Clinique Lash Primer & Shiseido Lift. Mascara

Finally getting around to reviewing the Clinique Lash Primer ($13, Sephora) and the Shiseido Lifting Mascara ($23, Sephora) I got when Sephora had their F&F sale.  Sorry for any lag, it's been a hectic week! Anyway, I really love both products, so I am pretty happy with my purchase, in case you are wondering about the Shiseido Mascara Base (primer), CLICK HERE as I did a review on it awhile ago.

 

Product: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

Quality: 5/5

Overall: 4/5

Price: $13

What it does:

This lash-conditioning undercoat contains a unique polymer combination that holds mascara to lashes for a longer, fuller look with extended wear. The moisturizing formula also helps to condition and mend dry lashes.

PROS:

- It's actually a pretty good primer, helps prepare my lashes before I apply mascara by separating and lengthening my lashes.

- It's only $13, which is pretty affordable considering there are many other name brands that cost a lot more.

- No weird, funky smell

- Definitely not drying, doesn't flake or cause my mascara to flake.

- Tube is skinny so it's easy to hold in the hands

CONS:

- The brush is a tad bit too wide, it's not horrible, but I wish it was just a little bit skinnier so that it's easier to apply to the hard to reach lashes (like the inner lashes).

Overall: I really liked this primer, it didn't dry out my lashes and my mascara held onto this primer really well for all-day wear. I also liked that it was $13, which like I said is a lot more affordable than some of the other mascara primers I have tried in the past, AND it's worth it! I would definitely re-purchase.

Product: 4/5

Packaging: 5/5

Quality: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

Shade: Black

Price: $23

What they say:

Lashes lift to new heights! Provides lash-by-lash definition, maximum curl, and volume with a feather-light finish. Air Volume Powder delivers strong, long, and feather-light curls. Waterproof, oil-proof, and sweat-proof. Can be easily applied in layers.

PROS: 
- The wand is nice and thin for easier application, which allows me to get into the hard to reach places and really create more of a lift and curl effect.
- With a mascara primer, it gave a really nice lift and a slight curl that lasted all day, even without the use of an eyelash curler.
- Didn't flake at all or rub off
- Seemed like it added a little more volume and thickness to my lashes.

CONS:
- I hate the smell, it smells like deodorant which is just weird for a mascara to have that kind of scent LOL
- By itself (no primer), it doesn't seem to have that much of a lifting effect and I notice it can get sorta clumpy without a primer, even with just a couple of layers.
- $23 seems pricey for a mascara period. Especially since it's recommended to replace it every 3 months, but since I had a Sephora gift card I thought id give it a shot.
- Lashes feel stiff and sorta brittle with this mascara if you do not use a primer, with a primer it's fine.

Overall: This mascara was nice, I liked it along with my Clinique Lash Primer, however as a stand alone mascara I don't like it too much because it made my lashes feel really brittle and somewhat stiff. I personally didn't notice an amazing lift or a slight curl of my lashes with just the mascara by itself, however with a primer it looked really nice! I didn't like the deodorant smell of the mascara, thought that was a little weird because I kept associating it with something I need to be putting under my arms haha. The price I thought was steep, but normal for Sephora, and it's Shiseido and mostly all name brand mascaras are in this price range which was fine, overall I would buy it again.

*Did not use an eyelash curler for any of the pics below for the sake of an accurate review

 

 

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Product Review: L'Oreal Double Extend Mascara

Seems like the person that stole some of my pics took her site down, so thanks to you all who took the time to drop in your 2 cents. The way I see it, the internet is a small place, it's only a matter of time before these people get caught with work that's clearly not theirs. I just don't know how I could gain satisfaction knowing I had no hand in ANY of it, if I was that person. It's like someone saying, "You were great in "Twilight"! And I responded with "Awww thanks!". LOL. But thanks to those of you who come across these sites and let me know. In case you ever wonder if it's really my site, there are links on the right of this site where you can find me (YouTube, Myspace, etc.) the only links I have not posted up are Facebook, Friendster, and LinkedIn because they are mostly professional in relation to my work. But those are pretty much the ONLY sites I have. So anything else you see, is most likely not mine.

I've been busy trying to find a venue for my sister's Debut, her 18th birthday party; since she is having it here in California (rather than where they live, in Washington), because all her friends are here. Of course everything is out of my parent's price range, LOL, but I am sure we'll find one she'll like. She took her SAT's today and it hit me that she really is growing up, as it seems like yesterday I took mine at El Camino High School. I am so proud of her though, she is an incredible kid and it's gonna be amazing to see the youngest one create her own path as well.

I will also be doing some reader questions soon since many of you had questions on some of my recent posts....

Anyway, on to the product review!

Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Price: $7+ CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc. (Blackest black)
Would I buy again? Yes

What they say: This revolutionary lash extention mascara helps make your lashes look healthier and longer in seconds. This two-step system offers new "tube" technology. The first step nourishes, while the second step lengthens. No clumping, smudge-proof, longwearing can be removed with water.

Ingredients:
Step 1: Water, Paraffin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates, Copolymer, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire Dabeille, Cera Carnauba/Carnauba Was;Cire De Carnauba, Steareth-2, Cetyl Alcohol, Pheoxyethanol, Hydroxethylcellulose, Acacia Senegal/Acacia Senegal Gum, Rayon, Panthenol, Ethylenediamine/Steryl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Methylparaben, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparapen, Simethicone, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben.
Step 2: Water, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Acrylamide/Sodium, Acryloydimethyltaurate Copolyner, Isohexadecane, Phenolyethanol, Rayon, Polysorbate 80, Methylparaben, Imidazolidnyl Urea, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben

Directions: Apply the white base/primer coat first. This helps add length to your natural lashes, then apply the mascara.

Picture from Ulta.com.


PROS:
- The somewhat thick wand on the the mascara side, gives a nice thick volumized look
- Comes with a primer to help lengthen the lashes
- It's found at most drugstores and doesn't damage the wallet
- No weird smell (at least for me)
- I like how the primer wand is thin so you can get into every nook and cranny
- Didn't flake or smudge on me
- I found it fun and easy to remove with just water (like they claim), although it didn't remove everything, as I still has to use a little bit of my makeup remover to complete the process, but I think if you were to hop straight in the shower you'd be able to remove everything easily, but it comes off in "tubes"
- Similar to blinc's Kiss Me Mscara (will do a review soon finally on this one) in the sense that they both come off with just water and mild soap

CONS:
- Although the mascara wand is thick which is good for getting that volumized look, it may be TOO thick for some. I already have long lashes but I found it a bit troublesome trying to apply it because I felt it was too big for my eye sometimes!
- Didn't give me as much length as they claim, I still had better results with my Carbon Black L"Oreal Telescopic Mascara

How does it compare to blinc's Kiss Me mascara? Although I will also do a review on the Kiss Me mascara, the only real difference I can see is the brush wand itself. As you will soon see, the Kiss Me Mascara has a sort of spiral shaped wand which I found easier than the L'Oreal Double Extend wand, BUT the Kiss Me mascara retails for $24.

Overall? I liked this mascara, it's good considering the price and that it gave me some volume. Not so much in length.









Can't really see the volume here, but I used this mascara...

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Product Review: Make Up Forever Lash Fibers Mascara

Product: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Quality: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
Price: $20, Sephora.com or Sephora stores
Would I buy it again? Yes

What is it: MAKE UP FOR EVER Lash Fibers double your lashes for a full, fluttering look. It's a mascara base you apply before your mascara; the extra fibers help add length to your lashes for more fuller and longer lashes.

Ingredients: Water, Oryza Sativa Cera, Sucrose Sterate, Synthetic Beeswax, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Pentyceride Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, C77891, Polybutene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Gylcol, Nylon-66, Ammonium Acryloyl-Dimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25, Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Hydrated Silica.

PROS:
- The wand is nicely curved so you can apply it to your lashes better
- No weird smell
- Actually had fibers that attach to your lashes so when you apply your mascara you have fuller and longer lashes
- Fibers didn't get in my eye like the Tiffa Mascara Base

CONS:
- Doesn't really hold a curl (not really designed for that anyway)
- Since it's white, it may not work with clear mascara

Comparison to Shiseido Mascara base? It doesn't really hold much curl, but it's great at lengthening your lashes. You can perhaps just do with curling your lashes with a curler. For the demo I didn't curl it at all....the Shiseido one is a clear base and it doesn't have fibers to enhance your lashes.

Overall? This is probably my favorite mascara base so far because it really lengthens my lashes!

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Mascara Guard- Tired of getting mascara on your eyelids?

I have had many questions on how to avoid getting mascara on your eyelids upon application, and sorry I am barely getting around to it now! I actually bought this mascara guard back in January I believe from a little Asian store near the BF's house (for any of you that live in Southern California, it's in the Diamond Life Plaza), for around $3. I went back recently and they didn't have anymore so I am not sure if they are just out of stock. But you can also find it here on this website for around $6 Onatoko.com, and the one shown is the EXACT one I bought.

I hardly use mine because I forget or I am in a rush so I just apply a few coats and I am good, so I rarely deal with it getting on my eyelid since I hardly try to make it "perfect", but if you are looking for something like this to avoid getting mascara on your lid, then I highly recommend this one since it also comes with a comb to get any clumps out.









There are many other versions of mascara guards such as these, the Shape and Guard by Brenda Christian, or the i-Lash, these are reverse versions (the handle is on top, the curved part fits the shape of your eye), it also catches fallen eyeshadow during application of mineral eyeshadows or pigments.


Alice Cosmetics also has their version at $3.99.

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Product Review: Shiseido Mascara Base vs. Tiffa Mascara Base

Product: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Brush Head: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
Price: $22, available at Sephora, Nordstroms, Macy's and other department store counters.

What it claims: A clear base coat for eyelashes that improves mascara application and wear as it boosts volume and curl. Adds dramatic definition to the eyes. Contains Multi-Nutrient Factor, an advanced moisturizer.

PROS: The thick brush wand builds up volume to my lashes, it's a clear gel therefore you can even just use it by itself for a "natural look", immediately when I started to use it I noticed a difference. My lashes looked fuller and longer, and that was just it by itself! There's no funky smell to it and it really keeps a curl on my lashes that lasts me all day. I also like how it is conditioning so it's like a primer to your eyelashes before you apply mascara therefore it prevents eyelash fallout.

CONS: The price, but it does the job so to me it's well worth it!

How does it compare to the Tiffa Mascara Base? Well the Tiffa mascara base has tiny hairs (click on the link for my review on it) that basically attach to your eyelashes to give the illusion of longer and thicker lashes, and can sometimes be irritating if one of the "hairs" gets into your eye. The Shiseido Mascara base is a true eyelash primer and has no "hairs" to attach onto your lashes; it strictly coats your lashes giving you more fuller and longer lashes. It also holds a curl while the Tiffa mascara base doesn't really hold a curl, although it did look the same for the finished look in my last FOTD...

Here are the pics to prove it, so what do you think? ***NOTE*** I did NOT curl my lashes for this demo so that you can see the result...so imagine IF you DO curl your lahes...hello va-va-voom!













TIFFA MASCARA BASE:

It really perked up my lashes but sorta made it wonky...

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Product Review- Kanebo Tiffa Mascara Base from Sasa.com

Sorry I was unable to post much yesterday, I've been sick and it's coinciding with my allergies. I took a Benadryl yesterday which KNOCKED me out, so I was able to sleep nicely!

Here is my review on the Tiffa Mascara Base that I got from Sasa.com, someone asked how much shipping was, and I forgot but I think it was around $5 or $6 for me, you can check out Sasa.com for more details. Shipping is relatively fast USUALLY.

Product: 5 out of 5
Wand: 4 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
Price: $11.00

What it is: It's a mascara base you apply BEFORE you apply your mascara, it helps give the illusion of longer lashes when applied with your regular mascara.

Description: It's a transparent base with little tiny fibers, similar to Imju fiberwig. The fibers attach to your natural eyelashes making it seem like you have longer lash hairs. You apply it as you would your regular mascara, and then apply your mascara of choice.

PROS: Does add a bit of length to my lashes, and doesn't make my lashes stiff or clumpy as oppose to just my mascara alone. No odd smell either.

CONS: Be careful not to apply it to closely to the base of your lashes becaue the fibers may get in your eye causing discomfort.

Overall: It's a pretty nifty mascara base, I haven't tried too many mascara bases simply because I don't really care for it sometimes, although I have tried Shiseido (nice but not liking the price), and Lancome's Mascara Base, but this one is actually really nice because it has those "tiny fibers" in comparison to the previously mentioned where it doesn't have any.

The wand:




My bare eyelashes, no base, no mascara:


Just with the Tiffa mascara base:


With the base AND mascara:

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Heated Eyelash Curler

What do you use to curl your hair? A heated curling iron right? (minus you ladies that use curlers!)

So what do you use to curl your eyelashes? A heated eyelash curler!

I for one am scared of heat, I burned a few fingers on a sizzling skillet when I was 6 and I remember it clearly, and yes I am traumatized by it still which is my excuse as to why I don't cook. But back to my story, I currently have a heated eyelash curler which I love because I don't even feel heat- the Ardell eyelash curler.

However, as I was cruising down the makeup aisle at Wal-Mart, I noticed a heated eyelash curler by LA CROSS, but it was NOTHING I have ever seen before. This eyelash curler looked liked a pen and actually had a wand! It grabbed my curiosity and before you know it, I was walking to my car with it in my hands! As a beauty blogger, I just had to give it a try.

It requires one AAA battery, and you basically push the barrel of the "pen" down to make the wand pop up on top, the LED light goes on, and you wait for the tiny pink colored band to turn clear, that's when you know it's ready. (reminds me of a pregnancy test)

Using it felt easy, as if I was applying mascara. I felt the heat at some points which made my heart race as if I was a person with OCD facing my fears. I was careful not to burn my eyelid (not sure if it can really burn but the heat is intense enough for me to think it will).



A closer look:






Enemies!






_______________________________________________________________________________

Before and After pictures, this was using NO primer/base, NO mascara, nothing, just my lashes...you be the judge.

I don't think it really curled as well as my Ardell lash curler, it seemed to LIFT my lashes but not curl them; but then again I might have just been too scared to fully see its potential...this requires further evaluation.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

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