Never Fail Mascaras!!

Well hello there,

I wanted to justify sitting in front of the computer in a Panda snuggie. Tommy gave to me as an early gift and it is super duper comfy. However I find that unless you are doing something stimulating on the computer it is just as mindless as the television so here I am writing about makeup again!
Lately I find myself obsessing over mascaras. I can put on fake lashes but accentuating real ones I feel like amplify natural beauty...but ya know, with makeup...
Usually I go on some person a story and I may toward the end but the only way I am going to get through this blog is to stay on track. There is a healthy mix of mascaras in my top 5 including high end but also affordable fantastic mascaras.

DIORSHOW mascara
Retails for about $29

5. So kicking off this mascara countdown is the DIORSHOW mascara. This is probably the most high end mascara on this list. It is an above average mascara. It can give you a subtle coating but does have the potential to be built up nicely without clumping too badly. It may have been higher up on the list but the fragrance of this mascara is not great. It reminds me of Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume. If you love that scent then put that in the "pro" column of this mascara. For me it's a bit much especially for something I am putting in such a sensitive area. Two things I love about this mascara though is how deadly black it is and the luxe packaging!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Volume Flash
Retails for about $6.99

4. Moving in the right direction we have Rimmel Scandaleyes Volume flash mascara...whew a mouthful no? I like this mascara for two reasons. The first reason is that it has a super soft and fluffy spoolie that absorbs a lot of product. One pet peeve I have is having to dunk the wand in the tube repeatedly. The second reason is that it does exactly what it says it does which is that it makes your lashes more voluminous. Now that being said there are a couple of drawbacks to this one. Layering this mascara can get tricky because the drier the underneath layer gets the harder it becomes to build. If you aren't careful it can become dry and clumpy (not cute).  Also, it doesn't do too much for lengthening your lashes but then again it doesn't state that it does so I can't fault it for that.

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara
Retails at Sephora for $23

3. So the third place medal goes to Too faced for their Better than Sex mascara. When I first tried this mascara I thought I had found liquid falsies. It combines what I love about the last two on this list. It has a super big and soft spoolie and is very black. This mascara does it all, it volumizes, lengthens and can cover your lashes pretty good with one dunk in the tube. Not to mention that it can be built up to your desired drama level. The shape of the spoolie on this mascara is also beneficial for getting those shorter thinner lashes that are closer to the nose. So why isn't this mascara #1? Well not to be too nit picky but there are a few small drawbacks at least for me. For one, is the wear time. After about 4 hours this mascara will start to flake and leave that unflattering ring around your lower lash line. It's not a terrible thing if you're wearing this mascara for a night out, I just wouldn't rely on it lasting through a whole work day.

L'oreal Voluminous Mascara
Carbon black. Retail $6

2. The runner up is a well known veteran in the makeup game. It is the L'oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black. I probably don't need to say much about this one because it's reputation precedes it but it does what all the others do above (maybe not as voluminous as the Too Faced.) but at an affordable price (bargain alert). This mascara is a clincher for making you look like you were just born with goddess like lashes because it looks so natural on but it DOES pump your lashes up! My only tip for this one is to make sure you take your time because if you move too fast this mascara will smudge which can be look ruining if you have full face of makeup on.



If you're not first, you're last.- Ricky Bobby

Lights Camera Lashes by Tarte
Retails for $21

1.I decided to use a large and bold font to make it seem more special....
The winner in my book goes to Lights Camera Lashes by Tarte!! It is safe to say at this point that I am fully obsessed with this mascara. I have a travel size that I carry with me and a full size for home.  Oh real quick, Tarte also makes a Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara and it is not the same thing so don't be fooled! Back to this one. This mascara is the closest thing to "falsie" looking mascara that I have tried. It lengthens my lashes so much that I have recently cut back on the amount I wear eyeliner just to draw more attention to them. My lashes also feel nourished after wearing this mascara because it has conditioning properties. I think that also helps it from flaking because I have never experienced smudging for flaking with this formula. Now just because I found my holy grail in this mascara doesn't mean that you will too. Mascara is a personal thing because we all have different needs when it come to what we want out of it. That is one of the best and most versatile things about makeup is how suited it is to the individual. I hope you found this quick top 5 review, late night thing....


So It is the end and I still don't feel like going on a personal tangent this must mean I am very tired. I have two adorable kittens in my bed right now and it breaks my heart to kick them out of the bedroom but I know that as soon as I fall asleep they will wake up and start knocking things over and jumping all over me so...
I hope everyone has a fabulous rest of the week! I feel like this December is a long one for sure! I want to blog and talk about the new year and reflect on 2016 but that recap is not going to be tonight.
In ten minutes marijuana will be legal in my state so I leave you with the words of Dave Matthews,
"When the world ends, we'll be burning one."
xoxo -

My Seasonal Staples!! The favorites that have been "sleighing" my face!

"Tis' the season to be jolly and joyous!!"

Whiskers on Kittens! 

(comment below if you know what movie that's from)
Hello Turtledoves!
I have been in a hermit shell! I apologize for the long absence. The gigs of life have definitely been weighing me down. I actually had to make myself a fancy cocktail just to sit down and persuade my fingers to start typing.
To be honest, life has been hurdling lemons at me lately and I am starting to feel as if karma is letting me down. I am snapping out of that mood though, and doing a positive spin like I always do.
One thing that always makes me happy is talking about beauty products! This may seem silly to some but having an outlet where I feel like I am in control relaxes me when everything else gets chaotic. Now, let's skip ahead. I have been incorporating new products into my face routine and I couldn't be happier!
Let me share the awesomeness with you.

Skin Lab Firm and Lift
Retails on Amazon for $22.99

Face serums because...F U forehead lines!

I am in my late twenties and my have always been able to skate by using facial cleansers and facial moisturizers. I was rudely awakened this year when out of the blue my forehead lines became more prominent (well to me) as well as a couple of sunspots on my cheeks. This does not sit well with me so I decided to be proactive. I started using a serum from skin lab called Lift and Firm. I use it after I use my toner (yet another added step with age). I have notices that the lines seem to be smaller and my face as a whole is feeling firmer and brighter.

So this blog entry is kinda of going to be all over the place but I am just working in the order of things I love most. So let me tell you that when I first tried Too Face's Better than sex mascara I thought I found my holy grail mascara. Then I got a tarte gift set containing the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara and I have to say it is my hands down favorite. I have very short stumpy lashes and this mascara just elongates my lashes to the point that I haven't been wearing any top liner just to show them off. I love using a shimmery eyeshadow on my lid and then putting 2-3 coats of this mascara on. It looks brightening and pretty. Perfect for the holiday season.

Tarte's Lights Camera Lashes
Retails for $21.00

Up next we have a makeup brush that is my new must have by side brush. It is the deluxe crease brush from Real techniques. Now this brush does so many things! First it applies your base crease color so quickly and evenly. Secondly, when blowing out a smokey eye this brush brings it home! The thing I use it for the most and haven't found a better replacement for yet is as a nose contouring brush. Now I do not have the time to contour my nose during the weekly grind but on the weekend you can bet that snoz is snatched.

                                                           Deluxe crease brush retails for around $5.99

The next item is actually a nail product that I tried out on a whim. I ran to my local dollar general get some zip lock bags. Now, I cannot resist strolling through the makeup aisle of any store that I am in. I stumbled upon these press on sticker like manicure. It was insanely cheap and really glittery so I figured why not. The directions said to line up the sticker to the shape of your nail and press on. You have to file off the excess with a file which was the only tricky part because it was difficult to get a smooth edge. I recommend putting top coat on. Anywho, it has been over a week and they remain chip free! they are still as cute as the day I put them. I am a die hard gel nail polish girl but when it's time to give my nails a break I will definitely be using these. I got mine for $3.00 but they can range up to $7.00. Still cheaper than the salon...

NyX Dark Circle Concealer retails for around $5.00

The next product is Nyx's Color color correcting concealer. I did try a version of this by Tarte that I really liked but I wanted to see if I could save some dollars by trying out this one. I use this before I do my eyeshadow and apply it in what I like to call the "dark crescent moon" on my face. This includes the under eye and up around my orbit, nasally. This cancels out any dark blue or purple that likes to stand prominent in the eye area. After I do my eye makeup I do go over it with concealer and it leaves a perfectly even complexion. 

GIVE ME GLITTER!!
So the last product I am going to talk about I cannot get enough of and if it was acceptable to wear this product all day everyday I absolutely would. I am talking about the Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liquid Liner,
So I love wearing glitter anytime but especially around the holidays. I feel like I am a piece of decor. This eyeliner packs a ton of glitter compared to other glitter liners I have tried. It layers nicely as well. I love adding loose glitter pigment on top or adding the liner on top of a foiled shadow for an added pop! This product does cost $20 dollars but the packaging is proof that you get more product than the standard small cone liners. Also it is top notch performance so even though I agree it is a bit pricey for glitter, I am willing to splurge for product that will work for me everytime.

Well that pretty wraps up the season staples for me over the past month or so. I hope to get another blog out prior to Christmas but in case I don't, I hope yours is MERRY! It means the world to me that I am able to blog about something simple that makes me happy and even if one person reads it and relates thats enough. *warm feelings*

Please remember that as hectic as the holidays can make us all don't forget to be aware of your surroundings. Be neighborly and kind to one another. Anger in another is their burden not yours. Wish them peace.
I know that I cannot wait to twinkle like a Christmas star in the upcoming weeks. Holiday glam looks are some of my fave. May the spirit of Christmas be with you all year long! xoxo