Benefit Cosmetics BADgal Plum Mascara

The Benefit mini mascara duo of BADgal Lash and BADgal Plum was a GWP, which frankly, would have been the only way to get me to test them considering my huge disappointment with BADgal Blue a few years ago. I like several Benefit Cosmetics products, but their previous mascaras have never gotten on my good side.

Neither did BADgal Plum. Just like with its blue predecessor, the color never shows up on my lashes and doesn't contribute anything. Add to that sub-par performance, no extra definition and a propensity to smudging and you get an inferior mascara at an inflated price.

Eye Opener

It started last season and became an obsession everywhere you look: big lashes. It looks interesting on magazine pages and evokes memories of old black and white photos of our mothers in the sixties.

It also contributes to the endless amounts of lash products one can get, not to mention the falsies. And if you looked at the latest Vogue, you also read the article about lash extensions. Yup, they actually do that. I’m not going to judge anyone for trying this. Or for buying the Talika cream that’s supposed to be like Rogain for lashes (according to my Bliss catalog there’s also a similar product to help grow out your eyebrows). I have my own crazy plethora of beauty habits that cost a pretty dime, so fertilizing one’s lashes are not that far out there.

My own lashes are dark, thick and of good length, though the upper ones stick out straight instead of curling upward. I’m also too neurotic to have any metallic objects anywhere near my eyes, which means eyelash curlers freak me out (especially heated ones). So, it’s all up to good mascara.

Now, some of us are on a constant quest for the perfect lengthening and curling mascara. Others have been loyal to theirs for years. Some will always go high end. Others swear by a $7 drugstore product, mostly because they feel the end result will always be a little clumpy, so why pay more?

I don’t have one definite answer, but I can tell you what works for me. In 20 years of wearing makeup I’ve tried everything. I’ve used Lancôme products for years and was mostly happy. They always have some new mascara out. In recent years I've ventured out- I had mascaras by Dior and Chanel, tried samples of Stila and a few others. They are all okay- you know the drill- you paint the lashes, they look longer, bolder and thicker to some extent, and if the product is decent there won’t be much clumping.

Then I got a sample of Clinique High Impact mascara, which sent me the next day to the counter and I’ve been buying it ever since. I use both the black and the black/brown. The latter is for a look that’s just a bit softer. This mascara actually does make a difference in curling my lashes just enough to make my eyes look really nice. And the product’s consistency is smoother (hence better on the clumping front) than those by Chanel and Dior. For now, I think it’s the perfect mascara.

The sample was a GWP from a local department store.

LORAC Secrets Of A Hollywood Starlet Kit : Review & Swatches; I'm Addicted And I Dont Want To Be Saved

This is it people. This is what I have been A.D.D.I.C.T.E.D to for over a week now.

I've been using it every single day, every time I go out , every time I ran to the grocers and every time I went out for dinner. Just plain - All The Time !


The Secrets Of A Hollywood Starlet Kit from LORAC has everything I need for a pretty face of makeup and almost every product is drop dead gorgeous. What the almost means - you'll know soon.

The Kit is essentially a purple faux croc leather bag / clutch with

Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Starlet ($24)
Baked Matte Satin Blush in Velvet Rope ($24)
Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Glam ($22)
Lotsa Lash fiber mascara in Black ($19.50)
LORAC’s exclusive shadow/liner brush (priceless, as in the price isn't stated on the site)

Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Starlet

This is to eye makeup what butter is to Paula Dean.


The Starlet Trio consists of a champagne pink shade, a purple taupe and a deep purple. Each one can be used as an all over color or a highlight, all over shade and eyeliner respectively.

All I did for this look is to take the darkest shade, load it once on the shadow brush that came with the kit and gently pat if all over my eye. Next I gently added just a hint of the purple taupe shade in the center of the lid. That's it. All that color came from just one swipe. They are so darn pigmented ! And the texture is buttery too. Just glides on your skin leaving a sexy satin finish. The trio is available on its on too for $24 each. Like I said before these are some THE BEST shadows I have ever used !


But you wait, don't go ordering the shadow now. You'll regret it once I tell you how much the kit costs.

Baked Matte Satin Blush in Velvet Rope

O my geez Louise wont you look at that !


(The flash washes the color, man. Damn the flash.)

Its a matte satin ! A matte with a satin finish. Not a boring powdery dry matte one !

Velvet Rope is a one of a kind, universally flattering rose pink. The intensity can be easily increased with just a couple of layers for a flawless pink cheek look !

And if you saw my love, you'll love him too. And I love him. A love like ours could never die..
( Adapted from Beatles - And I Love her)

Yup, still talking about the blush.

I think.

Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Glam



Liquid lipstick in a glossy formula. Not sticky, not heavy, great when layered over a nude lipstick and super glamorous on its own. It smells like Milo ( the drink you drank when you were younger, remember ?) Its not bad at all, but just thought I throw it in .

On its own its a delicate shimmery nude - rose. The big fat gloss comes with a tiny brush. Girls like my sister who are blessed with ultra cute thin lips will love this one !

Lotsa Lash fiber mascara in Black

Va-va- voom volume ! The mascara literally adds a million more lashes to my natural twenty seven. Despite the volume, the mascara feels fairly light-weight and doesn't pull my lashes down. Super exciting ! But, there was a little fall out. Three of those million and twenty seven to be precise. They did go away with a brush of my finger but there still was fall out within two hours of applying the mascara. And that is not very exciting.

This is the only product that I may not miss if its gone or lost or thrown away by mistake.

Drumroll Please

Unlike most things that are bright and beautiful in the makeup world, the most exciting thing about this kit is its cost. The nifty little thing costs only $ 42 !!!!!!!!!!!!!! The real value though is over $145 !

Its not often that I get this excited about something. But there is something about finding a deal this good that gives me this intense joy. It makes me wanna build a bonfire and dance around it.

Now you go check this out while I get started on the bon fire ! If you get it lemme know. I'll have you flown over and we can all dance around the fire.

Just kidding

I think.

Price - $42
Purchase - Ulta, Ulta.com
Purpose - Makeup Kit
Position Love,
Indian Girl

L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Explosion Mascara : Review & Swatches

An interesting mascara.

Interesting mascara that works !

Works like a charm !


Its Spherical

The L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara has this sphere for a brush that we first saw with Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara, sometime last year. So glad to finally find a drugstore version of it because I cannot bring myself to spend $28 on a mascara.

The sphere is an excellent idea. It is small enough to reach my teeny tiny inner lashes, color them and lift them up ! As for the rest of the lashes, the ball slides easily under them to lift them up, add volume, lengthen and separate ! The lengthening is not phenomenal. More like above average. But the lift is super extreme which makes up for the lack of lengthening. My lashes went from bent down and droopy to straight up and curly !

The formula is totally non clumpy, light and applies very easily. Its almost like a gel instead of a thick cream. There is some suction at the top which pulls out all the excess goop from the tiny brush.

The wand is really really long. If it were me, I'd shorten it by an inch or two for better control but then it would become an exact copy of Phenomen'Eyes. Now, where's the fun in that !

How To Apply

Place the ball under the lashes and just slide upwards. No wiggly movements. Just slide upwards. I usually start from the inner corner moving upwards and outwards.

However its easy to lose track of time while coating your lashes with this magic ball. You keep wanting to reach every lash, curl and lengthen them. And, you have so much fun while at it that before you know, you'd have spent ten minutes. And then its all rush rush rush !!!



Overall, this is one of my most favorite L'Oreal mascaras ever - its light, soft, easy to use with superlative lift capabilities !

Price - $8.99
Purchase - CVS, Walgreens
Purpose - Mascara with a spherical ball brush
Position - Love,
Indian Girl

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Color Bold Volume Lifting Mascara : Review & Swatches - For Bollywood Worthy Lashes !

I thought I was all about colorful eyeliners !
Not anymore. These have taken over my world.

Completely.

What got it all started was this.


The gorgeous Hilary Rhonda.

Yes, her. I mean No. Not in that way. She is gorgeous, of course.

But it was her lashes. Yes !

The bold intense color ! It spoke to me, at a deeper , colorful, dramatic Bollywood level.
The bangles ! And that pose ! Its so Bollywood. I'm sure if I do some searching I will find a picture of a Bollywood actress, striking the same pose.

Well, what do you know ! I did . And there were a few variations of it, I found.


Few dramatic variations. But that's Bollywood - its all about the drama. And so is this mascara.

Drama Drama Drama.

Check it out !


That was Sapphire. These are available in five shades - Amber, Garnet, Sapphire, Amethyst and Emerald. Sapphire is the boldest of them all ! It rocks !

As for the formula - I couldn't have asked for more. I saw enough color with just one coat and a second coat helped even it out. The last time I tried colored mascara, I needed at least four coats which led to some clumping. But not with this one - zero clumps, zero fall outs. Two coats gave me brilliant coverage, some length, volume and lots of lift. Lift is one major thing I need in a mascara for my droopy lashes. In the picture above , I got all that curl with just the mascara. I did not use an eye lash curler !

At $19.50 I think its priced fairly for the superior quality, the brilliant gold packaging and the name . Overall - this is a must have product. And you know me, I don't say that very often.

Price - $19.50
Purchase - Nordstrom, Macys, esteelauder.com
Purpose - Colored Mascara
Position
Love,
Indian Girl

L'Oreal Paris Extra Volume Collagen Mascara : Review & Swatches

Did you know women in Japan mix collagen into their tea ?? I swear its true. Its on Oprah !

Collagen in Tea !!!!!!

Japanese women, I tell ya. They sure know how to beat age. Here we are injecting it into our lips and frown lines while it could be easily enjoyed in our tea. Not really on the enjoyed part, its an animal protein after all. But in tea none the less !


L'Oreal recently introduced the L'Oreal Paris Extra Volume Collagen Mascara. Makes sense, collagen fills in and plumps so theoretically its suppose to plump your lashes into "12x" the volume what with all the collagen and the 50% bigger brush. Only it does not. On my tiny droopy lashes it clumps and gives me the spider legs. It does not lift them up or add any length either. Only thing I got was good color. Nice rich deep black. Nothing else.

Plus I think they went really all in with the collagen because pulling the brush out of the tube gives you this massive amount of mascara goop. When I have exactly five minutes to put my face together, I don't want to spend three of those precious five minutes wiping the excess mascara on a piece of paper. What if I don't find a piece of paper !!! Hell breaks loose.


So, to avoid hell on me and humanity at large, I wont be purchasing this mascara again. L'Oreal makes some great mascaras , this just isn't one of them. And the collagen in mascara isn't half as exciting as collagen in my tea.

Price - $7.99
Purchase - CVS, Walgreens
Purpose - Volumizing Mascara
Position
Love,
Indian Girl

A bad gal, an old story (and not-so-good mascara)

About twenty years ago my high school friend, N, had a makeup staple: blue mascara. That was the one item she wore every day to school and when going out. It was the eighties, most (if not all) drugstore mascaras were quite bad, so pretty much all of us sported clumpy eyelashes. But N's were sapphire blue.

It was our senior year when N has started dating G, an old friend she knew for more than two years and whom we saw daily in class. One Friday night he was sitting in her bedroom as she was getting ready to go out. He watched her putting on her makeup and commented: "What do you need that goop for? I like your blue lashes the way they are". Confused, N turned to him: "What do you mean, my blue lashes? I use this goop to make them blue!". The guy honestly thought that N's lashes were naturally sapphire blue. We laughed at this story for many years.

I remembered N, G and the blue mascara last week as I picked up a tube of Benefit's BADgal blue mascara. The violet blue promised to make my eyes look brighter, and I was curious to see how I looked with blue lashes.

How disappointing!
First, there's not enough pigment to actually show up on my lashes. The only way I could tell there was any color there was to only use it on half of the lashes. When looking very closely and comparing side by side, I could tell that my natural lash color is dark brown that appears warmer next to the painted ones that had a hint of bluish black. I'm glad not to have that eighties sapphire blue color, but in order to do any serious brightening you'd need more color.

The mascara itself is far from impressive. Being well-endowed in the lash department, my requirements are minimal: define and volumize just a little, add a tiny bit of length and hold a curl. I don't need any lash miracle and usually stay away from overachieving mascaras, since I don't favor the exaggerated lash look. However, BADgal Blue does even less than the basics. There's a slight lengthening effect, but no defining and volumizing to speak of. It doesn't curl (the brush is so big that it can't do any curling and it's hard to just coat the tips) and will only hold a curl if you use your curler after applying the mascara and letting it dry (at least it's quick to dry, since the formula is very thick).

I've never tried the black BADgal, so I can't compare the two. My guess is you're better off with whatever blue or navy mascara from good lines. There's a Diorshow in royal blue that looks promising, another Dior, Ultimeyes, also comes in a vibrant blue, Lancome's old workhorse, Definicils has a navy one, to name just a few.

An immarture giggle on a Sunday morning

I was just pursuing Neiman's online beauty department to see what's new when I came across an interesting almost-new brand (launched just five months ago, in February), 29 Cosmetics. They have a nice concept: All their makeup is made with anti-oxidant grape seed extract to protects the skin from environmental pollutants and free radicals.

I liked what I saw, from the elegant, wearable colors to the sleek packaging. Then, I came across the mascaras and couldn't help but giggle at the name of one of the colors:


The Blond had no idea what I was talking about, seeing as his brain isn't embarrassingly clogged with the most useless details of pop culture from the last two decades, so I had to give him a hint:



It feels terribly wrong to have those photos in a post about a classy makeup collection. It's just the unfortunate name.

Still, I'm intrigued by many of their products, especially the eye quads and the lip treatments, so a stop at their counter is necessary. This line is sold exclusively at Neiman Marcus and through the company's web site, which is quite lovely, although the information architecture is a bit flawed and they have music played on their homepage (one of my biggest web pet peeves, which is why I'm linking you directly to the collection page). Their online color swatches are infinitely better than what you see on Neiman's site, which is a real disgrace and stuck in 1998.

Old School

Take a second and try to answer this:
How many mini tubes of Lancome's Defincils mascara do you have right now in several makeup bags, purses and emergency stashes?

I'm old enough to remember the days that Defincils was the default "good" mascara. It has pretty much set the standard for a hard-working, non-clumping lash defining product, giving just a bit of everything: length, volume and color, without being over-the-top. Which was probably the reason why in recent years bolder and sexier mascaras have taken center stage. Also, drugstore brands have improved so much that one doesn't necessarily have to buy an everyday mascara at the department stores.

I guess that this is why Defincils has become that mascara that you get in all those GWP deals, but never actually buy. You use it because it's there, but nobody gets excited about. However, this old standard has gotten an interesting face lift with Defincils Pro. Not of the formula, but of the brush. And the results are surprisingly good, reminding us why this mascara is still worthy of our drawer space.



The new brush is curved and lets you access the corners and shorter lashes easily. It's easy to apply and coats the lashes perfectly. The results are full and beautifully defined lashes. It holds a curl nicely, and is up to the usual Lancome standard of no smudging, no clumping and no smearing.






A brand new mascara comes from Besame Cosmetics. It's no secret that I adore many of their products (their lip glaze is still a favorite, and I hope for more colors), and the new mascara is worthy of their makeup line. From the beautiful packaging to the rich black of the mascara itself, the tube sings of old school glamor. Unlike the Defincils Pro and many other modern mascaras, the brush here is thick, wide and barely tapers at the tip. It's harder to control and reach the corner and finer lashes, so I wasn't expecting the beautiful result I saw after just one coat. My lashes looked instantly fuller and bolder, with just a bit of extra length.

There was no clumping or dotting, it holds a curl just fine (though it actually curls enough by itself, so the Shu wasn't really necessary) and stays for hours. However, there are two drwbacks: First, rubbing your eyes by accident may result in a serious case of raccoon eyes. Second: The color is so rich and the formula so thick that it takes quite a bit of grease- elbow and product, to get it off. Almay oil-free eye makeup remover pads barely touch this mascara, so I had to revert to the oily ones, which did an excellent job removing it. Lancome Bi-Facil also works, but it takes more effort and several cotton pads to take it all off.

Ask the Non-Blonde 2: Lancome Mascara

I was asked about the difference between two Lancome mascaras: L'Extreme and Fatale. Now, I own L'Extreme, as well as Hypnose, Defincils and Defincils Pro, and I use them all (a review of the latter is coming soon), but I don't own Fatale. However, my mother, a non-blonde who is well-versed in beauty products and is probably to blame for my own little beauty habit, uses it.

According to my mom, Fatale is exactly what you see in the ads. It gives the fake lashes look, very 60s style, bold and completely not safe for work. It's a great evening look, because the lashes look very thick and their length is amazing: Up to there. "There" being her eyebrows.

L'Extreme is a great option if you want really long lashes that still look yours. I only became aware of just how much it lengthens until I began using a lash curler. Until then, the difference between L'Extreme and the other mascaras wasn't that obvious. They all gave definition and maybe some length. But once curled, you can see that Hypnose gives a thicker, fuller look, while L'Extreme is all about the length, and it holds the curl like no other mascara.

(Photo of Twiggy, found somewhere on MySpaces)

More Mascara

Despite the trend of mascaras that make you look like you're wearing falsies, I prefer less drama around my eyes. I still want length, curl and definition, though. I've been using both Lancome Hypnose and Clinique's High Impact with great satisfaction, and now I can add another mascara to this list of really good ones.
Estee Lauder's More Than Mascara (I have it in More Black) gives similar results. It doesn't boast any special superpowers, yet it delivers beautifully defined lashes, adds some length (not exaggerated) and holds a curl. No clumps or flakes yet, and I've been using it for three weeks now. Also no dots and smears, and it dissolves relatively quickly in Lancome's Bi-Facil cleanser.

I think it's too rich for my naturally thick lower lashes, so I haven't tested it on them. And, speaking of rich, I have no idea what's the difference between the two blacks they offer: More than Black vs, Rich Black. Has anyone ever tried to compare?

NYC Proof

I have quite a few ideas, products and fragrances to write about, and also some commentary on the August magazines. But before I get to any of it, here's a burning issue: Weather. It's been really hot in the Tri-State area lately, and on some days the humidity is also pretty bad, especially in the city. I've been in Manhattan almost every day lately, which meant going for a minimal but very weather-resistant makeup.

I've been using the new waterproof version of Max Factor's Lash Perfection mascara. The regular LP (the one in the picture, the waterproof's pacaging has silver trim, not gold) earned many raves during the May Mascara Hunt. Many said that the best one is the deep blue. I have yet to test that color, but the rich black that I've been using is great. The color isn't too glossy and the mascara's performance is very good. It adds both volume and length without looking fake, no clumping and hardly any dotting (only happened when I was in a hurry and wasn't careful enough).
The mascara holds all day even in the most horrendous weather. No melting, flaking and smudging, which is perfect for our HHH weather (hot, humid and hazy).

Two Mascaras

Just before leaving for my vacation I ran out of my brown mascara. Since it was May, the month of the Great Mascara Hunt, I was feeling adventurous. Instead of running to the nearest Clinique counter I headed to Sephora to look at the more interesting brands.

As I said, what I needed was a brown mascara, which I like to use for a softer daytime look. But I was also interested in green/khaki colors, because one of my favorite eye liner pencils is a beautiful sage green that works great with my skin and eyes. Since I'm also very much in love with Bourjois iridescence khaki eye shadow, I was glad to discover that they make their Pump Up the Volume mascara in a color named Kaki Bomb, that looked very pretty. With all the hype around Smashbox, I also chose their "That's a wrap" brown mascara.

As I've written here before, my lashes are full, dark brown and above average in length. What I'm looking for in mascaras is a good color (definition), a little length and a lot of curling. I don't wear primer (seriously, how many products can one load on one's face?) and I don't use a curler (for neurotic reasons).
Here are the results:

Color
Smashbox: Almost invisible. Definitely too light/not pigmented enough for my dark brown lashes.
Bourjois: It's khaki, alright. A little lighter when applied than what it seems on the brush (or on the tube). It will probably stand out more on someone with fair skin/lashes, but was visible enough on me.

Brush
Smashbox: Nothing special, just a regular brush that makes it hard for me to reach the corners, but coats evenly otherwise.
Bourjois: The same thing. No innovations there.

Texture
Smashbox: Good and even, just the right thickness.
Bourjois: On the thick side. Required combing to separate the lashes.

What it does/ How it looks
Smashbox: Even though it didn't add any color, so my lashes didn't pop out, this mascara did some serious lengthening and defining. The look is soft enough and my lashes do look pretty.
Bourjois: It promises volume and it delivers. Probably a little too much for my needs. It does a fine job in curling and adds some length. The problem is the color- it's too light and looks a bit dusty on me.

Lower lashes
Smashbox: Perfect. I need very little color on my very long lower lashes, and this barely-there brown is exactly right.
Bourjois: What looks weird on the upper lashes looks worse on the lower ones.

Clumping/Smearing/Dotting
Smashbox: None
Bourjois: A little clumping. This is thick stuff.

How it holds
Smashbox: Pretty well, though the curling not so much.
Bourjois: Extremely well, hours later the curling is still there.

Final thoughts
Smashbox: Though this isn't the best brown mascara (both my High Impact Clinique and Chanel's mascara are better color-wise), this is still a very good one and I might want to try it in black.
Bourjois:It goes well with my sage green liner, and I discovered that if I use the brown Smashbox first and then apply this one only to the tips of my lashes, I get the right effect- nice soft, long lashes with a hint of green and a curl that holds.

Mascara Review- Lancôme Hypnôse

I haven't used Lancôme mascara in ages. I don't use many Lancôme products nowadays, but when I did I always had way too many samples of Defincilis from those gift with purchase bags. There's no polite way to say this: Defincilis is a less than mediocre mascara that belongs in the drugstore, where products that are 1/3 of its cost deliver very similar results.

A recent trip to the Lancôme counter (I still use Bi-Facil, Rouge Sensation lipstick in sugared maple and their blush in cappucine)has earned me a sample of Hypnôse mascara which I tried today.

Here is what the web site promises: "Custom Volume Mascara- Dare to go up to 6 times the volume. With each stroke, the patented POWERFULL™ brush intensifies lashes from root to tip. Exclusive, fluid SoftSculpt ™ formula, enriched with Vitamin B5, wraps lashes one luxurious layer at a time without smearing, smudging or clumping."

As I've mentioned here before, I'm not in the market for volume. I have more than enough of that naturally. But I am looking for defining and curling, and will not reject a mascara that would also add a little length. Had I been searching for volume, I'd be very disappointed with Hypnôse. It doesn't deliver at all when it comes to thickness and volume. If that is what you're after you will not find it here. However, if you need just a bit of added length and a defining color this is a great product.

The texture is just the right consistency for even coating. It didn't run, smudge or dot. The brush colored and separated my lashes with no clumping or sticking. I didn't need to use a lash comb and the result was just I was after: long, dark (I used black) and curling upward. It held nicely all day and didn't flake.

I didn't use it on my lower lashes (I rarely do), because the result would have made Tammy Faye proud. I didn't use primer (I never do) or any other lash product.

My conclusion: This mascara is a formidable competition to my beloved Clinique High Impact. It's more expensive, though ($22 while Clinique is $13.50).

For those who missed it

As a part of The Great Mascara Hunt (declared by Blogdorf Goodman), here is my review of Clinique's High Impact Mascara.

Nothing Major

I joined the Great Mascara Hunt, a noble quest started at Blogdorf Goodman. I've already talked about my beloved Clinique High Impact, a perfect 10 for my curling needs (and I know that someone has even taken notice. Hi, A.). But I just got a sample of Stila's Major Lash Mascara and I gave it a try for a couple of days.

As I said before, being reasonably well-endowed in the lash department, I don't expect miracles from my mascara. Just defining and curling. Neither of which this mascara delivered.

Since I was using a sample tube, I can't really judge the brush. It seems okay at coating and separating the lashes. But the product itself appears to be more glossy than pigmented. It added some shine, but that didn't last after a few hours, so what little defining effect it had was gone. It didn't add any length and despite the promise, didn't curl my lashes. The product description on the site suggests layering. This is something that I'd rather not do. Coats upon coats of mascara is not a look that I would go for.

But I did manage to put this mascara to good use: My lower lashes, unlike the upper ones do curl naturally. I don't use mascara on them because the look is too heavy- too dark and racoonish. But this low pigment mascara that only gives a little shine looked pretty nice on my lower lashes. And since it hardly clamps or flakes no racoons were spotted.

My rating: 3 for upper lashes, 8 for lower.