ALMAY One Coat Dial Up Mascara... Anyone Tried It?

I have seen this mascara a few times now in stores but haven't had the best of luck with Almay mascara's in the past. I feel like it is just another gimmick type mascara on the shelves.

Almay claims 'Adjustable dial allows you to take your lashes from full to fuller to fullest, providing the customized look you want in just one coat. Molded brush separates and defines every lash while quick building volumizing formula applies evenly and easily'. 


I just don't see this one working... but I have been wrong in the past so I want your thoughts! Have you tried this mascara??? Do you think it would do what it claims???

Cargo Triple Action Mascara

I was so excited when got a package in the mail from Cargo that I wasn't expecting! Upon opening it I found a little black tube containing Cargo's newest and yet unreleased mascara! I am a sucker for all things Cargo and all things mascara so I was doubly excited to receive this product!

This mascara claims to curl lengthen and thicken which are all things that I love in a mascara but I was skeptical as to if it could hold up to the claims!! Well I am more then happy to say that this mascara has made into my favourites list!

The mascara has a moulded brush, which actually don't tend to be my favourites but this one was different. It was soft and didn't poke unlike many other brands that use this newest style wand. The formula really does thicken and the brush is what I really felt help to hold the curl in the lashes when applying! I really did see lengthening as well as even though the product thicken's it does it evenly allowing each coat to add length without clumping!

Additional things you need to know about this mascara;

• A revolutionary, flexible film coats, extends and curls, for longer, thicker and fuller-looking lashes
• A moisture retention barrier locks in essential vitamins and conditioners that promote healthy lashes
• A fixing film creates a long-lasting, rub-resistant barrier that won’t smudge
• Jet black pigment makes lashes look visibly defined
• Free of parabens, alcohol and fragrance
• Made in Canada
• Available in the Fall

This mascara has an amino acid and humectant blend – Humectants and amino acids are found naturally in hair follicles. Triple Threat Mascara provides an additional 11 amino acids and PCA (a humectant) which interact with hair to condition and fortify lashes.

I really thought this mascara was a great one for the all around one step category. There is no need for different mascara's and it is all in one step as opposed to those that have a primer etc. I can't wait until this one hits the shelves and you all get a chance to try it out!!

Rimmel LYCRA Lash Extender Mascara

In recent months I have become sort of a fan of Rimmel mascara's. I had avoided Rimmel for quite a while because I just wasn't impressed with much of their colour collection. Once I gave Rimmel mascara's a shot I found them to be quite a good bargain for good quality. Recently while my local drug store had an AMAZING sale I picked up LYCRA Lash Extender as I had heard some good things about it!

Rimmel claims that, 'one coat of LYCRA® Lash Extender Mascara stretches and extends even difficult lashes for an impresive high performance result with 14 hour curl hold. A New high-adhesion, quick dry LYCRA® formula delivers smudge-proof, smear-proof and flake-proof wear for girls on the go.'. Not sure about the curl but this mascara is very nice.

The brush is the traditional spoolie style which I usually like the best to be honest... I guess I'm not high tech!! LOL The mascara is smooth and not at all clumpy creating full lashes. There is no flaking or smudging, and lasted all day on my lashes. I love this mascara when used with my favourite primer, it creates an amazing effect for my lashes!

For the $4 I spent on this mascara when on sale I couldn't ask for better results! There are still some mascara's that I like better, but this has found nice home in my makeup bag and I will pick this one up again when I see another great Rimmel sale and my local drug store!

Revlon Double Twist Mascara

Ok so I am always looking for the next bigger and better mascara, like I know most of you are. When I say Revlon's Double Twist I knew I had to give this 'revolutionary' traditional and rubberized brush a try!!

This product comes in 4 shades including Revlon's Blackened Ruby and retails for anywhere from $8-10 CAD. Revlond claims the following 'MASSIVE Volume, REMARKABLE Definition, Revolutionary 2-in-1 brush. Thickening Brush + Separating Combs = The Ultimate Lash Look'. All I have to say to that is LOL!!!

This has to be one of the worst mascara's I have tried in a long time! The brush is huge and hard to deal with. The opening in the tube is too large allowing mascara to clump up all over the brush, which equals clumpy hard to deal with lashes!

I understand that Revlon was trying to create a product that would meet everyone's needs, but I don't see how it would work for anyone! At first I though maybe the product I had was old or defective, but after reading reviews I know that it's not just me and it wasn't that one tube.

I am a HUGE Revlon fan which is what makes me even more sad that I have to tell you that this product was a fail in my books!

Have you tried this mascara?? If so what did you think of it??

Maybelline XXL Pro Extensions Mascara

Maybelline launched a few products over the holiday season with the launches came Extensions mascara, so I decided to give it a try! At first I thought this would be a comparison to my L'Oreal Beauty Tubes, but this one is a totally different product. It is however extremely similar to the XXL Extensions™ XX-TREME LENGTH Microfiber Mascara So I may try that one next so I can compare for you all!

Maybelline says the following about this mascara 'Sweep the microfiber basecoat from root to tip of lashes to tame and align unruly lashes. Before the basecoat dries, sweep the lash extending topcoat from root to tip of lashes to achieve up to 85% longer lashes.' Ok so I don't know about 85% longer lashes, but once I used this mascara a few times I really started to like the look it gave me!

My lashes look longer, but also fuller which is something Maybelline doesn't claim but it something I love in a mascara. Most 2 step mascara's give great volume and this one is no different. It did not give any clumping, and the mascara stayed in place all day with no flaking or smudging. I did find it took a little work to remove, but it makes sense that it would with this formula.

I did wish that this came in a richer black as I really like my mascara as dark as possible, but those options always come after the launch so here's hoping it comes in the future.

If you love 2 step mascara's be sure to check out my post on L'Oreal Beauty Tubes as well!

Cover Girl's Lash Blast Luxe Mascara Review

So I have previously stated that I did not like Cover Girl's original Lash Blast mascara, but always willing to try something new I wanted to give Lash Blast Luxe a try in the newest 'luxe shimmers'. I bought black Cabernet as I always find burgundy gives my green eye's a nice boost, boy was I disappointed!

This product much like the original formula boasts a very large wand, which I know many people love but I find it difficult to get this product placed well at the lash line without causing a lot of mess on my lids! As soon as I opened the packaging I was shocked, black should not be included in the colour description as this one is a deep red mascara. It is not a true black with red shimmer to it! I do like the formulation of this mascara as it gives some very nice volume to the lashes, but that's where the love of this one stops.

I could not believe how this mascara did NOT make my eye's pop. The red shade comes across as almost a gray on my eye's leaving my lashes looking washed out and not adding any focus to them at all. The cabernet colour did not make my eye colour stand out at all and I had to add a black mascara over top to save my look for the day.

I have not tried the other colours so I would love to know if they are a true black with a shimmer of colour! I was so disappointed when I opened this product after reading black in the colour. Cover Girl should really have labeled this one as a red or burgundy mascara so that people really knew what to expect!

I really wanted to like this one, but yet again I am disappointed with a Cover Girl product!!

Let me know your thoughts on the new Luxe shimmers!!

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

Ok so I know I'm going to have a lot of people argue with me on this one! I tried Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara after seeing many great reviews as well as noticing a lot of youtube guru's using it. I was so exited when I got home to open it up and give it a try especially with how impressed I was with Rimmel Lash Flirt mascara which I recently reviewed. This one claims 7 x's the volume, 3 x's the curves and 'plumped' lashes.

Well I'm sad to say that when I tried this one I was disappointed! I felt like it did nothing for my lashes, leaving them feeling no longer, curled or anything else for that matter! I found that the brush (which is silicone ) was too stiff and did not flex to evenly coat my lashes. If you love a natural look I think you will like this mascara, but for someone like me who loves a full and thick look this one isn't a winner. 

I did find however then when used over my Maybelline Colossal mascara the results were wonderful! ( I have also reviewed this one, so check it out ) The Sexy Curves worked so well to add an extra layer to my Colossal as well as separating my lashes for an almost false lash effect. So I did find a great way to use this mascara in a way that works best for me!

So if you are a Sexy Curves lover please don't hate me! Mascara's are one of those beauty products that just aren't cut and dry. There aren't clear winners and losers, it really depends on what you are looking to achieve. 

Let me know your opinion!!

Rimmel Glam'Eyes Lash Flirt Mascara Review

So as I have stated in the past Rimmel is not my favorite makeup company except when it comes to bronzer, but recently I was enticed to try a new product. After watching a fellow youtuber speak about Rimmel's Lash Flirt I had to give it a try. 

First of all the packaging is absolutely adorable to say the least! It is something you would want to carry in your purse, I think they should use this type of packaging for their lipsticks! (a lipstick review will be coming soon) Packaging only goes so far so lets get on to the actual product review.

The wand on this one is one of the rubber wands that I have stated in the past is not one of my favorites, but this one seems to really work!  It kept my lashes really curled and kept them well separated while still allowing a good amount of product onto the lash. I didn't see amazing length but I thought it gave a very nice look. I loved it when used with a primer to give me more volume because I am always seeking volume as the bottom line for my lashes.

I didn't have any flaking but it still washed of with ease at the end of the day. 

I am still partial to some of the favorites I have discussed in the past but I think Rimmel's Lash Flirt will make it into my makeup kit as a great option when I'm reaching for that mascara every day!

Lancome Cils Booster XL vs Elizabeth Arden Lash Optimizer

If you are always on the quest for the look of false lashes without the false lashes, you know the importance of a good primer. I have tried several over the years  and just wanted to take the time to compare two products that have similar price points. Lancome's Cils Booster XL is the newest in Lancome's primer evolution, there is an oscillating version as well but the formulation is much the same. As well Elizabeth Arden has added a primer to their mascara lineup with their Lash Optimizer primer. As far as I know Arden's formulation has not changed since it was first released, but if it has please let me know by leaving a comment below. This isn't going to as much of a review as a comparison, you can pick your personal winner based on what you read. I do have a favorite if you can guess what it is leave and comment and give me your guess!!

I'm going to start be comparing the applicator wand. These two companies took completely different approaches to the best way to apply primer. Arden decided to go with a much narrower applicator which is meant to be able to get into the lash line to build from roots to tips. I did feel that these short bristles did not apply as much product to the lashes, giving you a very light application. Lancome's primer uses a standard mascara type wand, which holds a lot of product and gives an even thick coat in one application.

Next is a comparison of formulation. Lancome used a very thick formulation which really builds a lot of volume on the lashes. You do have to be careful with this one that you don't overdo it and that you build your look and add mascara before everything has time to dry. Arden does all of their makeup on the more subtle end so it is no surprise that their primer follows the same rule. This primer is a much thinner formulation which allows you to build the volume you want but when using multiple layers there is more of a chance that the primer will dry before you can add your mascara which will give you more clumps an more of a chance that our lashes will stick together.

So there you have it a product comparison. Both are primers but they are so different from one another! Can you tell which one is my favorite?? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

L'Oreal's Double Extend Mascara (Beauty Tubes)

I actually tried this one when it first came out but just haven't gotten around to sitting down and and thinking about what I really think abut it. I don't use this one often only because I usually don't have time for extra steps in my like like a primer and mascara. This one has gotten mixed reviews on the blogging community and on youtube. I found this mascara gives pretty good results, here's the breakdown of this mascara.

Double extend really does leave my lashes looking fuller and longer. It works best if you do not allow the primer to dry before applying the mascara. This is pretty much the opposite of most 2 step mascaras. If I allowed the primer to dry the mascara clumped...not a good look. The products washes off like they claim as well (in tubes) as long as you really soak your lashes with warm water to soften them first. Please do not rub or you may lose lashes with the tubes!

The con's as I said before I really try to avoid anything 2 steps, there are other brands on the market that have tubed mascara without 2 steps. Next due to formulation the wand really gets clumped up often due to the product drying on the wand. I regularly have to wash the wand to remove the buildup so as not to get the clumps on my lashes.

Overall I do like this mascara and I may even buy it again but probably only if it is on sale as I really don't use this one often.

Black

Colossal Volum' Mascara now in Waterproof

Just a little update for anyone who loves Colossal Volum' just as much as I do!! I just saw the waterproof version in store today which makes me very happy. My clients have been asking my why Colossal Volum' isn't in my kit when I talk about how much I love it. The answer was a only carry waterproof in my kit so it wasn't an option!

Well that has now changed. I am waiting for the Walmart in my area to carry it as I hate paying $3 more at a drug store for the same product, but it will be buying it very soon! I do not suggest wearing waterproof everyday as it is drying but for all you ladies who like to wear waterproof on special occasions etc.

I have read one review for the waterproof version (which was all I could find) and they didn't like the waterproof version as well as the washable. As with everything though everyone has their own opinion and I am hoping that Maybelline will not let me down with this one.

I'll give you all an update once I get a chance to try it out!!

Maybelline's Pulse Perfection Mascara Launch

Maybelline is launching a new mascara Pulse Perfection which has a vibrating wand. This is much like Lancome's Oscillation Powerbooster which should be no surprise as both companies are part of the Loreal brand. This mascara is not yet available in stores but can be ordered online from the link I have included within this post. Maybelline's offering is half the price of the Lancome mascara at approx $20 retail and offers much the same promises!

I have not used the Maybelline mascara but I have used Lancome's version. Personally I found it to be a lot of hype. Unless you find it extremely taxing to work your mascara into the lashes this vibration is totally not necessary! I do feel it may work for anyone with limitations in hand movement to achieve a better mascara result but other then those individuals it is really not worth the extra cost.

Although I don't feel it is worth the hype I probably will try this mascara when it comes on the market just to see if some improvements have been made. For all you makeup junkies out there I know you don't want to miss a new product launch.

If you try this one please come back and leave a comment letting us know what you thought of it!

Once I try it myself I will include an updated review!

Mascara's You Should Leave at the Store

I am always on the search for a better mascara which I am sure is something that can be said for most makeup wearers! Mascara is a personal choice and it seems that what works for one just doesn't work for someone else. I am reviewing some of my resent buys that I personally feel you should leave in the store. Some people feel the same and others just don't agree as you can see by reviews on makeup alley.

The first is Maybelline's Stiletto mascara, a brand I usually feel do mascara's well but personally I feel like they didn't get this one right. It took several and I mean 4-5 coats to get the look I usually want. By then my lashes didn't look longer but actually made them loose curl and stand straight out. The brush is great for getting at those little lashes in the corner, but the formulation leaves a lot to be desired as instead of a 'patent finish' as advertised it started to flake within a few hours. There is also an odour that comes from ingredients to nourish the lashes but can cause sensitive eye's to water.

Second is Lash Blast from Covergirl, I had to try it as the advertising just can't be ignored! The formulation is ok, nothing special but doesn't clump that badly and doesn't run. My biggest problem was the bohemith brush which cannot get into corners and when you try to get into the lash line really easily smudges onto the eye lid itself. I just found it too hard to work with and wasn't woth the effort when the formulation of the mascara itself was nothing special.

Thirdly is another Maybelline mascara; Define a lash. I had high hopes for this one and again as with Covergirls offering there was nothing wrong with the formulation itself. My problem again was the brush, it was so flimsy that then you tried to apply it to the lashes the wand would bend and you could not work the product into the lashes. Several companies do great lenthening mascara's with the new elastomer (rubber type) brush. Loreal's Telescopic is my favorite drug store brand giving clump free application that still gives firmness in the wand for proper application. Maybelline just didn't quite get this one right.

So these are the three in the past couple months that I would leave in the store. Soon I will be reviewing my favorites so stay tuned for that!

If you have any products that you would like to see reviewed please send me a message or include in the comment section and I may include it soon.