Beyonce Rise Fragrance Review

It's been said that Beyonce' named her new fragrance Rise because she was inspired by her favorite Maya Angelou poem, Still I Rise.

I wonder if Beyonce' watched Moesha with the rest of us and saw Maya Angelou preaching to the young homie, Moesha? (Forward to the 9:48 mark)

 

International BusinessTimes reports that Marsha Brooks, vice president of global marketing for Cody, described the scent to WWD as having "a strong sense of 'overcoming adversity and rising above it all." She adds that,"The fragrance concept is about female empowerment and finding the inner strength that makes women so beautiful."

It was cool to read that, but I wasn't sure if I was convinced.  Her fragrance is debuting on the heels of her new album release that promotes sexual freedom. When I saw Rise, my mind thought maybe this is Bey's idea of a scent that will get a rise out of a man! Ha!  I bought this on mere speculation.  There wasn't  even a tester yet and I don't own any of her other fragrances.

Rise has notes of apricot, Italian bergamot and iced basil sorbet. The main note of the perfume is  "Golden Symphony" orchid mixed with freesia and Sambac jasmine flowers.  Base notes are autumn woods, cashmere, musk and vetiver. 

The packaging is low key regal with a golden structured top to encase the light golden liquid.

Overall, the scent isn't bad, but it's character is not unique. I bought this 15ml bottle at Walgreens for $20.

Have you seen or smelled Rise?  Do you like it?  What have you heard about it?

Moment of Pride: La Femme Blushes in the Z Palette

Read below why I'm so proud of this palette and mini reviews of La Femme blushes and the Z Palette!

I've been a fan of the Z Palette system for a while--  sturdy casing with a magnetized, open space system for different sized makeup pans.   A definite must have when going to the trade shows! So perfect for your kit or personal makeup collection. I had one that I hadn't put to use, until I was going thru my stash, condensing it and trying to use up what I have. What better way to put my large, black Z Palette to use than to house my lovely collection of La Femme blushes in it!  This palette fit all 10 blushes!  The palette also came with thin, self adhesive, round magnets if you have cosmetics that aren't in a metal pan.  I didn't need them, but great to have!

I finally ordered my La Femme blushes from MakeupMania over the Spring of 2013 after stalking Devin's blog and Helena's blog aaannddd watching Tia work  her magic....using their purchases as guides.  At $3 per pan, what was taking me so long? I think I was apprehensive as I am with most online retailers when making my first purchase.  Once I received the blushes I wasn't disappointed.  These inexpensive, pigmented blushes pack a punch! MakeupMania shipped them in a decent amount of time.  I would definitely order from them again.  I didn't buy the 12 well palette that is designed for the blushes. so they sat in their shipping box for protection (they came as individual pans in little baggies in mini envelopes). The Z Palette was perfect for them!

I feel so proud of this palette. I wish I had done this before investing in my custom MAC blush palette.

I look at the colors and get excited for the possibilities!

Since Blogger refused to rotate my picture, I'll list the colors top to bottom, left row and right row:
Left Row-
Soft Beige
Flamingo Pink
Mulberry
Purple Passion
Grape

Right Row-
Naturelle
Golden Rose
Terracotta
Sunkissed Dawn
Golden Sunset
Check out my swatches here.   I hope to use the blushes soon in FOTD's!Do you have La Femme blushes?  What are your favorite blushes?

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara Review

 

Hey lovelies! I was raving to Kia about the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara, so she asked that I share my thoughts with all of you on the blog. Well, it’s been a few weeks and I’ve had time to really form an opinion about this product.

First, let me tell you that this mascara was brought to my attention by watching others’ reviews and hearing how much they loved it. Secondly, before I decided to search for this mascara, I visited the Five Below in my area for something totally different, and happened upon it for three bucks. Done deal in my book! So, if you decide to give this mascara a try, check your area Five Below first :o)

The first few times I used the mascara, I was doing make up on the go. I had to do five-minute looks in the car. I loved it! It made my lashes nice and bold, black and gave the volume I was looking for. Winning, right?

Well, when I finally took my time with the mascara, as I created a more intricate look, I found a couple of things that leave more to be desired from this product. Here’s a list of the pros and cons.

PROS

Volumizing

Lengthening

Darkens lashes well

Defines lashes well

CONS

Causes spider lashes when building

Defines lashes, but some become stuck together

Dries really fast

Here’s how I overcame the issues I had with the mascara:

I monitored how much mascara was on the wand when I took it out of the well and adjusted it as necessary. I know this is a step that we all take, but I had to do this more than usual with this particular mascara.

Secondly, I used a disposable mascara wand to separate my lashes and take away any excess mascara, while they were still wet. I did this to ensure that my lashes didn’t look like spiders.

In my opinion, this is not mascara that you can really build on and separate lashes without having a clumpy look. However, because it dries pretty quickly, if you’re a one and done type of girl that doesn’t obsess over every lash being in a specific place, this will work just fine for you. For three bucks, it’s definitely doable. However, I won’t be using it in lieu of my L’Oreal Voluminous anytime soon. So far, I have been using it along with other mascaras, since I do appreciate the volumizing effect of the Rimmel Lash Accelerator. If you currently use this mascara, be sure to tell us what you think. Also, let us know what your fave mascara is. Until next time… Make up, not war.

Neutrogena Oil Free Cleansing Wipes Pink Grapefruit

I love grapefruit juice, grapefruits, grapefruit sour jellies...  I love GRAPEFRUIT!  When I ran out of my MAC wipes and needed a quick drugstore replacement, I knew I trusted Neutrogena.  Seeing it offered with a pink grapefruit scent?  I was all over it.

This formula is a bit different than the wipes in the original blue packaging. These are oil free and acne prone skin friendly.  Like the original wipe, these remove makeup easily.  The cloths are huge and are saturated with makeup remover well.

Now, while I love grapefruit, these wipes have a STRONG grapefruit scent.  My son said I smelled like  grapefruit pie, LOL!  When I wipe my makeup off with these wipes and don't wash my face, I can still smell it in the morning.  If any of the scent/wetness gets on the neck of my nightshirt, it then smells like grapefruit. Overall, I don't mind the strong scent and I love Neutrogena wipes.

Have you tried these?

 

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation Review

First BB creams, now we have a ‘naked’ explosion.  Not bad for Urban Decay which has a line of Naked products.  Revlon leads the pack for the drugstore variety.


I found myself interested in the Nearly Naked foundation because I was growing weary of my thicker, fuller coverage foundations. I wanted something lighter, something fresher. While a tinted moisturizer would usually remedy that need, I’m an oily girl and tend to stay away from those. With Nearly Naked being an accessible item at the drugstore, it fit the bill and I was all in.

About Revlon Nearly Naked foundation:

“Revlon’s breakthrough nearly naked makeup balances skin and makeup so they work in perfect harmony. With buildable coverage and seamless blending, you are sure to cover flaws and perfect your skin’s tone and texture. No heavy cakey or greasy mess.

Available in 16 true to tone shades.”


What I like:

With a helpful little guide at the store, I was able to narrow my foundation of choice down to Warm Beige. I like that for a “nearly naked” foundation, I don’t feel naked. I do feel like I’m wearing slightly more than a tinted moisturizer, but leaving out the grease factor. The foundation feels weightless, but it doesn’t disappear on my skin. I do set this foundation with a powder. Right now, my powder of choice is my MAC Studiofix powder. There is no crazy transference, but I don’t think it’s budge proof.  This makes a January favorite product of the month!

What I don’t like:

There’s not much to not like. I’m loving this! The only qualm I will have is that you won’t find the full range of shades everywhere. The shades go all the way up to cappucino.

UPDATE:  I tested out the wear more and for an oily girl, a primer is definitely needed.  This product isn't oil  free, so it seemed to break down on my skin after a full day's wear (I could see pores, appeared to need refreshing or just wipe my face clean all together).  I've heard you get better results with a primer, so I'm going to update once I try it with the Black Radiance Primer.

Have you tried this? Here is me wearing the foundation.  I concealed under my eyes with Kevin Aucoin’s SX10, but the rest is the Nearly Naked foundation and Studiofix powder and a bit of bronzer for contour.  I bought the matching powder in Medium Deep, but I'm still on the fence about it.

Lime Crime Love!

Hey dolls! My good friend Kim of BrownGirlzRock put me on to Lime Crime's new collection, Alchemy and the gem of a lipstick, Poisonberry. Remember it was on my lust list? Well, I went ahead and made an order. (Don't make the same mistake I did. Wait until Black Friday!)

What I purchased (with Lime Crime's descriptions) and my mini review:
Poisonberry lipstick (a deliciously dangerous berry-purple with a violet glow. Same intense coverage, new lustruous sheen! This shade combines lipstick and lipstain for prolonged wear) I wish this was the regular opaque formula, but I guess the shine is part of what makes this unique. I love this shade. As a purple lover, it's a must have. Getchoo some!

No She Didn't lipstick (a blue lipstick that gives 100% coverage! Wear alone as a statement shade, or layer over other lipsticks to cool down the tone.) The description is absolutely right... and i love it! No staining; no bleeding.

Orchidaceous liquid liner (Bright violet-purple. Matte finish.) It dries matte which gives it a vibrant color. I can't wait to try this with a look.

There you have it! Gorg colors and packaging.  Do you have some Lime Crime that you love? I'm needing all of the lip colors since I love these and my Chinchilla lipstick.  I'll share the rest of my Lime Crime later!

Halloween 2012: Enchanted Queen Plus Size (by Leg Avenue)

This year was my first year really dressing up to go out for Halloween.  I usually get into Halloween for the kid, but this year I wanted to get in on the fun.  The last costume Halloween party I attended, my efforts were lackluster.  This time, I wanted to make a real effort! This will be a review of the costume, retailers and makeup!

I was trying to choose between a few costumes, but I ended up with my #3 choice that was available when I went to the store: Enchanted Queen/Enchantress Queen of Hearts.  I bought it from Party City and was able to try it on in the store.  A TIP that my friend Ro shared with me: Go in leggings and a tank.  Perfect!

Costume Sizing: I was worried that Leg Avenue's Plus Size Standard, 1x-2x would not fit; 3x-4x was barely available online.  Multiple sites gave different measurements and gave a range of size 14-20 for the 1x-2x.  That sounded sketchy for me.  I'm 18/1-2x/H cup. -__- *i really hope this helps someone, because I'm disclosing helluva lot only because I had the hardest time*

To my surprise, when I tried the costume on at the store, the costume fit comfortably over my minimal clothing.

Costume:
2 pieces: dress and crown headband
Arms: sheer fabric with elastic band
Body: stretch material (some may feel more comfortable with a body shaper.  I didn't wear one.) I wore my tank under the dress so that I wouldn't show too much cleavage.
Skirt: fell comfortably below the buttocks.  (I don't have much junk in the trunk so it worked for me.)
Headband: It fit over my head with my locs!
When I saw the headband, I thought the plush toy crown was small.  In my pictures it looks bigger than I thought it would appear.

Party City: The store has a system of finding your costume by number on their wall OR calling the store with the item number.  You wait in line to tell the clerk which costume you want.  The clerk tells the stock room and you are sent to the back to retrieve the costume.  During the Halloween holiday, there are special limitations.  No returns after the 24th or whatever policy is running at the store; be sure to check! As a mass retailer, what one store doesn't have, another might.

Halloween.net:  If I hadn't found my costume at Party City, I would have ordered from Halloween.net.  If you order, be sure to call in with the item number.  One person was impatient with me as I was going to put him on hold to get the number, but was advised to call back.  The next experience was perfect! The associate had my cart set up with discounts for when I was ready to call back (after making a decision, lol).  I would be able to identify the account with my email address.  Awesome, right?

Accessories:  I was able to get my matching sceptor, half gloves and makeup from Party City as well.  I opted for half gloves instead of long gloves.  I thought the half gloves were tres chic, but i forgot about my nails -__-  I wore the gloves anyway.  While  Party City offered the black and white striped tights by Leg Avenue that I'm wearing in the pictures below, I called numerous Party City locations as well as visited more and I could not find them any where.  I took a trip to a local costume shop and found them! It was the highlight of my day! Online, I saw that the stockings were offered in a 3x-4x size, but I couldn't find that in the store.  Luckily the plus size 1x-2x tights worked!  They came to my navel, but for assurance I actually like stockings and tights to come to my bra! =p.  I accentuated the skirt of my dress with a petticoat.  Again, it was tough to find a plus sized petticoat in the store (plenty online), so I bought a regular sized black one.  It worked, but a plus sized one would have eased my conscience.

Makeup:  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for my makeup.  I just knew I'd be wearing a red lip.  Ro, helped me out again and said I should look at some MAC face charts.  Ace of hearts, FTW! It went perfectly with my costume!

I bought the costume makeup offered at Party City.  I will not do that any more.  I bought the white cream makeup in the tube and little crayon-like sticks with black, red, blue, white and green.  The white cream makeup wasn't as opaque as I wanted.  The crayon didn't dry or hold as I expected.  The red crayon didn't work well over the white paint.  I did may face for regular makeup and my dad did the ace of hearts card over my eye.  As an artist, he has a kit with different brushes and acrylic paint.  I asked him to pull out the acrylic paint for patch work.  I added some white to sparse areas of the card.  He put some red on the hearts that weren't defined.  For the black, we used Maybelline gel liner.  Next time, I will use a color wheel by Ben Nye or some professional costume makeup from the costume shop here in town.

What I used: Outside of the card, (thanks, Dad!) I used my normal foundations (MAC matchmaster and prolong wear mixed) set with careblend bronzing powder.  I did a black smoky eye (based with Maybelline's 24 hour tattoo Bad to the Bronze and top with Milani's Liquif'Eye liner in  black and blended.  My lips were outlined and shaded in using Nars' Jungle Red lip liner.

(Another party-goer pimp, 2 chainz or a king.. IDK.. and me!)

I think everything turned out well!  I'm plotting on my next costume... A can-can girl!  (I want to get in on post season sales ;))  What will you be for Halloween?

MAC Young Rapunxel Review

(MAC Young Rapunxel with Nightmoth liner)

Fashion Night Out 2012 gave us lots of offerings.  MAC gave us Young Rapunxel lipstick, a limited edition, smokey purple promoted by newcomer rapper, Azealia Banks.  The dark lip is on trend for Fall (again).

Strictly a collector's purchase, I ordered with reservation.  I've tried the dark lip look.   Most dark lip colors look, well,  just dark on me.

Was this color worth adding to my collection?

I saw swatches online that I wasn't as impressed with, but I'm always hopeful that MAC's new lipsticks will take on their awesome new matte formula.  (It's a matte formula that is stiff without being drying and cakey.)  Young Rapunxel is an amplified cream, another formula I'm fond of, but this isn't the creamy, opaque amplified cream I'm used to.  It was more sheer with slip; not my cup of tea especially with a dark color.  I already own a dark, vamp color with application issues.  This was not worth adding to my collection.

Disappointed.  Besides, you see a nice, rich, purple color on me because of the yellow flash used to take the picture. It appears to be a generic dark lipstick in person. If you missed out on this color or have skipper's remorse, don't be too upset.  MAC's liner in Nightmoth is a dead ringer for the shade.  There are also numerous shades that are dupes of the color..a simple Google search will show proof.  I wish the tube would at least have had Azealia's signature or a special FNO 2012 packaging.  That would have been cool!

Did you buy this color?  Do you love it?

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation Review

Many of us are familiar with True Match foundation by L'Oreal.  Now comes an updated version of this foundation now titled: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup ($13).  This foundation is said to contain 3 powerful ingredients to improve your complexion: 40% water for hydration, vitamins C and E... AND liquid light technology for a luminous finish.

Like I said in my review of the Maybelline BB cream, regardless of being oily, I opted to try this foundation even though it claims to be luminous and hydrating... #deathtooilygirls.  Read on to see my thoughts on this foundation.

My sister, Toni P, uses True Match as one of her go to foundations after her favorite HiP foundation was discontinued.  I haven't tried the original True Match, but knew I wanted to get my hands on this formulation.

Pros:
-Light weight
-Light to medium coverage
-Glass bottle with a nifty pump
-Vitamins E and C
-Satin to dewy finish
-Great for running errands or getting dolled up
-15 shades
-SPF 18

Cons:
-Luminous = Glittah!
-Shade range seems a bit dodgy

L'Oreal seems to have come out with this new Lumi line, which in my opinion competes with Revlon's Photoready line.  Photoready foundation adds a bit of sparkle to our favorite ColorStay foundation and thins it out "at the same DAMN time"-- sorry for the FUTURE reference; I can't help it these days, LOL.   Same with True Match Lumi; it has a bit of sparkle in it for the luminous finish, when original True Match is sans sparkle.    When I applied the foundation (with my MAC #130) it goes on  thin and is wet. The 40% water, perhaps?  You have to give it a second to dry down (similar to MAC's Prolong Wear foundation).  Even though I'm oily, this luminous finish didn't bother me.  The foundation looked and felt more natural and polished in real life.  In pictures, it's a bit more luminous... "Blot that T-zone!"  See my pictures above for reference.  I would have bought this foundation sooner if I didn't feel confused about which foundation was right for me.  I ended up with W6 Sun Beige for my NC44 skin tone (really NC43 if it existed).  This shade seemed to be my best bet.  I wish this foundation was  a touch richer in color pigments, but this matched me decently enough. I'm not sure if that will be the case for everyone. This foundation makes a nice addition to drugstore foundation options.

Have you tried this foundation.  Do you prefer it to the original True Match formulation?

Lime Crime Chinchilla Lipstick

Well, well... I copped a fab lippie at The Makeup Show back in May: Lime Crime's Chinchilla (regular retail $16). If you follow me on Instagram or saw any of my Twitter coverage of The Makeup Show, then you already saw this.  Sorry. LOL.

I wanted to share this lipstick here.   Lime Crime Controversy 2010 aside, (I wasn't even sure of the full deets until writing this review), I wanted this product for its uniqueness -- hello unicorns and purple packaging!--and quirky colors.  When I heard about Chinchilla, I expected a concrete gray lippie.  I tried it on and saw that it was tinged with purple/lavender and a bit more wearable than I expected... and I love it! (This lipstick tends to photograph this color, but is a bit darker in person.)

The formula is creamy enough to spread easily, but stiff enough to last on the lips.  I don't use a liner when wearing this because I can pull of the color alone with no bleeding at the lip line!  This is one of my favorite lipsticks, when I was a different lip color/ statement lip, without  the shock value.

I have Cosmopop as well, but I haven't worn that yet.  I'm thinking about it ;)

Do you own any Lime Crime lipsticks? Which is your favorite color?

My Maybelline BB Cream Review

Asian BB (beauty balm, blemish balm, blemish base) creams have finally hit mainstream cosmetic companies in the US; Garnier, Revlon and Maybelline have them.  I decided to try Maybelline Dream Fresh BB cream as I felt their shades catered to my skin tone.  I'm NC44 and got the medium/deep BB cream.

Touted as a 8 in 1 skin perfector (blurs imperfections, brightens, evens skin tone, smooths, hydrates, enhances, protects with SPF 30, 0% oils and heavy ingredients) I was excited to try this, despite the hydrating claim, which is usually a no-no for my oily skin type.  I fell for the hype and tried it any way.  Here are my pros and cons after I giving it a test run:

Pros:
Light weight
Decent range of shades
Great for dry skin types
Great for those that don't like foundation
Great for those that want a bit of makeup without wearing a makeup look
Great for teens getting into  a makeup routine (with a dry skin type!)
SPF 30

Cons:
Not for the #teamoilygirls

While I was a bit impressed by the less-than-a-tinted-moisturizer feel (no coverage, slight tint), this balm had me greasy.  I would have had to set this balm with blot powder.  I would even feel uncomfortable wearing this in the cooler, drier months.

This was a no-go for your girl; FAIL, but I'm sure this will make a lot of women happy.  A bit of pampering for the skin without the "I'm wearing a heavy foundation makeup" look.

Have you tried this? What's your skin type?  What do you think of it?

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Hey family! My Summer is going pretty well, especially now that I have a computer again! *applause* I hope Summer is treating you well also!  I can now blog normally and tell you guys about what's going on in my cosmetic and beauty adventures.  I hope you've been following along with some of my shenanigans via Twitter and Instagram :D

One of my first posts on Instagram was a pic of my Balm Stain purchase.  I picked up two.  With the love I had for the lip butters, I was sure that the Balm Stains were going to be pretty lipstick friends.

Did they exceed expectations or disappoint??  I tried them out, the colors weren't too bad-- a light lilac and a peachy nude.  The feel and texture of the lip products were decent. The stain from the colors I had weren't too deep or dark, but reasonable.  However, I was left unimpressed. This is a balm stain, so you wear the balm then a stain is left behind.  I wasn't crazy about the balm-- it's a bit creamy.  The stain left behind from both colors I got were very similar on my natural lip color. I wanted the stains to be different colors. No bueno.  While these work for plenty of people, I have way too many lip products to not be in love with these. I returned them.  For just two at regular price, I was able to pay for a basket of toiletries with a few bucks being returned to me.  Good.

I imagine that one day I'll find a stain that can be topped with a glossy topcoat for an innocent juicy, popsicle lip look.  This product comes closer than any other lip stain I've tried.  

Have you tried these?  What do you think of them?

Shopping my stash: Favorite summer scent Acqua di Gioia

Out of nostalgia I backed up Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani for women a couple of years ago, as it was a favorite fragrance of mine especially for summer.  Still a about 90% full, I couldnt rekindle the flame I once had for it.  It still holds a special place in my heart.

My nose hasn't found a new summer scent to crush on, so I turned to my stash for help.  I resurrected a fragrance set I acquired last year: Acqua di Gioia.  I bought it as I was excited for a new release reminiscent of an old love.  I've used up my roller ball (good sign),  so I've been using the body lotion and full size spray for a lasting effect.  Completely different from the original, it  still swept me off my feet.  It smells light, sweet, elegant and boat deck  party ready.  I'm  still in love!

Notes include: mint, lemon, spring blossoms, jasmine, cedar, brown sugar, and labdanum.

No, you won't smell like a mojito, lol.

What's your favorite summer fragrance?

Go Mommy Go!: Maybelline Color Tattoos

Ahh! It's been quite a while since I've done one of these posts.  Welcome back.  My Go Mommy Go! series is a series of posts showcasing products, tips, tricks, and topics of discussion to help moms on the go and busy women alike work makeup into their high speed routines to stay fabulous.

I'm sure you've heard so much about the new Maybelline Color Tattoos ($6-$8, varies by retailer).  If not, read on:  They are the drugstore version of MAC paint pots.  I'm a big paint pot fan as well as a huge fan of Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream colors.  Both of the higher end lines offer cream shadows that stay put throughout daily wear.  They can be used as a lid color or eye shadow base.  Multi-tasking products? Major bonus.  You can now get all of this is a drugstore line.  Yes, go and get these.  You need them.

Maybelline offers ten colors ranging in a few neutrals to colorful shades.  Heres's what Maybelline says:
"Dare to wear our longest-lasting shadow. Our ink technology creates super-saturated color.
Cream gel smoothes on for vibrant color that does not fade"

I picked up Tough as Taupe (cream), Painted Purple (cream), Fierce and Tangy (cream) and Edgy Emerald (cream)

Clockwise from top left: Taugh as Taupe, Painted Purple, Fierce and Tangy and Edgy Emerald

Swatched in same order as above

 

Since starting this post, I've picked up more everyday wearable colors such as Pomegranate Punk (soft cranberry color with slight shimmer) and Bad to the Bronze (soft bronze shimmer).  I'm missing the Too Cool (white), Bold Gold (soft yellow gold shimmer) and Audacious Asphalt (silver shimmer).  I use pomegranate punk and bad to the bronze often.  Move over paint pots!  These offer an easy, fool proof way to add color and the effect (when I applied with my fingers) isn't over the top, but work appropriate.

These will definitely pop up in some future looks (I need some Go Mommy Go! vids on YouTube!)  For now, check out a vid from Maybelline:

CoverGirl Lash Fanatic Mascara Review

I've been on a roll with the mascara reviews, huh? Today, I'm showing you one of the new CoverGirl Queen Collection products, the Lash Fanatic Mascara!

CoverGirl says:
"Get up to 2x* the look of more lashes rain or shine!* The mircochannels in each bristle of our Lash Surround brush smoothly and precisely deliver mascara to each and every lash - creating the look of more lashes.
*vs. bare lashes"

 

I received the Lash Fanatic mascara in very black for review.  If you are a long time reader of my blog, you know that I'm a Queen Collection fan!  I love most of the items including the bronzers, foundations and powders.  (I'm holding out hope on the concealers.)  Knowing that a new mascara would be added to the line up made me very happy. I was a fan of the LashExact and VolumeExact (VolumeExact is being discontinued. ) so I had high hopes for this mascara.

Let's see how it performed:

Met expectations: Nice black color, no flaking, held lashes in place, decent lengthening and volumizing formula; performed as CoverGirl said it would.
Nice to have: No outrageous clumps, good every day mascara.
Didn't meet expectations? I wanted a little more from this mascara in the volume department... but that's just me.  Lash Fanatic is such a great name, I wanted to believe it would have been more like "FALSE Lash Fanatic"
.

 

The brush:  This brush is a wand with rubbery bristles, which for some is love or hate.  For me I don't have much of a preference these days.  With that said, this brush's bristles are bit more tight knit than usual rubber wands.  My lashes were coated well with one to two coats.  I piled on the mascara trying to build it up and see if I could get intense volume.  I got close enough for my liking and the close knit, strong rubber bristles kept clumps at bay.  Very nice!

Overall, this is a good every day mascara that you can build the volume on from daytime pretty to going out.  Lash Fanatic struck a good balance in the lengthening and volumizing department.  This mascara also held my lashes up without being being dry and brittle.

This mascara retails for approx. $7.

Have you tried this yet?  Do you have a favorite CoverGirl mascara?

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Mascara in Indigo Review

Estee Lauder's Topaz Collection  for Spring (2012) is all the rage right now with bronzey hues and turquoise.  Their Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee in Topaz is the star of the collection-- a beautiful compact powder that blends a gel and powder for an enriched bronze color.  Creative Makeup Director Tom Picheaux, gives us bold colors in a chic way, befitting of the Lauder brand. 

I went, I saw and I didn't walk away with anything from the collection.  *Sad face* The powder gelee compact was so gorgeous, but for me, the color was so rich it was more of a copper eye shadow than a bronze dusting for my face.  The shadows in the collection are to die for. I couldn't pick one!  I wish those came in a palette form!

However, I walked away with the Sumptuous Extreme Lash Mascara in Indigo ($23.50).  Let's take a look at it!

From Estee Lauder's site:
Lashes seem to multiply, magnify, grow to extremes.
Three different high-volume fibers create audacious, false-lash effects.

THE FORMULA
Extreme Bold Volume™ formula is a blend of three high-volume fibers in a mousse-light base.
Acts like lash extensions multiplying and growing the look of lashes. Fortified with conditioning Lash-Advancing Vitamin Complex. Ophthalmologist tested.  Fragrance free.

THE BRUSH
Oversized BrushComber Extreme™ with two types of bristles-flexible fibers carry maximum formula; solid fibers comb and separate for clump-free definition.

THE COLOR IMPACT
Prismatic pearls intensify pigment and luster. Eyes look brighter, wider, more seductive.

THE LOOK
Outrageous volume, lift and curves for an audacious, false-lash effect.


Pros:

• Gorgeous conservative blue color
• Nice sized brush.  Not too big or small, but does fall on the larger end of brushes
• The formula is not heavy on the eyes
• Standard- no smudging, flaking, no serious clumping issues...

Cons:

• As a lengthening and volumizing mascara, none of the claims are met.
• Price

Before lashes

After lashes

After lashes with flash

Mascara (with makeup look)  on top of Maybelline Falsies mascara

I'm mostly impressed with the color.  I own Dior Show mascara in Azure.  That is electric cobalt mascara.    Super gorg, but not for the faint at heart nor anyone wanting to add a little spice to their makeup at work.  With EL's indigo, I felt very comfortable at work with this on.  The appearance of the color of this mascara ranges as a tint to the lashes to a soft colored mascara.   At a few feets length, the color can be seen, but not super noticeable.  A few more feet and it appeared that I had on blue liner.  In the sun, I had blue lashes, but nothing clownish.

While I'm impressed with the color, I still wanted the mascara to deliver in at least the volumizing department.  Without the mascara meeting the claims, I was very disappointed.  I have been using the indigo over my regular black, but i think that takes away from the color.  I will use primer before using this mascara.  I may not repurchase this.  I'm hoping to be blown away by the combination of primer and the color of this mascara.

Do you have this mascara?  What's your favorite colored mascara?

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara Review with Photos!

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black is my holy grail mascara.  I had to put it to rest a little while back as my eyes formed a sensitivity to the formula or something.  Now, I claim Maybelline The Falsies as my go-to mascara.  I've skipped quite a few mascara releases.  Why fix something that's not broke?  I've been through enough mascaras to now know what I want and what works for me and what doesn't.

Well the raves and pictures around the web lured me into the seduction of the False Fiber Lashes' fat, gold, shiny tube. Listen to the claims: volumizing fibers, false lash/ sculpted lash effect; longer, sculpted and curled lash look from every angle.

If you're a reader that's been around for a while, you'll know that I'm a volumizing mascara type of girl.  That's criteria #1 for me.  Did this mascara deliver for my average length, thin lashes?

 

Bare lashes

After mascara application

Don't ask me how many coats this is.  I have a pretty extensive mascara application process. (Roll, wiggle and tease.. approx 5-8 mins to complete, lol)

The formula for me was a standard volumizing formula.  The fibers are supposed to wrap and encase your lashes.  Yeh, I'll go with that.

The wand is a decent one. Not too fat and not too thin.  Just right.  I was disappointed that I didn't get to see the cobalt blue brush before dipping it into the mascara.  Seeing the cobalt blue bristles is just a preference, but wouldn't have anything to do with the look of my lashes, hehe.

The volume of my lashes from the mascara was a bit impressive.  ALMOST the look of mascara and primer on lashes without the primer.  I was taken aback by my dad's comment to me before heading out to a family dinner... "Your lashes look magazine worthy."  I heard mascara gods opening the clouds. WOW.  My dad is into details, but generally won't say too much unless when asked.  Unsolicited comments from him are usually about a lip or nail color... or fragrance lol.  They are still few and far between.

Volumized? Yes.  Sculpted? Maybe.  Curled? ..ehhh.  Satisfied? Yes. Impressed? Yes.  Would I repurchase again? Definitely.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Coffee Cake Product Review and Swatches

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush is a lightweight powder that melts into a cream according to Maybelline.   When I tried this I didn't think it was a powder at all.  It feels like a hardened, dense mousse.  Once applied, it doesn't settle down as an emollient cream, but a cross between a cream and silky refined powder.

Sorry that the blush doesn't look picture perfect.  I had to try this blush instantly when I bought it. Often times, picture taking comes second, lol.    I don't mind that you see the blush in this messy state.  In fact, it's important that you see this side of the product.    The name of the blush will lead you to believe that once you touch it, it will bounce back into its dome shape.  Not so much.   It moves around like play dough.  It doesn't keep neatly in its pot. 

The blush is not super pigmented, at least in this color 60 Coffee Cake.  This quality has its pros and cons.  Pro? It makes it a fool proof product so that you don't over apply and look like a clown.  Con? You may have to swipe a few times to build up the intensity that you desire.  More swipes, more pushing on the product. I wish the blush could bounce back into the dome shape.

Swipe on the finger.  

I was hoping the picture would show you that I didn't pick up a lot of product on this finger after one full swipe.

Left, one swipe; right, heavy swatch

Coffee Cake is a neutral, tan, peachy/rosey brown.

Overall, the product behavior in the pan didn't turn me away from this product.  I love this blush!  Lately, I've been doing the less is more look and this falls right into the scheme of things.   I nice little glow on my cheeks, not an oily glow, but a polished makeup glow.  This product also has the teensiest bit of shimmer, but barely noticeable.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush, $7-8

Do you have one of these blushes?  Which is your favorite color?