Applying Mascara

Revlon Bold Lacquer Length + Volume Mascara Review & Photos!

Revlon Bold Lacquer Length + Volume Mascara

Revlon Bold Lacquer Length + Volume Mascara ($8) is a newer mascara by Revlon that provides length and volume and has lustrous black fibers so the result is super dark lashes with a hint of shine. It's available in water-proof and non-waterproof, as well as three colors; Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown.

In the past, Revlon's mascaras haven't worked that well for me. None of them provided enough length and volume for my liking. From all of the Revlon mascaras, Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascaraperformed the best, but still, it didn't replace my other Maybelline and Covergirl favorites. I've seen many bloggers using this new mascara recently, so I was really curious to try it out.

The mascara wand can totally make or break the mascara, and for this mascara, it's a win. No weird "innovative" shape, just a large fluffy tapered brush. I really love it. It's a good size for reaching all of the lashes, and it isn't too big to reach the smaller corner and bottom lashes.

The formula appears to be pretty wet and you can see the loads of shiny black fibers. It doesn't apply clumpy which is really nice, and it dries fairly quickly so you don't have to wait too long between coats.

The result with one coat is super pretty. It adds slight length and separation and makes the lashes look dark and noticeable. With many mascaras, one coat doesn't look like anything on my lashes. The formula builds really nicely and quickly, and by the second coat, my lashes look a bit longer and slightly volumized. It's not dramatic like some super voluminous formulas, but I really like the result. I don't think I'd apply more than a second coat, as the lashes can start to clump. It seems like the more I apply, the formula feels slightly sticky. I notice that when I blink sometimes my top and bottom lashes may stick together for a mili-second. Very annoying, but it can probably be fixed by applying a lash primer first.

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Thursday, August 8, 2013

Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara Review with Before & After Photos!

Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara

Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara ($6) is a new mascara that provides maximum volume to create a bold, winged-out look. The unique wire brush coats your lashes and curves them up and out. This mascara doesn't claim to add any length, so keep that in mind. 

The brush awkward. It's very large and full, and has an hourglass shape. I find that slightly rolling the brush at the base of the lashes while moving the brush upward works really well. The middle of the wand hugs the lashes as you coat them, and does a pretty good job of coating the lashes evenly. But because the tip of the brush is large, you can't really reach your corner lashes with it. Often times my fine corner lashes get missed with this mascara, otherwise I'll end up with mascara on my lids trying. The brush seems to deposit more product to the base of the lashes, so it gives almost a dark, liner effect to the the top lid. I despise any brushes that aren't your standard mascara wand shape, but you get use to it after a few uses.

It doesn't do anything for lengthening, but it works really well for building volume. The formula is on the drier side, and because of this, even when there is too much product on the brush and I apply it to my lashes, it doesn't stick all of my lashes together and make them look stubby. If I do end up with small clumps, they comb out easy with a spoolie without removing the mascara. For a volumizing mascara, I found that it separates fairly well and makes my lashes look thicker and fuller. You can build coat after coat of volume with no problems. 

It holds a curl well and doesn't flake or smudge all day. 

If you're happy with the length of your lashes and just want volume, this mascara is excellent. But, if you're looking for length and volume, I'd skip this mascara or use it in conjuction with a lengthening mascara or a good mascara base because it layers really well. 

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Thursday, August 1, 2013

Lancome Hypnôse Star Mascara Review with Photos!

Lancome Hypnôse Star Mascara

Lancome Hypnôse Star Mascara ($28) is a mascara that provides ultra-volume at the lash line for a "sensuous curve from root to tip". The formula's "black-diamond effect" imparts a glossy gel-like finish. The dual-action brush has a flat side for optimizing product deposit at the lash line while the rounded side separates, defines, and lengthens.

When I'm looking into purchasing a new mascara, I always go for the mega-volume formulas. I have never tried any of the Hypnôse formulas, but I've always sort-of wanted to from the rave reviews. Lancome "Hypnôse" is Lancome's popular volumizing mascara, and because of it's crowd favoritism, Lancome has come out with a few additions to the Hypnôse line - Hypnôse Drama, Hypnôse Doll and the latest - Hypnôse Star.

I would consider it to be a wet formula, especially when the product is fresh. With the first use, I hated it because it was too wet and clumped my lashes together too much. But after breaking the tube in, the clumps were less, but it still didn't completely win me over.

Because the formula is wet, I found that even when I tried my best to separate my lashes through the application process, once I blinked a few times, some of my lashes would stick together. Is there such thing as no clumping with this mascara? No, I don't think so. But on the bright side, the clumps aren't excessive and they don't cause my lashes to look spidery or stubby.

It gives my lashes more of a spikey look, as it doesn't define each individual lash. I find the result to be much, much better with a mascara base, but even then, I'm not able to achieve a voluminous, thick, lots-of-lashes effect.

Wearing two hefty coats of Lancome Hynose Star Mascara.

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara Review!

Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara

Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara ($7) is a new mascara that promises to provide 360 degrees of volume to your top and bottom lashes for a wide-awake effect. This mascara is double-sided with two different brushes, designed to be used individually on the top and bottom lashes.

The upper lash brush has a fluffy, twisted, spiral design. I'm personally not the biggest fan of the twisty design - The bristles are all different lengths and aren't uniform all the way around. I find that the awkward shape doesn't allow even coverage with each stroke.

The bottom lash brush is very small and thin and is perfect for coating the bottom and corner lashes. It doesn't over-apply product which is super nice, and separates really well. If you have very short top lashes, this may be helpful for your top and bottom lashes.

The formula is pretty wet and is a super dark glossy black - reminiscent of other washable mascaras and tubing mascaras I've used in the past. Every black isn't created equal in the mascara world, and I personally as deep and rich of a black as I could find. I can vouch that this mascara is one of the blackest I've used. Due to this, after a few coats, your lashes will be super noticeable, even from a distance.

It builds volume super quick, but with each additional coat, expect some clumping. A clean spoolie is really helpful. If you're a natural mascara kind of girl - one coat with this mascara is great. Of course I'm all for dramatic lashes, so I just carefully comb through my lashes until my desired effect. I always curl my lashes prior and apply a mascara primer for the best results.

Unfortunately no length is achieved what-so-ever, which for me is probably the biggest downfall. Some days I'll apply one coat of a lengthening mascara and apply this mascara as my second coat for volume.

It's supposedly smudge-proof, but after several hours I have minimal transfer under my eyes. It's also a washable mascara, so it comes off really easily with warm water.

I apologize in advance for my clumpy lashes in the last photo - I couldn't find a lash comb. 

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara Review, Photos and Before & After!

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara ($7) is a new mascara by Covergirl that promises volumized lashes (apparently 200% more volume to be exact) with zero clumps. The result? Big lashes that are separated.

In general, I like Covergirl mascaras, and with this mascara having a striking resemblance to one of my all-time favorites Covergirl Last Blast Mascara, I was really excited to give this mascara a try. I love the formula of Last Blast, but I'm not a huge fan of the mega-big, stubby bristled brush.

The Covergirl Clump Crusher on the other hand has a really good, effective brush. It's not as large, the bristles are a bit longer to help separate the lashes better, and the actual brush is curved so it hugs the base of all of your lashes for more even coats. It also works really well at catching those little corner lashes.

I tend to favor wetter formulas, and this one isn't very wet (but it's not very dry either) and it doesn't over deposit product on the lashes, which I think is one of the big factors as to why it doesn't get clumpy.

I find that this mascara holds pretty true to it's claims and volumizes the lashes without clumping them together. It separates my lashes really well like Maybelline One by One or Make Up Forever Smokey Lash, and builds volume really well without looking clumpy, crispy or spidery. I wouldn't really consider it to be a lengthening mascara, as I don't notice much length, but I think it'd layer good with a lengthening mascara if you like combining mascaras.

Although I rarely ever wear mascara without a mascara base anymore, I tried this mascara both ways. As with any mascara, I prefer using a base prior. With a base, my lashes look a bit longer, and I'm able to achieve the look I want with two coats. Without a base, it takes me 3-4 coats to build my lashes up to my desired look.

This mascara holds up really well throughout the day without becoming sticky (some mascaras cause my top and bottom lashes to stick together.. so annoying!) and there is no smudging or flaking.

Also, it keeps the lashes fairly soft, so it isn't such a pain to remove. There is nothing I dread more than removing a crispy mascara.

Before and After

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Thursday, October 11, 2012

E.L.F. Studio Mascara Primer Review!

E.L.F. Studio Mascara Primer

E.L.F. Studio Mascara Primer ($3) is a nourishing mascara primer that will add length and volume when applied to your lashes prior to your mascara. Boost the performance of any of your favorite mascaras and you'll be hooked! Pro-Vitamin B5, Hydrolyzed Wheat and Soy Protein-enriched condition your lashes, which will make them stronger over time.

Mascara Primer is a MUST for me, and I rarely ever go without it. It's something I've been hooked on for the past couple of years and when I don't use one, it makes me think that every mascara on the market is mediocre.

I have yet to find a mascara primer that works well and is affordable, so when I saw that E.L.F. now has a mascara primer with very high reviews, I was excited to give it a try.

I always make sure to curl my lashes really well before ever applying a base. I use a Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, which has been my favorite curler for years.

After curling my lashes, I apply the base as I would a regular mascara, by brushing my lashes from base to end several times until my lashes are evenly coated in product. Then I like to wait a minute or so, and with the very tip of the brush, run it along the ends of my lashes to extend my lashes out, making them look a little longer. Then, I let my lashes completely dry for one minute. (**I've found that if I don't wait for the base to fully dry, it will completely wipe off when I apply my mascara.)

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara Review!

Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara

Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara ($23) is an ultra-pigmented mascara that delivers curl, volume, length and intense-pigment for some seriously bold lashes.

Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara is available in (5) shades: Rich Black, Deep Brown, Dark Blue, Plum and Green.

It's not too often that I'll venture out into pricey mascaras. Considering a tube of mascara only lasts me a month, it's not something I really want to continuously replace - unless there is a mascara that magically transforms my lashes into drag queen lashes, I'm content with my $5 drugstore mascara. Anyways.

I've always wanted to know what the big fuss is with MUFE Smoky Lash, so I got a hold of a sample recently to try it out.

I really like the brush on Smoky Lash. It's a pretty traditional large, fluffy brush - that isn't too large or awkward, reaches my smaller corner lashes, and doesn't get all over my eyelids.

Often times when a mascara claims to provide both intense volume and length, the formula can tend to be clumpy. Make Up Forever Smoky Lash on the other hand seems to define/separate my lashes incredibly well. No matter how many coats I apply, I don't experience any clumping. Lash comb? Who needs one.

My eyelashes before and after (two coats)

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Friday, September 7, 2012

Get the Most Out of Your Tube of Mascara!

Mascara can be expensive. Especially since it's a product that needs to be replaced often. If you're like me and go through a tube of mascara within three weeks (because you like to apply so many layers, of course) and want to extend the life of your dried out tube before purchasing a new one, try these awesome tricks — maybe some of you know them too!

• Run your mascara wand under hot water until the wand runs clean. Then, dip the wet mascara wand back in the tube, rubbing it against the inside walls of the tube. The heat and water will soften the product in the tube, making your mascara apply just like new!

• Fill a coffee mug up with water, and place the mug in the microwave for a minute or so. Remove the mug from the microwave and place your tube of mascara in the water. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to warm the product up. The heat will soften the product, loosening the product from the walls of the tube. When remove the wand, your mascara should look wet, as if it was new! Application will be less dry and flaky.

If your mascara is older than two-three months, you don't want to risk an eye infection, so toss the tube, but make sure to save the wand! I typically toss my mascara after one month since I have pretty sensitive eyes.

When your mascara is beyond saving, rinse the wand completely with warm water and soap, and lay it to dry. You now have a new eyelash comb/separator or eyebrow brush.

A spoolie (mascara wand) is a must in my makeup bag, as it's a tool I use every day, so having a few of them lying around doesn't hurt!

Uses for your Wand

Keeping Baby Hairs/Hairline/Sideburns in place - Spray your favorite firm-hold hairspray (over the sink, so you won't create a mess) on the brush end of the wand and use the brush to comb those little baby hairs in place. I have unruly sideburns, and when I do this simple little trick, my hair looks so much more clean and put together.

Budge-Proof Brows - The hairspray trick also works perfectly for keeping unruly eyebrows in place. Just be sure not to apply too much, or they may feel too stiff, depending on the hairspray you use.

A Subtle Brow Tint - This is a trick that works great for those with fine/light colored brows, or those who want to add a bit of color to their brows without filling them in. Roll the wand through a matte brown eyeshadow that flatters your brows until the bristles are coated, and lightly brush them through the brows. You might experience a little fall out, so I like doing this before my foundation. (see photo below)

A Lash Conditioner - Next time you're at the store, hunt down a bottle of Unrefined/Cold Pressed Castor Oil. It works great as a lash/brow conditioner. Pour a little castor oil in a travel container (you don't want to contaminate the bottle) and dip a clean mascara wand into the oil. Lightly sweep it across your brows and eyelashes at night, and you will notice quicker growth and stronger lashes and brows. I've done this and it works!

Separating the Lashes - Although a brow comb works wonders for separating clumpy lashes, a clean spoolie works great too! Sometimes a comb can actually remove mascara off the lashes, so say goodbye to the extra milometer of length your lengthening mascara gave you. I notice when using a clean mascara wand, it seems to disturb my mascara less, while helping separate clumps and pick up excess mascara.

A Replacement Wand - Do you have any mascaras where you loathe the wand? Save your favorite mascara wand and use it with any mascara you want for better results.

Do you have any helpful tips you'd like to share? Let me know in the comments!

Image Credits: Mascara Wands (Publishers Vault).

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara Review!

Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara

Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara ($19) is a lengthening mascara with conditioning ingredients to promote growth and prevent breakage. It's an ultra-black, glossy formula that doesn't flake or flake.

Formulated without: •Sulfates •Synthetic Fragrances •Synthetic Dyes •Petrochemicals •Phthalates •GMOs •Triclosan

The tube design is pretty unique. The product is in-cased in a sturdy squeeze tube. It's great because you can get every last drop of the product out, just like a tube of toothpaste. With the standard mascara tube design, you're pretty much missing the product at the very top and bottom (like the old Urban Decay Primer Potion packaging — ugh, awful).

The brush design is.. well.. different. It's skinny and has a spiral bristle design. I'm not exactly convinced that it's a very effective design. It's a little awkward, and I notice that it doesn't coat my lashes evenly, as more product seems to gather at the base of my lashes, than the rest of my lash. With continued coats, it evens out, but can get clumpy. *To avoid clumpy lashes, wipe any excess product off the brush before applying.

With this mascara in particular, I prefer applying the coats continuously without allowing my lashes to dry in-between. It builds very well, and there are less clumps because you aren't re-dipping your brush until you get to the other eye.

The result? I found my lashes to look very curled (no lash curler necessary!) and the super black formula makes my lashes stand out, even from a distance. It also gives a little extra length and volume. My only real gripe is that it causes many of my lashes to clump together. So, keeping a clean spoolie handy will be your new BFF with this mascara.

My lashes before (no primer or lash curler used) and my lashes after (bear in mind that my lashes have NOT been combed though to separate any clumps).