Products I Regret Purchasing

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

I gave into the hype and purchased Clinique's Bottom Lash mascara.  Now I know that you can use any 'ole mascara on your bottom lashes.  I get that, but the problem is that most mascaras smudge on my bottom lashes and end up all in my under eye area.  I pretty much use mascara on my bottom lashes everyday because it gives me a more "awaken" look to my eyes.  So when I heard that Clinique had a mascara especially for the bottom lashes, I was intrigued.

The tube is small and the brush is super tiny.  It is perfect for defining those bottom lashes.  It is also very pigmented, being a very black mascara.  And most importantly, It. Does. Not. Smudge!  I love it!

Next to Lancome Hypnose

Look at the tiny brush!

Next to Lancome Hypnose's brush

The cost is $10 and available wherever Clinique is sold.  I highly recommend this product.

Best Of 2010-Beauty Edition

It's 2011!  And I hope this post finds you in the best of health and happiness.  With all of the "best of" list that pop up for the end of the year, I wanted do my own beauty edition.  These are the products that were truly my favorite products for 2010.

Skin Care:  I can't say enough about the Clarisonic Mia.  It was the best beauty related item that happened to me in 2010.  It has changed my skin for the best!

Face:  2010 was a great year for me and NARS.  I discovered my Holy Grail foundation in their Sheer Matte.  It is so worth the $42 price tag.  I also have a love affair with their blushes.  Truly some of the best on the market.  If you haven't already, treat yourself to a NARS blush in 2011!

Brushes:  My two favorite brushes in 2010 were the MAC 130 short duo fibre brush and the Essence of Beauty smokey wide brush.  The MAC 130 brush is outstanding for cream blush as well as liquid foundation!  I love how it blends out my cream blushes to provide such a natural looking flush.  The Essence of Beauty smokey wide brush is a drug store gem.  Sold only at CVS, the wide side is a perfect  brow bone highlight brush and the thin side is perfect for outer V work on the eye.

Eyes:  My go to shadows for 2010 has been MAC Woodwinked and Ricepaper.  Woodwinked is a great all over lid color, perfect to give you that "awake" look.  Ricepaper is the perfect natural looking brow bone highlighter for tan skin.

Mascara:  I fell in love with 2 mascaras in 2010 and I am on my second tube for both.  Lancome Hypnose mascara and L'Oreal Voluminous are both outstanding mascaras for volume.  I love them both!

Lips:  I have found my go to nude lip combo with MAC Viva Glam II and Spree lipglass.  Viva Glam II is a pinky brown, great for tan skin and Spree just gives it that extra glitz when applied over it!

Perfume:  I fell in love with Juicy Couture (the original) perfume.  So much that I have a purse size for my hand bag for touch ups.  It was my favorite daytime fragrance for 2010.

Nails:  Essie polish took the trophy this year for its superb formula and awesome staying power.  I can't get enough of Essie polish.  The absolute best top coat is hands down Seche Vite.  Talk about making a manicure last and giving that great glossy shine.  It is a must have for my manicures!

These products have been staples in my daily life for 2010.  What were your favorite beauty products for 2010?

War of the Department & Drug Store Mascaras: MAC Opulash vs Maybelline Colossal Volume Express

I am always on the hunt for the perfect mascara, whether it be from a drugstore or a department store. Since I was blessed with long lashes, I generally search for a voluming mascara. I am currently in love with MAC Opulash. I was bragging to my sister about how great it makes my lashes look, when she told me to try Maybelline Colossal Volume Express to see if I liked it also. So I did. I must say, it's not bad for a drugstore mascara and it gave my beloved Opulash a run for it's money.

Maybelline Colossal Volume Express in Glam Black

The brush is larger and fatter than your normal mascara brush. It is more full in the middle, then has a slight taper toward the end. I found it hard to get my inner lashes coated with this brush. The formula is nice, though I found it a little thin for my taste. It dries fast which means you must work quickly between coats. I did not find it clumped at all and made my lashes feel soft, almost natural. It did a great job separating my lashes, although I did not feel it thickened them at all. It did an okay job of curling my lashes, but not a great job though. This retails for $7.49 at drugstores.

MAC Opulash in Bad, Bad, Black

This also has a larger than normal brush. It has more of a taper on the end so I'm able to get my inner lashes better. The formula for this mascara is great. It does not dry too fast so I am able to take a little more time between coats. I did find it could get a little clumpy if you're not careful. It also does an excellent job of separating my lashes and it thickens them quite nicely. I found that it curls my lashes way better than the Maybelline mascara. My lashes were slightly more stiff with Opulash, but I think that is why it holds curl better. This retails for $14 at department stores and freestanding MAC stores.

MAC on left, Maybelline on right (2 coats of each)

The Verdict: While they both do an excellent job of separating lashes, MAC Opulash slightly edges out Maybelline Colossal Volume Express simply because it curls and thickens lashes better. However, Maybelline is great affordable alternative if you can't see yourself spending $14 for mascara!

Product Review-MAC Opulash Mascara

I stopped by my local MAC counter for the unveiling of their newest mascara Opulash, $14. MAC promises that it "sweeps and curls your lashes with the most extreme voluminization ever. It's all in the brush, enlarged and engineered to grab roots, lift, hold, replicate and exaggerate." I must say that I agree. I was a little weary when I first saw how large the brush was. But as soon as I swept it into my lashes, all my worries went away! It totally gave my lashes instant volume and curl! I was extremely impressed.

Naked lashes

After one coat

After two coats

I found that two coats achieved the affect that I was looking for. It did not clump nor did it dry super fast. This new mascara from MAC is definitely a winner!!!