applying mascara and this can help with a mess-free application. :)

Sephora Favorites - Lashstash Mascara Deluxe Sampler

I can FINALLY blog about this purchase that I have been sitting on since June. I didn't want to spoil my surprise to Ms. B! I had posted awhile back about Sephora Favorites Boxed Kits and was super excited to see that they had their Lashstash Mascara Deluxe Sampler! I had been eyeing this last summer, but didn't get a chance to pick one up since they sold out. Now I have my grubby lil hands on this and can't wait to try them out!


I try not to open too many mascaras at once, but I think I will allow myself to try at least 2 of these soon! Mascara is a short-term product that should only be used in a 3 month span. Keyword is SHOULD, but I know some folks keep using the same one for awhile. If the product is still in good consistency, you're not prone to getting eye infections & you DON'T share your products, then I don't see why not, but I try to stick to the 3-4 month rule and toss. I do have my favorites that include Chanel & Dior, but also have my drugstore faves as well. Currently, I'm using Maybelline's Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Washable Mascara in Soft Black and love it!

From Sephora.com-
Lashstash Mascara Deluxe Sampler ($96 Value)
What it is:
Sephora put their favorite, most wanted mascaras in one box—so you get a full fringe for one pretty price.

What it does:
Sephora gathered their best sellers in various beauty categories and packed them into one-of-a-kind kits. This limited-edition set features deluxe samples of handpicked mascaras that are sure to fatten your flutter. From a lash base to a rice-bran-enriched mascara, this kit allows you to mix n' match 'til you create the lush lashes of your dreams.

This set contains:
- 0.1 oz Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara
- 0.1 oz Tarte Lights Camera Lashes
- 0.1 oz Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara
- 0.24 oz Stila Multi Effect Mascara
- 0.14 oz Benefit Bad Gal Mini
- 0.2 oz Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash
- 0.13 oz Too Faced Mini Lash Injection Pin Point
- 0.12 oz Smashbox Bionic
- 0.07 oz Lancome Cils Booster
- 0.085 oz DuWop Lash Venom
- 0.14 oz Korres Provitamin B5 and Rice Bran Mascara

I'll probably give the Lancome Cils Booster & Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara a try. They still have this set available on the website, lucky if you can find it in store! While this is a bit pricey for sample sizes of mascara, the $39 you spend on this kit is almost the cost of 2 tubes at the counter, but you get to try 10 different brands of mascara and a primer before you think about spending full price on one tube. Most counters don't have deluxe sample sizes that they will just give to you either and most of the time you would only receive these sizes with a gwp or pwp.

More EOTD/FOTDs soon when I am fully better. I have been sicky sick lately and am finally getting better, but still only about 85% well. I have NO voice right now and a lingering cough. I hate being sick! I've been spending most of my days in bed, blogging, but haven't had much energy to do any new looks. I'll try to have one for you guys by the end of this week! :)

Mascara Review: Lash Stiletto™ Ultimate Length Washable Mascara

BOGO! One for me and one for Ms. B of course. :)

I've been eyeing this mascara for awhile, but I had some other ones to get through first before purchasing. That jank wet n wild one for example. Targhey had a bonus pack, unfortunately not in Very Black so I settled for Soft Black.


What the website says:

Why You'll Love It
The only mascara that does for lashes what stilettos do for legs.
The Grip & Extend brush grasps each lash and coats from every angle
Elastic formula stretches lashes for provocative length
Pro-Vitamin B-5 formula conditions and smoothes for black-patent shine
Contact lens safe and Ophthalmologist tested

For Best Results
Sweep Grip and Extend Brush upwards from root to tip to grasp each lash and coat from every angle to achieve extreme length and shine. Continue building lashes until you reach your desired look. Do not let dry between coats. Repeat for lower lash line. Removes easily with soap and water



I really like the brush on this! The brush really grips your lashes and applies the mascara nicely. What I don't really dig is the smell, but that is a minor detail. The formula builds well and doesn't dry out fast.



2 coats on the top and a quick sweep on the lower lashes. Love the results! Maybelline has created another mascara that I love and an affordable choice for $7.50. Good deal! I think next time I'll pick up Very Black, but Soft Black turned out nicely.

FOTD: Lowe's Hardware & Mascara Review: wet n wild Lash Intense Mascara

I've been trying to get ready and out the door for the past 2 hours now. This is my going to Lowe's Hardware look FOTD. Haha! The pic above is what happens when you have too much sh*t and you try and cram it into one small closet. Organizational FAIL. Weightload observance hella FAIL. This woke me up at 5:30 AM. I thought I knocked my laptop off my bed, but surprise! It was my damn closet collapsed. Here I am on a gloomy Saturday afternoon trying to get it together and out the door to buy provisions to repair this mess. And yes, I will be doing this by myself. With plenty of advice from the help at the store of course. :) What a way to spend my Saturday.


What I used: (not all products listed are shown)
Face:
MAC Studio Fix in NC42
Too Faced Bronzing Powder in Sunny Bunny
MAC Mineralize Blush in Gleeful

Eyes:
Primed with Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC Take Wing Eyes quad - Restless, Take Wing, Tickles, Bravado
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero
wet n wild Lash Intense Mascara
Ardell Runway Lashes in Babies
Anastasia Brow Powder in Brunette (the lighter brown)

Lips:
NARS Turkish Delight






As you can see I'm just thrilled at what lies ahead of me for today. I think I'll go have a good meal before I tackle the rebuild.


The only time I can really wear this color. Otherwise it just looks like tamud sitting on my lips.


Mascara Review: wet n wild Lash Intense Mascara




What the website says: Brushes make all the difference with makeup application, especially with mascara! wet n wild's Lash Intense Mascara features a revolutionary dual-purpose applicator: the brush side wraps lashes from root to tip with a maximizing formula for intense drama; while the definer side combs each and every lash for optimum separation with a clump-free finish. The overall effect is perfectly voluptuous and long sculpted lashes!

Features
-Specially-engineered, high precision, volumizing brush and definer
-Sculpts lashes with optimum separation and maximum drama
-Coats even the hardest to reach lashes

I was drawn to the brush of this mascara and was hoping for great results, but have been slightly disappointed. The formula dries out relatively quickly which makes the product difficult to build. I have had this mascara for about 2 months and I'm ready to toss it. For about $3, I guess you get what you paid for, but I haven't been disappointed with other drugstore mascaras like Maybelline. Definitely not a repurchase for me.

2 coats on the top lashes. The gel consistency formula did grab on to my lashes well, but didn't really do much but darken them.


It didn't give me that wow factor after 2 coats and I couldn't really build up the product since it dried quickly and has a tendency to flake. It was worth a try, but I wouldn't buy this again, nor recommend this to you gals. Sorry wet n wild, you just didn't do it for me!