Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara

Product:  Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara is sexy, sultry, pure unadulterated black mascara for full, voluminous lashes. It's as BAD as you want to be!*  It can also come in Plum & Blue.

Price: $ $
Benefit's BADgal Lash come in two size.  The smaller (.14 oz) is $9, while the larger (.3 oz) is $19.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
BADgal Lash comes in a fat black tube with a silver top.  Like all mascara it comes with a wand applicator.  The wand itself has a large dense brush.  As for the formula, it's nice and creamy and does not glob on to the brush.

Claim: The BADgal line of mascaras from Benefit are full of "BAD-itude!" The rich, sexy formula and oversized brush build thick, beautiful and bodacious lashes.**

Pros:

• Not Clumpy
• Good Seperation
• Gives Volume
• Holds a Curl
• No Flaking

Cons:

• The Brush Is Too Big For Those With Small Eyes

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I heard a lot of good things about this mascara and decided to finally give it a try.  I bought the smaller size to test if I would like it.  And I do.  I thought the mascara worked really well.  I had no problems with clumping or flaking.  The formula was creamy and didn't glop on to the brush.  The brush itself was big with dense bristles.  It works great to sepeate your lashes giving them more volume.  However, since I have small eyes I sometimes found it awkard to use because it's so big.  Also, it held a curl to my lash well.  Usually I buy a waterproof formula because they hold a curl but Badgal Lash did the job eventhough it wasn't waterproof.  I like Benefit in general as a brand.  I like the names they give their products and how they package.  They've hit another home run for me with BADgal Lash.  I definately would recommended giving it a try.

* Statement made by Benefit Cosmetics
** Statement claim found on Sephora.com

Tarte Lock & Roll

Product:  Tarte Lock & Roll 12-hour Eyeshadow is a dual-ended, color-coordinated, water-resistant cream and loose eyeshadow wand.  It comes in 7 different shade combination.  I have the wand in the shade bronze.

Price: $ $
Each wand cost $17 at Sephora.com or Tarte.com.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Each wand is made of reusable plastic.  Each end of the wand is labeled with the type of product. The ends twist off revealing the product.  The cream shadow is 0.14 oz while the loose shadow is 0.05 oz.  The end containing the cream shadow comes with a brush applicator, while the end containing the loose shadow comes with a roller ball applicator.  The cream shadow has a consistency of a thicker liquid but not sticky.  It takes a few seconds to dry.  While it's still wet it is easy to apply & blend.  The loose shadow is fine milled and applies smoothly. 

Claim:  Unlike traditional cream shadows that crease and smudge, Tarte Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow is waterproof and crease proof. A new twist on the makeup artist trick, the matching loose shadow in a roller ball applicator glides easily over cream shadow to lock color in and add luminosity so color lasts all day.


Ingredients:  Aqua, butylene glycol, dimethicone, polysorbate 20, propylene glycol, acrylates copolymer, sorbitan oleate, nylon-12, xanthan gum, glyceryl stearate, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben. (+/-): Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), carmine (CI 75470). Lock & Roll Loose Shadow FULL 1.5 g/0.05 Oz. MINI 1.3 g Ingredients: Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891). (+/-): Iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), ferric ammonium ferrocyanide (CI 77510), manganese violet (CI 77742), carmine (CI 75470).

Pros:

• Long Lasting (12+ hrs)
• Easy to Use
• Crease Resistant
• Portable

Cons:

• None

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Anytime a  product claims to last long, I'm always a little skeptical. I'm happy to say that Tarte's Lock & Roll lived up to expectations.  Lock & Roll is an eyeshadow in a wand packaging.  On each end of the wand there is either a loose eyeshadow or cream eyeshadow.  The loose eyeshadow has a roller ball applicator, while the cream shadow has a brush applicator.  The loose eyeshadow is very find and easily applys to your eyes.  To apply the loose eyeshadow you need to give a quick shake to  the roller ball applicator and simply roll the applicator on your eyelids.  You can then pat and or blend it out as needed. The cream shadow is more of a thick liquid then a cream.  It's not sticky and takes a few seconds to dry.  The cream shadow comes with a brush applicator so you just brush the shadow to your lids and blend as needed.  You don't need to apply a lot in order to get a good color payoff.  And once the cream drys it does not bundge. It literally locks into place.  The shadows can be worn seperately but to get the full, long lasting effect, it's best to wear the eyeshadows together. First, by applying the cream shadow and then applying the loose shadow before the cream shadow totally dries. 
When I used this, the shadow does not budge.  It claims to last all day and it does.  For me it lasted over 12+ hours.  I don't really need my makeup to last that long but at least you know you don't need to reapply.  Which is good because you don't really get a lot of product (0.14 oz cream, 0.05 oz loose).  However, the eyeshadows are pigmented that you don't need to use a lot in the first place. The size also makes it very portable.  If you're the type of person that's always in a hurry and need to be able to put on your makeup quick, Tarte's Lock & Roll  is great to have. My only wish about this product is that I hope Tarte adds more shades.  It currently has only  7 shades.  Tarte's Lock & Roll exceeded my expectations and I think everyone should give it a try. 

Sephora Lash Plumper Mascara

Product: Sephora Lash Plumper.  A volumizing mascara from Sephora's makeup collection.
It's not waterproof and comes in two shades: black & brown.

Price:  $ $
Can be purchased at any Sephora or Sephora.com for $12.

Packaging:  ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
This product comes in a black tube can contains 0.4 oz of product.  The mascara brush is soft and slightly tapered.

Claim:  "Fatten your flutter with this lash-plumping formula. The larger brush, with slightly tapered edges, reaches from root to tip, for truly bat-worthy volume and glamour"

Ingredients:  Aqua (Water), Synthetic Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid , Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Acacia Senegal (Gum), Acrylates Copolymer , C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Triethanolamine , Butylene Glycol , Kaolin, Phenoxyethanol , Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Potassium Sorbate, Edta , +/- : Ci 77007 (Ultramarine Blue), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides).

Pros:

• Doesn't Clump
• Doesn't Dry Too Quickly
• Doesn't Smudge
• Doesn't Flake
• Separates Lashes
• Soft Bristles

Cons:

• I'm Not Sure About Volume
• Doesn't Hold a Curl to Well
• Wish It Was Waterproof

Final Verdict:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Sephora Lash Plumper is a nice mascara at a fairly affordable price.  The mascara formula is almost creamy that doesn't dry too quickly.  I think that what keeps it from clumping.  You can really coat your lashes without worrying about clumps.  I also notice that it didn't smudge or flake through out the day.  The bristles also help to separate my lashes and give them some definition.    However, when I think plumper I would hope to get some volume.  It didn't really give me that.  It doesn't hold a curl to well either.  I have short straight lashes so they're really hard stay curled.  I've had other mascaras do a better job.  But, it's not waterproof and waterproof mascara hold a curl better.  That's the only draw back about this mascara, overall I liked what I got.  I would definitely purchase it again.

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara

Product: Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara in Carbon Black.  It comes in 2 other shades: Black & Black/Brown as well as a waterproof version.

Price:  $
I got a free sample of this when I bought Neutrogena's makeup remover at Walmart.  Normally, it would cost $7.47.  It goes along the same price range as most Neutrogena products.

Packaging:  ♦ ♦ ♦
Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara comes in a long sliver tube with a screw on top.  The applicator is a long, thick, and dense bristle brush that tapers on the end.  I think the brush is a bit too long though.  It's almost the length of my eye.  Sometime if I'm not careful, I hit the wand on my cheek or nose  and get mascara on my face.

Claim:  This lash-enhancing mascara instantly builds lash volume by 400%. The patent-pending formula with a touch of olive oil penetrates and helps plump the core of each and every lash. The Visible Volume Brush coats and builds even the smallest lashes with rich, volume-building color. No clumps, smudging or flaking!  Also Dematologist & Ophthalmologist tested.

Ingredients:  Isododecane, Water, Beeswax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Copolymer, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Polybutene, Silica, Black 2, Ozokerite, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Leci-Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Trimethysiloxysilicate, Acrylates/Dimeticone Copolymer, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl Hydroxyethycellulose, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (1396-67).

Pros:

• Did not Smudge, Flake, or Clump
• Defined & Separated my Lashes
• Safe on Eyes
• Doesn't Dry Too Quickly

Cons:

• Didn't See Volume

Final Verdict:  ♥ ♥ ♥
This was the first time I've tried a Neutrogena mascara and I was kinda left blah.  The first thing I notice with this mascara was the size of the brush.  I like that it was thick but I didn't like how long the brush actually was.  I'm Asian, so I don't really have large eyes and the brush is as long as my eye.  Other then that, I like the brush.  I think it gets all of my lashes and applies well.  There's never too much product when you apply so it doesn't clump.  The mascara doesn't dry too quickly either.  This is good for multiple application so it doesn't clump.  I also didn't see any issues with smudging or flaking.
So why does this mascara make me feel blah?... Simply, because I didn't see any volume.  After all it is a "volume mascara".  I thought that it applied well and defined my lashes but I didn't think it gave me volume.  If they didn't call it a volume mascara, I wouldn't be as bothered by it.  But since they did, it didn't live up to it's name.  This mascara could be good for your lashes but it just didn't perform.  I think this mascara would be good for everyday wear but it wasn't anything special.

For More Pictures

Garnier Anti-Puff Eye Roller

Product: Garnier Skin-Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller to roll away under-eye puffiness and dark circles for brighter, more radient eyes.


Price: $ $
I bought this at Walmart for around $12.  This seems to be one of the lesser priced eye cream in drugstores.


Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A 0.5 fl oz  green plastic tube that has a little bit of a coke bottle shape for easy handling. The product comes out from a metal roller ball applicator on top of the tube and has a clear plastic cover.


Claim:  According to Garnier

Instantly: eyes look renewed and refreshed.
In One Week: under-eye puffiness is reduced and women saw dark circles diminished
With Continued Use: The severity of puffiness is further reduced and dark circles stay minimized.

Application: According to Garnier
Gently roll Skin Renew anti-puff eye roller under the eye from the inner corner to the outer corner, one to two times


Ingredients:  Aqua/Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caffeine, Panthenol, Escin, Guanosine, Hydroxyproline, Biosacharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium Edta Laureth-7, Mica, Polyacrylamide, Caprylylglycol, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, F.I.L. B29143/1 Pro-Vitamin B5.


Pros:

• Easy to Use
• The Gel is Cooling
• Did Reduce Puffiness

Cons:

• Did Not Diminish Dark Circles
• Took A While to Reduce Puffiness 

Final Verdict:  ♥ ♥ 
Since having my baby, I have been getting some random sleep.  So I wanted to get an eye cream to help with the dark circles and puffiness.  Honestly, I'm not sure if this product was made for me.  I have slight puffiness but I really wanted something to help with my dark circles.  It did help with the puffiness but took a while.  At least an hour, and even with continued use, I still got puffy eyes.As for my dark circles, it didn't help at all.  I've had this products for weeks and it has not helped to diminish them.  This product did not live up to it's claim.

Tarte Eye Primer

Product: Tarte Lifted Natural Eye Primer with Firmitol

Price: $ $
$20 at Sephora

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The primer comes in a biodegradable indigo tube and comes with a doe foot applicator. It contains 0.11 fl. oz. of product. It gets an extra point for being biodegradable.

Claim: A natural eye primer that's elinically proven to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The universal base locks shadow in place all day and boosts pigment payoff while Firmitol™, the proprietary firming complex helps tighten eyelids and the surrounding eye area to help give the affect of younger, smoother eyes naturally. Clinical results show rapid improvement in achieving a smooth healthy look in all participants via nerve synapse interactions.

Ingredients: Isododecane, nylon-12, polyethylene, cyclopentasiloxane, polysilicone-11, amino butyric acid, barium sulfate, panax ginseng root extract, portulaca oleracea extract, centella asiatica extract, ethylhexyl palmitate, disteardimonium hectorite , VP/eicosene copolymer, propylene carbonate, methicone, phenoxyethanol. (+/-): Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Pros:

• Keeps my eyeshadow from creasing
• Keeps eyeshadows from fading
• Color corrects/ conceals
• Natural/Eco Friendly
  

Cons:

• Thicker then most eye primers
• Not as smooth to apply
  

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥
I've been using Urban Decay Primer Potion & Too Face Shadow Insurance so I compared this product to them. I sort of like this product. I find UDPP & TFSI to be very creamy and smooth when I use it. Tarte's eye primer is thicker and because it's thicker it doesn't apply as smooth. As a eye primer it does keep my eyeshadow from creasing and fading. And it also lightly corrects eye discoloration. It reminds me of Benefit's Lemon-Aid. I do like this product, it was better then what I expected. And like most Tarte product it's Natural & Eco Friendly which is always a plus.

E.L.F. Eyelash Curler

Product: Mechanical Eyelash Tool

Claim: This innovative eyelash curler has a special curved design which angles to suit all eye shapes. Its silicone rubber pad applies the appropriate amount of pressure to curl lashes naturally and allows for damage-free heating. Get long-lasting curled lashes both easily and safely.

Price: $
I bought this from the E.L.F. website for only $1.00!

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The eyelash curler came in a plastic box. The eyelash curler itself has a spring handle with the outside arm having a hook bottom to place your middle finger along with the 2 finger holes. The black pad is made of silicone and there's also a replacement pad that comes with this tool.

Pros:

• Ergonomically design
• Gives you more control
• Gets close to the lash line
• Inexpensive
  

Cons:

• None

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Surprisingly, I liked this product. I bought it because it's different from your normal eyelash curler. I feel like this one gives me more control, as far as how much pressure I'm applying to my lashes. I would recommend people to try this and for only $1 it's worth the try.

L'Oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner

Product: Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Black Mica (soft black).

The other shades it comes in are:

• Earthen Rock Brown
  
• Mineral Grey
• Carbon Black
  

Claim: A richly pigmented liquid eyeliner with a felt tip that can make a precise line or a wide wash of color. Color lasts up to 8 hours without fading.

Price: $
I bought this product for $7.99 at Ulta.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The eyeliner comes in a long gold tube. The handle makes up 2/3 of the length which is tapered for a better hold. The applicator is a felt tip and comes to a point. This liner is only 0.05 fl. oz. of actual product.


Pros:

• Easiest liquid liner to use
  
• Creates a precise line (thin or thick)
• Applies smoothly
• Can be long lasting
• Removes easily
• It's not runny/dripping
  

Cons:

• Smudges if touched.
  
• You have the shake the liner before apply or the color will look watered down.
• Wish there was more of the product.
• I wish it was waterproof.
  

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I actually really like this product. This was the easiest liquid eyeliner I've ever used. The shape of the felt tip applicator makes it really easy to apply a precise line. I do wish it was waterproof. The weird thing about this eyeliner that I never experienced with other liquid eyeliners is that you have to shake it before applying. When you shake it, you can hear the little ball inside jiggling around.The color will look watery if you don't. It can last a long time unless you accidentally touch it and then it smudges. For all it's faults, it's still a great liner. It's the only liquid eyeliner I've used this past month.

NYX 10 Color Eyeshadow Palette

When I went to Ulta they had a sale for NYX products. Buy 2 Get 1 Free. I decided to get their 10 Color Eyeshadow Palette in Jazz Night, Champagne & Caviar, and Smokey Eye. When I was checking out I found out that the palette were on sale from $9.99 to $7.49.

NYX Eye Shadow Palette feature:

Ten shades of eye shadow combinations

Highly pigmented, long-lasting shadow formulations

A sleek case with a large mirror and a dual tip applicator.

There are shades for base, highlight, and contour.

Compact enough to carry around for on the go.

I really like these palettes. All the colors are shimmery or matte and pigmented. They are a decent size and not too small. I like how sleek the compact looks. It doesn't look cheap.
I like Jazz Night because of the blue & purple combination.
I like Champagne & Caviar is great for a more neutral/natural look.
The Smokey Eye palette has great combinations to create s subtle or dramatic look.

Final Verdict

Pro: Pigmented, 10 Eyeshadows, Large Mirror

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Tarte Flower Child Palette

Tarte's Flower Child Palette is a limited edition palette for Sephora. For $44, it comes with a 10 full size eyeshadows, a double ended eye liner pencil, a double ended eye shadow brush, and a sample of their eye primer.
The palette is a purple pleather case with a flower design in the front. It's a little heavy for a palette, a large mirror on the inside, and closes magnetically. The eyeshadows are magnetize as well and can also be taken out of the palette and replace with another shadow from Tarte. Tarte is big on reuse, reduce, & recycling. They are very Earth/ Vegan friendly. So unlike other palettes that give you sample size shadows, that can't be depot, you get the actual size eyeshadows which can be switched out.

The 10 eyeshadow are all shimmer shades except for one.
Top Row, Left to Right:

• Shimmering Soft Daffodil
• Shimmering Ecru Hibiscus
• Shimmering Pink Peony
• Shimmering Gray Periwinkle
• Shimmering Peach Tulip

Bottom Row, Left to Right:

• Shimmering Firewheel
• Matte Buttercup
• Shimmering African Violet
• Shimmering Deplhinium Blue
• Shimmering Vibrant Forest Grass

When I first saw this at Sephora and swatched it on my fingers I thought the colors were vivrant and pigmented. When I finally tried this at home I was disappoint to see that it was not as vibrant or pigmented on my lid. All the colors end up very soft. The lighter colors barely show. I do like the lighter colors to use as a highlighter and you could use the shades to blend with other eyeshadows, but on their own they aren't bold enough. This looked so pretty but it just didn't live up to my expectations.

Final Verdict

Pro: Full size eyeshadow that can be removed from the palette, Nice shimmer, Earth/Vegan friendly

Con: Not very pigmented or vibrant when applied to the lids.

Buy Again: No

Price: $ $ $ $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥

Using Ecru Hibiscus (highlight), Delphinium Blue (lid), Gray Periwinkle (outer crease), Buttercup(crease)

Two layer for each color

Physician's Formula Eyeshadow/ Liner

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner is a palette that I've had for a few months now. I have the Brown Eyes palette and the Smokey Brown Eye palette (pictured). They cost around $9- $11 at drugstores.
Shimmer strips come in a clear, hard, plastic container with 9 color shadows and an angled applicator wand. The 9 colors are 3 trios (a highlight, a base, and a crease color) for a Natural (top 3), Playful (middle 3), and Dramatic (bottom 3) looks. They can be applied dry for a soft look or wet for more of an intense look. And of course all the color are very shimmery, hence the name.
I've had plenty of time to play with the colors wet and dry. I like using the darker shades wet as a liner. I do find that some of the lighter colors aren't has pigmented. The colors are complementary for brown eyes and there's 9 colors to mix and match that work well together to give you a desired look.

Final Verdict

Pro: You get 9 shadows that can be used wet or dry

Con: Some of the lighter colors aren't as pigmented

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Too Faced Shadow Insurance High Impact Eye Shadow Collection

Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance Policy Palette was a palette I bought over a year ago from Sephora for $34. I've talked about the Shadow Insurance Primer but never the Palette.
The palette has 6 full size eyeshadows in Full Frontal, Glamazon, Socialite, Boy Toy, Skinny Dip, & Lucky Charm. All the colors are highly pigmented and shimmery. They glide on smoothly to your lid.
The palette itself is a cardboard container that closes magnetically and the size makes it convenient for travel or to carry around in your purse.
A single eyeshadow from Too Faced is $16 so this is good deal and it comes with the the primer.

Final Verdict

Pro: Full size shadows that are very pigmented

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $ $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Urban Decay Palettes

I've had these palettes for a while now (bought then sometime last year) but I've never talked about them. Not because I don't like them, because I do, but just because I forgot.

I bought Urban Decay Wallpaper Palette at Sephora for $36. It has 9 shadows that are either shimmery, glittery, or both. The shadows are Grind, Shotgun, Last Call, Asphyxia, Uzi, Shattered, Smog, Chopper, & Midnight Cowboy. All the shadows are pigmented but they're soft colors. They're more muted then vibrant (except Shattered). This isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you were going for a more soft, demure, or natural look this palette would be great. I use this palette for more day to day looks.
The palette is make of cardboard with a light purple and flower design on the outside. Inside there is a mirror and 2 double ended sponge tip applicators and closes magnetically.
I don't think they carry this palette anymore. I haven't seen it around. But the eyeshadows themselves they still have in other palettes or as single shades.

I bought Urban Decay Ammo Palette at Sephora for $36. It comes in a black palette with a purple gun shooting a floral design on the outside. Inside it comes with a mirror, the 10 shadows, and a double ended sponge tip applicator. The palette closes magnetically.
The 10 shadows are:
(top) Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper
(bottom) Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Griffter, Sin
All the colors are very pigmented but half are vibrant ( Smog, Mildew, Shattered, Oil Slick, Last Call) and the rest are soft colors. Like all Urban Decay shadows, these shadows are shimmery, glittery, or both.
I also like this palette and I can use it alone without having to get other shadows. The colors can be used together for a full eye look(Lid, Crease, Highlight).

Final Verdict

Pro: Pigmented

Con: Glitter, I hate glitter in eyeshadows, too much fall out.

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $ $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Wallpaper Swatch

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner

Maybelline's Lasting Drama Gel Liner is an oil free formula with a highly concentrated pigment in a gel base. It claims to be smudge proof and water proof. They come in 4 colors; black, grey, brown, and plum. Each little jar is 0.106 oz and has an applicator brush to go with it. You can buy this product in any drugstore for around $9-10. I bought black & plum when it was buy one get one 50% off at Rite Aide.
Using the brush, I applied the gel liner in small strokes across my lash line. I start in the middle going to the outer corner of my eye, then from the middle going towards the inner corner. I do the same thing to my lower lash line but I start from the outer corner moving in.
This was really easy to use. The liner does dry quickly. I wish it didn't dry as quickly but it's really not a bad thing. This lasted a whole day with me (9 hrs) without any flaking, smudging, smearing, or anything. When removing the liner, it won't come off with water but easily comes off with makeup remover. I like gel liners because it has the feel & look of a liquid liner with the control of a pencil liner. I really like this product and I wish Maybelline would expand the number of colors.

Final Verdict

Pro: It is what it claims to be: long lasting, smudge proof, & water proof.

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Maybelline Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow

I recently bought Maybelline's Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow. This eyeshadow quad claims to have a "rich color. smooth feel." You can buy this in any drugstore for around $10. I bought it when it was buy one get one at Walgreens. The colors I bought was in Give me Gold and Taupe Temptress but there are 12 shades all together. The quad comes in a small rectangular case and with a two ended sponge tip applicator. I find the case feels a bit flimsy and that sometime it's a little hard to open. Just looking at the colors, they seem vibrant and has specks of glitter. The shadows are very soft because a brush easily picks up the colors. When it comes to application I find that the 2 lighter shades aren't as vibrant on my skin but the 2 darker colors do show up more. I found that when I tried to blend the colors that it would come off. I had to reapply and pack on the eye shadows in order to get the color consistency I wanted on my lids. There's also some fall out with the glitter.
I had high hopes for this product but it's just okay to me. I don't think it's worth $10 but if I had to buy it I'd wait for a sale.


Application According to Maybelline

SUBTLE CHIC LOOK
Illuminate– sweep lightest shade all over eye using wider side of applicator, from lash line to brow bone.
Blend – apply second shade across full lid; using tapered end of brush, add shade to lower lash line for depth.
Emphasize – sweep third shade from inner corner to middle of lid.
Contour – line darkest shade on upper lash line with tapered end of brush for added intensity.

HIGH IMPACT LOOK
Illuminate – sweep lightest shade all over eye using wider side of applicator, from lash line to brow bone.
Emphasize – blend second shade from inner corner to middle of lid.
Intensify – apply third shade from outer corner to middle of lid; line upper and lower lash for extra pop.
Deepen – add darkest shade in crease and line upper and lower lash line for more impact.


Final Verdict

Pro: A brush can pick up the color easily and some of the colors do look nice.

Con: There is glitter fallout & the colors blend of easily that you have to pack on the color.

Buy Again: Maybe

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥

Smashbox Photo Op

Smashbox Photo Op is an undereye brightener that gives the user a more awake look. It comes in a small 0.24 oz tube with a brush wand applicator. Photo Op is suppose to work as a base for concealer and help hydrate the area under the eye. The actual product is a sheer, nude creamy liquid with some shimmer. I bought this at Sephora for $18.
To apply I pat the wand under my eyes then blend with my finger. After blending and giving a second to let it dry, I apply my concealer.
My eyes do look brighter but I'm not sure if its from the Photo Op. Of course when I applied concealer my eyes would look brighter but did Photo Op really help? I think because it has the shimmer quality to it, Smashbox Photo Op gives the illusion of a brighter undereye because of it's reflective property. My undereye area does feel hydrated but as far as hiding darking circles, this product by itself really doesn't do it. I was disappointed because I really wanted to find a good undereye product to help reduce/ hide my dark circles.

Review

Pro: Hyrdating, Illuminating for Eyes

Con: Doesn't do anything for dark circles

Buy Again: No

Price: $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥

Cargo Lash Activator

Cargo Lash Activator is a mascara that claims to boost the appearance of lashes in 30 days. It contains marine alge extract and other ingredients to help nurish lashes and prevent lash lost. I haven't used it for the full 30 days yet but it does seem to make my lashes look fuller and curled ( without the use of a eyelash curler). The mascara comes in a sleek black 0.37 fl. oz. tube and cost $36. It comes with a rubber applicator with alternating thick and thin bristles. It doesn't have a citrus scent to it which i think is one of the ingredients. One draw back that I find with it is that it doesn't dry as quickly as some other mascaras. This can be good & bad. Good, because it allows you to add layers of the mascara without clumping. Bad, because it can smudge before it drys. However, once it drys it doesn't flake and doesn't feel like it's drying out your lashes.


Review

Pro: Appears to give you fuller lashes.

Con: Does not dry quickly and can smudge.

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

My favorite Eyeliners

These are my 3 favorite eyeliners. They all last for a long time, pigmented, and glides on smoothly.

Cargo Eyeliner High Pigment Pencil come in 2 color and cost $16. Of the 3 I think this one has the boldest color in black.
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner come in over a dozen colors, with the same names as some of there popular eyeshadows, and cost $17. The pencils have a bit of glitter on them and with all the colors they're good for fun, bold eyes.

Rimmel London Exaggerate Eye Definer come in 2 colors and cost $5.50. Unlike the other 2 pencils this one is automatic but it does come with it's own sharpener on the end of the pencil.

NYX vs Maybelline Shadow/Liner Pencils

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil is my favorite eyeshadow/liner pencil to use. The color glides on your eyes easily without tugging on your lids. They come in over a dozen colors and is inexpensive at only $3/ $3.50 at a store. The colors are pigmented and last through out the day. These pencils can be used alone as an eyeshadow or liner as well as a base for your make up.

Review

Pro: Applies smoothly, Pigmented & Versatile

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Maybelline Cool Effect Shadow/ Liner were the first pencil of this time that I used. You can get them at a drugstore for around $5- $6 a pencil. I didn't think that this pencil applied as smoothly as the NYX pencil. I would have to warm up the tip before I applied. The colors came up soft when I applied unless you're using one of the darker shades. They come in over a dozen colors and have a slight shimmer. Though both Maybelline & NYX pencils have close to the same amount of different shades, the NXY pencils have a wider variety of colors. I would use this pencil also as a shadow, liner, or base.


Review

Pro: Shimmery

Con: Not as vibrant when applied and does not apply as smoothly.

Buy Again: No

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥

Coastal Scents 88 Palettes

I recently bought the 88 Palettes from Coastal Scents. The Matte Makeup Palette and the Ultra Shimmer Palette. I had heard so much on it on youtube so I had to get it. They cost $18.95 for the 88 Matte Makeup Palette and $19.95 for the 88 Ultra Shimmer Palette. I was surprised on how fast they shipped them. I got it 2 days after I ordered it.
As far as the Palettes themselves... the colors are about the size of a dime. They are vibrant so you don't have to pack too much in order to make an impact. When you place a brush to them, it picks up the color easily. A person can do a lot with these palettes. There's so many colors to use and blend together. There's also a large mirror on the case with 2 sponge tip applicators. The case is also thin for easy storage.
With everything you get, it's definitely worth it. Its of great quality yet inexpensive.

Review

Pro: Vibrant and easy to apply

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes but with so many colors it wouldn't be for a while.

Price: $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥