Maybelline The Falsies mascara vs.Rimmel Max Volume Flash mascara

I am a huge, huge fan of L'oreal Voluminous Mascara. It is my fave as far as mascaras go..makes my lashes look miles long and super volumized.  The only thing is that I, like a ton of others out there, love to try new products even after I've found "the one".

I got Maybelline's "The Falsies" for Christmas and just opened it a few weeks ago.  I have been trying Rimmel's Max Volume Flash for a few months now.  Here is my review and comparison!

"The Falsies"

So I have been wearing this daily now for quite some time. While I do like it, I will not be repurchasing it.  After opening it, I found it has a ton of little thread like fibers.  I think this may be an attempt to follow the whole Fiber Lash idea. However, I find they don't apply very easily to the lashes and they constantly fall into my eye.  I literally find myself constantly rubbing my eyes or having them be all red and irritated.  And I didn't find any indication on the packaging that this was even in the mascara (Maybe I missed it, I'm not sure).  It did volumize somewhat, but doing two coats is difficult because then all the litte pieces start to create fall-out so that's a no go.  Overall, kind of a sloppy mascara.

I didn't mind the wand shape, as it did allow me to get right into the base of my lashes, but again with the fibers, I didn't want to get too close for fear of getting too many of them in my eyes.

If it did not have the fibers I might have reconsidered it but definitely not with all that irritation!

"Max Volume Flash"

First of all, I love the packaging of this mascara.  Who doesn't like a girly pink packaging in their makeup bag.  Honestly this is what initially attracted me to it! However, this really isn't too bad of a mascara.  It does add substantial volume which I love and it does lengthen quite a bit.  The wand is fairly standard, not overly thick or thin and it's not that plasticky type that you get in some mascaras (like in Telescopic, I reaaaally dislike that wand). My only gripe is that you really do need two coats of it to get a dramatic look.  If you only apply the first coat, it's quite natural looking and to get the length you really have to go in behind the lashes with the wand.  Below is a photo with only one coat.



One coat



As you can see, they don't really look extra long or volumized with only the one coat.  But after applying two, it makes a pretty large difference.




Two coats



In terms of the lengthening and thickening, these are both pretty similar.  I would say that the Volume Flash wins out though, because it doesn't irritate my eyes, I prefer the wand and I'm a sucker for the packaging. 

Any tips on good drug store mascaras I should try out?

Review: Elf Nail Polish in Smoky Brown

About a week ago I mentioned that I had placed an order on Elf's website (eyeslipsface.com) which I did receive.  I am planning on reviewing all the products, but I am just trying to use them all for a few weeks before I feel comfortable giving my reviews.

One product I feel I can definitely give an accurate review on is Elf's polish in Smoky Brown.  It is a really gorgeous taupy, light brown color that is a great everyday neutral.

\It applies really smoothly and has a pretty good color payoff on the first application.  It is a tad sheer for my taste with just one coat though, so I did two just for a more flawless look.  It dried somewhat quickly which surprised me since I expected it to take forever(that is one of my biggest pet peeves).  It lasted about 4 days without chipping (for me that's good..my job causes my nails to chip endlessly) and for $1, you really can't beat it.  I am giving this polish a 5/5...I will probably try out a few more colors in the future. I've already got my eye on their Mod Mauve,Desert Haze and Rosy Raisin!

Review: Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation

So I purchased a new foundation the other day at my local Walmart.  I have only started using liquid foundation as of last year, reason being I had tried using Mac's Studio Sculpt Foundation when it came out(recommended by a SA)and it caused one of the worst most painful breakouts I've ever had.  However, I tried once again with Makeup Forever's Matt Velvet + and had really good results.  BUT, I am starting to run kind of low so I decided to try a new, cheaper alternative.

I pretty much purchased this one because it seemed like it would match the best.  So far, it is actually a really decent foundation! It covers even better than my Matt Velvet and hides any redness and scarring even with a small amount.  It is absolutely buildable but I found I didn't need a whole lot at all.  I used a larger stippling brush that I purchased years ago on CoastalScents.com and it works wonderfully. I purchased it in the Ligh 01 Ivory shade which I think it actually a tad light for me.  It's almost perfect but gives a "colder" look.  Ill show you what I mean below: (please excuse my hair and clothing, I took this before I went to school at 8am..kind of schlubby-lookin'!!)

I am pretty damn pale with slight pink undertones (which this foundation does have) but I find that this makes me a little bit whiter than I would like.  However, this was taken directly in front of a window, so it's true color is not bad and inside without sunlight, it definitely looks better.  Perhaps if I add some blush and bronzer it will work a bit better.  Below is a picture of me wearing my Matt Velvet + :

While the shades of my matt velvet and the Maybelline Liquid are close, I find the Matt is a bit "warmer". I think I may try to mix the two and see what happens.  A couple of cons to the Maybelline Liquid Mousse foundation are that it does not stop shine as well as my MUFE Matt Velvet and it does transfer easier and definitely needs to be set with a powder.  However, I am planning on keeping this foundation and working with it to see how to make it look the best.  I guess I will just have to embrace my paleness this winter!

Note: Also, I received my E.L.F. package today so I should be able to do a couple of reviews on the items I purchased.  I just want to work with the ones that are new to me before I do a review on those.  I also repurchased one item which is in my opinion Elf's best product...stay tuned!

UPDATE!!!: I returned this foundation..sadly it broke me out on day 4..and QUITE badly might I add.  It is definitely not for acne prone skin. I don't know if I should even try another.  I seem to have terrible results! Oh well

Products I regret buying

I have had a few products laying around that I have purchased over the last 6 months or so that I really am having trouble using up.  I usually do my research before I try a new product e.g. Makeupalley.com, Youtube, other blogs, etc.  However, every now and then I am out and about and come across a product I figure is worth a try.  Well, with these products, it didn't work out so well.  I hang onto them though because I really do not want to waste..I always try to use them up or find another use for them.

• First up is the eyelash curler.  I have always thought that all eyelash curlers were pretty much created equally.  I was dead wrong.  To be honest, there is a little "Dollar Store" (you know the ones that are called dollar stores but everything in there is between $1 and $10?) near my house.  I buy a $1 eyelash curler there all the time.  I replace it when I lose it or it gets old. It has always worked great.  However, they no longer carry it so I picked this one up at a Shoppers near my place. It is terrible! It mostly curls the outside but the middle is left almost untouched.  It also pinches at times. I just don't get it.  Anyone know what "makes" a good curler?
• Next up is the Lorac aquaPrime. A SA at Sephora recommended it to me when I was purchasing foundation.  I told her I have really senstive skin and am prone to breakouts so she told me this was perfect. However, it is literally like putting water on your face and doesn't seem to make any difference with makeup application or make it longer wearing...no bueno!
• Vaseline Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Body Lotion: Smells FANTASTIC. My problem with it is that it doesn't really absorb into the skin and just sort of sits on top.  It begins to feel filmy which is just not effective and doesn't moisturize as much as I need for these Canadian winters!
• Infusium Leave-In Treatment: COMPLETE RUBBISH! It does not soften your hair.  It will make it crusty and crackly. If you apply too much it will leave a terrible residue. However! I have found another use for it: when I want to give my hair that crimpy, curly beachy wave look, I apply this after my mousse and then again after my hair is dry.  It helps keep the curls somewhat in place by drying it out.  Sounds weird, I know.  Rubbish as a leave-in but okay as assistance to a beachy wave look (almost like a salt treatment would do)
• Last but not least, Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray.  Don't get me wrong, this is a good hair spray but it is not good for holding curls.  This was an error on my part since I didn't correctly read the label.  It literally "freezes" your hair in place with a "blast" of spray.  I bought it before I saw Jersey Shore; this is the spray Pauly-D uses on his hair to cement it in place.  Not so good for bouncy curls I guess!

OOOKAY! Well I applaud you if you actually read this post. Hopefully someone found it interesting! xoxo