Influenster: YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara

Hello there! I had a chance to test and review the new and improved version of the Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara, and let me tell you…I love this stuff. Absolute truth.

First, the details:

According to YSL Beauty, the new formula doesn’t dry out, and can help to create dramatic looking lashes (increase length and volume). It is also formulated to create more care for the lashes with the use of B-5 Pro Vitamin to strengthen and protect the lashes. The brush is made of nylon fibers, ensuring maximum volume and color, and the mascara comes in six colors – High Density Black, Burgundy, Rich Brown, Deep Night, Fascinating Violet, and Extreme Blue.

And now, I have to say, again…I love this stuff. The first thing that drew me to this product was the packaging, because you all know that I’m a sucker for pretty packaging! I received the mascara in High Density Black, and it is true to its name. This mascara glides on so smoothly, and although it did add some length to my lashes, it wasn’t as dramatic as it would be for some, as my eyelashes are really short and super fine.

However, I was still impressed with the application, and had no problems with flaking or sensitivity, which I was thankful for. There’s nothing like having a mascara flake floating around on your contacts! Talk about irritating. So I’m glad that I haven’t had this problem with the Volume Effet mascara. I also love the fact that this mascara is lightly scented, and that it smells rather delightful! No slight chemical scent like you get with most mascaras. I will say that the quality of YSL beauty products has always been consistent in my opinion, and I can absolutely appreciate that.

Have you tried the new formulation of the YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara? If so, let me know how you liked it! If not, is it something that interests you, or you think that you might try? Leave a comment down below! 🙂

* I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes

Physicians Formula Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit

Well. I am so unbelievably late with this one! Physicians Formula sent me their new Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit for review awhile back, and for whatever reason, I just really ended up taking my time posting this. And now it’s in stores. Of course. I apologize!

Physicians Formula Lash Boosting Mascara

Physicians Formula Lash Extensions

The basics: This kit comes with two pieces. The first is the Lash Boosting Mascara, which according to Physicians Formula has their “Lash Boosting Technology,” which is supposed to have several benefits, one being for long term lash growth. The second part of the kit is the Lash Extensions, which are made up of vitamin E, cellulose, botanical extracts, panthenol, and natural colorants that come from artichoke and basil. The extensions are supposed to create length and volume, all in two minutes or less.

The review: I initially tried this the day that it came in the mail, and even though I’d read the instructions, I just couldn’t get it right for some reason. The extension fibers were getting everywhere! On my eyelids, on my cheeks, and on the counter. I was so irritated that I washed everything off and put the kit back in the “to review” basket. Fast forward to this week, when I realized that I hadn’t done the review, and come to find out…my earlier experience was almost completely full of user error.

On this second attempt, I applied the first coat of mascara, and then I opened the tube of extensions. This time, I tapped the brush several times before applying the extensions. A lot of the fibers fell off onto the counter as opposed to on my cheeks. 😉 I applied the extensions, came back with another coat of mascara, then extensions again, and sealed with a final coat of mascara.

The results:

Honestly, this second application went far better than the first one. Because I tapped off the brush before applying the extensions, I had barely any fallout on my face, which was absolutely appreciated! It lengthened my eyelashes quite a bit, but the results on me probably aren’t as “amazing” as they would be on those who have eyelashes that are a more “normal” length. My eyelashes are short, y’all! This is my version of amazing! 😀

Overall, I like this lash extension kit. I just had to get over the issue with the fiber fallout. My eyes weren’t irritated, which is important as a contact lens wearer/someone with sensitive eyes, and I didn’t have any issues with flaking. I wouldn’t consider it to be “life changing” as is said in the advertisements, but it is definitely effective. 🙂

If you’ve tried this kit, let me know how you like it! 🙂

Birthday Finds!

Hey hey! My birthday was a few days ago, and I’m adjusting to being 35 a little better than I thought I would. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to be another year older, because it absolutely beats the alternative! I’m just happy to be here! 😀 So, I did what you’re supposed to do for your birthday – I went shopping!

What madness occurred this time?

Sephora:

Never leave Sephora without a few samples!

Lipstick time! The next post will focus on these lipsticks (plus one more), with swatches and photos of what they look like on! 🙂

I was running low on this color, so it was time to pick up another one. Kat Von D Painted Love lipstick in Homegirl. One of my holy grail lipsticks. Love, love, love this:

NARS Fire Down Below:

Sephora Rouge lipstick in R03 – Passion Red:

Beauty Insider birthday gift! Benefit products – They’re Real mascara and Watt’s Up highlighter:

And you know that it’s Sephora gift set time! Yay for the holidays, right? I love mascara to a ridiculous degree, so when the sales associate showed me this one, it was over! Four mini mascaras, and two full sized mascaras for $28? The retail value is $95? Like I’m going to pass that up!

Benefit They’re Real (I ended up with two of this one today! Go figure!), Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant, Too Faced Better Than Sex, Buxom Lash, Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes, Lorac PRO Mascara:

GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment (mini sized):

Birthdays are great. 🙂 (((hugs for everyone!)))

Birchbox December 2012

Last Birchbox of the year! Slideshow, yes? Yes. 🙂

 

 

In this box:

Birchbox gift tag

Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls

Per-fekt Beauty Lash Perfection Gel

NUXE Melting Cleansing Gel with Rose Petals

theBalm cosmetics Hot Mama (blush)

John Varvatos Artisan (men’s cologne)

$50 off of a dress rental of $125 or more from Rent the Runway

🙂

In the Lab: DIY Hair Mascara – Eyeshadow and Gel!

So my hair color is…not consistent. 😉 My natural color is a mixture of dark brown, medium brown, auburn, and copper. I have sandy sections in the summer due to the sunlight. Did I mention the few blond hairs that eventually turn gray? Yeah, those are fun. Anyhoo, my hairline has been playing tricks on me for the last year or so. I really thought that I was losing hair until I looked at it really closely in the mirror earlier in the year. As I pinched that section repeatedly, I realized that I was not losing my hair. In fact, there are plenty of strands there (of the baby variety!) – they’re just extremely fine, and extremely light in color. The solution? Hair mascara!

I’ve used hair mascara that you can buy at beauty supply stores, and then realized that brown/black eye mascara works just as well. The only problem is that the hair does not stay soft, and it’s not always easy to wash out. So I decided to see if I could make some myself, because really, it just sounded like fun. And I was bored. And there we have it.

Ingredients:

Black/Brown eyeshadow (or whatever color combination works for your hair!)

Hair gel

A bowl for mixing

A utensil for scraping eyeshadow and for mixing

A clean mascara wand

Hair! 😀

1) Scrape out your eyeshadow into a bowl. I blended a “light” black shadow with a light brown shadow to get a brown/black shade. You can use whatever combination you want! 

Kinda yucky looking, huh? It’ll be alright, I promise. 🙂

2) Grab your gel, and mix enough of it together with your eyeshadow(s) so that it has a slightly muddy consistency. I know “muddy” isn’t the word that you would want to use to describe this, but for me, it was probably the most accurate description! Ha! I used  Isoplus Styling Gel. I needed to find a way to get rid of it anyway.

3) When it’s all mixed up and ready to go, dip your clean mascara wand into the mixture, and proceed to apply it to your hair. If you do have thinning spots, make sure that you fill them all in with the color. Gently, though. If you rake it through, then you just might end up bald. That would not be good! And that applies to all hair mascaras, DIY or store bought. Be careful with your tresses!

 

And there you have it! Mind you, it’s also super easy to wash out – takes much less effort than it does with regular mascara. If you want to store some for later, I would suggest buying some empty plastic mascara tubes from eBay or from stores that sell supplies/containers to people that make their own cosmetics for personal or commercial use. Please do not re-use old mascara tubes, even if it’s only to be used on your hair. You might be forgetful like me and think that it’s regular mascara. *looks around* Hey, it happens. 😉