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

11 New Best Mascaras

Eye Makeup Road Test:  11 Best Mascaras

See which eye makeup products gave TotalBeauty editors lust worthy lashes.

Mascara, for most, is one of those "desert island"-type of eye makeup products -- meaning many women tout it as the one thing they absolutely can't go without. Whether or not you would pack it for your Gilligan adventure, we're sure you'd agree that it's a makeup bag staple. Why? Because it almost effortlessly makes you look more awake and feminine, of course.

We here at Total Beauty like to think of mascara as a magical invention, capable of creating the illusory effect of a full eight hours of sleep, a low-stress day, or even fabulous genetics. Basically, we take mascara seriously. That's why we think it's important to test a vast array of eye makeup brands from the drugstore to the beauty counter and beyond in order to share which are true winners -- the mascaras capable of great lengths, volume and curling capabilities to boot.

Before checking which mascaras we love in this eye makeup roundup, see these quick application tips courtesy of Chuck Hezekiah, national makeup artist for Maybelline New York. He claims there are some common eye makeup application errors most women make that can easily be avoided with these simple tricks and techniques:

• If you have a traditional brush wand, improve lash separation while applying mascara by moving the wand in a swift, zig-zag fashion from lash root to tip as opposed to one sweeping motion.
• We know you're usually in a rush, but take the time to dab the tip of your mascara on a tissue to get rid of the glob that tends to form there. This will keep you from getting uneven, goopy product distribution -- especially on those shorter lashes.
• If you use a lash primer, particularly a white one, wait 10-30 seconds for the primer to dry, then apply your mascara. This keeps the black color of your mascara from turning gray.
 
By Anna Jimenez

See the Best Mascaras Now.

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

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: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

I have been duped! I recently bought the Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper (that was a mouth full) and I was shocked by what I got because I already had it. It's called Covergirl Lash Blast. I had been seeing the Max Factor ads all over and I finally gave in and bought it. As soon as I opened the box the packaging was all the same except it was in a black tube instead of orange. The Max Factor mascara cost a more then Covergirl by $2-3. I bought this mascara for $9.99 at Ulta.

As for the actual product itself. It works great. It comes in a 0.44 fl. oz. tube with a plastic bristle applicator. It goes on smooth on my lashes without clumping. It last all day and held my lashes to a curl. There was no flaking and doesn't weight your lashes down. Just like the Lash Blast, it gave me volume because the bristles separate my lashes. I didn't really feel thickened my lashes or gave me that much length. So it really doesn't live up to the name lash plumper.
If you like the Lash Blast you will like the Lash Plumper, because it's the same thing. I would return it but I was already planning to get another Lash Blast mascara. I use the Lash Blast for ever day use so now that I have this one I won't have to buy another mascara for a while.
Even though I like the product, I'm still disappointed because I was expecting something new.

Review

Pro: Great volume and last all day.

Con: I still don't like the extremely fat wand.

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

FYI: To see the similarities check out my Covergirl Lash Blast Review

Too Faced Mascaras

A few weeks ago I went to Ulta looking for a new mascara.  They had a special with Too Faced mascara that were 2 mascaras for $19.5o.  I figured it was good deal since it cost that much for a single mascara.  In the packaged came Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara & Too Faced Pin Point Mascara.  Here's what I thought about them:

Too Faced Lash Injection

The Lash Injection mascara comes in a fat tube.  It has a medium length wand with thick bristles.  The mascara is 0.45 fl. oz. and comes in two colors; deep black and hot chocolate (dark brown).  It's waterproof to prevent smudging or smearing but will wash off with soap and water.  It claims to be thickening and give length, and it does do that but doesn't hold a curl too well.  Also if you put more than two or three layers of this mascara your lash will start to clump.  When you use this product you will notice a citrus type of smell.  This was the first time I've ever had a mascara with a scent but I think it's the jojoba & vitamin E that they add to the formula to help condition you lashes.

Review

Pro: Definitely gives you extremely thick & lengthen lashes

Con: Clumps with too many layers

Buy Again: Yes

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara

The Pinpoint Mascara uses the same formula as the regular Lash Injection.  The main difference between the two is that the pin point has very short bristles.  They're so short they barely thicker then the wand.  Because they are so short, it helps to separate each lash giving you that volume.  The Pinpoint is also about half the amount as the Lash Injection (0.25 fl. oz.)  Everything else is pretty much the same but doesn't clump as easily as the Lash Injection.

Review

Pro: Gives you volume

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Packaging:  ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

FYI:  You can use both of these mascaras together to create dramatic effects.

For False Eyelash Effect:

1. Coat both top & bottom lashes with 1-2 coats of "Lash Injection" mascara.  Using the brush, wiggle from the lash roots to tips.

2. Apply 1-2 coats of "Pinpoint" mascara from the center of the lashes to tips.

For Lash Extension Effect:

1. Coat both top & bottom lashes with 1-2 coats of "Pinpoint" mascara.  Using it's micro-precision brush, wiggle from the lash roots to tip.

2.  Tip lashes with 1-2 coats of "Lash Injection" mascara.  In a feathering motion from center of the lashes, pull wand straight out beyond lash tips for a "stretching" effect.

Eyelash Beautiful

A must in every makeup bag should be mascara. Here's my take on two of them...

Lash Blast (Waterproof) in one of there newest line of mascara from Covergirl. It comes in a fat orange tube with a bristle application wand. You can find it at any drugstore for around $6-7. I do like this mascara. The bristles separate my eyelashes giving me volume. The mascara goes on smoothly that you don't have to keep reapplying and won't weight down your lashes. I use an eye lash curler before applying this mascara and it holds the shape all day long. It doesn't flake, run, or smudge. The downfall of the Lash Blast is that the wand is unnecessarily big. It's so fat that if you're not careful you could smudge mascara on you face. It's especially hard on the inner and outer corner of your eyes. Also, when they say waterproof they meant it. This mascara doesn't budge. That can be a good or bad thing. It's hard to take it off even with makeup remover. But this is a great mascara otherwise.

Review

Pro: Great Volume, Long Lasting

Con: The fat wand makes it harder to apply.

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥♥

L'Oreal Double Extend Mascara is my newest mascara. I wanted to see if what they were advertising was actually true. They claim that it gives you 80% more length and volume. The mascara is a fat tube with two ends. One end is the the white base/extender (step 1) and the other side is the colored mascara (step 2). The brushes on either end are short, thin, and has covered with bristles. I bought it for around $9-10 and it can be found in any drugstore.

When I first tried this product, it did extend past my lashes when I applied step 1. The mascara was ok. It was a bit gloopy which made it hard to apply and cover the white base. It made my eyelashes stick together and I had to take my eyebrow brush to seperate them. The product also claims that it won't budge till you wash it off with water. That's very much true. I little might come off with makeup remover but it won't really come off until you wash it water. In the end end it did lengthen my lashes and gave me volume but it's the best product I've come across.

Review

Pro: Does lengthen and volumize

Con: Makes you're lashes clump together

Buy Again: Maybe

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥