Smashbox claims that their amino-acid packed Lash DNA ($19) mascara gives you amazing length and volume. This is my first experience with a Smashbox mascara, and I got it as part of the "After Hours" kit at the Nordstrom beauty event. From the Smashbox website: "The unique double helix brush grabs each lash, no matter how small, for the ultimate fanned out effect." So I was pretty excited to check out the wand, as well as the formula.
Whoa. Well, I did want to see the brush, but I kind of can't. I mean, I think I get the general idea of what is going on here. Maybe. But it doesn't stop with the brush - I then take a look at my tube:
Holy crap. THAT is going to make a mess when I go to put my wand back in there. But I don't want to think about that yet. Let's take that wand and give it a whirl.
The end result is some really lovely lashes. Full, long, and inky black. However, it did require some brushing and declumping. I like the effect, but I don't know that most people would want to put the time in to deal with the mess. Would I buy it again? I don't know. Would I recommend it? Only to another mascara junkie.
Seven Days of Mascara: Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara
Seven Days of Mascara: Revlon DoubleTwist Mascara
Okay, I'll admit it. I was suckered in by the ads for Revlon's DoubleTwist mascara. Those TV spots that showed us the fabulous wand that brought you volume beyond your wildest imagination sold me. I had to get my hands on the coolest brush I'd seen: a combination plastic and old spoolie brush TOGETHER! For every benefit POSSIBLE! I was excited.
And I still am. This is a fabulous mascara, and I love it. I'd compare the volume to Diorshow, and I don't say that lightly. It thrills me that it comes in a waterproof formula, and it's easy to get off, doesn't make a mess, doesn't smudge, doesn't flake, and stays put all day long.
But...you knew there was a "but," didn't you?
Yeah. It's a bit of a mess. No, not a bit. It's a huge mess. It's scary and intimidating when you pull your wand out and see this.
It can clump. You have to just gather up your courage and slap that wand on those lashes. Trust. Keep an eyelash brush or comb near, if you must. But don't back down. One coat can give you this:
And it only gets better from there.
PS: This was supposed to go up last night, and for reasons unknown, it didn't. So you get two mascara posts today. Aren't you thrilled?
Seven Days of Mascara: Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mascara
I grabbed Glam'Eyes Mascara by Rimmel for about $7 when I realized, while walking through the Target beauty section, that I had never tried a Rimmel mascara. After checking them all out, I chose the one that promised me 10X the volume!! of regular mascaras.
I didn't like it at first. My first impression of it was that it really didn't do much in the way of volume at all. But I kept reaching for it. Now, about two weeks later, I'm kind of digging it.
The brush is one of the newfangled plastic/silicone ones. It's thin and flexible, and you can work it. Normally I like old style spoolie brushes, but this one isn't half bad. Also, the formula is buildable. You can really build up some amazing lashes if you're willing to let each coat dry and be patient.
Frankly, I can get better lashes in one coat with my favorite, Diorshow, but if you don't want to spend much money on a drugstore mascara, and don't require super volume, and don't mind the learning curve, then this mascara might be right up your alley.
Bonus points for the cute pink and black boudoir packaging, though. Super cute.
Sunday Night Beauty Rituals
It's Sunday night, and I'm sitting on my bed sipping a cup of jasmine green tea from Trader Joe's and getting ready to watch a little True Blood. So far this evening, I've washed and deep conditioned my hair, tweezed my brows, used a clay face mask, trimmed my cuticles, rolled, set, and wrapped my hair, put my nighttime anti-aging facial serum on, and slathered my feet with something to keep them looking pretty.
Sunday is such a great day to do all that stuff that you just don't get to throughout the week. So tell me, what are YOUR Sunday beauty rituals?
Seven Days of Mascara: Better Than Waterproof Mascara by Cargo
Today was a beach day, so my routine this morning was pretty easy. I slathered on a bunch of Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment on my locks, put a bun in, threw on a scarf, washed my face, threw the SPF on there, and reached for my Better Than Waterproof Mascara by Cargo.
Why? Because it lasts. Forever. Through the beach, the shower afterward, and just about anything else you can throw at it. The best part? It's actually a really good mascara! It goes on easily, it does not clump up at all, and has some excellent volumizing properties for a mascara that lasts so long.
Cargo claims that it will come off with gentle pressure and some warm water, but since I wear contacts, I'm hesitant to put gentle pressure on my eyes at all. However, it comes off just fine with my eye makeup remover, and doesn't make a mess while you're doing it.
While I wouldn't grab it for a night out on the town, mostly because I'm usually sporting some falsies, this is my gold standard for any active days I have and need to know that my mascara isn't going to make a mess on my face.
Grab it at Cargo.com or Sephora for $20. You won't be sorry.
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