Frozen! makeup look

Seeing as how my part of Tennessee has been under an ice storm for the past 12 hours,

I figured it was only appropriate to do a look based off of

Elsa from Frozen.

I know basically everyone has already created this look,

but I haven't.

So.

I gave it a go.

Here's my wearable, Elsa makeup look:

I used:

Too Faced's Shadow Insurance

BFTE's 'Last Call' &, Urban Decay's 'Alchemy' & 'Vanity', 

and Sleek's 'Flump' & 'Sugarlite'- inner/outer corners

Sleek's 'Parma Violet'- crease

SYN Cosmetics' 'Trance'- middle of lid

SYN Cosmetics' 'Case'- lower lash line

L'Oreal Butterfly Intenza mascara & Younique 3D lash mascara- lashes

* REVIEW* Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes !

Okay, has anyone even heard of Younique before?

I'm not all knowing, but I just came across this brand in the past couple months.

I started seeing all the posts on FB about some mascara that made it look like you had fake lashes.

A product that makes it look like you have fake lashes-

without the hassle of actually wearing fake lashes?!?

I was down to try it!

Read on to see what I found... :)

The Product

*picture taken from Younique's website*

The 'mascara' comes in a hardy, stylish carrying case (pictured above).

Inside are two tubes- one containing the 'transplanting' gel and one containing the fibers.

Both are applied just like mascara, with an almost identical brush used in many mascaras.

Some of it's Claims:

- "dramatically enhances and magnifies appearance" of your lashes

- easy to use with their 3 step process

- water resistant

- wash off easily

The Review

Okay, so I had seen lots of before and after pictures of this product from random people who posted them on fb and online.

I have to say that- a lot of them- were pics of regular lashes that became clumped and wiry looking... and I wasn't too keen on that.

I had a friend who said she tried it and it was amazing, however,

so I gave in.

Here are my lashes before ANY makeup whatsoever:

Here are my lashes with two coats of the gel/fibers:

PROS

- easy to apply

- definitely makes my lashes look at least 2 or 3 x longer

- comes with super cute, durable case

- washes off very easily

CONS

- a little expensive at $29

- does give a slight wiry affect, depending upon how many coats you do

- fibers sometimes fall from the brush/your lashes under your eye below

- has to be applied carefully for those of us that wear contacts

The Verdict

This product no doubt extends lashes significantly. The quality of the LOOK of your lashes, however, depends upon how many coats you use. Obviously, if you have short lashes you're going to want to use several coats (you can technically use as many coats as you want). Your lashes will be longer... but each coat causes just a bit of clumping and that wiry look. The shorter your lashes are and the more coats you use- the greater the chance they'll look clumpy and wiry. Not a good look. 

Although it might be tempting to use coat after coat to get those nice, long lashes- don't do it.

For those of you with short lashes, I recommend two coats (that's what I used in these pics).

For those with longer lashes, I would do no more than 3 coats.

:)

RATING (OUT OF 10): 9

November favorites!

I haven't been blogging regularly enough to even have a 'favorites' post these past months,

but I'm finally making it up for that today :)

BEHOLD, my favorites (some that I blogged about, some that I didn't get around to) 

from November!

1. EOS chapstick in 'Green Mint'

I love EOS chapstick.

It lasts forever and works fantastically.

What I like best about this 'Greent Mint' flavor is the

(duh) minty flavor :) It reminds me of winter/the holidays,

so I think now is a perfect time to go buy it.

If your lips are as chapped as mine,

it will be a welcome reprieve! :)

You can find these almost anywhere, from Target to Walgreens- & stores like them.

2. Urban Decay's Illuminated Powder

I did a post on this bad boy the other day here.

Basically, it's perfect for the holidays.

I don't regularly use powder at all,

but I make an exception for this one.

3. L'Oreal Butterfly Intenza mascara

I reviewed this mascara the other day,

and it's UH-MAZING.

See my full review for the details! :)

4. Yes to Carrot's Shampoo & Conditioner

So I originally bought this brand because I wanted to try something without all the harmful chemicals that mainstream brands use.

Carrots seemed different but not too wacky.

Turns out, (I didn't pay close attention) and it's actually for a dry scalp O_o

Lucky for me that I bought this,

because the cold weather this past month has caused my scalp to be super dry.

It's never flaked before,

and it's super irritating and embarrassing.

This product, though, helps immensely with that.

PLUS, it's made out of completely safe ingredients AND makes your hair smell good :)

I definitely suggest this brand for anyone who is struggling with a dry scalp 

and/or just wants a safe and healthy alternative!

5. Maybelline 'Expresso Exposed' lipstick

I did a review on this lipstick here.

It's been one of my favorite, go-to Fall lipsticks.

I love all Maybelline lippies,

and this doesn't fail to disappoint! :) 

* REVIEW * L'Oreal Butterfly Intenza mascara

If you've been following my blog for awhile,

you'll know that aside from SYN Cosmetics/glitter/metallics/red... I love me a good mascara :P

Lately, L'Oreal has released some mascaras that have been ON POINT.

Is today's post going to be the exception?

...

Read more to find out! :) 

The Product

L'oreal's Butterfly Intenza mascara

Okay, so the chevron background went a lithe haywire 

with the mirrored look of the mascara casing...

Here's a better pic (including the brush) from L'oreal's website:

Some of it's Claims:

- extends your lashes "like wings"

- contains a "breakthrough double winged tip" brush

- fans out and separates lashes

- provides 9x more volume

The Review

I've done a post/review of L'Oreal's original Butterfly mascara,

and I've also used it in a ton of my makeup looks on here

(and in everyday life, AND it made my top products of 2013 post).

I was extremely impressed with it,

so I had high hopes for this newer, updated version.

Let's just say, it did not disappoint! 

I do have longer lashes naturally. This can be nice,

but a lot of mascaras can really muck them up and cause them to stick together.

( see this one from Benefit, for example)

Here are my lashes prior to any makeup:

Here they are with L'Oreal's Butterfly Intenza macara:

Whew!

Muchhhhhhh better :)

PROS:

- Reasonable price at $8.99 bucks

- Gave plenty of volume and length!

- Easy to use brush

- Hardly ever clumps, even in the tube/around tube opening

CONS:

- The brush is a bit bulky, so it's a little hard to reach those 

teeny tiny lashes in the inner corners of my eye

- I like using black, but this only comes in 2 shades of black, 

which might be a problem for people who prefer brown

The Verdict:

I absolutely love this mascara. The volume and length it gives my lashes is awesome.

I can only imagine how fantastic it works for those with not as much lash.

It appeals to all kinds of customers!

Plus, the price is pretty good.

I've been using this particular tube of mascara for almost a month now,

and it's still maintaining the same consistency and quality as the first time I used it.

Very pleased!

I definitely recommend this to everyone :)

RATING (OUT OF 10): 9

* REVIEW * Covergirl Bombshell Volume mascara

So I love reviewing mascaras...

finding out which are the next best thing and which ones aren't worth their price tag.

(See my most recent mascara review posts here and here)

Today I have yet another mascara review for you,

this time from the ever reliable, Covergirl!

The Product

Covergirl recently (as in the past couple months) released yet another mascara,

this time titled Bombshell Volume.

This brand has so. many. dang. mascaras... is it even worth it buying this 'new' one?

Read on to find out! :)

Some of it's Claims:

- Two step "Bombshell Boost System"

- Combines loads of volume w/ a top coat

- Creates "big, sexy Bombshell lashes"

- 10x more noticeable than bare lashes

- Makes lashes look "way beyond big"

- Comes in 4 shades

The Review:

So I scooped this up in the drugstore initially because the packaging caught my eye,

but also because I was about to run out of my L'Oreal Butterfly mascara.

The whole two-step thing is what made me finally give in to give it a go,

as it looked new and possibly worthwhile.

What's all this about the two ends?

Let me show you.

First, end 1 is the "extreme" volume base coat,

with a brush that looks like this:

End 2 is the "intensifying" top coat,

which looks like so:

annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd...

it's not a bombshell effect.

Or at least I didn't get it.

And according to loads of other reviews I've seen on CG's site,

it didn't do it for other people, either.

The idea is cool.

Just not sure how effective it was, though.

Some of my letdown might also be the colorful words used in marketing it.

The base coat was anything but "extreme",

and the top coat was hardly intensifying...

However, my lashes did look noticeably better than when they're bare!

PROS:

- Brushes are easy to use and maneuver

- Affordable price at $8-$9

- Definitely made my lashes more noticeable

CONS:

- HARD to take off

- Caused my lashes to clump a bit

- Didn't create the insane bombshell effect it claimed

Verdict:

If you just want a mascara to put on your bare lashes so they stick out,

this mascara will work for you.

It's a decent price and readily available at most locations.

However, if you ever hope to take it off-

you may be in for a rude surprise.

This isn't waterproof, but my UD makeup remover OR Vaseline

hardly made it budge.

I definitely rip out a least a few eyelashes when taking it off.

I don't know if this is due to the double coats you use or what.

Regardless, it's a pain.

Also, this just did not make my lashes look "big",

unless you count how they looked when they clumped...

and they DID clump with this mascara.

I think CG had a good initial idea when they created this,

but it just never came to fruition.

RATING (OUT OF 10): 6-7

What are YOUR thoughts on this mascara?

What did you think about this review?

Nail mail/makeup additions

Several new things today :)

First, my most recent purchases from Zoya came in last week!

Can you guess which these are? ;P

Stay tuned for swatches of these bad boys in the coming weeks.

As for the makeup, I scooped up Covergirl's latest mascara:

CG is usually a solid brand when it comes to mascaras,

so I'm excited to try this one.

Lastly, this little rando thing,

I've never even heard of this brand?

But it was $1 and Spring-y looking,

so, why not?

Swatches seemed decent enough!

Have any of you had experience with these?

What are your thoughts?

:)

Christmas Makeup Look

I've been itching to do some more Christmas looks.

I found one on Pinterest from Naturally Erratic that I really liked,

and I've recreated it here :)

I used:

Too Faced's Shadow Insurance

UD's 'Libertine' and Sleek's 'Dragon Fly' & 'Cricket'- crease

UD's 'Damaged' &'Libertine'- lid

Lime Crime's 'Seahorse Discourse'- highlight

UD's 'Black Dog' & Sugarpill's 'Love+'- lower lash line

'Tako'- inner corners & browbone

Covergirl Line Exact eyeliner

L'Oreal Butterfly mascara

What do you all think about this look?

I really loved how Naturally Erratic did it.

I like the smokeyness of it best, I think.

*REVIEW* L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly mascara

I have another mascara for you today.

I've really been on a kick for them this past year,

(see recent reviews here and here)

and I have another one to add to my collection:

L'Oreal's Voluminous Butterfly mascara.

(^last pic not my own)

This is the most recent release mascara- wise form L'Oreal,

and one that I've been anxiously awaiting!

Some of its Claims:

- Lengthens, stretches, and volumizes

- Contains "revolutionary" Butterfly Brush

- brush extends and lifts outer lashes to create winged effect

- Cocoon fibers that make lashes feel "delicate" & "silky"

- Available in 3 shades

The Review:

I have been stoked for this baby ever since I tried it's prequel,

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes.

I was a little wary about the brush, however

Here's what I found...

Here are my naked lashes prior to the mascara:

Annnnnnnd after the mascara:

Again that's from this:

to this:

(^+ eyeliner and a flash)

Woo!

Even with neutral makeup,

it makes my eyes pop :D

The Butterfly Brush is actually super awesome

and really does seem to lengthen my lashes-

more so than many other mascaras I've tried.

PROS:

- Really does lengthen and stretch my lashes, as it claims!

- Comes with a totally unique and awesome applicator

- A manageable $9 price tag

- Definitely makes my lashes feel light as a feather, not weighted down 

and gunky like loads of other mascaras :)

CONS:

- The only con I could really think of was that, for a drugstore brand,

the price is a litttttttle hefty, but barely. 

All in all, this mascara was a GREAT buy.

RATING (OUT OF 10): 9.5

October Favorites!!

It's that time again!

Here are my favorite products from this month :)

1. Urban Decay B6 Vitamin- Infused Complexion Prep Spray

*not my picture

This stuff is the perfect last piece of the puzzle if you want your makeup to last

ALL. DAY.

It's a fairly new pickup of mine,

but I'll have a full review of this bad boy soon.

Suffice it to say- it's awesome.

2. MakeupGeek 'Burlesque'

*pic from makeupgeek.com

Just like last Fall, I'm still obsessed with the wine-red, plum color.

This is perfectly expressed in MUG's shadow, 'Burlesque'.

Tons of pigmentation & a hint of sparkle!

See it used most recently by me here.

3. Foils & Metallics like Zoya 'Channing' & CG's 'Strike up a Cosmo'

I'm a sucker for sparkle anyway,

and these shimmering fall shakes packed with glitz make me swoon!

4. L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly mascara

*not my picture

This is one of my most recent purchases, so I don't have a review on it yet.

Needless to say, though, first impression are that this bad boy ROCKS.

Cannot wait to share with you all.

What do you think of these products?

What were your favorites from October?