ProductWhores

Go Straight To The Bottom

Clinique's new Bottom Lash Mascara is such a genius idea that I can't believe no one's done it before.  (Unless they have and I just haven't stumbled upon it, which is totally possible).  It's a mascara designed solely for bottom lashes.  Genius, right?!  I'd basically given up on wearing mascara on my bottom lashes since I get them tinted and most mascaras I use on them end up smudging anyway, but with this new discovery, I'm all over it again.  The tube is small - it almost looks like a mini-size of a regular mascara - and the brush is really tiny, but that's what's makes it work so well.  The small size makes it perfect for applying on your bottom lashes - it's easy to get in there and put it on without accidentally smearing black gunk all over your face (a common problem for me, especially since I seem to sneeze almost every time I put mascara on, which leaves me looking like a deranged circus clown).  The brush is also great at depositing color and thickness onto the lashes without leaving them all stuck together, and best of all, it's only $10 (cheaper than some drugstore mascaras).  Definitely worth picking up on your next trip to the mall!  

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Clinique. 

Lancôme Définicils Precious Cells High Definition Amplifying Mascara

This month, Lancome released Définicils Precious Cells High Definition Amplifying Mascara, a brand new mascara, which is exclusive to Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.    This new formula is infused with Swiss Apple Extract, "a revolutionary plant derivative that reinforces and protects lashes" which translates to the apperance of thicker, longer lashes.  They have invented a technologically-advanced brush which has smaller bristles, perfect for coating each and every lash, without clumping.  I, for one am dying to try it so a trip to Nordstrom is on my agenda for this weekend.  The mascara is getting great reviews online, but I would love to know if anyone has tried it yet.  What do you think?  Retails for $29.00.

Photo courtesy of Lancome

Frugal Finds

Maybelline mascaras aren't usually my favorite (although I do really like the Lash Stiletto ones) but when I saw that they had a new one out for the summer, I kind of wanted to try it.  (I find it impossible to go to CVS and not buy a makeup item.  It just feels... wrong somehow.  That is why I'll never be a millionaire.  Unless I win the Mega Millions.  Which is going to happen).  Anyway, last week I was at CVS and saw a display of Maybelline's new The Falsies Volum' Express.  Not only did it look intriguing, but there was a 40% coupon, so I was all over it.  Best $4.75 I've spent recently!  I love the way it makes my lashes look.  The brush isn't super big and it's curved, which I always like because I think it's just easier to work with.  On me, the formula goes on really well and it makes my lashes look long and thick.  (I usually put on two coats).  I mean, I wouldn't say it makes me look like I'm wearing false lashes, only because those are SO noticeable, but I also can't be bothered to put those on unless I'm going to a big event, so this is a nice compromise.  I definitely look in the mirror when I'm wearing this and think, "Hhhm, my lashes look good" and notice how much they stand out, which is kind of my own personal "Do I need it?" test.  It also doesn't flake a lot, which is another one of my requirements for a mascara because I never remember to look in the mirror during the day and if I wear a mascara that flakes, I walk around looking like a raccoon.  Not good.  

I don't think The Falsies has been "officially" released yet because it's not on Maybelline's website, but I've seen it at a few drugstores in L.A., so I assume other cities have it, too.  Has anyone else bought it yet?  What do you think?       

Have A Blast

I'm a pretty big fan of CoverGirl's other Lash Blast mascaras and the trend continues with the new Lash Blast Fusion.  Taking the best qualities from the other versions, Fusion is CoverGirl's first mascara that adds both volume AND length.  I found that it gave me really great, thick lashes and I could definitely see some added length.  (Length is always hard for me to judge because I actually have pretty long eyelashes normally, so I'm never quite sure how to tell how much length has been added).  I will say this - I like the big brush, but it is definitely BIG.  It took some practice and getting used to before I managed to ace the application process.  (I do love the bristles on the brush though - they really help to prevent clumping and to coat every single lash with mascara).  The one thing it doesn't have, however, is waterproof tendencies.  I learned this the hard way because I was installing a new shower head in my bathroom (I know!  I can't really believe I attempted it myself either, but it seemed like a good idea at the time) and when I didn't tighten the bolt (or nut or washer or whatever the hell the thing that holds the shower head on is called) water sprayed EVERYWHERE.  I was soaked, the bathroom was soaked... even the ceiling was soaked!  And when I looked in the mirror, I had mascara running down both cheeks.  Luckily, I'm not normally getting sprayed with water in my daily routine, so this wouldn't stop me from using it, but if you live in a city with a lot of rain, it's something to consider.  Overall though, I was really impressed.  I got nice, thick, plump lashes without any clumps for under $10.  (And it comes in a bright purple container, which on a purely shallow level makes me happy because it makes it easier to find in my makeup drawer).  Definitely worth picking one up yourself the next time you're at the drugstore!  

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with CoverGirl.

Curl Up And Dye

Back in the day, I was obsessed with Hard Candy.  I loved all their funky nail polish colors and glitter eyeliners, which totally makes me sound like I was some sort of club kid (uhm, no).  But after it stopped being sold at Sephora, I moved on to other brands and sort of forgot about it.  (I know, I'm a bad Product Whore.  I'm easily distracted.  All you have to do is wave a shiny new lipstick in front of my face and I'll follow you anywhere...)  I knew it had gotten a makeover and was now being sold at Walmart, but since there are no Walmart's around me, I figured I'd never get the chance to try the new products.  And then this weekend, I oddly found myself at a Walmart in NJ (a story for another day) so you can bet that the first thing I did was run to the beauty section to check if they had it.  Which they totally did.  (I might've done a little happy dance in the aisle, but I'm not admitting to anything).  I bought 4 different things, but the only one I've  tested out so far is the Curl Up and Dye Curling Mascara in Nite.  (Adorable name, right?)  I bought it for two reasons - I was curious about the formula, but also, I just really, really loved the shade.  I mostly wear plain old black mascara, but this one was so pretty and different - it's a super dark greenish-teal shade, so it's a little bit funkier than what I normally have on my lashes, but not so much that anyone will look at me and think, "Why is that crazy girl wearing brightly colored mascara?  Does she not know what decade it is?"  I really love the color, but as for the formula, it's nothing amazing.  Don't get me wrong, I like it, and at only $6, it totally lives up to its value, but it's not a mascara that will change your life.  (Not that I really expected it to for that price).  What I like about it is that it goes on smoothly, without any clumps, but the one drawback is that, for a curling mascara, it doesn't really give my lashes any extra curl that I can see.  Still, for the color alone, it's totally worth the price.  (I'm going to try layering it over some of my other favorite mascaras to see what that looks like).  And it definitely made me want to try the rest of the Hard Candy products I bought.  Besides, anytime I can get a product that I like for basically the same price as a caramel latte, I'm very happy.             

Go To Great Lengths

When I first opened Clinique's new High Lengths Mascara, I totally thought that I'd gotten one with a broken wand.  (And then I spent about 10 minutes contemplating whether or not mascara wands could even break, which should tell you a little bit about how exciting my life is these days).  The wand is a bright neon green and black and it's really skinny, with a fine-toothed comb at the end.  (It looks kind of bizarre, like a mascara aliens would use).  I was definitely skeptical, probably because it also looks slightly like a weapon and since I have the tendency to trip even when there's nothing in front of me, I had visions of slipping on a wet bathroom floor and poking my own eye out.  Luckily, the wand may look weird, but the mascara works great once you get a little application practice in.  The fine-toothed comb is especially great for keeping the mascara clump-free and it really separates and defines every single lash, especially those little baby ones that sometimes get left behind.  On me, it's not a heavy dramatic look, it's more of a natural appearance, but it definitely adds length to my lashes.  I think it's a perfect daytime mascara, especially since it has good staying power and it doesn't give me the dreaded raccoon eyes.  Also, it's only $14, which is pretty close to drugstore mascara prices.  Definitely worth checking out on your next trip through the mall.

A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Clinique.

Get Your Studio Fix

MAC has put out a ton of new collections lately and I'm finding a lot of new favorites to love.  I'm currently obsessing over the Studio Fix Lash from the In The Studio collection.  Here's what MAC has to say about it:

Dramatically defines lashes to provide the sweep and definition that make lashes pop.  The new lightweight mousse has a colour-rich formula that gives smoother coverage.  Applies with a specially designed moulded brush that singles out lashes to provide them with fast, root-to-tip coverage.

What do I have to say?  Well, it makes my lashes super thick without a hint of clumping (due to its thermoplastic synth-rubber moulded brush) and according to my friend Jessica, my lashes look longer and like I spent time curling them.  (Which I did not.  Every morning I say to myself, "This is the day you start doing that on a regular basis" because it takes like, 30 seconds and it makes such a difference.  But I hate mornings and I'm always half-asleep when I'm doing my makeup anyway, so it never really happens).  I've been using the Black Fix shade and it's a deep, midnight black that really makes my lashes stand out dramatically.  It also doesn't flake or run on me, which is a prerequisite for a mascara to make me want to wear it on a daily basis.  And it's only $13, so it won't make you cringe when you hand over your credit card, which is always a nice bonus.  Get thee to a MAC counter before they're all gone!

Note: A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with MAC.

It's A Telescopic Explosion

Okay, I get that companies want catchy names for their products and it definitely works for some - Benefit always has great ones, for example - but this "Telescopic Explosion" from L'Oreal doesn't really make any sense to me.  I was sitting here thinking about it and I guess they want to say that if you use the mascara the wand is smaller and therefore will hit every lash, but to me the name Telescopic Explosion just says that you'll need to look really close to see any definition.  And truth be told, that's exactly what I thought of this mascara.  Telescopic Explosion by L'Oreal has a very small wand, so it takes twice as long to apply your mascara and there's no real benefit.  My lashes were not better defined, nor did they look longer or thicker.  I love a great mascara (sometimes I just throw that on and a little foundation on an especially lazy day) but this stuff could never compete with Lash Blast for me.  I say save your money - I'd be surprised if this stays on shelves long anyway.

Dress In Layers

I totally want to try this new Too Faced Mascara Layering Kit.  For $19.50, you get a Lash Injection in Black and a mini Lash Injection Pinpoint in Black so you can mix and match them however you want.  (I want to try layering them on my top lashes and using just the Pinpoint on my lower ones).  I also love mini mascara tubes - they're so much easier to travel with than big ones and the more I can accumulate (especially since it's basically like getting it for free at that price) the better.  You can buy yours online only at Sephora.com.

Zoom Fast Black Lash

This is the deep end of the Dark View, the night charm of every neo-Goth night crawler, and the most dramatic statement black could make for the Film Noir way of life.  Day or night, sweep it on, and don't stop there... a second coat before twilight will make the evening all the more exciting.  It's intense.  FAST.  AND BLACKER THAN BLACK.  ZOOM!

MAC's new Zoom Fast Black Lash mascara is available in Deepest Black.  It retails for $13 and is on counters now.