I'm not gonna lie, I was drawn to the packaging on this one. The concept is cutesy and retro inspired. I was also curious about the two part brush system.

The pros, it's a nice rick black color, the small section of the brush is great for reaching the hard to grab lashes and ease into the corners. It really lifts my lashes kind of like a pushup bra for your eyes. It didn't flake or crumble. The formula layered well with my Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir for added staying power and length. I loved that it didn't get clumpy either. This is a great mascara for creating the relationship between your falsies and natural lashes too. I like this type of brush for that.

The cons, I didn't feel like I got that feathery look I go for. The texture felt a little too wet but that could have been because my Marc mascara was on its last leg and dry as a desert.

Overall, if you are looking for an inexpensive mascara that lifts and curls like a champ, I would check this out! I don't know if I would repurchase since I just wear it with another mascara or falsies but I might use my Extra Bucks for it from time to time.

With all the festivities who doesn't want to look their best this season? Lashes are one of your best accessories! Whether you like a more natural face or something more dramatic, lashes can make or break the final look. If you follow me on social media you probably know I'm obsessed with lengthy, fluffy fringe.

Purple was never one of my favorite colors but makeup wise lately it has been growing on me big time. With all these deep eggplants and greyed out lavenders it's hard not to fall for the rich hue. Spring was all about lilacs and pastel shades and Fall will be covered in lush, vibrant plums. I tried to include a variety of shades here. Kat Von D's Ayesha is absolutely gorgeous! The perfect grey under toned violet. I also posted Anastasia's Potion - a deep blackened eggplant. Potion is a vampy statement shade and with a capital v. Younique's Savvy lip stain is a stain more than a liquid lipstick per say but it holds its own on the list and looks gorgeous with their Pompous lip liner. This is just the beginning of my purple liquid lipstick collection as they keep releasing new and amazing shades every day! When I purchase more I will update this post! Any shades you recommend me to check out?

Row1: ABH Veronica, ABH Sad Girl, Younique Savvy, LimeCrime Faded, Covergirl 595, Stila Amore, ABH Craft, ABH Vintage, ABH Trust Issues, LA Girl Rebel, ABH Potion, Colourpop Koala, Colourpop Zipper Row 2: Kat Von D Ayesha, Kat Von D Requiem

swatched on bare skin

Brows are the perfect way to complete your look and make a statement. Whether you are on a budget and stay within the drugstore or venture out into the high end realm you are looking for a top notch product.

I am always intrigued by the new and different formulas out there. While still learning, it's fun to test different products and find the best shape and finish for my face.

While looking through all the new drugstore makeup out there in good old CVS, I came across this awesome brow powder (which can also be used for an eyeliner too, bonus!) by Covergirl. I will say a little goes a long way and it might take a couple tries to get it right (and not look like Groucho Marx). But this is a superb brow product from the drugstore that will set you back about $9.

It's a light texture and easily blendable with it's flexible rubber-like applicator. I purchased the shade dark brown after almost leaning towards the black. I am so glad I didn't buy the black because it would have been way to dark for me even with my hair being black. I might however purchase it to use as an eyeliner.

The only negative I can think of is that it does have some fallout when you apply it. You will want to do your brows before your foundation or at least over apply powder around your eyes so that you can simply brush it away afterwords. Also to finish, I like to apply Maybelline's Clear Mascara to set the product.

all swatched on bare skin

" BETTE DAVIS once said that she owed her success to brown mascara. But if Davis were alive today, the actress with the famously dramatic eyes might give the same credit to her mascara brush. "   (NY Times)


I've collected some of my favorite lash products to share with you. These are by far the best lash enhancing tools I have come across. Like I have said in previous posts I like long and thick (spidery) lashes. I put on multiple coats of whatever mascara I am wearing. These ladies add some serious drama. 

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Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions - Length like no other! This baby can give you volume plus length in a few swipes. The brush is great for your lower lashes too because it is slim and has sort of that comb like shape. The tiny bristles grab each lash and extend them for miles. It comes in waterproof and regular. 

Maybelline New York The Falsies Mascara, Black Drama - This baby has lash fibers right in the mascara itself. They build onto each other as you layer. I love the brush and texture. This is definitely a keeper in my book - a great way to have the falsie look without the glue and sometimes the weight of a strip of false lashes. 

Dior Extase - This was last week's Friday Favorite and it will continue to be a favorite for a long time. I think it's similar to Covergirl's Clump Crusher Extensions in that the formula has a similar texture but this one is much more black and needs fewer coats. Friday Favorite - Dior Extase

Dior lash plumping primer - A great addition to the Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions or any of these for that matter... It prepares your lashes before your mascara and adds that crucial extra layer for extreme length and conditioning too. I feel like it protects my lashes from harsher mascaras. 

Benefit They're Real - This mascara is no joke. This formula will create that false lash effect quiet simply. I do find it is harsher on my lashes so I don't always wear this. It does not say it's waterproof but I feel like it is that is how strong it sticks to your lashes. I definitely need to work with this to get it all off at night but that would also be from how many coats I use too. 

DivaDerme Lash Extender Lashes in a Bottle - Lash fibers are an interesting product. What you do is put a coat of mascara or primer on your lashes and then swipe the fibers on your wet lashes (the come with a mascara like brush) then add another layer of mascara for instant false lash drama (layer for even more drama)! I have sensitive eyes but this does not bother me. I would just be careful since they are small fibers and can fall in your eyes and cause irritation. 


Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions  - Clump Crusher Extensions is not the blackest mascara on the planet but this feathers out and lengthens my lashes beautifully. I love the light texture. My lashes never feel brittle when it dries. It's a mascara that I feel like I need to use a lot of coats to get the desired effect but it is worth it in the end. The brush and formula help prevent clumping. It's a real steal. 

Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Here is an interesting article about mascara and how it has changed... The Art of the Lash Advances

The drugstore is full of beauty steals and yes some not so great things but the gems you can find are so worth the testing you must do. I have been asked to do some posts on drugstore makeup. Below are some of my favorite drugstore items. This list is always growing so when I discover more great products u will post about them.

Foundation:

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation - has to be one of my favorite foundations ever made! It has the most beautiful glow finish, moisturizing, and makes my skin look better when I don't have anything on my face. I feel like it is skincare and foundation in one which I love.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation - has similar skincare benefits to L'Oreal's True Match Lumi

Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation - this is a favorite when I get a spray tan. It has great coverage and has some sparkle too which I love.


Eyeshadow:

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow - amber rush, bronzed taupe, smoldering plum 

Maybelline Color Tattoo - pomegranate punk, tough as taupe, bad to the bronze, bold gold

Wet n Wild Palettes - comfort zone (as in my previous post), greed,  and they come out with limited edition palettes too that are all usually just as pigmented.


Mascara:

Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions Mascara - very black

Covergirl Lashperfection Mascara - very black

Maybelline Falsies Drama Mascara - black drama

L'Oreal Shocking Extensions Mascara - carbon black (this is even more fabulous paired with Dior lash primer!)

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara - carbon black


Lipstick / Gloss:

Revlon Lipstick - mink, siren, cherries in the snow, matte nude attitude, fire & ice, black cherry

Bonnebell Lipgloss - cappuccino (a great neutral brown nude gloss)





Some special offers from Elf below! Elf is also a very affordable cosmetic brand that has some great products. They can be found at Target, Harmon's Discount, and of course their website...