Mascara Review-- CoverGirl's NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara

Hey Lovelies!!

I finally tried-out a new mascara, yaay! My favorite beauty product is- by far- mascara, so I was super excited when I picked-up this new one.

Onward!

CoverGirl's New NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara, $9.99 at drugstores. 

What it claims: 
- Our innovative mousse formula exchanges select synthetic polymers with natural beeswax to help make stunning volume feel luxuriously light on your lashes. 
- Removes easily with soap and water. 



Let's take a look!

Molded bristle brush.

Bare lashes

Bare lashes, angle

(Click to enlarge)

With 3 coats, at an angle

3 coats, from further away. 

I have to admit--- when I very first put on this mascara, I immediately wanted to return it. I was just so NOT impressed. But after returning to it a few times, I've learned it's little quirks and how to make it look great, haha! (Also, I think that mascara formulas in general need to be introduced to air to really perform properly-- even with my Voluminous, it sucks if I apply it right after opening the package. Just a thought!)

First of all, the formula is AMAZING. Not too wet/dry/cakey, and it layers pretty well. You can really tell that the synthetics have been replaced-- it's not crunchy or heavy AT ALL. Yes! And, even with the moisturizing, it doesn't smudge throughout the day, and definitely no flaking.

The brush is ok... it's a molded brush, so it does a decent job of separating, but honestly it's not anything remarkable.  The formula is the major kicker here~

You'll notice that it is a tad clumpy, but only if you get really close. But seriously-- see the difference between the 1 coat and 3 coats?! I'll tell you the trick--

** Let the mascara sit on your lashes for about 10-ish seconds before applying another coat. It allows the formula to dry, but not too much that it gets too clumpy. Ta-da!

I wish this mascara had more length, but as it's marketed as a volumizing mascara, I'll let that slide. 

In a flash!~

A great lightweight, natural feeling mascara. Not as much drama as I would prefer, but a nice daytime choice.

What do you think? Have you tried this? Anything from the NatureLuxe line? Lemme know!!

Until Next Time--

~Beauty Maven

Technique Thursday-- Contouring with Blush

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!!

*Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Day 5: Pur Minerals and Exuviance, Pur Minerals Mineral Glow for $12



Here's the look I will be rocking today:

Hehe. Love it!


Recently I was on the search for a blush for my mother. I ended up picking up a contouring trio from CoverGirl, which was not the right color, but it was so cheap we decided just to keep it.

And also, I can't help but play with any new beauty product, so here we go!

CoverGirl Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush Trio in Sophisticated Sable, $5.99 at Walgreens.

Foundation + Concealer alone 

No color or contours- blah.

With CoverGirl Trio

With CoverGirl Trio

YOu add the middle color to the apples of your cheeks, the darker just below-- and BLEND-- and the lightest on the top of the cheekbone as a highlighter. 

I really love this trio! First of all, it smells really good. Secondly, I like the amount of shimmer in it. Lastly, the colors blend very well together so that it's no obvious that you are being tricksy. 

The only this is that is transfers a bit easily, so be careful if you hug someone in a white shirt. 

The darkest shade can be a bit touchy, so if you see an obvious line, take a kabuki/bronzer brush and buff the edge until it's blended it. 

What do you think? Do you contour? Ever thought of doing it with blush instead of bronzer? Bronzer is my go-to!

Until Next Time--

~Beauty Maven

Review: CoverGirl LashBlast FUSION

Hello world!

Okay-- so as you read in a previous post, I was super excited about this product coming out!!

Here is the claim as per the back of the package:
"Use LashBlast Fusion to get a blast of volume PLUS incredible length! It's the perfect fusion of lashblast's super-volumizing brush and a buildable fiber-stretch lengthening formula that work together for dense, long-looking lashes!"

Sounds ah-mazing, no?

Let's take a look at some pictures (Note: I did not use a lash curler with either)~

I felt this review needed TWO eyes, so here is my before:









And here with LashBlast Fusion:



















Here's a tip-- click on the pics and it'll show you the FULL size~


SO! Not too bad, huh? Personally, I'm not a huge fan of it... it's at a decent price to try if you're a fan of the original LashBlast's, but the downfall for me is the plastic brush. I tried to be a fan of the molded bristles but I have personally found that a more flexible brush produces better results. Notice on the eye on the left that it almost looks like I have some eyeliner on... nope! That's just where the brush hit my lid, haha.

The formula is nice-- not too thick/thin, but the brush doesn't let it live up to it's potential! Also, the fibery-formula can go from length to spindly in a heartbeat, which I did not enjoy. Then! Later in the day I saw flakes under my eyes from the mascara. Ok, I haven't seen flakes in a LONG time, so it really threw me off.

Hey, let's have some fun, shall we?

I decided it would be interesting to put on LashBlast Length and then LashBlast original to see how they compare. Muah ha!










Now, this IS with other make-up. Scroll above and compare~ I think it is comparable, but using the two makes my lashes look lusher, which I'll always take! Note: At work, a (female) co-worker even noticed how different my lashes looked than normal-- "They look so long!" Yesss... always a good thing. =)

What do you think? Will you try this? Are you a fan of any of the LashBlast's? Leave me some feedback!!

Until next time~
Beauty Maven

Review: CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast

Happy Monday!

This week is Review week. Hopefully it will be interesting and make you smile. =)

Under the scope today: CoverGirl's new Smoky ShadowBlast cream eyeshadow.

The Claim?: "Easily achieve colorful smoky eyes! Smoky ShadowBlast's expertly matched shades, uniquely shaped tips and smoky eye creams, give you an easy way to achieve smoky eye perfection."

Basically, the pointy side is used like an eyeliner and the rounded side is used like a shadow.

The one I decided to try is "Bronze Fire":










The color of this one is gorgeous! Great sheen to the beige color and a nice rich chocolate. I was really excited for these to come out -- the moment I saw the ad in a magazine I was a regular at Walgreen's, haha! Which makes me sad to say that I eventually returned it. =(

The biggest con about this duo is the formula-- even with an eye primer, the shadow creased in less than an hour! The liner shade was nice, but still bled onto my lids. So sad! I was tempted to keep it just to use the eyeliner side.. but honestly it's a bit bulky to only use the one side. And it's $8.49.. a bit much for sub-par. Eh.

Another qualm I have with this line is the pairings. On CoverGirl's website in the Smokin' Look Demo it states: "Use the rounded tip for all-over color. -- Use the tapered tip for lining and definition." The review looks amazing because they used Onyx Smoke~ white shimmer with black liner. Um... Duh.

BUT! Please tell me why you would want to walk around with this color all over?!











Only a select few would 1. Have the personality to carry such a bold color and/or 2. Know how to properly wear such a bold color. Whoa.


Here's my go with this:



























The base color didn't blend very well, which made me sad because at first glance I thought it might be a good highlighter. As you can see here, it was entirely too dark for my fair skin. Strike 1. So the chocolate color was very nice against my green eyes, a redeeming quality, but it wasn't so easy to blend with the base color. Strike 2. And see how it's already creasing in the second picture? Less than 10 minutes after application! Strike 3.

(I have to admit though, I am somewhat tempted to try the Black Onyx color and see if the white could work as an inner-eye highlighter and how badly the black would bleed...hmm. Might see another revew on this!)

CoverGirl's Smoky ShadowBlast... I'd say it's a NO.

Have you tried this? Agree, disagree? Give me some feedback!

Until next time~
Beauty Maven