Four Mascaras, Four Opinions

I've had these mini mascaras (which surprisingly last a long time) for a little over three months now. In case you didn't know, you're supposed to toss your mascara every three months, as the brushes are a ground breed for bacteria. 

Today I will share with you its claims vs. my thoughts on them. 

Blinc Mascara $26

Its Claims

If you're looking for a no-hassle, no-smudge mascara that you can take throughout your day with no re-application, blinc mascara is your answer. Instead of painting your lashes like conventional mascaras, blinc mascara forms tiny no-smudge, water-resistant "tubes" around your lashes. Once applied, these mascara tubes bind to your lashes and cannot run, smudge, clump, or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes.

Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your sweaty workout or out to dinner, your lashes will look as good in the evening as they did when you first applied blinc in the morning. blinc mascara will add volume and length to give you a radiant natural look that lasts all day.

Only when you are ready for removal, the tubes will effortlessly slide off your lashes into your hand without the use of a harsh makeup remover.

My Thoughts

A good friend of mine actually swears by this mascara. She loves that it deposits little tubes into every lash giving the illusion of thicker lashes. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I felt like it did nothing for my lashes and the formula was very wet. 

Note: if you try this, don't freak out when you're removing it with water at the end of the day. It's not your lashes that are falling off, it's the little "tubes" that coat them. 

Benefit They're Real! Mascara $23

Its Claims

They're real! lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won’t smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had! What else you need to know:
94% saw dramatic length & volume* 90% saw base-to-tip curl* 94% saw visible lift* 100% saw long-wearing results*
*Results observed in a consumer panel survey

My Thoughts

This used to be my go-to mascara about a year ago. I loved the way it thickened my stubborn, straight lashes. However I then began noticing that the plastic bristle was hard and hurt my top lashline. On top of that, it's a pain in the ass to remove. There's actually a drugstore mascara that is way better than this one for half the price and better results.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes $23

Its Claims

Take your lashes to the extreme with this ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly!

Product Performance: Take your sultry, flashy lashes to the extreme with this amped up, ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies lashes for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly! Powered by tarte’s proprietary triple black complex, this longwear, vitamin-infused formula emphasizes length and volume while conditioning lashes for a dramatic look that won’t dry out, flake or budge. The custom-engineered, dual-molded brush boosts even the skinniest lashes for an exaggerated, voluminous look. First, the shorter, denser side of the brush delivers the optimal amount of mascara to volumize and coat each lash perfectly, then the longer, firmer side of the brush lengthens and separates for maximum volume without clumping.

Powered By: Provitamin B5: vitamin B derivative that helps treat and thicken lashes.
Beeswax: a protective barrier between the skin and the environment that has been known to naturally stimulate collagen production.
Mineral pigments: soothe and soften lashes.

My Thoughts

Yada, yada, yada...some people take marketing to the extreme these days. I don't like to use the word hate, so lets stick to "strongly dislike". I strongly disliked this mascara from the moment I first tried it. It's dry, the brush was uncomfortable and out of all the mascaras I'm reviewing today, this one is the worst, in my experience. 

Lancome Hypnose Drama $27.50

Its Claims 

Get instant lash drama in a single coat, no clumping or flaking.

• Intense black pigments
• Triple coating system delivers a fluid and creamy application to quickly and easily build big, battable lashes that won’t clump or flake throughout the day.

My Thoughts

This is my new holy grail mascara. In spite of it not being waterproof (though they do have a waterproof version I haven't tried), this holds a curl like no other. When I carefully coat each lash, I notice instant volume. I also love that my lashes appear to be longer and ahhh -- the formula. It doesn't flake. I love it!

Yes, it is an expensive mascara. No, your lashes and mine are not the same, so perhaps there is a mascara in here that you love and I disliked. Perhaps some mascaras that I love and you dislike. That's just how it goes! 

Are there any mascaras you love or strongly dislike? If so, do share!

Tag: All About Eyes

I recently watched Tayler and Hannah do the "All About Eyes" tag. I don't know who initiated it, but I was so enthralled by it! Hence, I'm doing it myself.

Friday Night Makeup

I wanted to go for a pop of green today, so I used my trusty Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box paired with some Sephora Waterproof Jumbo Liners. If you're interested in my review of the liners, click here. 

It's Time to Throw Them Away

I decided to really "clean up" today and get rid of the stuff I don't really need, and when you're a beauty junkie, you've got plenty. In the process, I found these products which I had to get rid of. Two mascaras and a gel liner. Mascaras need to be tossed after three months, anyway. They become bacteria central pretty fast (Sorry, all of you OCD readers, but it's true).

So what do I think of these?

The Bourjois Ultra Black Volumizer Mascara was actually pretty good. This two-step mascara does the job without making the lashes feel gritty or heavy. Step #1 claims to define and add volume. I find that it gives the lashes a very subtle, natural finish. Step #2 is optional, and it claims to give "11x more volume and no clumps guaranteed." (Why "11"? Why not 13 or 17?) I don't know, these claims always leave me dubious. As to the "11x" increase in volume, well, I can't say an exact number, but it does add volume. It makes the lashes appear thicker and darker, but not in a WOW way. 

Benefit They Real! Mascara is, in my opinion, over-hyped. It's one of those products you either love or hate. I don't hate it, necessarily, I just thought it performed OK. But man, it's a pain to clean this off the lashes. Bioderma, cleansing oils... try all you want, but it's just a pain. It makes the lashes feel "thick", not in a good way. 

If I had to decide between the two, I'd go for the one by Bourjois.

The next product I threw away was my Mac Blacktrack Fluidline. It was OK, but it's definitely not the blackest black out there, and I found that it dried too quickly.

Have you tried any of these? What are your thoughts? 

PS: Now is a good time to throw away those +3 month-old mascaras. 

My Highlighter Collection

Hi gorgeous!

I have a slight obsession with highlighters. I find them so versatile and so beautiful. They can instantly make a dull complexion look revived and glowy (note: there's a pretty big difference between glowy and oily). So today I'm sharing with you my highlighter collection. Enjoy! 

There's Something About Kevyn Aucoin

I have never felt so strong about a foundation before. Actually, I have never felt so strong about a makeup product in general. Most things come and go. I fall in love with a blusher, and then the feeling subsides as my attention shifts towards another makeup product.

Summer, Boho-Chic Inspired Makeup Look

Hi everyone! I feel like I've been so neutralish lately makeup-wise, that I wanted to go for something different. Something colorful, happy and... summer-ish. If you're interested in seeing how I created this look, keep reading! 

Friday Night Makeup: Lorac Pro Palette Smokey Eyes

Hi dolls! Quick post tonight to talk about last night's makeup which I loved. I was aiming for a dark, grungy-smokey eye. Enjoy!

Foundation Series: Dior Diorskin Forever Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup Review

Phew! My apologies for the long title. That's the entire name of this foundation. Fancy pants. Have you heard about this foundation before? Are you interested in learning more about it? If so, continue reading!

Face of the Day (22.05.13): Easy, Natural Makeup

Hi dolls!

"Natural Makeup" to me equals a better you. Something that looks fresh and doable. This type of makeup is excellent for students because the makeup is not over the top-- meaning no crazy bright shadows, nothing too exaggerated. 

If you're interested, continue reading. 

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil-Free Review

Hello gorgeous!

If you have combination to oily to very oily skin, you'll love this foundation. Why? Hourglass Immaculate is literally a liquid to powder foundation. If you're interested in it, continue reading!

Face of the Day (16.05.13): Teal and Gold

Hey gorgeous! 

I've been waking up pretty early these days, so I have been experimenting with makeup before going to school. Today I created a look inspired by lots of pictures I have seen on Instagram lately. Basically, you pick two colors-- one added on the inner and outer corner, and the second color should pop on the center. I chose to work with teal and gold. If you're interested in finding out how I achieved this look and which products I used, please continue reading.

Illamasqua Excite Powder Blush Review + FOTD

For those looking for a beautiful matte, peach blush, this post is for you. Illamasqua's blushes are well known for their sleek, modern packaging and incredibly pigmented formulas. This blush is no exception. If you're interested in pictures and a quick review, continue reading.

Face of the Day (03.05.13)

Hola muñecas! (That means "hi dolls" in Spanish).

So my instagram seems to have a bug because whenever I try to upload a picture, it comes out as a gray 

box. I've read online several users experiencing the same thing-- so I'm guessing it is a bug. 

Anyway, just a quick post today to show you my "face of the Early Morning". I got up at six am and quickly got ready for some errands I had to do this morning.

I kept my look soft, subtle and simple. It was raining really hard when I woke up (which is the worst weather to get up in-- I find the rain so relaxing). The skies were gray, there was a lot of thunder and the day was...blah. So I went with a quickie.

On my eyes I used Chanel Illusion D'ombre in the shade Emerville because it is so fast to put on... you just literally dab some with your fingers. After curling my lashes, I applied two coats of Benefit They're Real Mascara. I used Rimmel London Scandal Eyes in the shade Nude to get rid of any redness on my waterline. I groomed my brows with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in the shade Brunette. 

Anytime I'm looking for great coverage and a luminous finish in little time, I pick my trusty Dior Hydralife BB Cream. The formula melts into my skin and matches me perfectly. Another plus is the high (30) SPF. I buffed that in with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush (my favorite brush to apply foundation with) and then I applied some under-eye concealer-- Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in the shade 3. I set everything in place with some loose powder-- L'oreal Translucide Luminous Loose Powder in the shade Translucent. For dewy cheeks, I went with Stila Convertible Color in the shade Lillium, followed by Benefit Girl Meets Peal lightly patted on the top of my cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupid's bow. 

To finish of the look, I went for a shimmery rosy lip color-- Bourjois Lipstick in Rose Pare. 

Happy Birthday, Mami!

Hi my beauties!

Today (April 27) was my mom's 60th birthday... 

She's the reason why I'm obsessed with skin care, and she's one of the sweetest people on Earth. I've got a few pictures for you aside from, of course, my makeup.

My sister wasn't home on her birthday, which was on April 7th, so we celebrated both birthdays. It was very intimate-- only our closest relatives came over, but we had a beautiful day.

THE MAKEUP

You wouldn't believe it after seeing a bunch of products organized together, but I only had about 15 minutes to do my makeup today-- which is nothing to me, since I usually take a long 40ish minutes. 

I used the Make Up For Ever Aqua cream in the shade 15 as a base, which I applied with my ring finger. I have mentioned before how it's important to work with one eye at a time when using Aqua Creams, because they're completely waterproof and once they set, they set. Moving on to eyeshadows, I used the shades in the Givenchy Travel Palette, blending the darker colors into an outer V. I skipped gel liner today and just used a black kohl liner on the waterline-- Rimmel London Scandel Eyes in the shade "Black". After curling my lashes, I applied two coats of Benefit They're Real Mascara. I filled in any gaps on my already super dark eyebrows using the Clinique Super Fine Liner for Brows in the shsade "Soft Brown". 

I then moved to my face, which I primed with Smashbox Photo Finish Light. I mixed a dot of Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in the shade SX 08 with a drop of Fresh Seaberry Face Oil, blended both together on the back of my hand and then applied it on my face using a Real Techniques Buffing Brush. To conceal my dark circles, I used the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer in the shade "53 Dark Radiance", and then I set everything in place with the Face Powder in the Givenchy palette. I then sculpted my face with MAC Sculpting Cream in the shade "Richly Honed", applied the blush from the Givenchy palette, and highlighted the top of my cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupid's bow with Benefit's Watts Up. 

I had already moisturized my lips using Lush Whip Stick Lip Balm prior to doing my makeup so they would be smooth by the time I applied lipstick. I used Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in the shade "Dolce Vita".

PS: My nose was peeling due to a mask I had used the night before, and I didn't have time to exfoliate this morning, hence the flaky skin on my nose! If you already know about my OCDness, you then already know that, yes, the flakes are gone by now. 

MY FAMILY

My mom, Zulay, and my sister, Paola

That's it for tonight! Keep your eyes open for tons of reviews this week...

Thanks for reading! Have a lovely night and a lovely morning to my sweet followers on the other side of the world! XOXO

Face of the Day (26.04.13)

I am still in awe over the quality of the Wet N Wild eyeshadows. For $4, you get eight, yes, eight ultra pigmented eyeshadows. Today I used the left column in palette called "Comfort Zone" .

EYES

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion

2. Wet N Wild "Comfort Zone" Palette

3. Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner shade "Deep Black"

4. L'oreal Voluminous Original Mascara shade "Black"

5. Clinique Super Fine Liner for Brows shade "Soft Brown"

6. Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Kohl Pencil shade "Nude"

FACE

1. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

2. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Compact Foundation shade 30 Beige

3. Estee Lauder Stay In Place Concealer shade Warm Light Medium

4. Benefit Hoola Bronzer

5. Nars Orgasm Blush

6. Nars Orgasm Illuminator

7. Make Up For Ever HD Powder

LIPS

1. Nars "New Lover" Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

2AM Face of the Day

Hi beauties!

I'm currently stuck at the airport in Maracaibo because our flight to Miami is delayed. I had to get up at 2am this morning. I have been suffering from insomnia on and off my whole life, and it's currently back, so I was able to sleep thanks to some meds until my sleep cycle normalizes. 

Anyway! Thank God I brought my laptop with me. I did bring my little Sony camera with me to take shots and share them with you. Nothing too exciting to see here at this airport. It's tiny...and boring. 

But I want to share with you the makeup I chose this morning to look less...zombie-ish. 

The Product List 

1. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer shade Sand: I wanted something lightweight, yet glowy, and I find that this tinted moisturizer has a dewy finish despite being oil-free. 

2. Dior Diorskin Nude Concealer shade 2 Beige: it doesn't have the best coverage for dark circles, but it  goes on very natural.

3. Clinique Airbrush Illuminating Concealer shade Fair: I dabbed some of this over the Dior concealer for extra highlighting. 

4. Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush shade Natural: I wanted a little glow to my cheeks. 

5. High Beam by Benefit (Not included in the picture): Instant dewiness to the skin!

6. L'oreal Carbon Black Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner: A true black. I believe this is blacker than Mac's Fluidline in Blacktrack or my favorite Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Gel-Liner. It also stays on for a long, long time (+10 hours) without smudging. Travel-friendly!

7. Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream shade 16 Plum: Cream shadows are excellent to wear when you're in a rush, and since this product is 100% waterproof, it won't budge, smudge or fade. I love this.

PS: I wear contact lenses, so I have to put on eyedrops everytime I travel because my lenses get very dry. My eyeshadow ain't going nowhere with this Aqua Cream!

8. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara in Black: My mom gave me this as a gift a couple of months ago and I love it. You can build up volume and length without spider-looking lashes.

9. Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Tarnish shade Busted: a moisturizing, cherry red lip stain that has a glossy finish. It feels minty when you first put it on... and it does plum quite a bit. Remember, a pop of color on the lips instantly gives light to the skin!

I actually tried taking a picture to show you my look, but I am surrounded by strangers and it just got a little awkward. I hope you all have a lovely day! xoxo

Get Ready With Me!: Bronzy Eyes + Announcements

Hi my loves!

I worked hard for today's post because I wanted to deliver something helpful since I will be away for a few weeks. I'm going to the US for vacation before I start school in May. Oh, and my youngest brother is getting married in Puerto Rico! I'm so excited! I will take lots of pictures, so you are all coming with me! 

I also might... Well, I'm bad at surprises! I will have a giveaway when I'm in the US. Everything in Venezuela is ridiculously expensive because we have really high inflation, which is why I hardly buy anything here and I would not be able to afford a giveaway. But let's not get political here, because I hate politics and this is a beauty blog. In conclusion, I will work on getting goodies for a good giveaway to thank all of you for supporting me though I'm a "newbie". I have a lot of things I would like to get off my chest by writing a post about it but I worry I might get corny and you might get bored... but I really am thankful to all of you. 

If you want to see my Pictorial, keep reading!

Face of the Day (26.03.13)

Hi beauties! I was feeling a little bit experimental yesterday. I hadn't done a pop of color on the eyes in a while, especially using greens. If you're interested in finding out which products I used to achieve this look, continue reading.

Face of the Day (20.03.13)

Hi everyone!

Today's Face of the Day features elongated eyes with brown tones on the lids and some light gold glitter. 

Continue reading to find out which products I used!