Mascara is life...

Hello, lovelies!

So maybe you've guessed by my namesake, but I am a total mascara addict. I'm constantly on the hunt for new and exciting formulas. Over the years I've tested a few amazing products, while most others have fallen flat. Admittedly, I ask for a lot out of my mascara. I want it all: curl, length, volume, definition. That's hard to find in just one product! No, my friends, mascaras are not created equal; and like most beauty products, what works for some will not work for all. Let's break it down.

For starters, there are two basic options to choose from: regular or waterproof. This may be a no-brainer but the difference is simple. Regular mascara will come off with water. This also means it will smudge and run if you sweat or cry. Not an attractive look. Waterproof mascara, in theory, will not budge until you forcibly remove it with a makeup remover. In my experience, waterproof mascara may not run or smudge, but some brands sure do flake which is just as annoying.

Now, as previously stated, I am crazy about mascara and lashes. Normal people will use one or the other. I use both. Daily. No, I'm not joking. My lashes are long but not particularly curly. If I only use a regular mascara, all that work I did with my eyelash curler wilts away within an hour. However, if I use a waterproof mascara right after curling, that curl will stay all day. I don't know if there's a different type of wax in the waterproof that allows it to lock the shape in place, but it's magic. Don't believe me? Try it! After using a thin coat of waterproof, I'll use my normal regular formulas. Three layers is a must. Like I said. Crazy.

Once you've chosen regular or waterproof, you have to decide what you want your mascara to do. There's a lot of trial and error here. If you're trying to keep a curl then you want to find a formula that's on the dry side so the weight of the product does drag those flirty lashes down. If you want volume, find a brand with a big fluffier brush. Some formulas have microfiber type extensions or tubes that add length. Walk throw the makeup aisle at your preferred dealer and take a peak around. It's a big mascara world out there. The choice is yours! What will it be?

And now I present to you, my mascara favorites.

Maybelline One by One in waterproof- this is the best drugstore mascara I have ever used. This little red tube does just about everything. If I could make one improvement, I would have it be a little more lengthening. The brush has around 300 bristles or something ridiculous that coats and separates each individual lash. I never have to worry about losing my curl either. One by One is the first layer that goes on every morning.

Maybelline The Rocket- This is another fantastic drugstore mascara. I was afraid they were replacing the One by One with this when it was first introduced because it is so similar! The major difference I can tell is this one is a wetter consistency so it's a little heavy.

Benefit "They're Real"- Two coats of this stuff and you honestly cannot tell if they're your own lashes or falsies. This applicator has a nifty little brush on the tip to really help you separate and push those lashes sky high.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes- I'm sure you can tell how much I adore this mascara by reading my Instagram tags. This is probably the most volumizing of the mascaras I own. It also has conditioning properties. Since I've started using this my lashes are so soft and shiny on their own.

Quick tip: If you're going to go mascara crazy like me, make sure you let each coat dry thoroughly before going on to the next. This will prevent unsightly clumping.

Do you have suggestions or recommendations for me? I know the Dior Show mascara is a popular one and on my list to dupe. Anything else you'd like to see? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and I'll talk to you soon!

July Favorites

I don't even know where to begin! I feel like my makeup collection has expanded tremendously this past month. It was very difficult to choose only a few products to share because so many of my purchases have become favorites. There's a lot here so let's go ahead and get started.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple facial cleanser ($10)

This was one of those last second purchases at the Ulta checkout line and I love it. This is the only cleanser that has ever gotten all of my makeup off. I don't even have to use a toner afterwards. It smells amazing and is TSA Travel size approved!

Olay Fresh Effects Satin Finish Moisturizer ($14.99)

I was going on a business trip to Atlanta and bought this simply because it was travel sized. My normal Olay moisturizer is 4.0 oz and the TSA has a fit about it. Oy. Anyway, I had absolutely zero expectations for this moisturizer and was prepared to hate it. Well, I was wrong. I love it and just purchased another tube. It's somewhere between a gel and a lotion. The consistency is... strange, but it has a satin finish so I don't end up super shiny. I can't believe how refreshed and soft my skin feels. Thank you, Olay!

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation ($15)

I did a first impressions post on this foundation less than a week ago and I have worn this foundation nearly every day since. It makes my skin look healthy and radiant without being too dewy or greasy. I have not used a primer with this once and it stays on beautifully throughout the day. I hope Rimmel launches it in the US soon. It'll do well. Check out my initial thoughts here:

http://havemascarawt.blogspot.com/2013/07/first-impressions-friday-rimmel-london.html

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment Concealer ($8.99)

I cannot say enough good things about this product. It is well loved, as you can see. I use the brightening shade because I'm a fan of that super highlighted under eye area ala the Kardashians. It's very pink toned so if you aren't super fair you may not like this shade. I do also have it in light, which is equally as loved. I don't think my dark circles or under eye puffiness has improved while using this product, however it does cover them very well. The consistency is very creamy and it soothes and moisturizes the under eye area. It also doesn't settle in to my fine lines which is a big plus.

Blank Canvas Cosmetics F23 tapered kabuki brush ($16.95)

This brush is used exclusively for blending out my under eye concealer and setting it. It's the perfect shape to fit right under the eye and in the inner corner. It's super soft. Sigma makes a version of this which is more readily available in the states, however, I think BCC's is better quality and worth the wait from Ireland. I got mine in their Pro Deluxe brush set, but it's also available for single purchase.

Nyx Illuminator in Narcissistic ($8.99) and ELF Studio Blush in Candid Coral ($3)

This combination of blush/highlighter gives you the most perfect summer glow. Both feel like silk on the skin and are long lasting. This is pretty much all I've worn on my cheeks the past month and a half. Candid Coral is also my go to blush for models with high pigmentation in their cheeks. It's neutral enough to not accent any high coloring but there's enough pigment to still give a healthy glow.

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in Vivid Rose ($7.49) and Nyx Butter Gloss in Merengue ($4.99)

The Vivids line from Maybelline have to be the most gorgeous lipsticks I have ever tried. I'm not a big fan of lipstick usually. They tend to be drying and bleed on my lips. These, however, are super comfortable, stay put and they last so so long. Vivid Rose is my current favorite. It's a bright in your face bluey redish pink. Love! 

I've raved about the Nyx Butter Glosses before. I can't get enough of them. They're high pigmented gloss but they're not sticky and the smell like candy. Merengue is a perfect barbie pink. It's pretty and feminine and my go to the last couple days.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara ($19) and Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz ($21)

This mascara is incredible. It lengthens. It volumizes. It separates. It conditions. Seriously, my lashes are in the greatest shape of my life. Oh, and I only ever need one coat. Incredible.

I love the Anastasia brow pencil because it is really fine tipped so I can be very precise with it. I am crazy about eyebrows and lashes. I probably spend more time on my brows than anything else I do in the morning. It also has a nifty spooly on one end to comb everything in to place.

Big Sexy Hair Powder Play ($15.95)

Is your hair stick straight? Baby fine? Limp and lifeless? You must try this. It's a powder that you sprinkle around the crown of your head then massage it in like crazy. You'll actually feel your roots plumping and getting thicker. The volume you get is insane. I'll post a before and after for you guys sometime. No back combing necessary, just a little bit of hairspray. It also doubles as a dry shampoo so you can get an extra day or two out of your style.

And lastly:

Gel Nails ($25+)

Yes... I know I have baby hands :) Obviously depending on your salon and if you have designs or not, the price for a full set of Gel overlays will vary. For a single color at my salon it's $23, french tips start at $30. I love nail polish but hate having to repaint weekly. I also hate how long it takes and as soon as you think you're dry you smudge them. These gel overlays do not smudge, chip, crack or break. I've tried. In the airline industry, you are very hard on your hands. I cannot mess these up! They claim 14 days, but I can stretch a french tip for a full month before it starts to peel off. It's a great option for those of us who use our hands a lot and constantly ruin regular manicures.

So there you have it, my favorites for the month of July. Have you tried any of these products and loved them? Hated them? What have you been loving this month? Let me know!

Thanks for reading, and I'll talk to you soon!

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I just went to get one thing! Ulta Haul

I've learned something about myself in the last month. I cannot go to Ulta without supervision. Seriously. I went Saturday specifically because their liter sized hair care products were on super sale and I've been dying for more Big Sexy shampoo/conditioner but not loving the price. However, at my local Ulta, the hair care products are in the very back corner of the store, which means I had to walk by a lot of pretty, shiny, colorful compacts of happiness. It's ok. Most of them were buy one get one half off. That makes it all better!

Here's what I came home with:

This has been on my radar for about a week now. I had no intention of purchasing it, but Emily the Benefit Brow Bar Lady was good. She demo'd it on me and I was sold. I can't wait to review it for you!

This has been my go to moisturizer for a couple months now. It's very light weight with a satin finish that helps keep me matte. I love BB Creams and O'lay so I figured I couldn't go wrong here. Will report back!

Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Frisky. This is a gorgeous color. You can't tell on camera but there are little gold flecks throughout the rosey color. I looooove it!

I now own the Nyx Buttergloss in every color. These are my favorite! Highly pigmented and moisturizing without being sticky. I'll add swatches.

I also got two more Maybelline lipsticks. Vivids in Vivid Rose and Whisper in Petal Rebal.

On the left are 4 Maybelline Color Tattoos in Pomegranate Punk, Tough as Taupe, Inked in Pink, and Bold Gold.

The Maybelline Clean Express makeup remover wipes are my favorite. They're super fresh. I picked up a L'oreal True Match crayon concealer in N1-2.

And of course, what I really went to Ulta for, Big Sexy Hair color safe Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner.

I want to back up a little to the beginning of this post where I mentioned Emily the Benefit Brow Bar Lady. Benefit has become one of my favorite high end brands without being too high end. Yes, some of their products are expensive and not so great, but the not so expensive ones are fantastic! I went to their little area to look at the Bad Gal Lash mascara for a friend. Instead, I met Emily and my life has been forever changed.

Emily introduced herself and asked if I had any questions. I didn't at that time, but she was very friendly so I decided to make conversation. Sometimes you learn unexpected things. Then she started talking about their brow services and I got to thinking I was looking a little unruly around the eyes. I love well groomed brows. They frame your face and are a must do for me every day, even if I'm wearing no other makeup. If you have not had the opportunity to visit a Benefit Brow Bar, run, don't walk to your nearest Ulta (or other location that hosts this service.) You, my friends, will not be disappointed.

It took about 15 minutes total start to finish. We discussed what I liked about my brows, what I hated, where my frustrations were, etc. Emily measured and mapped them out and by the time we were done I had perfectly shaped and arched brows. She took the time to explain why we were removing what hairs from where and why she left certain ones that looked out of place to me. It was a very eye opening (literally!) experience that is totally worth the $20.

Before and after. I don't remember the last time my brows were actually the same shape!

Have you visited a Benefit Brow Bar? Loved it? Hate it? Share you best and worst waxing experiences with me!

Thanks for reading and I'll talk to you soon. Bye!