Back in October of 2008, Makeup Junkie tested and reviewed 10 must-have mascaras and we had a blast doing it! We've gone and tested more mascaras just in time for the hot, sweaty, summer season. If you've been searching for the perfect mascara and don't want to dish out a lot of money to do it, read on because we've got you covered! (Results may vary and can perform differently on everyone.)
Mascara: Stila Convertible Mascara
Rating: 9.5 winks
Price: $22 USD
Special Feature: Innovative polymer formula encases each lash with smudge-proof, water-resistant tubes. Double-ended brush: large brush volumizes and defines while thinner brush defines the lower and harder-to-reach lashes.
Smudge-factor: none!!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: Definitely
Wand: Medium and thin brush
For: Gals who want everything out of a mascara with extra definition.
Overall: I've never tried any mascaras from Stila and was pleasantly surprised that this mascara performed so amazingly! You get it all plus it's one of the few mascaras that didn't smudge or smear after a long day at work. I would have given it a perfect 10, but washing the "mascara tubes" can get a little messy. Expect to invest an extra 5 minutes cleaning the tubes off.
Mascara: Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $24 USD
Special Feature: Waterproof version of the cult classic, Dior Diorshow Mascara. Big fat wand for big fat lashes.
Smudge-factor: yes, very smudgy - boo!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: extreme
Wand: Big fat brush
For: Gals who want big volume, dramatic lashes, and don't normally smudge.
Overall: I was sadly disappointed in this must-have cult fave. Big voluminous lashes - check. Smudgy-smeared mess - check! I figured the water-proof version would not smudge but I couldn't be anymore wrong. I really loved how dramatically long and full my lashes looked but hated the smeary mess it made throughout the day. I found the big fat brush quickly coated my lashes but it was hard not to get the mascara all over my lids. The icing on the cake - the high price tag. All in all, gals who don't have a problem with smearing will love the big faux lash effect but you can probably get the same effect for cheaper.
Mascara: Flirt! Lash-A-Delic in Groovy Blue
Rating: 8 winks
Price: $14 USD
Special Feature: Buildable colour and definition.
Smudge-factor: no
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: natural volume but buildable
Wand: medium wand
For: Gals who want electric colour and fun, bold lashes.
Overall: Love! Adding a bright colour on the lashes adds an element of surprise. It's unexpected and gives a fun twist on your everyday makeup. Groovy Blue is bold but really makes brown eyes pop! If wearing blue on its own is too bright for you, swipe this over your favourite black mascara to tone down the blue. You'll love the volume, lift, and definition this mascara gives you - and not to mention the hot pink packaging! Also available in Boogie Brown and Mod Black.
Mascara: Benefit BADgal Waterproof Mascara
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $19 USD
Special Feature: Waterproof version of the best-selling original, BADgal Mascara. Waterproof and smudge-proof formula that gives you the same voluminous effect as the original.
Smudge-factor: yes!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium wand not like the original fat brush
For: Gals who want lushes lashes while singin' in the rain. Good for those who don't have a problem with smudging.
Overall: Another mascara I had high hopes for. I definitely preferred this brush over the original one because it was easier to coat each lash without the mess. I also liked the lift and volume it gave. I did NOT like the smeary mess it made. It's not fun walking around thinking you look great only to discover hours later that you have mascara smeared all over your bottom lash line. I guess I'm just not one of the lucky ones who don't have smudging issues!
Mascara: CARGO blu_ray Mascara
Rating: 7 winks
Price: $20 USD
Special Feature: Comb-like brush allows for extra definition and a natural finish. Made for high-definition film.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: natural but buildable
Wand: comb-like wand
For: Gals who want extra definition and natural volume.
Overall: You can expect good lift and no clumping with this mascara. The comb-like brush also allows you to get right to the root and those hard-to-reach lashes. If you like a natural finish then this mascara is great, but if you want more volume you can add a few more coats. But if volume is what you want then just go with a volumizing mascara. The mascara smeared a little but surprisingly not as bad as the waterproof brands. While it gave good lift on first application, my lashes did start to droop throughout the day. Bottom line, for those who have naturally voluminous lashes and just want a natural finish and extra definition, then this mascara gets the job done.
Mascara: Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara
Rating: 7.5 winks
Price: $22 USD
Special Feature: A multi-effect volume mascara that is formulated with hard waxes and synthetic polymers. Creamy formula conditions lashes.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium wand
For: Gals who love volume and want to reapply without the clumps.
Overall: I am a huge fan of Anastasia's brow line and was excited to try this mascara. The mascara gave instant volume and lift from the first swipe. I was able to reapply more mascara for extra volume without clumping. It smeared just a bit on the outer corner but nothing too noticeable. All in all, it's a good mascara but you can probably get the same results with a cheaper brand.
Mascara: CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe Mascara
Rating: 7 winks
Price: $8.99 CDN
Special Feature: Blackest-black formula, now tinted with luxe shimmers. Giant luxe brush helps blast lashes to their biggest, boldest and most beautifully shimmering.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: fat wand
For: Gals who loved the original LashBlast mascara but want to give their eyes more attention with some shimma'.
Overall: I'm a huge fan of the original LashBlast waterproof formula, however, while it gives you the same big volume, I found the shimmer really subtle. What's the point of a shimmer mascara if you can barely see it? I applied a few more coats and was able to see it shimmer in the right light. It's kind of gimmicky but fun for perking up those lashes for a night time event.
Mascara: Maybelline Lash Stiletto
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $9.29 CDN
Special Feature: Elastic formula stretches lashes up to 70% visibly longer in one step. Pro Vitamin B-5 and silk protein strengthen and condition for hi-gloss black-patent shine.
Smudge-factor: a lot
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: wand is tapered at the end
For: Gals who want sky-high length and glossy shine.
Overall: This mascara gave good lift and length but nothing extreme compared to other lengthening mascaras. I found the length of my lashes to look the exact same compared to that of a volumizing mascara. I did like the wet glossy finish it gave my lashes but hated how much it smeared and smudged. The tapered brush made coating each lash really easy but overall didn't win me over.
Mascara: Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara
Rating: 7.5 winks
Price: $16.50 USD
Special Feature: Mineral pigments add natura rich colour. Anacia Senegal thickens for length and volume.
Smudge-factor: none
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: natural
Volume: natural
Wand: medium
For: Gals who are looking for something all natural for the lashes in every way - natural finish and natural ingredients.
Overall: I like the natural ingredient factor, however, the finish was too natural for my almost non-existent lashes. This is great for the "no-makeup-makeup-look" when going to the gym when you just want a little definition. The volume is buildable but it took several coats before I was satisfied with the volume. At least there are no clumps! Amazingly, it did not smudge. Not sure if that has anything to do with the mineral pigment possibly working like a stain on the lashes.
Mascara: Lise Watier 24 Hrs Glam Mascara
Rating: 4.5 winks
Price: $20 CDN
Special Feature: Elastic polymer formula and Flexi-QueenTM brush surrounds each lash with 3D waterproof film for 24 hour glamourous look. Waterproof and resists sweat, humidity and tears.
Smudge-factor: none but it did flake
Clump-factor: very clumpy
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium
For: Gals who want glamourous volume all day and all night.
Overall: Do not attempt a 2nd coat if you want to avoid a clumpy, spidery-mess. It's no joke when they say it's elastic. When I applied a 2nd coat the elastic fibers stuck to each other. It was like stringy cheese! It would also pull some of the first coat off which was very annoying. When I attempted to comb the clumps out, I ended up taking the mascara off instead and had to reapply in some areas. There was no smudging but the mascara did flake a lot. While the lift and volume lasted all day, my lashes looked like a mess.
To view previous mascara reviews click Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Round 4!
What's #1 on your mascara list? Have you tried any of these? Makeup Junkie wants to know!
Beauty Feature: Mascara's Battle It Out Round 5!
Beauty Feature: Brow Power!
Just because the economy isn't looking so great doesn't mean your brows should suffer! Empower those brows with beautiful arches and radiant highlights! Anastasia Baked Highlighting Brow Kit ($32 US), just in time for Spring, is a convenient kit for brows and eyes. The uniquely blended terracotta baked trio is perfect wet or dry on brows and eyes for a fabulous wash of shimmer. Known to calm, soothe, and soften the skin it contains the exclusive Balkan Botanical Infusion containing rare plant and herb extracts found only in the rich soil of Romania.
This brow essential comes with 3 brow shades for custom blending and 3 shimmery shadows (champagne, gold, and peachy-pink) to highlight the brow bone or to be applied as a shadow across the lids. I love the natural finish of the brow powders and have been using this everyday since I got my hands on it. The shadows are really pretty but I find the shimmery finish to be a little intense for every day. I find it looks more natural highlighting the inner corner, center of lid and the brow bone. You can also use the brow shades to contour the crease or line the eyes. Cased in a magnetic snap closure with a floral design, it ain't just pretty - the kit is made for beauties on a budget!
http://anastasia.net
Makeup Junkie Readers' Beauty Stash Awards 2008!
The 2nd round of our Makeup Junkie Readers' Beauty Stash Awards 2008 is the Best in Complexion! We want to know what foundation you just can't live without, what blush gives you the perfect flush and much more!
Here are the contest details:
To vote visit: Best In Complexion 2008
Start: November 19, 2008, 12:30 pm
End: November 27, 2008 12 pm
Giveaway: 1 lucky winner will receive the limited edition Cargo Holiday Nights Collection and limited edition Anastasia Mini Brow Kit, a combined retail value of $50 USD! Those participating in this survey will have the chance to win this must-have beauty prize! Winners will be chosen randomly and announced December 1, 2008 at 12:30 pm. Good luck!
Beauty Review: Anastasia's Newest Stars
I am blessed with the most unruly, bushiest brows. I swear, they have a mind of their own. Ever since I've started using Anastasia's brow products, my brows have never looked so perfectly arched! Anastasia's newest stars have got me swooning. I never usually get compliments on my brows until now.
Anastasia Brow Pen - Long Wearing Brow Tint ($21 USD) scared me a little at first. I had visions of tattooed, fake looking brows. I applied the pen like I would using a brow pencil - in short, sketch-like strokes, mimicking my natural hair (shake the product before use). It filled in my sparse areas quite nicely but once it started to set turned a reddy-brown. It's supposed to be a universal shade. I took a spooly brush and blended the stain in with my natural hair then applied Anastasia's Brow Filler in Brunette over top. The result was fuller, natural looking brows. The picture of above is of me after a concert on my way to an after-party where I was full-on sweating. The tint didn't fade and my brows still looked perfect by the end of the night!
Anastasia Brow Duality ($23 USD) is a must for accentuating your brow shape. These duo highlighting brow pencils include a matte and shimmery highlighter. I was also delighted to know that the pencils came in 2 shades, one suitable for fair to medium skin tones and one for medium to dark skin tones. In a previous review, I had expressed that it would be nice if Anastasia came out with a highlighter for darker skin tones! Matte Camille/Sand Shimmer is pink based flesh tone and iridescent beige. Matte Shell/Lace Shimmer is yellow based flesh tone and iridescent gold. I love how it accentuates my brow shape plus make my eyes appear brighter! Use the matte side for day and give yourself a little shimmer for night. The shimmery side is also great for highlighting the inner corner of your eyes, cheekbones, and lips! Your beauty stash wouldn't be complete without it!
Have you tried Anastasia's latest star products? Love it? Hate it?
www.sephora.com
Think Pink: Anastasia Swarovski Pink Ribbon Precision Tweezers
Plucking those brows can be a lil' painful, but you'll forget about the pain knowing that 50% of all proceeds from the sale of Anastasia's Limited Edition Swarovski Pink Ribbon Precision Tweezers will go to The Entertainment Industry Foundation - Women's Cancer Research Fund. Hand-adorned with a genuine Swarovski Crystal Pink Ribbon, these tweezers not only give off a pretty twinkle but they can grab at the finest and shortest of hairs! Love it!
Available now for $33 USD at Nordstrom stores and at www.anastasia.net.
http://beautyblognetwork.com/
Makeup 101: Faking A Good Night's Rest
Getting a restful 8 hours of sleep every night seems like a far away dream for me and for most people. If you can't get the real stuff then fake it! Oh, where would we be without our fabulous beauty products?? Here are some products and tips that can take you from looking like blah to bright-eyed and gorgeous!
Step 1: When I've had a really late night especially if alcohol has been involved, splashing some really cold water on my face and my eyes always seems to wake me up. My skin always looks fresh and less swollen. Tricks for red, dry eyes? Drop a little Visine to make the whites look brighter. Puffy bags? I sometimes like to put my eye cream in the fridge. The cooling effect soothes and helps calm the puffiness. If that doesn't work, I've heard tea bags or cold spoons on the bags works.
Step 2: Moisturize the eye area really good with your favourite eye cream. I haven't found THE one yet, so I'm not going to recommend one. I always find dry, flaking skin around the eyes makes you look tired. You want the skin around your eyes to look luminous.
Step 3: Use a creamy concealer to even out the skin tone around the eyes and to cover dark circles. When covering dark circles, only apply concealer where the discolouration is. I like to use my fingers because the product just melts into the skin, but sometimes you have to use a small concealer brush to really get in there. My concealer of choice right now is Benefit's Erase Paste ($26 USD). This little perk-me-up is a concentrated, creamy concealer that brightens and camouflages those dark circles and blemishes. A little goes a long way so build until you are satisfied with the coverage. The good thing is that it never looks cakey or heavy. After applying on your circles, go ahead and even out your skin around your nose and any blemish. This comes in 3 shades: Fair, Medium and Deep. If you have medium dark skin and are planning to use this on its own, go for Deep because the Medium seems too light. Those with darker skin will have to use underneath a foundation that matches your skin.
An extra step you can do is to set the concealer with powder. People with wrinkles tend to skip this but I've found that Benefit's Powderflage ($28 USD), a light-diffusing powder concealer for eyes and face is fine enough that it doesn't settle into the lines. Just sweep the light pink powder over your dark circles or fine lines with the "flager" brush that is included (looks like a fan) and like magic you'll look more youthful and awake! The set also includes a beauty lesson so you can disguise those circles like a pro!
Step 4: Highlighting key areas can make all the difference. It will brighten areas that can look rather dark. You can fake that awake look with Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand ($22 USD). This double-ended brightening wand has a nude-peach pencil on one side for lining the inner rim of your eye, making the whites of your eye brighter. On the other side is a shimmery pink highlighter that you can dab in the inner corner of the eyes, just a touch on the brow bone and a little on the cheekbones.
Those with med-dark to darker skin tones may prefer Anastasia's Eye Lights Shimmer ($21 USD). I LOVE this highlighter! This lovely iridescent beige pencil has made a nice little home in my makeup bag. Swipe it on the lids when you're in a hurry for a little glimmer or dab on the lips for some extra pout.
Step 5: Curl those lashes! Doing this will open up the eye even more. Swipe on a coloured mascara like Benefit's BADgal Plum Mascara ($19 USD). This plum shade will enhance any eye colour, taking the attention away from any other flaws you want to hide. I swiped this on yesterday and loved how my plain ol' brown eyes popped! My lashes looked so lush and full. I'm very particular with my mascara and very delighted that it never smudged. On its own the plum shade is a little more vibrant and over top of black mascara is more subtle. If you're a fan of the original BADgal mascara then you'll love this one for sure!
Step 6: A little colour never hurt nobody. When you don't get enough sleep, your skin looks a little paler. For me, it's a lot paler. With the help of some bronzer, looking sun-kissed makes you look healthier instantly. Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer ($28 USD) is a feather light mineral bronzer that contains ingredients like Vitamin A and E, which act as antioxidants to fight free radical damage and mineral pigments that are known for soothing and softening properities. Just swipe on the high points of the face. This pearly bronzer comes in handy when I need a healthy glow. And how luxe is the bronze case?? You'll love pulling this out of your purse for touch-ups!
Step 7: Gone are the days where women pinched their cheeks for a little rouge. Adding blush to the apples of the cheeks is the perfect perk-me-up. Rosy cheeks always makes you look a little healthier and a little happier. I LOVE Tarte Cheek Stain in Flush ($28 USD), a sheer berry. I actually used this yesterday morning after a very late night. The stain lasts all day, leaving you glowing and radiant. Dab on the cheeks and voila - the perfect flush. For a peach glow, try Tipsy a definite must-have.
Step 8: Finish faking a good night's rest with a swipe of gloss for some healthy shine. Too Faced Mirror Mirror Gloss in I Know You Want Me ($16 USD), is a clear gloss that has the sexiest dose of shine. Your lips look like glass and feel so smooth. These scented glosses are full of antioxidants that nourish and protect your lips. If you want a little more colour try I Love Myself!, a sheer pink. Don't you just love the names? These will give you a boost of confidence!
Now go fake a good night's rest! Or just go to bed! ;)
Beauty Feature: Anastasia Knows Brows
Audrey Hepburn knew the power of the brow and how the right shape could instantly transform your face. Anastasia Soare, celebrity brow guru and founder of her famed brow collection, also knows the power of the brow and how it can instantly polish your look and make you look younger.
Are your brows apart of your overall look or just an after-thought? I've come to learn after many years of over-plucking that I need my brows! I was looking back on old photos and my brows were scary - thin and rounded. Not a good shape especially since I have a round face. Thanks to Anastasia's brow line, all us over-tweezers can finally stop agonizing and achieve the perfect brow!
All About Brows Kit ($75 USD, also sold separately): This kit has everything you need to help you find the perfect brow shape for your face. The chic little case includes Brow Gel, Tweezers, Brow Powder Duo, four Brow Stencils, Duo Angle/Spooley Brush, and an Eye Lights Matte highlighting pencil. Select the stencil that best matches the shape of your brows. Fill in the stencil with the Brow Powder Duo using the Duo Angle/Spooley brush and tweeze the stray hairs outside of the stencil. I like to use the Spooley side to blend the powder into brow for a natural finish. Set your brows using the Brow Gel brushing the upward to hold the shape all day. Highlight the brow bone with the Eye Lights pencil for lift and definition. Easy right? Who says you can't have celebrity worthy brows?
Go Brow - Universal Brow Pencil ($21 USD): This double-ended brow pencil and highlighter duo is perfect especially if you're on-the-go. Lately, this is all I have been using on my brows along with the clear Brow Gel. The medium-brown shade is meant to be universally flattering. So far so good but I've haven't tried it on anyone with deep dark skin yet. The pencil glides on smoothly and filling in the brows is quick and easy. The highlighter definitely lifts the eyes but if you have medium-dark skin be sure to blend it in really well. I think a light peach shade would be better for us darker skinned women. Also, make sure the brow bone is well moisturized. It tends to emphasize dry skin. My biggest issue with the pencil is that it doesn't sharpen well with other sharpeners. I don't know if the texture is too soft or if my Sephora sharpener doesn't sharpen well. The tip never really sharpens and I sometimes have to shave the sides of the pencil manually. I'm going to pick up the Anastasia sharpener and see if that makes a difference. Other a than that, I think it's great when you're in a pinch!
Tweezers Anonymous ($55 USD, also sold separately): Over-tweezers no longer have to hide because this kit has everything you need to get your brows back in shape (literally) and better than ever before! The Brow Enhancing Serum, a gel-based formula is designed to help condition, repair and make those brows grow. Seriously, it works. I was trying out this new hair removal razor tool near my brows and accidentally shaved a few hairs off where my brows start. I've been applying this over my brows for the last few weeks and my they are almost back to normal. The Brow Filler is a spring loaded powder tipped sponge duo for eyebrows that accommodates Blondes on one end and Brunettes on the other. You can also mix the powders together for a customized colour. Brow Stix is for the stencil-challenged. These handy stencils stick onto your skin - just peel off the back, position over your brows, and fill in. You won't have to worry about holding them steady in place. I've tried to save it after and reuse it but it doesn't stick as good as the first time.
Perfect Brow Pencil ($22 USD): If brow powders and angled brushes seem too complicated, Anastasia's brow pencils are wonderful for achieving a natural brow shape. The pencil has the perfect texture - not too soft, not too hard. Overly soft pencils can make your brows appear too strong and hard pencils take longer to fill in because the colour is barely noticeable. Just apply in short hair-like strokes in the same direction your hair grows. Use the spooley side to blend the colour in with your brows for a natural finish.
Don't be afraid to fill those brows in or to let them grow. Put the tweezers down (unless you have a uni-brow goin' on)! lol Many clients I've worked on resisted a little brow filling but realized after seeing themselves in photos what a huge difference brows make. You don't have to fill in the entire brow - just where the hair is sparse or where the shape is a little off. Thin brows or brows that are too penciled in can age you and really throw off the balance of your face shape. If you're not sure where your brows should start and where they should end, then stencils are a great guideline. Well-groomed brows should be the first step before applying your makeup. A strong brow calls for less makeup and vice versa. Brows are your friends so don't over-pluck and make them disappear!
Have you tried Anastasia brow products? Love it? Hate it?
www.anastasia.net and www.sephora.com
