Awesome tip: Customize your gel eyeliner!

Hey you gorgeous gals! Know what I think is one of the hottest things to wear on your lids these days? A vibrantly-dark-but-shimmery smokey eye. (I also think hyphens are hot, obvs.) And what easier way to achieve this than with some lusciously pigmented gel eye liners in various yummy shades? Just sweep it on, blend in a bit of shadow, and Bob's yer (expertly made-up) uncle.

But of course, some of us (ahem) don't actually have a real income with which to buy a plethora of gel liners, and even if we did would rather avoid the accusatory gaze of certain significant others for buying yet ANOTHER cosmetic item (hey buddy, me and the shiny pretty things are a package deal, capiche?).

However! Because I'm so smart that I decided to go to graduate school and will never get out(HA!), I stumbled across a trick the other day:

+

... equals TEH AWESOME! Seriously. Just dig out a teeeny tiny clump of your black (or grey, or brown, whatevs) gel liner with your slanted liner brush, and put it on the back of your hand. Then, take another brush and pick up a good amount of a shimmery loose eyeshadow (like a MAC pigment, or loose mineral shadow). Tap the shadow brush so that the powder falls over the liner that's on your hand, then use your slanted brush to blend blend blend. Soon, you will have a smear of custom-created gel liner that you can use to add quick and easy drama to your eyes! So awesome.

The best part is that you can use whatever colour strikes your fancy. I'm thinking that it's probably most effective to use a light iridescent shade, since the dark liner will deepen the colour considerably. But hey, go nuts and experiment. I'm thinking glitter (cosmetic-grade, of course) would be hot too.

And, let's face it, this is the only way I'll ever come close to finishing that jar of liner. Or an eyeshadow, for that matter.

What do you think, bellas? Cool trick? Old news?

Product Review: Cover Girl Lash Blast Luxe Mascara

They say a girl can never have too much shimmer in her life. And well, not to be a snot, but obviously that is untrue. Frosty 90's shimmer is rarely a good thing. Shimmer lotion spackled on so thickly it rubs all over your fancy little black party dress making you look like you had a run-in with a deodorant stick -- also not good. Shimmery* sequined tights a la Jason Meyer's atrocity on the Project Runway Canada finale? *Shudder*

But generally speaking, a little shimmer is a good thing. It adds depth, interest, and sparkle. It's fun and girly! So a little shimmer should help pretty much any product, right? This must have been what the folks at Cover Girl were thinking when they came up with Lash Blast Luxe Mascara. Shimmer in a mascara? Why not? People luuurve shimmer. Right?


Well, maybe it's just me, but the shimmer in Lash Blast Luxe does absolutely nada. I got the blue shade (it's called the very dramatic Black Royale), which, as far as I can tell, is a black base with blue shimmer. Once it's on the lashes though, I can barely see the shimmer at all. I certainly can't tell if it 'brightens' my eyes or whatever. If I look super closely, I can tell something's there, but it sort of just looks like I was messy when applying my shimmer eye shadow and got some on my lashes. Hmm.

Despite the shimmer having little-to-undesirable effects, I actually quite liked the forumla. It seems a bit drier than the original Lash Blast, which means that while it didn't create quite as much volume for me, it was much better at getting that soft feathery look. A bit softer than the regular Lash Blast, but also easier to deal with (Lash Blast original got a little clumpy sometimes, and my lashes would stick together). It stays on well, is smudge free, and I can wear it with contacts on no problem.

So would I recommend this? Well, if you love Lash Blast already, then you probably don't need this. But if the original Lash Blast was a bit too wet for you, or if you haven't tried Lash Blast and like the idea of having (barely-perceptible) shimmer in your mascara, then go ahead and grab a tube. It's definitely not a bad product, just don't go expecting Liza-Minelli-crossed-with-Vegas-showgirl lashes from this!



* Okay, technically I guess that's more "sparkly" or "blingy". It was horrific however you slice it. Also, I totally want the Jessica Biffi Winner's dress now! Oh to have $100 extra. Or $400 extra, so I can get it in all those colours. Mmmm... sherbet-y.

Product Review: MAC Cream Color Base and Paint Pot

The Boy wanted to take a jaunt down to Buffalo a couple weekends ago to pick up some kicks (how balla), and of course you know I can't turn down a US shopping spree. Especially if it involves a trip to the Cosmetics Company Outlet store!

For those of you who don't know, CCO is the outlet store for all of Estee Lauder's brands. This means they'll stock products from Clinique, Bobbi Brown, MAC, and various other brands, including Estee Lauder, of course. While the colours aren't the most current (you won't find the Hello Kitty release there for a few months yet!), the prices are good, the choices are plentiful, and everything has a tester. So basically, I'm like a kid in a candy store there.

This last trip, I picked up a trio of MAC products: 2 cream color bases and a paint pot. The cream colour bases is a soft creamy product meant to be used all over the face. Hush is a neutral-warm pinky-beige shade, and it's great for a subtle shimmer on the eyes, or as a highlighter. Improper Copper is a bit more bold, and leaves a soft golden-bronze tint wherever you apply it. I love it on my lips topped with gloss, it's such a happy, peachy, summery colour! Almost a nude lip shade for me, but a bit sexier. There's a very fine but apparent shimmer in it, so it leaves a gleaming finish, but not it's not so frosty that one looks like a drag queen from the 90's. Can't wait for summer to arrive so I can use it as a subtle, shimmery bronzer!

While the formula is nice and smooth on these cream color bases, the staying power on my lids isn't terrific. It's really not that bad, but after 4 hours or so of wear, I'll start to see some creasing. If you're looking for a die-hard kind of eye colour, you must check out MAC's Paint Pots. The shade I got, Greenstroke, is a murky silvery blue-tinged green that can be worn either smokey or bright. It's got a bit of a futuristic feel to it. I used it on St. Patrick's day under some shimmery teal shadow for a bright-eyed look. Fun for a day out shopping, but probably not the best for work (fortunately I work at a place where your boss never notices -- never mind cares -- what you look like). I can't wait to try it as a smokey eye, smudged up with some black liner and maybe a touch of grey shadow. Paint Pots are a bit tricky to apply, because you have to blend fast before it sets, and you'll want to use a light hand to start, as they are pretty pigmented. But once it's on, this stuff will last and last and last, so no worries about touch-ups while you're traipsing all over town looking like your fierce bad-ass self.

Okay lovelies, I have lots more to talk about, but it will have to wait until after I'm back from a conference in sunny California. If you're jealous, maybe it will help to know that it's probably the most boring part of California. But hey, I'm never one to turn down sunshine & warmth!

Product Review: Annabelle Eyeshadow

Hey folks! This will be a random sort of post... I had a big fun-and-funnel-cake filled day at Canada's Wonderland today, so I am kinda pooped, not to mention a bit queasy still from all the sugar and spinning.

But some things cannot wait! There are often times when I bemoan my Canadian status, in the sense that there are so many great drugstore lines (e.g., Max Factor, Neutrogena, etc) that just aren't available up here. But sometimes, the tables turn and it is WE that have awesome brands that can only be had from the Great White North. Quebec-based Annabelle Cosmetics is definitely one of these, and my Canadian lovelies, this one's for you!

I've tried their blushes (ok, but not too exciting) and lip glosses (great texture and shine, but somewhat limited colour selection). But the real standouts are their eye shadows... smooth, silky shades with good colour payoff (no chalkiness here) that blend well and stay put. Some people even draw favourable comparisons to MAC shadows... what more could you ask for?

I have Annabelle shadows in just 3 shades so far... Gleam (pictured) is a pretty, neutral (almost cool) shimmery light-to-midtone champagne shade, perfect as a base or highlight. Suedine (pictured)is a gorgeous neutral-warm taupe, perfect for creating a softly smokey eye. It's not really as dark or red as it looks. Cloud is a shimmery light silvery taupe, cooler than Suedine, but great as a highlight shade for said soft smokey eye.


I've also tried a couple of eyeshadow duo's from Annabelle, but they didn't really appeal... not sure if I just picked the wrong shades, or if the quality is actually not as good. They also shatter relatively easily, which is not good for my clumsy self. But the single shadows! They are winners.

Oh, and what handy timing! Shopper's Drug Mart is having a sale on these! $2.99 for select types of Annabelle shadows, eye liners, and lip liners (oh, yeah, the lip liners are nice too! Love the metallic ones... Berry Bijou is so creamy it's almost lipstick). Even at the regular price of around $6, the single shadows are a steal, and with a good mix of easy-going shades and trendy pops of more vibrant colours, I will for sure be stocking up! The sale is only on until Friday Oct 3, so get on down and check it out!

Awesome Sale! 25% off ANY Lumiere Cosmetics Purchase

Hey folks! If you've been a long-time reader of this blog, you'll know that I am a huge fan of Lumiere Cosmetics. And if you're also a fan, or you're looking to try out some new mineral makeup, then there's no better time to act, because Lumiere is offering a 25% discount on their entire inventory*! Lumiere's prices are very reasonable to begin with, so this extra discount adds up to a really fantastic deal.



While I'm super thrilled about the deals, the reason behind the sale is bittersweet: The owner of Lumiere, Kim, recently lost her beloved dog Bruno. Bruno was a rescue pup from the Humane Society, and had been a gentle and loving companion to Kim and her kids for the past 8 years. Bruno will be greatly missed and fondly remembered, and Kim is paying tribute to his memory by donating 10% of all profits during this sale period to her local Humane Society, so that other pets like Bruno can continue to be adopted into loving homes.

Having dealt with Kim on several occasions, I can say that she is the nicest person, and her dedication to her customers amazes me every time I deal with her. I'm so sorry for her loss, but so appreciative that she is taking time and effort to do good deeds with her business, even during what must be a difficult time for her. Please support her endeavour (and the Humane Society!) by checking out the Lumiere website... you're sure to find something you'll like!


As for me? Predictably, I had trouble cutting down the huge list of things I wanted. I'm stocking up on their Luminess mineral foundation, which gives light coverage and a beautifully glowy (not sparkly) finish. As well, I've fallen hard for Sweet Cherub silk blush: it is this gorgeous, slightly shimmery nude-pink that looks angelic and innocent, and unlike any other blush I've tried.




I'm also getting a truckload of eyeshadow samples (seriously, these little containers last FOREVER), and I'm looking forward to testing out their mini-lip gloss sampler as well (so cute! 6 shades! your choice! only like $11!).






Another favourite is Lumiere's Silk Radiance in Island Sands -- a light dusting of it adds a soft-focus glow... it's like carrying around your own personal supply of flattering lighting! In my books, it's essential for a romantic date or a fun night out on the town. Or weddingns. Or photos. Or mornings after you've stayed up all night blogging and your face looks as blah as you feel. I think you get the point.




Oh, and I can't believe I've never given it a proper review, but Lumiere happens to make the best Kabuki brush I've ever tried, forever and ever amen. I couldn't imagine applying mineral foundation without it: kitten-soft, but dense and firm enough to do the job right, this thing has yet to shed 1 hair, and I've been using it daily for over a year. Plus, it's only $16, which means only $12 with the discount! Crappy drug-sore kabukis cost more than that... if I didn't already have 2, I'd buy another one. (Have I mentioned how much I love this brush??)



Okay, that's enough out of me for now. Get on over to the website and place your order already! The sale is only on until Friday September 26th, so don't miss out!



* Minimum purchase of $10. Which is laughable, since I could easily spend 10x that amount on their stuff.

Ask the Body Shop!

Hey y'all! Some of you may know that I used to work at The Body Shop back in the day. I loved the job... learned a lot, and made some lifelong friends. It was a blast! One thing I remember especially was watching the training videos for the then-newly released makeup line. I loved The Body Shop's head makeup artist, Chase Aston, both for his helpful tips ("bend the mascar wand when applying to another person's lashes") and for his lurrrvely accent. So when I got the opportunity to ask Chase some of my most burning beauty questions, I jumped at the chance. Here are my questions, and his answers, for your viewing pleasure!



Glitterati: Wedding season is upon us, and with it brings a whole lot of photo ops. Do you have any tips on how to look your best in photographs? (For brides and guests!)

Chase: Here's the secret to looking amazing in your wedding photos: add some special touches that you would not normally wear everyday. Visit your nearest The Body Shop store wearing your normal everyday make-up, and speak to a consultant about trying a new look for a special occasion. Ask her to demonstrate The Body Shop Spring Bloom collection on you and/or any other products to create a look for that special day.



Glitterati: Over the past few seasons, we've seen a lot of striking looks on the runways: from the return of lipstick, to all-over-neutrals, to bold 'n bright eyeliner. What beauty trends have inspired you the most? What trends or looks do you forecast being influential in the upcoming seasons?

Chase: When working on creating color trend collections, I work closely with The Body Shop product development team. The inspiration comes from art, color trends, fashion and the environment. The team liases with trend forecasters, then we discuss new formulations, textures and innovative trends and products. Once we have assimilated all this information, myself and the team then start laying down shades and formulations, that are trend led, innovative and also suit most our global customers. The Body Shop sells in over 52 countries, so it is a very tall order, but very exciting, always.

A trend that I believe will be influential in the upcoming seasons are a near-nude mouth. It catches light for an instant plumping effect and appears ethereal when part of a dewy, monochromatic face. It can be paired with creamy neutrals on eyes and liquid foundation on skin.



My fave Body Shop products for achieving these looks? For a flawless photo-ready complexion, consider applying your liquid foundation with a foundation brush. Yes, it takes more time, but you get a smooth, perfect finish, and you actually end up using less foundation. It's also very easy to stipple on extra product on problem areas, so you get coverage without masky-ness. The Body Shop's foundation brush is nicely weighted, with soft-yet-firm bristles, and at only $20.50, it costs less than other brushes of similar quality.





Since weddings are all about chatting and laughing and drinking and eating, I find that a lip stain lets me do all that without worrying about how my lips look. The Body Shop makes a lightweight gel version in a slightly-cool red. It goes on sheerly for a boost of healthy-looking colour, perfect for Spring. Double-duties as a cheek stain too!






As for the perfect nude mouth... I truly don't believe that there is one nude lipstick that is flattering for all. You simply have to get out there and try on a bunch of colours to see what works best for you. But to acheive an innocent, ethereal look, I cannot wait to try on the new Blushing Daisies Powder. Aside from the adorable compact, the shimmering shades (in Light Pink, for my skintone) look like it would be perfect for creating a multi-faceted, angelic glow. The Marula oil in the formulation keeps it silky soft and non-drying, and the different shades in the compact can be used in varying intensities all over the face for that chic monochromatic look that Chase describes (check out the link above for tips).


Many thanks to the Beauty Blog Network and Chase Aston for making this Q&A possible! Be sure to check back in the next couple of days to see what other beauty bloggers had to ask Chase!



Photos courtesy of The Body Shop and Metropolis Japan

Product Review: Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

Hey guys and dolls! Sorry I've been so MIA recently... it's been an unholy convergence of marking, course work, and a whole lot of birthdays (What happened 9 months ago? Gotta love that festive season baby-makin' spirit!)

If you've been similarly busy and the activity of sleeping has become "optional" in your ever growing list of priorities, you might be tempted to try Smashbox's new Photo Op Under Eye Brightener.




Smashbox make up artists have apparently raved about this... saying that it's a photoshoot staple, and that it almost eliminates the need for concealer. And given Smashbox's primo status as the Reigning Producer Of All Things Primer, I couldn't resist buying the little tube.

Sadly, my sleep-deprived friends, Photo Op was a total bust. If this eliminates the need for concealer for you, then you probably didn't need much concealing in the first place.

This slightly shimmery apricot-tinged liquid is far too thin and non-pigmented to do any good. It does add a slight gleam or reflectiveness to the under-eye area, but it doesn't really aid in the concealing. I've used this both under and over concealer, and still... nada.


The only thing Photo Op does well is make the undereye area feel nice and smooth. So, if you have a great concealer that just doesn't blend well enough, you might find this product helpful. But if you're looking to actually conceal/brighten, just go pick up Maybelline's Age Rewind from the drugstore. It's got both a concealing end and a highlighting end. And while Age Rewind doesn't feel quite as nice, it at least does something. Oh, and it's also less than half the price!

If, like me, you are now stuck with this stuff, one thing I have found that helps it go on more potently is to use the slightly dried product that collects in the threads of the screw-on top.(Helpfully, the tube gets a bit messy/leaky over time.) The drier product gives a bit more coverage. Still not anywhere near sufficient to conceal circles, but it helps a bit. You can also dot it on your undereye area and let it sit for a bit before you start blending for a similar effect.

Or you could just use it as a nice highlighter. A nice, tiny, $20 tube of highlighter.

Product Review: Imju Fiberwig Mascara

aka: "Baby, I'm so imju you..."

Right, so that plan (see last post) didn't work out. Along with some birthday festivities (fun!) and some car problems (horrible! I think it's over for the poor Glitter-mobile...) and some concert action (Michael Bublé = delicious!), there simply wasn't time for posting.

But through all of that, my lashes stayed pretty, thanks to Imju's Fiberwig Mascara.

Promising a theatrical falsies-like effect, Imju Fiberwig deposits little fibers onto the tips of your lashes, adding length and colour in one step. I really wish they hadn't mentioned the "falsies" factor though -- while this mascara provides good length, separation, and a nice glossy black colour, it doesn't do much for volume. So those looking for full, fluttery, fat lashes will be disappointed.

I do love this mascara for an everyday look though. It's what I had wanted Clinique's Long and Pretty Lashes to be. (Instead, that one gave me long, pretty, smeary lashes.) Imju's Fiberwig does not smear. Ever. I have partied and slept and cried in this stuff and it just doesn't smear. If you get it wet and start rubbing at it, it will flake off a bit, but that's it. Perfect for conferences or important meetings where you want something on your lashes, but simply cannot have smudging.

So yes, Fiberwig, I'm totally into you. And at under $13 (plus ship) on Sasa.com, I think I can see you in my future.

My Beauty Routine

Hellooo! How are you all? It was Thanksgiving up here in the Great White North, and I spent the weekend in lovely Perth Ontario, where I lived out my pastoral fantasies, except with plumbing and beds and TVs, and not so much with the livestock or farming. In other words, I just did not-a-whole-lot, and enjoyed a home-cooked turkey dinner that was delish. It was a refreshing getaway!

So a reader had asked me to divulge my daily beauty routine, and I'm more than happy to oblige. Perhaps you will send me hate-mail because I have this many steps. Or perhaps you feel I don't do nearly enough, and am not qualified to write a beauty blog, and will get many wrinkles very soon. But caution to the wind... here it is (with reviews in links if I have 'em)!


1. Wake up. Hit the snooze button about 15 times.

2. Cleanse. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. Always and Forever.

3. Moisturize. Varies, depending on what I have on hand, or if I'm testing something for review. L'Oreal HappyDerm is an old standby. Right now, I'm trying a new one by Garnier, called Garnier Light that I found in Hong Kong. Review to come!

4. Lipbalm. Also varies, but I like a nice emollient one to start off my day. Smith's Strawberry Lipbalm is a favourite, and right now I'm using a lot of Sephora Professional's lip balm. It's not quite as moisturizing as the Smith's, but it has a nice lightly minty vanilla scent to it that's great for the AM. Also, I don't know where my Smith's balm is.



5. Foundation. I'm really loving Lumiere Cosmetics' Mineral Makeup. My skin has never been calmer. It also eliminates the need for primers or finishing powders, which is great (see above re: snooze button). Also, blending is super-fast, since all it takes is a few quick buffs with the kabuki. If I feel like I need more coverage, I might reach for Awake Invention's Hydro Manage makeup, or Maybelline's new-ish Superstay Silky liquid foundation.



6. Curl eyelashes. I use some drugstore-brand eyelash curler. The one from Tarte broke after like 6 months, that lil' bastard.

7. Eyeshadow. Being of Asian persuasion, this step is pretty quick. I pick a colour (usually light shimmery brown, or goldy, or lilac), and swipe it on my eyelid crease. Wink once in the mirror, and Bob's yer uncle. For extra special days (or for when I want to pretend I am a grad-school rock star) I use a dampened slanted liner brush to push some dark & sparkly colour right into my upper lash line. I don't do anything to my lower lashes, because it inevitably smears and "heroin addict" is not the best look for me.

8. Mascara. Cover Girl Volume Exact is my standard weapon of choice.


9. Concealer. Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation/Concealer is my fave, but I do use TimeBalm on occasion (mostly when I don't feel like going all the way into my purse to grab my Cinema Secrets).

10. Blush. Still stuck on Lumiere's blushes -- Terra Cotta and Poppy, depending on the day. Sometimes I will brush on a bit of Tarte's Park Avenue Princess bronzer if I'm feeling a little pale.


11. Lips. Hoo boy. I leave this until last because there are just so many options. And also because I sometimes forget to put on gloss/lipstick until I am on my way to wherever I am going. Generally, I go for light, natural glossy lips, unless it's a red lip day, in which case it's all about the wines and burgundies.




Whew! It sure looks like a lot of steps when it's spelled out like that. I probably go through the whole thing in about 15 minutes though, just enough time to spritz on some perfume and run out the door!

As for night-time, I just use the same Dermalogica cleanser to take everything off (yes, even the mascara!), and moisturize. I might switch to a heavier cream if I'm feeling dry or sensitive, but for the most part, I use the same thing as I do in the morning. No eye creams, serums, or toners... shocking I know. Just give me a few years, I'll get there. ;)


And there you have it! Armed with this knowledge, it's as if you're looking right into my bathroom while I'm getting ready in the morning. That sounded so much less creepy in my head.

What's your morning routine like?

Product Review: Lumiere Cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadows

Hi friends! Here I am again! Posting! For the 2nd day in a row! Just as I promised!

So today is Part Eyeshadow of my review of Lumiere's line of mineral makeup. Check out yesterday's post for my thoughts on the foundation.




Ooooh, how I love a pretty sparkly shadow. And ooooh how I love a company that has over 100 shades, in various finishes! I got the Soft Brown, Divine, and Light Plum shades.

Soft Brown is just that -- a lovely shimmering brown that goes on dry for a sheer wash of colour; a neutral with some kick.











Divine is a rich sparkling purple -- a total rock-star shade for me. I use it with a damp brush as a liner, and it is awesome. You can go smokey or edgey, and it doesn't look garish.






Light Plum was a bit pinker than I usually go for, but looks seriously pretty if I use a light hand. If you like rose/wine shades, you'll like this.








All three shades I tried were from the Eye Shimmers line. The company also makes matte colours, sheer and intense iridescent shimmers, and even a special line for sensitive eyes. Although I've never used a MAC Pigment, I bet that these would give MAC a run for its money. The shimmers in these look phenomenal. Just stunning. I'd to try some of their sheerer shades, which would more suit my every-day style.

(Here's a tip: If you want to try the Proenza Pink trend, but don't want to commit to buying a lipstick, try mixing a pink shade of shadow like Blush or Pink Pearl with a bit of lipbalm. Even if it ends up looking hideous on your lips, it'll probably still look great on your lids!)


Hope everyone has a fantastic long weekend! Here are some great beauty reads to check out between the Easter Egg hunts and the coma-inducing chocolate consumption:


Ageless in Los Angeles tells us about Jerry Hall's Walk of Fame

All Lacquered Up Explores New Nail Territories - The Underside

Beautiful Makeup Search tries "h" Serum - a Human Growth Hormone for your Skin

Beauty and Fashion Tech takes a look at Kenozki Skin Care

Beauty and Personality Grooming tries treating acne with essential oils

Aveda launches Earth Month, and Pretty by Nature shares the story.

Spa Blah Blah features True Beauties: Childhelp Founders Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson

The Beauty Newsletter is excited about Sephora 's 75% off sale. Elke's getting some goodies!

The Life of a Ladybug asks: Yes'n or No v'n: the Louboutin Manicure

Let's talk about beauty and health gives us Tips for your skin (Part 1)

Product Review: Cover Girl Volume Exact Mascara

Okay, this is probably semi-old news for most of you, but I figured I should post about it anyway. I finally got my hands on some Volume Exact mascara! And as predicted, it's a winner!





If you've tried and liked Lash Exact, you'll probably love Volume Exact. It's got a similar brush and formula in that it defines lashes really well, and prevents clumping. However, Volume Exact definitely gives more oomph, and a bit more length as well. We're not talking an outrageous, "falsies" look here, but it is a very attractive, full & feathery effect.

Also great is that Volume Exact has kept the long-wearing factor of LashExact ... while still not waterproof, it lasts through a normal day no problem. I do notice a bit more flaking than Lash Exact if I've slept in it (I do it in the name of science people! Not drunken & uncoordinated laziness, as many might imagine), but for your typical work day or night out, it's not a concern at all.

As for ease of application, if you've never used the spindly-plastic brushes before, it'll take a bit of getting used to. Otherwise, it's a snap. There is a teeeeny bit of clumping sometimes, but it's easily fixable with a couple light strokes of the mascara wand... I've never had to reach for a lash comb. So, while the effect is not quite as dramatic as Rimmel's Magnif'eyes*, it's also a heck of a lot quicker to apply.

So yeah, continued kudos for the Cover Girl mascara people. Big loud BOOOOS to the Cover Girl ad people who put "Andrea, Canada's Next Top Model" in a TruBlend lipstick print ad that I saw in a Chatelaine** at the dentist's today. Why can't they make her look pretty, dammit???



* By the way, Magnif'eyes has been in Canada & the US for some time now. They changed the name to "Eye Magnifier" for some reason. I guess they figured that the oh-so-clever pun wouldn't travel well across the pond? Whatevs, as far as I can tell, it's the exact same product.

** A Canadian women's mag, possibly similar to Redbook. They have nice recipes in there.

Prouct Review: Rimmel Magnif'eyes Mascara

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Cover Girl's Lash Exact Mascara. Clump free and non-smudging, it leaves lashes separated & defined -- a very natural, pretty look. However, it is not a va-va-voom mascara. It does not give a whole lot of volume or drama. It will not give you heavy, sooty lashes that beckon your beau(s) to come hither with nary a flicker.

So I was intrigued when I saw Rimmel's new Magif'eyes Mascara. It claims to "boost volume and length to the limit", while providing separation and control. The brush was like that of Lash Exact's, with plastic, spikey-looking bristles. A badass mascara that would be as clump-free as Lash Exact? I had to try it.




Okay, first and foremost, this is NOT clump free. It's not terrible, but while Lash Exact separates with very little effort, Magnif'eyes can leave small clumps on the lash, and make lashes stick together, especially if you use a heavy hand. I think this is due to the brush... the bristles are not as "sharp", and they are of varying lengths. Maybe this helps in the volume department, but it doesn't do much for separation.

But! There are many redeeming qualities. This baby does give my lashes that sooty darkness that was missing from Lash Exact, and lengthens a lot better too. It also adds much more volume, enough so that if I pair this with a dark shadow (or liquid) liner, I end up with what might be called "Geisha Eyes". (Wouldn't THAT be a great name for a mascara!)

Magnif'eyes also holds a curl well, and stays put rather tenaciously. My regular cleanser alone won't cut it -- I have to use an eye-makeup remover to get it off. A teeny bit of smudging sometimes, but it's far better than any other volumizing mascara I've tried. To me, this is a great thing. When I want big drama lashes, it's usually because I'm going out on the town or doing something fabulous*, and my mascara needs to keep up.

So, moderate clumping issues aside, I quite like this one. If you use a light hand and keep the lash comb handy, even the clumping thing isn't a huge deal. I'll be really interested to check out Max Factor's Volume Couture and Cover Girl's Volume Exact Mascaras (because you know they are the same company, with the same ingredients in the same products, right?). We probably won't see them in Canada until well into the new year, but if they do what Magnif'eyes does, but with less clumping, it may well become my daily favourite!

[Note: I'm pretty sure I first heard about Volume Exact from Yummy411's review. Reading it again now just makes me want to try it more!]



* Please note that "fabulous" for a grad student often means Cranium parties. Humdingers is my secret super-power.

Product Review: Tarte Cosmetics -- Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler & Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara

My first ever review for Meg's Makeup! Thank you, readers for being a part of this momentous occasion! My reviews for Meg's site will be sort of a summary of my longer reviews here, because I know that her readers might not have the inifinite patience that you lovely people must posess to get through my rambly reviews. So if you're pressed for time (or have run out of patience), check out the condensed version over there.

Today, my lashes are presented to the world courtesy of Tarte Cosmetics. I first curled them using Tarte's Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler:




Don't that look hi-tech! I'm used to using curlers with the 'scissor-like' handles, like the one you see here, so grappling with the purple-squeezy thing was a bit awkward at first. The mechanism did seem to give a bit more control over how hard you squeeze, and thus you get more control over the amount of curl you end up with. It takes more time than usual to position the curler properly (again, this could be because I'm unfamiliar with the design), but once there, it catches the small "outer" lashes a bit better than my usual drugstore curlers. Some of them still manage to escape, but a few more clamps usually takes care of them.

I had to use a light hand with the clamping, or else I'd end up with bent lashes. (although this is true of every curler I've tried). Used properly, this gives a natural looking curl. I also tried using this after I put on mascara (go gently, lest you rip out your lashes), and ended up with a more dramatic fringe. Overall, this is a nice, girly looking curler that is effective, but I don't find that it inspires manic devotion like the Shu Uemura curlers apparently do (I wouldn't know, I've never tried those). I'm quite happy with Tarte's version, but it's not like it out-performs drug store curlers by leaps and bounds or anything. Except in the looks department, of course!


Next, I applied Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara, which promises to deliver length, volume, and curl:




Will you just look at that thing? It's shiny purple faux snakeskin! And it has an exclaimation point in its name! Just holding it made me feel like one of those glam rebel chicks. It's the RuPaul of the mascara world, dressed in (the artist formerly known as) Prince's suit. Do I even care if it works?

Well... yeah. I do care. Why else would I have a makeup blog? Fortunately for Lights, Camera, Lashes!*, its cute name and bad-ass packaging do not make up the entirety of its merits. It's also a pretty darn good mascara! I have the sparse straight lashes typical of My People**, but have been blessed with a fairly long fringe. My mom always (randomly) said that having long eyelashes means that you're lazy, so if you slack off a lot like I do, maybe you can have long lashes too!

Anyway. This mascara added some length, but not crazy amounts, which is actually good, since I don't want my lashes to be knocking against my glasses. It gave me a moderate amount of volume... no one will think you're Liza, but it does add a nice oomph. Interestingly, I found that it actually deflated the curl in the lash a bit. It still maintained a nice flirty lift, just weighed down a little. Not a big deal, but I certainly didn't see any added curl.

The staying power is quite impressive. I do get a bit of smudge under one eye, but every single mascara I have ever tried does this, and always in the exact same spot. Maybe I have a weird eye. Maybe I unconsciously wink a lot. That would sure explain why all these creepy men think it's a good idea to have a conversation with me. ("She's either hitting on me, or has a facial nerve disorder! Either way, hook me UP!") Aside from that, Lights, Camera, Lashes! stays put. No flaking or smudging. I even fell asleep in it last night (shut up! I had Thai food! It made me sleepy!) and awoke to find that almost all of the mascara stayed on my lashes.

Lashes don't feel brittle either when you wear this, and I think you could build it up for Rock Star Lashes should you so please. It is a thickish formula though, so have that lash comb ready. FYI, when I apply mascara, I usually wipe excess product off on a tissue beforehand. I find this gives me greater control and more brush strokes to work with (i.e., I can do 3 or 4 strokes without clumping or heaviness). Definitely a good idea for thicker mascaras like this one. Applying it straight from the tube gives a "bigger" look, but at greater risk of clumping if you're not careful. I do notice a tiny bit of itchiness at the end of long days, but after 16 hours of wear, that's not really unexpected.

Overall, this is a pretty good mascara. I'd like to experiment more with a more dramatic look for nights out, but so far, it's fine as a day mascara. And you KNOW that your product-obsessed friend would just squeal with delight if they got this as a present from you. Since mascara is one of those "only when I feel like it" items for me, I wouldn't go out and spend $18 US on this, unless it was as part of a bitchin' present for someone. And it does look awfully bitchin', doesn't it?

And that's a wrap! Come back in the next couple of days and see what I thought of Tarte's Park Avenue Princess Bronzer!



*Because you just KNOW I'd have taken out its kneecaps if it failed to perform. Or maybe laid the brutally-torn-off head of a lash comb next to its pillow. Don't toy with me, mascara. I'm watching you.
** Is that term offensive? One friend always makes uncomfortable eyes at me when I say it. "My People"... it's just another way I refer to Orientals. I don't mean it in the 3rd Reich sense. Oh wait, that was probably way offensive. Man, I suck at this PC stuff.