Thursday, July 17, 2008

Mascara Madness

Hi!

It's review time! Today's topic will be about every girl's favorite aspect of makeup. Mascara. ^^ Hopefully I'll be able to help you on your lashy needs, and maybe you can help me with mine.

I don't know about you, but my lashes never do what I want them. I'm really big on making sure my eyes look perfect. I can blend my shadows perfectly, line my lids, and buff out harsh lines like a (wannabe) pro. My lashes, on the other hand, are tricky, stubborn things that need work. They cannot curl for the life of me! This was never a problem for me when I was younger... I don't know what's happened in the last few years..

I remember using Clinique's Lash Curling Mascara when I was in middle school and if I remember correctly, it did the job. I wouldn't even have to use a curler. I'd add a coat and be good to go. It had awesome curling power and I can't recall any clumps. I'll have to try it out again to see if I have found my mascara soul mate.

CoverGirl Professional All in One Mascara (The Blue One)

Runs for 5 bucks at most drug stores. I was told to buy this mascara because I heard that it did everything for you. Lift, Curl, Separate and all of that other goodness. My roommate has fantastic lashes and this one is on her list. I figured that it would soon be a favorite of mine. Personally, the curved wand was too bulky for my taste and it got the product all over my eyes. After using it everyday for almost a month, I still couldn't get the full effect that it promised. My lashes would clump. It took forever to dry, and I didn't really feel that it had curled. It wasn't what I was expecting from CoverGirl. Maybe with more use, I'll be able to appreciate it, but for now... I wouldn't buy it again.

Sephora Lash Plumper ($16 on Sephora.com)

After making a lavish purchase at Sephora, I received this mascara as a free sample. I loved it automatically. If you're a girl that likes to add several coats to her lashes, then this is the one for you! I was a wee bit worried because of the massive wand, but unlike the one mentioned above, the wand was in no way a hindrance in the application process. The big wand is the key to this mascara. The more coats you apply, the thicker your lashes get without the gross clumps. Seriously, no clumps. You can just go to town on your lashes and they'll stay smooth and sexy. How amazing is that?! The only thing is that it does not curl your lashes, so make sure to curl the hell out of them before applying the Lash Plumper. You won't regret it. It's one of my personal faves that gets plenty of use whenever I want 'Come Hither' lashes. I'd totally buy it again.

Shiseido Mascara Base ($22 on Sephora.com and Shiseido counters)

OH. EM. GEE. The Shiseido Mascara Base is the best thing you can do to your lashes. THE BEST!

This base has the ability to keep the curl of your lashes and it also lengthens. (Lengthens!!!) Words cannot do this product justice. It's a clear gel instead of the typical white stuff that most bases are comprised of. One swipe and you'll see the difference. Is it kinda pricey?? Yes. It is worth it?? Pfft.. yeah!

It only works with certain formulas, so that could be its only flaw. Paired with the Lash Plumper, the base makes it seem like you're wearing uber dramatic falsies. Great for a night out on the town. Used with Loreal's Panoramic Curl gives the effect of suble falsies. DO NOT use it with CoverGirl's Lash Blast! It will just make a big ol mess on your face. I've heard that this base does wonders with Dior's Diorshow Mascara. I don't own Diorshow, so I can't comment.

Five Million Stars to The Shiseido Mascara Base. Heck yeah I'd buy this again.

CoverGirl's Lash Blast ($8 in most drugstores)

Ahhh the fat, orange mascara that everyone is talking about. Some hate it (Liz), and others are quite fond of it (me). Honestly, I just bought it because I wanted to see what the big whoop was about (and the wand, I love massive wands now.) The unique design really does allow the best coverage for each lash. It was a bit tricky at first, but with a bit of practice it became a very user friendly mascara. I have the regular one so it doesn't add volume with every coat (Good thing I have the Lash Plumper!). It does as advertised and I can see myself buying it again. (I actually wanted to buy it again two days after I initially purchased it... something about the bright orange packaging just says "Buy Me!!") Heh.

Loreal's Panoramic Curl ($7? at most drugstores)

Love it. The thin, curled wand gets in the hard to reach places of your eye. Doesn't flake, and it doesn't really clump. (It will clump if your lashes are messed up on their own, like if you didn't curl them properly. This happens to me sometimes. I'll have one amazing eye, and one eye that looks depressed. ::sigh::) Here's a little trick, after you apply the base, apply the Panoramic Curl and focus on your outter lashes. If you do that, you'll see that your lashes have that full look of false lashes. That's because false lashes are very dense on the outter corners to really make your eyes POP! Love love love. Love love.

Loreal's Telescopic Mascara ($6..$7? at most drugstores)

No wonder everyone and their mother have this one. It's effin great! The first thing you will say when you try this mascara is "Woah! O.O" Yes, you will make that face. I was surprised with the difference one swipe had. (Not an entire coat all over my lashes, one swipe on my outter lashes.) It lengenths like you would not believe. Great for those of you that have tiny lashes (and don't wanna shell out 22 bucks for the Shiseido base hehe ^^) It even kept a subtle curl to my heavy, heavy lashes. I used it for the first time today. I can honestly say that it is one of my faves already. There were NO CLUMPS! NONE. I didn't even need to comb my lashes afterward. Srsly.The wand itself is just fun to play with. It's a very thin stick with small britles. The wand bends at the top in order to provide maximum overage. I didn't explain that right, but you'll see what I mean when you play with it. I am very impressed with this brand. As of now, I have two Loreal products that are rocking my socks. I can't wait to see what this looks like over the Shiseido base. I'm totally buying this again.

Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($17 at Sephora.com and Shiseido counters)

I've heard wonderful, wonderful things about this curler. My lashes are very hard to curl, even with the Shiseido base. I assumed that this would be able to handle them. Either my lashes are just too heavy to sustain a curl, or I'm an idiot that has no clue what to do with a curler. I know it's me. This is a good curler and once I figure out how to unlock its secret, I'll let y'all know how it really is.

Ardell EyeLash Comb ($2 on random websites)

It's magical. Liz has one. I always try to steal it when I go to her house. I should really get a few for myself. Nothing else works like it.

And just because I really wanted to review this...

Anastasia Brow Express in Brunette ($38 at Sephora/Sephora.com Anastasia.net)

This little palette comes with two brow colors, a gold highlight, wax, a brush, and four stencils in a nifty little carrying case. I was never one for eyebrows, but seeing the reviews of this brand on youtube made me want to give it a shot. It's great. The colors are blendable to get that perfect match. The brush is firm but doesn't irritate your skin. The stencils are fool-proof. Place the one that matches your natural shape, fill them in with the color of your choice and there you go! I really like this product. Because I've never been one for doing my brows, it takes me a little longer in the morning to get everything done. I know that with a little bit of practice, I'll be a brow pro in no time.

Enjoy!!!

Oh, and if you know of anything that will give my lashes that WOW curl that they need, let me know!

<3

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