Mascara Review/Comparison - Dior Mascaras

Dior is one of my favourite make up brands. It's quite pricy, but the quality is great. Me likey =]Lucky for me, I don't have the stereotypical asian lashes - short and straight. Mine are 'ok'. Not long, not short, and not totally straight. If you lovely ladies read my reviews on drugstore mascara, you'd know I always go for the waterproof versions. <^_^>

I really wanted to love Iconic, but it just didn't work that well on me. It's probably because I had high expectations for it. This mascara promises to lift, curl, separate, volume, and lengthen your lashes. Who can ask for more right? I love how this has a slight shiny finish to it. It doesn't dry matte. But for me, this was only an ok mascara, so I probably won't be purchasing it again. This definately separated and volumized my lashes, but it didn't do such a good job with lengthening or curling it. When I used it without an eyelash curler, Iconic didn't really add much curl. For the price - $27 USD ($34 CAD), I really did expect more from this mascara. The hype around this mascara is crazy, but it just doesn't work as well as I thought it would. Have you tried this mascara? How do you like it?

Dior Blackout - From Dior's line of mascaras, this one is my least favourite. It has kohl pigments in it to give you that super black dramatic look, great for a smokey eye. However, I don't like the brush. There is too much product in between the big spaces in between the bristles. It's probably because the brush that my lashes seemed to clump together. I get better results when I use a tissue to take the excess off, and it really does volumize. I don't like 'extra' work, and I feel like it's such a waste of product. I think I will like this a lot more if they changed the brush to something that is more dense. It's not like I will finish the tube in 3 months anyway, but I still feel like I'm wasting. Blackout also didn't really hold my curl, nor did it really lengthen my lashes. You'll probably *love* this mascara if you already have long lashes.

DiorShow & DiorShow Unlimited - my loves. I have to review these to together. I find the formulas of these two very similar - buildable and light. It keeps my curl, and there is absolutely no smudging. The only difference aside from the brush sizes is DiorShow is more volumizing and Unlimited is more lengthening. I often layer these 2 on top of each other for a more dramatic effect. These mascaras can be used for the natural look, and can easily be built up to add drama - with no clumping! *I love*

The huge brush that comes with DiorShow takes abit of getting use to, but once you get use to it, I guarantee you'll love it! The Unlimited brush is heaven. It's tiny and can easily reach hard to reach lashes, so every single lash is coated. I love the duel sizing too! I use the longer bristles on my top lashes, and the short bristles on my lower lashes.

I would definately repurchase these 2. But if I were to choose 1, I'd go with Unlimited because it gives me longer lashes and the brush is uh-mazing! Also, L'Oreal's Voluminous gives me a similar effect to the original DiorShow, for about 1/4 of the price!

Tried Dior's mascaras? What do you think of them? Love it? Hate it?

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Drugstore Mascara Review/Comparison Part 2

Whoohoo!! Weekend is finally here. My crazy week is over, and I can finally get some sleep =]
Checker out part 1 if you haven't already >^_^<

*L'oreal*

Double Extension Beauty Tubes
Volume: 2/5
Lengthening: 3/5
Curl: 0/5
Smudge: 0/5
Clumping: 2/5
Repurchase: No
For the price of this mascara, I expected more. It slightly lengthens, and does add a little volume. The secret with this mascara is not to let the primer dry before you layer on the mascara. The problem I have with this is that it doesn't keep the curl. My lashes are straight after applying this, and I have to go back and recurl them. For the price, it's not worth it.

Panoramic Curl

Volume: 2/5
Lengthening: 3/5
Curl: 4/5
Smudge: 0/5
Clumping: 0/5
Repurchase: Yes



This mascara is decent. It only adds slight volume and length. Nothing too dramatic. Overall, this isn't a bad mascara.

Volume Shocking
Volume: 2/5
Lengthening: 1/5
Curl: 0/5
Smudge: 1/5
Clumping: 4/5
Repurchase: No
This mascara SUCKS. It doesn't volumize despite its 'volume shocking' name. The packaging is huge. It totally uncurled my lashes. The formula feels very thick and heavy. Even after blotting the excess mascara off the wand before application, this stuff still clumps. Don't let the name fool you like it did me... all this will give you is clumpy, straight lashes... GROSS.


Voluminous

Volume: 5/5
Lengthening: 3/5
Curl: 5/5
Smudge: 0/5
Clumping: 0/5
Repurchase: FOR SURE!!!

This is hands down *the best* drug store mascara I've ever tried. It deserves a HG status for me. =] It's my 'go to' mascara. I always come back to it. The formula is so smooth and light. *Loveliness* XD The thing I find with this mascara is that when it is new, it's a little 'watery', and it gets creamier after a couple uses. This is comparable to the infamous DiorShow mascara, but for the fraction of the cost. I've repurchased this many times. They better not discontinue the mascara.

Stay tuned for my reviews on higher end mascaras!

I'm curious to know what your favorite drugstore mascaras are. *Smiles*

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Drugstore Mascara Review/Comparison Part 1

Mascara… It’s something I can’t live without. I’ve tried so many mascaras, and I thought I’d share my thoughts on them. I finally got around to clearing up my stash… and this is what’s left. It’s still a lot >^_^<> Things I look for in my mascara is volume, length, smudge factor, clump factor, and if it can hold my curl. When I buy mascaras, I tend to get waterproof formulas since I find they hold the curl better. What do I think of my mascaras?

*Cover Girl*


Lash Exact

Volume: 2/5
Lengthening: 3/5
Curl: 1/5
Smudge: 0/5
Clumping: 3/5
Repurchase: No

It clumped my lashes together, and didn't look natural. It uncurled my lashes, and I had to go back after and recurl them, which is something I shouldn't do. *grr* However, this did not smudge at all!
Lash Blast

Volume: 3/5
Lengthening: 3/5
Curl: 5/5
Smudge: 0/5
Clumping: 0/5
Repurchase: Yes


This is one of the better drugstore mascaras I've tried. No smuding, dries fast, holds the curl. The only thing about this mascara is it's a pain in the ass to take off. The brush is huge as well, and it takes a bit of getting use to. Not really a fan of the packaging. It's too bulky.


*Maybelline*
Define-A-Lash

Volume: 2/5
Lengthening: 3/5
Curl: 4/5
Smudge: 0/5
Clumping: 0/5
Repurchase: No

This one is just *ok*. Nothing special. It's good for more natural looking lashes, but I prefer more dramatic lashes.



Volume Express

Volume: 1/5
Lengthening: 1/5
Curl: 2/5
Smudge: 0/5
Clumping: 2/5
Repurchase: No

This mascara really didn't do anything. It just 'coated' my lashes. I would think from the name of it, it would give me lots of volume. It doesn't. Total waste of my money.



Lash Stylist

Volume: 2/5
Lengthening: 3/5
Curl: 4/5
Smudge: 0/5
Clumping: 0/5
Repurchase: No

This is one of those mascaras that require more time to apply. You have to take off the excess product from the comb before applying, or it'll clump like no tomorrow. Other than that, it's decent. But I won't repurchase this just because I like mascaras that don't require any effort to put on. I'm lazy. haha

*Rimmel*

Magnifier


I'm not going to even rate this mascara. I've tried the normal and the waterproof formula. It's one of the worst products I've ever tried. It clumps. It doens't lengthen. It doesn't volumize. I don't know what this is suppose to do. It definately doesn't 'magnify' my eyes. It also leaves my lashes stick straight after. *Awful*

*Revlon*

This is another mascara that doesn't even deserve to be rated. I bought it because it had a small wand and the brush was different, so I thought I'd give it a try. Boy, was it a mistake. The brush is horrible. It definately thickens my lashes, but in a very clumpy kind of way. The formula is so thick and heavy, it uncurled my lashes. This is probably the worst masacra I've tried. I literally took it out, tried it once, and it was just left sitting in my mascara drawer until I threw it out. What a waste.

What are you're favourite mascaras? I would love to know =]. Leave me a comment below or on my cbox. =]

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Drugstore Mascara Review/Comparison Part 2

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Ramblings...

Whoohoo... 2 midterms down, 1 to go. *sigh* I did horrible on today's midterm. I'm kicking myself right now for second guessing myself on a few of the questions T.T What sucks is that the midterm was worth 30% of our mark and there were only 20 questions. I really hope I passed. I really don't like multiple choice questions that focus on minute detail. They always get me. Can't wait until the weekend!!

Keep those comments coming =] They really do make my day! hehe ... To everyone that is having midterms right now...

Camping out at the library + FOTD

3 midterms this week! aaaahhh... I've basically been living off coffee for the past week haha. Yes, Tim Horton's Mocha is the best! hehe. I didn't win anything though =[ I can't wait for this week to be over! My disastrous table....

Aside from my boring boring life..... my FOTD!

What I Used:

*Face*
Skinfood BB Cream #2
MAC Studio fix Powder
NARS Luster + Outlaw

*Eyes*
MAC Gold Dusk Pigment
MAC Teal Pigment
Mac Contrast e/s
Mac Fluidline - Blacktrack
L'oreal Voluminous Mascara

*Lips*
MAC Love Nectar Lustreglass

I tried making a video, but it didn't turn out so well. Maybe I'll try making it again later, but for now... this is what I did.

Gold Dusk all over lid
Teal near lashline & lined lower lashline
Contrast at outer corner & below the Teal on the lower lashline
Lined top lashes with fluidline
Went over fluidline with Contrast e/s [Now my black liner is blue.. hehe]

Nerdy Me... =]

Oscar's Hits & Misses

Taking a look back to Sunday's 81st Acadamy Awards, there were many unforgettable outfits, and many that made me say "What were you thinking?" To start off, I have to say I loved the theme and the stage set with the Swarovski crystal curtain. It was oh so pretty! Here's my picks on the Hits & Misses

*Misses*

Mickey Rourke

I really have no comment about this one... haha

Miley Cyrus

She looks like she came from the marines. Scaley....

Sophia Loren

Flashback to the '70's/'80's! Way too many frills going on, and she had WAY to much make up on. With that said, Sophia still looks GORGEOUS at age 74!
Jessica Biel
The draping at the front is just ugly. Not to mention the hair...
Tilda Swinton
The colours don't look flattering on her. It makes her look even paler.

Heidi Klum

Very architectural, but this dresses definately doesn't showcase her supermodel body.

Bridge Fonda

The cut is not flattering. And the fabric... Table cloth!!

Beyonce

Beautiful hourglass figure... but the dress?? It screams CURTAINS!

Amanda Seyfriend

Is it just me, or does she look like a Christmas present?

*HITS*

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Dior Haute Couture

The detailing at the top is absolutely beautiful, although I thought her boobs were going to fall out.. haha. Classical princess dress. Not a huge fan of her hair though.

Natalie Portman
Not many can pull off this bubblegum pink colour. She kept it simple, and she looks gorgeous in it.

Even Rachel Woods wearing Elie Saab

The colour is not very flattering on her pail skin. But I put dress in the *hits* because the dress itself is absolutely gorgeous. I love the detailing. I think this dress would look dazzling on her if it was in another colour... perhaps green, or red?

Taraji Henson wearing Cavalli
Stunning... the dress, the hair, the necklace and a pop of colour with the clutch. She looks flawless.

Vanessa Hudson wearing Marchesa
I'm not a huge fan of mermaid dresses... but Vanessa looks stunning in this dress.

Penelope Cruz wearing Vintage Balmain gown
As always, Cruz looks fab. Loving the detailing on the bottom!

Kate Winslet wearing Yves Saint Laurent
This asymmetrical cut & detailing looks very classy on her.

Marisa Tomei wearing Versace
I leave the best for last. My favourite dress of the evening. The intricate pleating is drop dead gorgeous!

Images courtesy of Dose.ca & Yahoo Movies

What were your hits and misses?

25 Random Things - Tagged by Aichaku!!

Aichaku did this tag, and tagged everyone that reads it. So here's mine!! =] Enjoy

1) Beautiful skin is from within. All the skincare will not help you achieve flawless skin if you are not eating healthy.

2) Drinking lots of water and getting enough sleep also helps with getting better skin. [I do notice a difference in my skin when I'm stressed and not getting my sleep]

3) Less is more.

4) Eyeliners out there crease & smudge on me. I'm still on the hunt for my HG liner. I make stay put longer by putting black shadow over it.

5) Jeans are my best friend. I wear them practically everyday! It goes with anything. It can be casual and with the right shoes and accessories, casual becomes dressy.

6) I *love* dangly earrings. I just think they are so pretty!

7) Adore handbags. but, I don't have a black one! *gasps*... I have green, beige, bronze, brown... but no black! I'm quite picky when it comes to bags. I have my eyes on Coach's Sabrina, but I don't have the money right now to buy one =[.

8) Matte & pastel colours don't work well on me. Nor do I like eyeshadows with chunks of glitter in them. Shadows with shimmer in them work best on me and they brighten up my eyes.

9) I always wing out my eyeliner.

10) I don't like the heat or the sun, and I don't mind the cold in the winter. I get so dark so easily in the summer. And it takes forever for the tan to go away *sigh*

11) I have really thick hair. Everytime I get my haircut, my hairdresser always thins out my hair.

12) I don't like bright lip colours. I like to stick to neutrals, and I prefer lipgloss over lipstick.

13) When I study, I snack alot. It keeps me awake.

14) I love to layer my clothes.

15) Patience can be learned. I find that my patience is so much better now after being a tutor for a few years.

16) I think it's better to have a few things your really like or of high quality, then to have a lot of things.

17) If Amazing Race came to Canada, I would audition for it.

18) I *love* asian dramas, especially the ones from Taiwan. It's so addictive!

19) My hair doesn't like to curl. It straightens out by the end of the day. =/

20) Back in highschool, I started to design clothes. I have binder full of drawings I did. Too bad I don't know how to sew.

21) I use to keep up with a lot of TV shows. I don't have the time to watch so much TV now. The only TV show I keep up with now is Ghost Whisperer.

22) I love shows like Law & Order and CSI.

23) I use to watch Wheel of Fortune all the time, and I use to yell at the answer all the time!

24) When it comes to highlighting your brow bone, you aren't suppose to see it!!

25) Sometimes, MAC MA's intimidate me. They wear A LOT of make up, and some of them are so mean!

These are my 25 random things. What are yours? I would love to read your list. Leave me a comment or a link!

FOTD, Chic Neutral Look + a Pop of Colour

This look can really work with any colour. I chose purple because I'm wearing a purple sweater and purple really brings out brown eyes. It's also great for those that wear glasses... like moi!

What I Used:

*Eyes* [All MAC]

Rubenesque Paintpot

Amber Lights

Satin Taupe

Tete-A-Tint

Dream Maker

Violet Pigment

Fluidline - Blacktrack

Majolica 120% Mascara

*Cheeks* [NARS] - Luster, Sin

*Lips* MAC Slimshine - Bare

First I put Amber Lights all over my lid

Satin Taupe on the outer corner

I used Tete-A-Tint to blend out the harsh lines, then Dream Maker to highlight my browbones

Wet a pencil brush and line the bottom lash line with Violet pigment. I winged it out.

The finished look after lining the top lashes & putting on mascara...

Quick Fixes & Tips: Too much product on your hair?

Used a little too much product on your hair? No problem!
If the product is oil based, like a serum, put some baby powder or dry shampoo on it. Powder will absorb the oil.

Too much hairspray, gel, or any other styling product? Blowdry it! You're probably thinking... 'Won't that burn my hair?' Chances are, you will see your hair smoking, but it's not your hair burning. It's simply the product burning off.

How do I avoid this?
I don't use styling products everyday. I actually only use it when I curl my hair. However, I do use serum (BioSilk Silk Therapy) on damp hair, then again after I blow dry it to give it that extra shine. What I do is squeeze out just a dime size on the palm of my hand, then I rub my hands together. I start from the back of my head (where our hair is the thickest), and I basically run my fingers down my hair going to the sides after with whatever is left on my hands.

Got any other suggestiosns? I would love to know!

Collective Swap Haul + FOTD

For these past two weeks, I've been uber excited about getting my mail. I'm loving my swaps! Skinfood! I can't wait to try them. I think they should start opening some branches in North America!
I can't wait to head to the MAC store now with the gift card. =] I really want to try out their new Studio Sculpt foundation, but I don't really have the time to go shopping now with midterms just around the corner =/. The Castledew palette is super duper cute. Why can't American companies come out with pretty packaging?

I actually did a look today using the palette. The colours are very sheer, with a little shimmer in them. Perfect for everyday looks.

For the cheeks I used Nars Outlaw. And for the lips, I used MAC's Marquise D' lipstick and She Loves Candy lipglass. Now, it's just me being silly hehe.

Has any of you tried the new MAC foundation? Love it? Hate it?