Mascara Review!

Today's target: Lancome's Hypnose Drama available only at Sephora, $24.50'

Lately I've been on a Lancome kick, and when I saw this exclusive mascara that is said to deliver "full body, high-volume lashes in a single stroke." Hello!

Here is the wand: it's in a U-shape that is designed to "hug every lash."

Here we go!

My lashes with no mascara--

And now with Lancome's Hypnose Drama:

Pretty nice, huh? Now let me tell you what I think about it---

It really does deliver great volume, the only catch is that it clumps VERY easily. And for some reason with this brush, it added nice length to the middle of the lashes but not on the outer corner, even though I put extra emphasis there. Odd. Also, the brush was horribly stiff. I know that bristles aren't supposed to be flimsy or anything, but these seem very thick and rigid. Eh.

Here's the big kicker on it though-- It smells! I know, very weird. But throughout the day I could *smell* my mascara! Just open up the tube and you'll see why. It doesn't smell bad or fragrant, it just has a very chemically-mascaray smell.

In conclusion: Should you run to get this mascara? No. It's not horrible, and it is fun to try, but at about $25 a pop you can find something similar for $6 at Walgreen's.

I'd give it a 2/5.

Have you tried this? What do you think? Tried any other mascaras recently that you love/hate? Let me know!

Until next time--
Beauty Maven

Gossip Girl Project: Serena's Hair

So here is the inspiration image for Serena Van Der Woodsen:

Beautiful!!

So I tried to do the infamous Blake Lively tousled hair today. And to help me with this? Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly brand~ I invested in the shampoo and mousse.

See, I have fine straight hair that is moderately thick, so if I use too much conditioner I can kiss volume and any kind of hold goodbye. Eh, I know. But keeping this in mind, here’s what I did:

- Super cleaned my hair of any build-up with Pantene Clarifying Shampoo

- Shampooed with Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Shampoo followed by Sunsilk’s heat protectant conditioner just on the ends.. cause it’s about time for a trim =\

- After brushing and towel-drying hair, I added the Tousle Me Softly mousse—about a tennis ball size—lightly scrunching the ends while my head was flipped over and then adding to the roots.

- I then rough dried my hair, and here’s a key! *Do not brush!* afterward!! I know it seems counter-intuitive, but I tried this one day and brushed it and they fell out after only a few hours. Sad day.

- Then, using a ¾” curling iron on the highest setting, I curled my entire head in layers. Here is another key! *Pull on the curl while it’s still hot!* Nothing too intense, just softly pull it to make it more of a wave than a Shirley Temple ringlet.

- Finished with Garnier Fructis flexible hold anti-humidity hairspray.

And let me tell you. I took this picture AFTER work. That means it held for more than 8 hours!! (Sorry for the bad quality picture.. I took is with my iPhone because I'm bad about remembering to charge my camera, haha.)

Amazing =)

What do you think? Have you tried the Tousle Me Softly line? Do you have any special tricks to make your hair hold curl? And you curly-haired ladies—enlighten me!! Do you ever try to loosen your curls to waves, and what products/tricks do you use??

Until Next Time~

Beauty Maven

Mall Make-over experience...

Gather 'round for story time.

This past Saturday I went to the Lancome counter to find a bold lipgloss -- I know, I'm all about the drugstore brands, but I had some overtime and felt like splurging! The woman who helped me was so fabulous with artfully applied make-up and the cutest little edgy bob ever. I immediately wanted her to make me over, since I haven't done that in a loooong time. I asked for her business card to come back some weekday morning (so she wouldn't be too busy or distracted) and she said she told me which days she opened. Yippee!

Well I go on one of these days and to my dismay she's not there =( Well here I was all dressed for work with NO make-up on =\ so I asked another lady to help me out. Couldn't be too bad, right?

WRONG.

I mean, maybe that's a little dramatic. She wasn't absolutely horrible, and she is fair-skinned like me so she could sympathize with my problems (blue under-eye circles..) but man I don't think she veen worked in make-up. She did a gray smoky eye which was NOT blended in the least bit, horribly placed blush, and the worst part!!!! WAY too much foundation! I just don't understand.. I don't have a ton to cover up, but even if I DID it was entirely way way too much. Example: I have a little beauty mark on my cheek that almost could not be SEEN due to the amount of foundation. Eh =\

Well then she ran late and I still had to do mascara and pay for the eyeshadow I wanted to purchase-- I always feel bad not getting *something*. But this girl took over an hour! Luckily I was going home that night and had my make-up in the car. So in the parking lot of work I had to apply some lotion to my face to wipe off some of the foundation and blush, and got out my eyeshadow brush to blend my eyes. Ugh. Next time I think I'll just go to the counter and do it myself. Now how nice would that be?!

Doesn't look horrible in this pic.. but I was not a happy camper =\

Thoughts?

Until next time!~

Beauty Maven

Operation: Gossip Girl!

Now, I will admit-- I am a big Gossip Girl fan!

And like many others, I'm sure, most of the enjoyment of the show is manifested in the many fashion and beauty looks. I am personally in love with Serena's look, but all of the leading ladies have absolutely gorgeous looks going on!! I'm a fan of "projects," so my new one is to play with the 4 looks of Serena, Blaire, Vanessa, and Little-J.

Look "Serena" will consist of the messy waves and luminous eyes.

Look "Blaire" will be berry lips and headbands (duh).

Look "Little-J" will be raccoon eyes and most likely a messy ponytail.

Look "Vanessa" will be controlled curls and colorful eyeliner.

Let the fun begin!!

A new year, a new beginning!

Welcome 2010!! It seems just yesterday we were ringing in 2000...

Hello world! Beauty Maven, here-- I decided that I have entirely too many thoughts on beauty/makeup/hair to just keep in my head, so I am starting my own blog. Nothing too serious, just fun! =)

Also, because I'm the type of person who will search for reviews of the latest products, and I appreciate those blogs which provide me with nice information, I want to add to the world of online blog reviews since they have helped me tremendously in the past! =)

As of now, there really won't be any order to my blog. No "Mondays is this" template or anything, but I will try my best to write Every. Single. (business) Day.

AND I'M SUPER EXCITED!!!!!

Until next~
Beauty Maven