Review: Mascara

Hey everyone!

So as a background, I was blessed to be born with my father's eyelashes so I never really cared about mascara. The past few years I stuck with Maybelline's Great Lash just because it was a classic and all my friends used it growing up. Now, there's nothing wrong with this mascara - don't get me wrong - but there's also nothing really special about it. For me, it's just a black mascara to color the ends of my eyelashes. Now cue my recent obsession with makeup gurus on youtube...

Over my winter break from college I literally stumbled across Juicystar07's vlog channel (otherjuicystar07) and the obsession began. I had been wanting

to try Maybelline's Lash Stiletto for a while, so I decided to go for it.

The first time I used Lash Stiletto I didn't like it. It was clumpier than Great Lash and it had an obvious smell to it. This is definitely not a mascara for people who are sensitive to smell, but.. I am not. Eventually I kept using it and I did notice a difference. I'm probably not the best person to s

ay it gave me extra volume or length.. because as I said before, I am very blessed to already have pretty long eyelashes. But it was that something extra that Great Lash didnt give me.

So remember at first I said I hated Lash Stiletto. So after that I knew I just couldn't stick with Great Lash or Lash Stiletto, so I stopped by my local Sephora. I couldn't imagine paying the $20+ for mascara, so I found a small-travel duo pack of Fresh Supernova and Firebird for $10. Now, Supernova was love at first application. It's still my favorite! It applies so nicely- no clumps and it separates and lengthens. The Firebird on the other hand still confuses me. I just don't like the brush. I received a tip that you can use Supernova first and Firebird on top, but I just really don't like the big brush. Plus, I love the packaging. Both tubes are positively adorable! I'm going to have to repurchase Supernova once I run out, even though it is a tad expense for a mascara.

Thanks again to youtube, I knew I had to try the Loreal Telescopic Explosion. Allthatglitters21 (sister to juicystar07) raved about the normal

Telescopic in many videos, and she recently did a review on mascaras with the little ball at the end. Basically, the little ball makes it easier to reach every individual lash, which happened to be perfect for me. I hate curved brushes for mascara, and the straight ones are just impossible for reaching all of my lashes. I also dislike using the wands on my lower lashes because I find it just turns in to a mess (for me, I tend to be a little rushed and clumsy). Now, I'm not sure about the formula for this mascara. I found it pretty clumy, and it also had a slight smell. However, I do love the brush for touch ups. I love using the mascara after I've used the Maybelline Lash Stiletto (I find the formulas a bit similar, the Fresh is much lighter than both). I use it on the outer lashes and the lower lashes, but I do have to be very careful about clumping.

An overview: Maybelline Great Lash is 'great' for a simple mascara. If you're looking for a wash of color this is perfect. Maybelline Lash Stiletto is pretty good, but I'm not sure I'll repurchase in the near future, I think I'm going to try some other mascara's first. But I definitely wouldn't mind repurchasing again sometime. Fresh Supernova is my favorite. I wouldn't call it a holy grail, but it is wonderful. And, Loreal Telescopic Explosion I would repurchase, just for the wand. I would try the Givenchy mascara with the ball.. but again, I'm not sure I want to spend the money just for the wand.

Here is a link to Allthatglitters21's review on Loreal Telescopic Explosion versus the Givency Phenomen'Eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-v45YTx6j4

I hope this helps! Sorry also for the stock photos, but mascaras just aren't a pretty thing to photograph once used :)

xo

Rachel

p.s. Has anyone tried the NARS foundation primer? I'm still on the fence about spending $33 on a primer..

FOTD: Spring Pink & Orange

Hello all!

This post is a bit late in the day, or early depending on how you're looking at it! I've just been busy enjoying the sun and studying for midterms. So today it was a wonderful 75* in normally foggy San Francisco, California. For us this is as good as it gets! Everyone trudged out what little summer clothes they own and made the best of the day, because here you never really know how long it will last. To celebrate the sun I decided to do a bright pink and orange look, it is a bit dramatic but hey.. I didn't have class, and I'm young! I might as well have a little fun ;)

The Process:

1) I primed my eyes with MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot to bring out the orange and gold

2) I used MAC Paradisco on the inner third of my lid

3) I used MAC Hot Hot Hot (LE) on the middle of my lid

4) I used a Coastal Scents bright pink from the 88 Shimmer Palette

(the original idea was to use MAC LaLa (LE) but I think something funky happened to mine!) on the out third and in the crease

5) I used MAC Twinks finely in the crease for definition

6) I used MAC Shroom under the brow

7) I used MAC Deck Chair Pigment in the tear duct and under the brow

8) I used my regular Ulta Black Waterproof Eyeliner on my waterline

9) I used Fresh Firebird Black Mascara

10) I used a black felt tip liquid liner on my top lashes

I didn't do anything special with my face or lips today. I did add a little extra bronzer: Benefit Hoola all over then NARS Laguna as a contour. And, I just used Kiss My Face Pineapple Coconut chapstick on my lips for extra moisture.

The pictures aren't actually showing how intense the pink was, but it turned out very nice I really liked it. Well, I hope you all enjoyed it!

xo

Rachel