Shakeup Your Makeup

 

Covergirl LashBlast Clump Crusher mascara is the newest in the Cover Girl line up of mascaras.  Being part of the much loved "LashBlast" line, I was anxious to pick this up and give it a try.  Claiming up to 200% more volume without zero clumps was quite a thought! 

 

The brush on this similar to the original LashBlast brush with the rubber bristles, but this is curved to fit along the lashline and grab all the lashes, pulling them through the brush and preventing clumps.  The formula on this is a bit on the dry side, which helps prevent the clumping as it clings to your lashes, in my opinion.  I did purchases the darkest shade (I think called Blackest Black).  The tube is the original size/shape as all the other LashBlast mascaras, but this is bright green. 

 

Onto some before and after shots: 

 

 

I have to say, this has taken the front seat in my mascara collection.  Yes, the formula is dry, but it helps to coat the lashes without creating clumps at the tips.  I did not experience any clumping or flaking with this formula.  The brush is amazing, and honestly what I think does the magic.  It clings to each lash, separating and fanning them out, creating a fringe of lashes that I don't typically get with a volumizing mascara.  Literally each lash has been pulled out and coated, but they don't end up clinging back together (because of the dry formula, I think).  The brush also holds onto those lashes, so as you pull up, it helps lift and curl the lashes without using a curler.  I have read a lot of reviews where users layer this ontop of their other favorite lengthening or volumizing formula and I have not done that yet, but am anxious to give it a try.  Although I am extremely pleased with this on its own, I'd like to see if I can amp it up even more!  Like I said, this is my new favorite mascara.  At around $6.99 a tube, it's middle of the run on price, but Covergirl always has coupons out there that can help lower the deal.

 

 

Have any of you tried this mascara yet?  What did you think??

 

Several weeks ago while grabbing some stocking stuffers at Ulta, I found the remnants of an Essence Breaking Dawn makeup collection display and picked up a couple of the remaining items.  There wasn't much left of what looked to have been an interesting collection, but I was able to get two glitter eyeliners and a pigment.

 



 

Both come with a small and thin artificial bristle applicator.

 

The pigment I picked up, Jacob's Protection, is a dark almost black pigment with iridescent shimmer.  This would make a gorgeous eyeliner.

 

 

Swatches below.  The eyeliners required several swipes to get the color to pay off, so if you are looking for a subtle glitter to wear as an eyeliner alone or on top of your favorite everyday liner to kick it up a notch, these would be pretty good.  Once dry, they lasted all day without flaking off, which was also nice. 

 

The pigment is rich and dark - the picture below doesn't do it much justice.  I wore mine over Fyrinnae's Pixie Epoxy and it lasted all day with nice color and shimmer payoff.  I haven't tried this as a liner yet, but think i would be a nice alternative to plain black.

 

There were several other items in this collection that I missed out on, including two highlights, a blush and three other pigments.  Prices started at $1.99 for the liners and went up from there.  Did you pick any of this collection up? 

 

 

Ulta always has some neat products around the holidays.  When I went in the other day over my lunch, there was a display of Layla Cosmetics nail polishes called Soft Touch Effect and Ceramic Effect.  These had a matte finish (Soft Touch) and the Ceramic Effect are long lasting and quick drying.  Smooth and sleek bottles, and a variety of colors to choose from.  I have never heard of this brand, but they look interesting - especially if you like matte nails!

 

I had heard that CVS was getting one of those permanent display pieces, similar to Walgreens, to feature some of their polishes but until now had not seem them in my area.  Well, in time for the holidays, I went in looking for some of the CVS Beauty clearance, and found the display up and running with some of the new Sally Hansen Complete Manicure colors.  I took a snapshot of some of my favorites (especially the glitters!). 

 

I love that copper color (Copper Penny), and the gold is really pretty too.  Both had multiple sized glitters suspended in clear polish. 

 

Also, I found Black & Blue, which has been posted about a lot online recently.  A rich, deep navy duochrome, that flashes purple and teal.  Next to the Sally Hansens were the new Revlon Brilliant Strength colors, one of which was very similar to Black & Blue, called Beguile...just in case you can't find the Sally Hansen. 

 

Have you tried any of the new colors yet?  Which one is your favorite so far?

 

'Tis the season for new displays and holiday goodies to really start popping up in the stores.  CVS had tons of displays along the tops of their health and beauty shelves the other day, and one that really caught my eye was the new Physician's Formula Smoky Nude collection.  If you frequent my blog, you know I adore the Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Gel Eyeliners for Green Eyes, Hazel Eyes, and the Metallics that came out last Christmas season. I love the Green Eyes black pot so much, I have used the entire thing and am hoping to snag one when I go look at the CVS semi-annual beauty sale.  I swear these wear as well, if not better, than the high end department store gel eyeliners, and go on so smooth and pigmented, and for the set they average $4 a piece at regular price (a set of 3 is around $12).  Love, love, love...

 

Anyway, what really caught my eye were the new Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Liquid Metal Eyeliner Trios, and I'm kicking myself for not buying one when I was in the store.  I loved the taupes/nudes in the second picture.  It's hard to see, but the blacks actually have some shimmer to them as well. 

 

Have you seen these?  I am going to have to go get a set to try - the colors look gorgeous.  I know Nouveau Cheap ran a review on one of the sets, and she has some nice swatches up too.  If I get one, I will certainly post a review too...

 

Today was glittery type of day.  The Wet 'n Wild Color Icon in Diamond in the Rough had been looking at me from my nail polish drawers for a while now, so I thought I'd freshen up the Sally Hansen "In a Flurry" I had been wearing earlier in the week with the glitter top coat. 

 

Unfortunately it's cold and rainy out here in the Midwest so I can't get a good picture, especially one that does the sparkles in this manicure justice, but here's a quick snapshot.  Actually, the In a Flurry doesn't do much for this manicure at all except offer up a nice dark base coat for the Diamond in the Rough.  Regardless, I like it, and it's been wearing extremely well too which is an added bonus in this hectic time of the year!

 

Walmart had a new display up the other day for, what I assume, is the holiday introductions for SensatioNAIL.  These are sets of two polishes, one glitter and one color.  There is a red set, silver set and gold set.  Very fun if you are looking for something long-lasting in the glitter department!