Review: MAC Opulash

I can't believe I forgot to post this one!!

Okay-- Mascara review, yaaay!

On the table: MAC Cosmetics Opulash: $14 at counters.

What it claims:
Big, fat, bouffant lashes. Dramatic density and curl achieved with a giant brush. Fibres go in all directions for a thick, rich, even application. No clumping. Long-wearing formula, up to 15 hours, quickly thickens lashes, root to tip. Contains natural beeswax.





















What they didn't tell you is by "long-wearing" they mean "tube-hybrid." This formula behaves like a tube mascara in that it really really stays in place (even after hours of laying out at the pool and a work-out!) and it comes off with warm water and soap, but it's not really a tube formula because it comes off in little flakes ("Fibres?") instead of "tubes."

So fascinating!!

FYI: A "tube" technology mascara is one that essentially encloses each lash in a little tube which is extremely water resistant-- dare I say "proof"?-- until warm water is applied. If it's a proper "tube" mascara, it will NOT smudge, run, clump, or flake. Aka this is the mascara to wear at a pool or water event if you must wear mascara, haha!
I don't know if these are necessarily good for your lashes because typically anything water resistant is extremely drying and will make your lashes brittle if used often. I will look into this-- just for you. ;)

Ok-- pictures!!

Bare lashes:









With Opulash:











Close up:

















I think it does a very good job of creating a volumized look! It can clump pretty easily, so be careful and be sure to apply all that you want in one go because after it dries you can't add another coat without it looking hideous.

I usually wear this on my bottom lashes, since that's where my mascara likes to migrate to my undereye area. Ugh. And raccoon eyes are rarely acceptable. I have worn it on the top a lot, especially for working out or if I'm laying out by the pool-- yes, I sometimes wear mascara at the pool, lol. ;)

Oh! And at the MAC counter, when I asked what was the "Sales pitch" for this mascara, they said that it is "Humidity resistant." Indeed, it is! Maybe good for those South Carolina gals??

I recommend it! =)

What do you think? Have you tried this? Think you might/might not? In need of a waterproof mascara?

Until Next Time~
Beauty Maven

Haul! e.l.f. cosmetics at Target!

Ok ok ..... I knoooow e.l.f. cosmetics have been at Target for a whiiiile now... but I JUST NOW saw it at my Target!!

Let me show you what I got!


Eyelash curler (because mine has gone missing): $1
























Eyeshadow pans: $1 a piece X's 3
(Which are missing because I have put them in the compact.)
























Eye shadow compact to hold pans (empty): $1
























Shimmering Facial Whip: $1
























Their "Studio Line" is a tad more expensive but is the "luxurious and professional line of cosmetics."

Studio Studio Eyeliner and Shadow Stick: $3


































Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder: $3





















(Which looks amazingly like NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo, no?)

















Here are some swatches:



















Shadows, shadow from the stick, liner from the stick, and the facial whip across the bottom.

**I would just like to note that for ALL OF THIS I spent only $12 +tax. What?! Awesome!**

Reviews to come after I play! =D
(Though! My lovely friend got me an eye set from New York and I adore it, so I'm excited to try these!!)

Have you ever used e.l.f. before??

Until Next Time~
Beauty Maven

Review: Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstain

'Allo!!

Okay-- now to my favorite drugstore lipstain!

Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstain, $6.99 at Ulta.

The color I chose was Wink of Pink.
















This has the same felt tip applicator, which I really prefer to brush applicators~ just a lot easier to apply.
















BTW-- I have a beef with Maybelline....
In their ad, they say the model is wearing Wink of Pink... which is a LIE. Just look..

Advertisement:






























How it was in real life:














Still a pretty color! But I bought it thinking it was a lighter pink. Siiiiigh.


All-in-all, I absolutely love this stain!! Really though, in my mind, the Color Sensational lip line can do no wrong. I am in love with their lipsticks/glosses/stains. Such great color/pigmentation and hydration and selection.

Since it IS a stain, it isn't very hydrating-- though it is significantly better than the old stains (ex: Cover Girl (not to pick on them!)). So I used my trusty Dr. Pepper chapstick on top of this as my "hydrator."

Here is what it looked like after 3.5 hours!!














Which from far away wasn't too bad!!

























What do you think? Will you try this? I want to hear some of your stain experiences!! =)

Until Next Time~
Beauty Maven

Review: Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain and Balm

Hello there!!

Well I had a lovely haul at Target recently. =)

REVIEW TIME!!


First up: Revlon's new Just Bitten Lip Stain and Balm, $8.99 at Walgreen's.

The shade I picked up is "Gothic" because I was feeling some BOLD red lips!!














This stain is neat in that it has a balm on one side, and the stain on the other, so you can just throw one product in your bag for touch-ups instead of TWO. Ugh... How annoying, lol.

Application:

At first it was a weeeee bit uneven~



















But after another go-over, it turned out nice!


























But don't worry-- it won't be as bold as the initial application, because as soon as you lick your lips, the "excess" comes off!





















However!- It did stay on very well!!

Although, it doesn't hold up to a fried chicken lunch..... siiiiigh....





















Which is where the nifty 2-in-1 product comes in handy!

(I just saw Scott Pilgrim vs. The World so I'm in a "story-teller" mode, haha!)

Ok, now for serious:
This stain did do a pretty good job of staying on-- but it is not the best I've tried..
(And hold your horses! That review is coming later this week, I promise!)
It is nice to have the balm on the other end... but, 1. When I went to apply it, it BROKE OFF. Cry.. and 2. It's really nothing special. Sure, it hydrates, but it's not very shiny or has any longevity, etc.

A neat stain to play with, but if you are wanting a stain for the purpose of NOT having to reapply, I would skip this one~ it provides a nice, non-goopy color to your lips, but you would probably have to reapply once every hour/hour and a half.

Do you use stains? Like them? Hate them? Want them? Let me know!

Until Next Time~
Beauty Maven