Another mascara review....

Covergirl came out with a new mascara about a month ago called Lashfusion. What?!? Something new that I haven't tried? You know it was in my cart faster than you could blink. As usual, I got the waterproof version of the mascara. I really wanted to like this mascara, but it didn't happen.
According to the Covergirl website, this mascara is supposed to thicken and extend the look of your natural lashes (isn't every mascara supposed to do that) and add Super Volumizing + Buildable Fiber Strength lengthening to the lashes.

Here's the problem. The brush is one of the plastic bristle brushes. These brushes never do it for me. My biggest pet peeve about this brush is that the tip of the brush, which you would normally use to get either the smaller lashes or the outer lashes, has no bristles!! What is that about?!?
I will say, the formula was very nice, it didn't clump at all. Yes, you could go back after your first coat, add a second coat without the spider looking lashes. I can say, CG is correct in saying it is a buildable mascara.

But, in my book, this mascara is a FAIL for personal use. Since I use disposable wands on my clients, I'll probably use this mascara in my kit since I did like the formula.


Back to the drawing board.....

How long does your makeup last?

One of the questions I get asked is how long should a person should keep a product or what is the shelf life of a certain product. I figured it'd be best to answer these questions on here. The best thing to do is to keep your products in a dry, cool area, away from the heat. Remember, the heat can also change the consistency of products, like foundation and concealers.


Foundation anywhere from 12-18 months

Mascara 3-6 months

Concealer 12-18 months

Powder 18-24 months (make sure you either clean your sponge or change it out)

Blush 18-24 months ( I think you can stretch this out as long as you take care of the product and it's not cracked or doesn't smell)

Cream blush 12-18 months (again, you can stretch this out as long as it doesn't smell)

Eyeshadow 18-24 months

Eyeliner 18 months *

Liquid liner 6-12 months *

Lipstick 2-3 years

Lipliner 2-3 years


*For any eyeliner or liquid liners, if you've had an eye infection, it's best to throw it out. Also, be weary of sharing pencils with others as you will be sharing bacteria. To make sure you sanitize properly, dip the pencil in alcohol and sharpen them if you are using amongst others.





A general rule of thumb for most products, if it starts to smell, it's time to throw it out!

EOS Lip blam

Photos courtesy of http://www.evolutionofsmooth.com/products_lip_sphere.html

I've heard a lot of people rave about this lip balm. I was in CVS a few months ago buying some last minute extra lashes for a photo shoot and they had these buy 1 get 1 free. Yes, I snagged them. One for me, one for my sister {lucky girl, she gets all my extra stuff, ha!}. I bought the balm in the flavor Summer Fruit. I have to say, I've had the lip balm a few months and am thoroughly enjoying it. It's not very greasy, and moisturizes your lips.

According to the website:
Eos lip balm is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.

I like the packing, it twists shut and seems to have a tight seal. The smell is very light, and not overwhelming.

When I run out, which I don't think will be for a very long time, I'll definitely be picking up another one.

Have you tried EOS?

Friday Fashion Find

I'm sure most of you have noticed the leopard trend lately, it's everywhere! It looks like this trend will transition into fall.
Now, I am not one to wear head to toe in a print. Most likely, I will wear this leopard trend by either incorporating it into a shoe or cardigan. I was at my trusty favorite store {you know, the red bulls eye one} the other day, and I found this jewel. I figured it was cute and I can wear it with jeans or use it with a dress.

photo courtesy of www.target.com

How will you be wearing this trend?

Since we can never get enough...

Another mascara review is in order!

Thanks to one of my friends and reader of my blog, Jill, who told me about this fabulous mascara.
Since the Falsies was a major fail for me, I had to go try something else and I wasn't in the mood to spend a lot of money on anything. I went to the local Target and picked up this lovely. Maybelline XXL PRO Extensions Mascara



Ladies, seriously, this mascara DOES NOT BUDGE! I tried and reviewed the waterproof mascara for the past two weeks. I use MAC's Cleanse off oil, which takes everything off your face, and this still doesn't come off. Most of the mascaras I use are waterproof, for two reasons: 1) my clients (brides, photoshoots, etc) must have waterproof 2) I need to test the formula to make sure it's actually waterproof. As much as I really like the Colossal waterproof mascara, it wasn't TRULY waterproof. As evidenced by my Lauren Conrad eyes when I went in the pool a few times.

This mascara has two steps to it. The first side, which is clearly marked with a number 1, is white. It's a microfiber basecoat. This is used to tame and control your lashes as well as add volume. {Your lashes will look WHITE after this application} Before the coat is completely dry, you apply Step 2. The second side, marked Step 2, is your colored mascara. You sweep this on top of the white lashes. As I applied the mascara, my lashes definitely appeared longer and more enhanced.

Here are my likes and dislikes of the mascara:

LIKES

Lashes do appear to be more full and voluminous

Basecoat helps to separate individual lashes

With the second coat, you can extend out the lashes

Formula is very creamy, not once has it made my lashes clump



DISLIKES

The handle of the mascara is too short, I know this may sound petty, but for someone who is always working with mascara, I like a longer handle

You have to be quick with Step 2, if the white dries then you have to comb through the lashes a bit. (it happened to me, but the mascara still wasn't clumpy, so it's not really a dislike, just advise, ha!}

Here's a picture of me with the mascara. Yes, I have somewhat long lashes, but this mascara really kicks them up a few notches!



Let me know if you end up buying this and what you think.

Couldn't pass these up...

I am on a clothes shopping ban, well, sort of. At least until I lose weight, that is. Since I won't allow myself to buy clothes, what's the next best thing? SHOES!
Last week I found these darling pair of shoes at The Gap {I know, I was surprised too}. They are so comfortable, sort of remind me of the Tory Burch Eddie flats. I bought them in black, boring, I know, because I wear a lot of black for my makeup gigs. I'm on my feet a lot and am always looking for the perfect shoe to wear. My feet howl at me the days I decide to be cute/fashionable and wear my heels or wedges.
Anyhow, these lovely flats come in many different colors and are perfect for the fall, which is just around the corner. For the price $39.50 {I got them at an additional 30% off Gap just happened to have that day SCORE!}, how could you pass these up?

La Vie Este Belle Magazine

A few months ago, I was asked to do the makeup for a photo shoot with an amazing photographer, Brittany Gordon Bowman, in Vilano Beach, FL. The model, Tyler, was gorgeous. She had flawless skin, beautiful bone structure....just a beautiful canvas!
Last month, my work was featured in La Vie Este Belle Magazine. How excited am I that my work is finally getting published?
Here are some snaps from the shoot

Picture courtesy of www.brittaniagarden.com

These last two pictures were taken with my iphone:

July Favorites

I decided I am going to start a new series on the blog. Once a month I will tell you what my favorite things were from the previous month. It will always include beauty products, but sometimes I'll include other random things going on in my life. Hope you all enjoy this months favorites!

EYES

GO eyeshadow by MAC. I think this may have been limited edition, but it's very similar to their bronze color. Loving this for a beach look. Since summer is almost over, I'm making sure to get the most out of this look. Swept lightly over the eyelid for day, or wet it to intensify the look for night. Subtle, yet gorgeous!

EYELINER

MAC Minted
This color came out with the Back to Beach collection. It's a deep emerald green color. I love mixing this color with browns. My favorite look is a beach look with this eyeliner lining the bottom of your eye to add a splash of color. I did this look when I went to a baseball game and got lots of compliments.




LIPS

I am loving anything nude, but with high sheen {mostly glosses}

Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Pillow Talk

MAC Creemsheen in Boybait

BLUSH

I am still in love with my trusty NARS Orgasm blush. You can't go wrong with this color.

But, when I do want a punch of bright pink on the cheeks, I go for either MAC Mocha, MAC Full Fuschia or Too Faced La Vie En Rose.

BRUSH

This brush was temporarily sold out throughout all MAC stores and I was ecstatic to find it when I was traveling and popped into a MAC store and found one.



I am in LOVE with my MAC 130 brush. This brush is wonderful if you use cream foundation. If you use a cream foundation, this is the brush to use, it's just like the other duo fibre brushes except it has a flat top, which helps smooth out the product evenly on your face. Don't we all want a flawless face?

HAIR

Since I live in Florida, and we have like 200% humidity during the summer months, I use this Aveda product for my hair. I have pretty straight hair, with the occasional wave in it, but this product really helps keep any wave or frizz away.

Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener




What were some of your favorite products you've used this month?

Stay tuned this week for another mascara review!



pictures courtesy of MAC website www.maccosmetics.com and Aveda www.aveda.com