Tag: mascara

Friday Finds

This week I was reunited with some old favorites and discovered new gems. Here’s a taste of some of the highlights in honor of the weekend.

1. Butter London – Limited Edition 3 Free Lacquer in Bluey (in lamplight looks like a holiday evergreen)

2. W3LL People Cosmetics (more to come on them in the near future – local Austin company)

3. Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Mascara (a natural mascara that actually works for $10.99)

4. Solar Rx Cosmetic Moisturizer Sunblock (uses simple natural ingredients to get maximum physical protection)

Dior ‘Diorshow Maximizer’ Lash Plumping Serum

I am having a week of rest and renewal with my parents in town. And I figured my lashes deserved a little break while we were at it. I have been mascara-free since Monday – I know, Shocking!

One reason I was intent on giving my lashes some tender loving care, is they have really been through the ringer. I decided to give eyelash extensions a try earlier this summer. It was only a partial application, but they destroyed what were really nice and full lashes. Where the extensions had been applied, the lashes were broken. Now, this is not a testimony to lash extensions in general. It is my experience (and I sure as heck won’t go near them again).

So, back to “Project Lash Renewal”. I always have liked Dior Show mascara, so when I was playing at the counter last month, the Dior ‘Diorshow Maximizer’ Lash Plumping Serum jumped out at me.

The formula is light weight and actually white in color. It is easy to get a full coat on all my lashes. The hydrolyzed soy proteins go to work, conditioning the lashes. This promotes long-term lash growth and strength. Over the last six weeks, my lashes are well on the road to recovery. They do actually look fuller. But I am most impressed that I can really sense they are once again healthy.

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Spoon Brush Washable Mascara

In honor of @Maybelline Great Lash Birthday Bash (40 years! Wow!) and the GreatLash Twitter party is from 7pm-9pm EST tonight, I had to mention my new, most favorite mascara. Since you must really trash your mascara after three months of use, drugstore offerings are much more economical. Especially when there are some serious super-power performers like, Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Spoon Brush Washable Mascara.

This mascara has the staying power of Great Lash, but with dramatic effects. I love the way the spoon brush can lift and separate my lashes. For evening, I like to build this mascara to mimic false lashes. Clumping just doesn’t happen – how do they do it? But for everyday wear, this mascara adds just the perfect amount of volume while coating my lighter lashes with great color (always very black for me).

Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara

I have been through IT chaos this week and needed something to cheer me up. All it took was the receipt of Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara.

The Film Noir’s hourglass-shaped brush is smaller than other mascaras, but this lends to more precise application and is great for bottom lashes. The brush does a great job adding volume evenly and with good separation of the lashes. The effect isn’t intense, but appropriately inky.

The mascara contains Pro-Vitamin B5 which really keeps lashes supple and not “crispy”. Polymers provide staying power – I haven’t had any issues with it falling below my eyes. This product was a collaboration with Hourglass Creative Director Gina Brooke, who is a well known celebrity make-up artist, so no surprise that the mascara photographs beautifully.

Cle de Peau Beaute The Mascara

It was impossible for me to resist a mascara that could potentially improve the health of my lashes. I got lucky in that department – my lashes are full and long – and I would prefer to keep it that way, thank you very much! The Mascara by Cle de Peau Beaute contains the exclusive Cle de Peau Beaute advanced moisturizing ingredient, Hydro-Wrap Complex, and Argan Tree Oil to promote lash health through hydration and smooth application. I definitely do not get that “crispy” feel to my lashes that can occur with other formula. There is no tugging required to remove mascara. At the same time, the mascara has massive staying power. I have not noticed one speck of stray color below my eyes. An added bonus is the large brush that makes coating the lashes almost fool-proof. The effect is natural – you won’t get the mega-watt, false lash look. But for day wear or when you would like to be a little more understated, this mascara is genius.

Yves Saint Laurent ‘Volume Effet Faux Cils’ Mascara

I know, I know… you can get a good mascara at the local drugstore. But you can’t get a mind-blowing, excellent, beautiful mascara at the drugstore. This stuff lives up to all my wishes: fullness – check, volume – check, no flakes – check, massive staying power – check, false lash effect – check. I also found you can build to get that real faux last effect or just a couple strokes for the day. it comes in all these vibrant (and edgy) colors, but I am currently swooning over black.

This YSL mascara has a permanent place on my favorites list. Did I mention it just doesn’t come off! ($30)