If you missed this post on how I’m taking on the daunting responsibility of finding the world’s most perfect mascara and blogging about it, well then you’re in luck, because you haven’t missed anything yet. We’re just getting started here. 

So for this particular test drive, I hit up Sephora at the Natick Mall on my lunch break, and chose two different mascaras from the display of their top sellers. Using one time applicators, of course, I tried a different option on each eye so that I could accurately compare them throughout the day. 

Without further adieu, I give you the first my first trial runs:

Mascara #1: LANCÔME Hypnôse Star Mascara $28

What They Say: “This mascara dresses lashes in intense volume, unfolding a new vision of glamour inspired by Betty Boop and top model Daria Werbowy. The formula’s “black-diamond effect” imparts a glossy gel-like finish. The dual-action brush has a flat side for optimizing product deposit at the lash line while the rounded side separates, defines, and lengthens.”
What I Say: You know how they say don’t judge a book by it’s cover? Apparently you also shouldn’t judge a mascara by its bottle. I was of course drawn to its hourglass curve and glittery facade. It turned out to be nothing but a rouse- I absolutely hated the outcome of this pricey designer formula. I applied this to my right eye at 1:00. By 3:00, it was starting to flake a bit. When I got home around 7:00, I was shocked to find that my under eye area resembled a speckled egg. The game had barely started and this one had already lost. So that was a solid no. 

Mascara #2: Benefit They’re Real! Mascara $23

What I Say: I don’t know that anyone was questioning whether or not my left eyelashes were “real” or not, because let’s face it, that’s friggen weird. But I did notice that there was virtually no flaking throughout the day. In fact, when I woke up the next day after breaking the cardinal rule of not removing my makeup before bed (can we be honest about who actually does that every single night? Because all my magazines make me think that you are all doing this every day and I’m horrible). So this one definitely passed my smudge test, and is hands down the winner of this round. 

Mascara #3: Cover Girl Lash Blast 24 Hour Mascara $9.99

What They Say: “Power hour after hour. Bold, intense volume meets the biggest brush from COVERGIRL! Get a blast of lush, volumized lashes that last up to 24 hours. For a bold look that will get you noticed.”
What I Say: This was my first drug store mascara in years. I’m not a snob, I’ve just only been using things I’ve received as a free gift with purchase because if I’m going to spend money, I want as many free products as possible. When speaking to a coworker about the mascara challenge, they recommended a CG mascara that comes in a blue bottle. Now why after swearing off random advice from people did I still go and search for it is beyond me, but I ended up trying this one instead. I figured since it specifically advertised “24 hours” it must at least have the intention of being in it for the long haul (which I couldn’t say about many of the “bestsellers” as Sephora, as most of them only touted their advancements in lengthening and thickening and whatever else mascaras are supposed to do). I was pleasantly surprised with the wear of this one- no flakes at all, but was still easy enough to take off when I forced myself to do so. The only complaint I have is the wand is way bigger in person than it looks in this photo, and I found it difficult to evenly distribute the mascara when applying it to my less dextrous side (whether it’s fingernails, eyebrows or lashes, there’s alway one side that you’re less skilled at applying beauty products- for me, it’s my right). And thanks to my CVS card, I got a buy one, get one 50% off deal, so I also picked up a CG cream eyeshadow that I had previously used but had been smashed to pieces in my my makeup bag. 

We’re off to a pretty good start, but there are so many options out there that need to be tried. And since I will now be away from the mall for four days straight due to a little blizzard situation we got going on here, we may have a slight delay on our next round. I know I said that I was going to be a brat about this and not accept any advice and only base my decision on what I think, but I got some very interesting comments on the last post about what has worked and not worked for you guys. So rest assured, I am reeling in the crazy and any words of wisdom you have, I would love to hear. I am pro-choice when it comes to makeup, but it doesn’t mean I won’t read the picket signs. Keep ’em coming!

Until then,

~L

You might remember this thrilling post from last year in which I purged my makeup drawer that was housing more Jane lipsticks and broken Wet N Wild eyeshadows than any self respecting woman not living in 1999 should own. I have since then upgraded to a lucite contraption from The Container Store that sits atop my dresser. I figured this would be a good way to ensure that I stay organized since all of my products are now visible all the time. It’s just big enough for the essentials + a few fun things. If you wear a ton of makeup this is probably too small for you, but for me it’s perfect because it requires you to edit and only keep the things that you really use/haven’t expired yet. 

Now that all my goods are on display, I’ve noticed there are definitely some key pieces in which I am lacking. Let me start off by saying I really don’t consider myself a “makeup girl.” I really only like lipsticks and nail polish, which I guess doesn’t really count because you don’t put nail polish on your face. Or maybe you do, and you’re one of those My Strange Addiction people- whatever, I’m not judging. But as much as I love buying clothes and shoes, makeup has always really taken a backseat in my eyes, mainly because unlike what’s hanging in my closet, it isn’t permanent. I do admit that it seams crazy to pay $26 for one tube of something that you are going to apply and then remove like twelve hours later. I could get two shirts and a stack of bangles for that at Forever 21. 

Now that I’m getting older, I feel like I need to snap out of my existing makeup routine, many habits that have been with me since high school when I first started wearing makeup (barely). The biggest thing I’ve noticed that I am awful at is anything related to foundation or base or powder or whatever the thing is we’re supposed to be using now. I still don’t know what the hell BB cream is, and yet I want it. So at some point, I need to do an overhaul of my how I put on my face, as the ladies say. I’m going to wait on this one, as I can’t really justify dropping cash on multiple products (because you know there won’t be just one) that are probably going to be sort of expensive (duh). 

So I decided for the moment to concentrate on one elusive item that has been bugging me for years: the perfect mascara. These are my main issues with every kind I’ve used in the past:

1. It never stays on. I am a pale Italian with undereye circles resembling a raccoon. And yes, I have tried sleeping more, drinking water, etc. I think this is just how my face looks. I’ve learned to deal with it (thanks to the insanely priced Christian Dior concealer I discovered on my last makeup crusade) but I certainly don’t need a million tiny black flakes taking the plunge onto my skin everyday. I feel like every mascara I’ve ever tried has shed on me like a shaky black dog. Yet…
2. …It is such a pain to take off. If there’s a way to do it without pulling out half your eyelashes, I sure as hell haven’t discovered it yet.
3. Speaking of losing eyelashes, mine are weird. Just like most body parts that we have two of, mine are totally uneven. I definitely have more on my left eye than my right. I’m probably the best candidate for those eyelash extensions, if they weren’t a million dollars and if I was Jennifer Lopez. 

For years and years, the only mascara I ever used was Clinique. No particular kind, just whatever came in a free gift with purchase all inclusive pack. Which is probably not the way to find a quality mascara that works best for you. 

Last year, fed up with the shedding factor, I posed the mascara question on Facebook. I mean, say what you want about it, but there’s no better way to gather copious amounts of solicited advice than our favorite social networking site. I got so many comments from all kinds of people, and everyone said something different. I finally decided to try L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Volume per the recommendation of my bff and stylist Ryan. He told me it was what Kim Kardashian used, so right away I was sold. Listen, I know the Kardashians suck at life and we shouldn’t indulge them, but you have to admit, that girl rocks a false lash like it’s nobody’s business. 

So I tried it. And it looked amazing on. The brush is super thick and it just like covers every inch of your lashes with thick Bardot-esque goodness. 

And then, within three hours it was all over me. 

I’m serious- I have gone back to this tube repeatedly, not ready to give up on it just yet, and within hours I am reminded why I stopped using it. I started to think that maybe this was normal and all mascaras did this..? No. Unacceptable. It is 2013. We can put people in space but no one has invented a quality makeup product that doesn’t make you look like a used hooker by noon? 

So now I am on a quest for the perfect mascara. Of course I will be reporting my results to you, so I’m basically like a makeup scientist conducting very important field research and therefore cannot be yelled at for spending money. However, it does seem outrageous to buy and try multiple products especially if you end up hating them, so I’ve come up with a plan of attack:

1. I am going to take advantage of any place that allows me to try stuff on (of course safely and with brand new applicators everytime. Gee-ross). I work at a mall, so I am going to go mascara-less and try things, and then give it a full day before I decide if I’m going to buy it. That way I can test for smudgeyness. 
2. If I purchases drugstore makeup, I am going to buy it at CVS. Why? Because they let you return stuff if it doesn’t work out. Also they have Extra Bucks. I know Walmart is theoretically cheaper, but I don’t know if they have such an accepting return policy. Plus any less time I can spend in Walmart, the better off I am, really. 
3. I will not be tricked into buying anything just because someone tells me it’s the most amazing product they’ve ever tried. While it’s a good resource, I’m not even reading reviews online. I already spend enough time reading things on the Internet and that’s like, for fun. This is about what works best for me, so I am the guinea pig in this scenario.

So please, join me on this magical mascara tour as we embark on the search for the perfect formula that lengthens, thickens, separates and lasts for hours on end. Is that really too much to ask? I think not.

~L

1992?

That’s right- those are matching cross-stitched pumpkin sweaters. You can’t see mine, but trust me, it’s there. 

2003

amok amok amok.

blazer/jeans/heels/belt/dress/necklace/nail polish/blouse

These poor kids nowadays. Children that are seven and under on this present day are literally going to grow up on Facebook. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but it’s slightly unfortunate for them that they won’t be able to control which horrible fashion choices of theirs (or their parents) remain in the Internet universe forever and ever. 

I’m lucky enough that I didn’t (or couldn’t, I guess) join Facebook until I was twenty, therefore, only a quarter of my embarrassing life choices are represented on the World Wide Web (are people still saying that? See? Embarrassing). 

However, I am a blogger, and therefore an open book/attention whore, and after seeing all of these kids prancing off to the bus in their their BTS getups, I was inspired to take a trip down memory lane, also known as… The School Book. 

the sheer size of it will sprain your fingers, which if you read on, is most likely an injury i have sustained.

It’s no secret that I have a small interest, okay obsession, with all things red, white and blue. So of course the Fourth of July is one of my two all-time favorite holidays (the other being Halloween, natch). I think it also stems from the fact that my grandfather was in the Navy and my mother was so into like the whole country Americana thing. 

I decided that on my day off today, I was going to be super productive. I made a list as long as the pad of paper would allow and accomplished nearly everything on it. Go me. Would have it just been easier to watch Bravo shows that are currently filling my DVR up to a dangerous 90% and eat shredded cheese right out of the bag? Sure. But my goal was to feel a sense of accomplishment by the day’s end, and dammit, for once I promised myself I wouldn’t get distracted. 

And I was only half kidding about the DVR/cheese thing. Okay I’m not kidding at all, cause it actually happened. But only as an interlude between important tasks.

Most of my goals today were cleaning related, one of which was to clean out my makeup bag. I am the queen of having expensive makeup explode on me for no reason, unless you count throwing the bag in my purse as I run out the door/consistently hitting it off the bathroom counter as reasons. I don’t. If I buy a bronzer for $22 it should basically be indestructible. Are you listening, Clinique?

Luckily for me, I only buy makeup during free gift with purchase promotions, so I have plenty of cosmetic bags to last me the rest of my life. See, I may have mentioned that I work in a mall, and if you stay on top of all the major department stores, brands usually do a promotion once a year at each store. So theoretically, you could get one at Macys in the spring, Lord & Taylor in the summer, and so on. This equation doesn’t really work if you have a life, so don’t count on working this method unless you have absolutely nothing else to amuse yourself during your hour long breaks.

I don’t know if you recalled the Great Counting Post of 2012, but my reputation as a hoarder clearly precedes me. However, I didn’t think this was really an issue when it came to makeup, because I essentially use the same products every day and buy the exact same colors when they run out. As much as I am obsessed with never wearing my hair the same way and stocking up on the latest (cheap) accessories, I have never been a big experimenter when it comes to makeup. I knew I possessed more than what was in my daily bag, but couldn’t remember what exactly.

A whole lot of old crappy makeup. That’s what I had.

I went through my entire makeup drawer thingy that I bought in a post-Caboodle’s-being-cool world and apparently there is still a thirteen year-old girl living in there. First of all, once again, the entire thing was coated in busted up bronzer. How it’s even possible I’ve destroyed this many is beyond me. After removing all the contents and crazily scrubbing the interior with seven makeup remover towelettes, I started taking stock of the contents and forcing myself to part with all the things that I had freakishly saved for so long that were probably going to give me cancer if I used them again.

Brands like Jane, Bonne Bell and the aforementioned Caboodle ran rampant. There was a cupcake flavored shimmer Lip Smacker gloss that I’m positive is from the ninth grade. I’m going to be twenty seven next month. I.Have.A.Problem. This is what the lip gloss/stick drawer looked like before:

I had about ten shades of pink glitter that I haven’t worn in years. Those all got tossed. I had seven tubes of the Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush lip gloss that I know that there’s no way that even I purchased. Half of them had to have been free. Also four of them were the same color. I had three pots of non-existent gloss that you have to use your finger to put on. I hate those. Gone.

I have to admit that part of the reason I did this is to make room for a new friend: The J Crew Poppy King lipstick. I finally ordered it last night. I first heard of this through one of my fav blogs MODG. I didn’t even know it was still available, but it is! And it’s on sale on the J Crew site! And since I will do anything in my power to look like a J Crew model short of actually buying any of the clothes (mainly because I can’t afford it and would like to stay married), my $13 purchase was enough to make me feel a little more stylish. So I need to make room. I couldn’t have Poppy slumming in with ten year-old tubes of Wet N Wild.

So after the lips, I moved onto the eye drawer. I pretty much wear some version of a bronzey cream shadow every day, so when I found seven different kinds of purple, I was beyond confused. I probably wake up and decide to throw on a violet lid maybe one day a year. I heard one time that purple was a good color for brown eyes so I clearly purchased all of plum toned shadows that CVS had to offer. I got rid of a few that didn’t have caps and again, anything that I remembered having in middle school.

The top part was where the Great Bronzer Explosion struck the hardest. That shit was EVERYWHERE. That will go down as one of the greatest mysteries in my bathroom, and I live with a boy. There wasn’t much left in there after I threw out green concealer from Woolworth’s (which clearly doesn’t exist anymore), a few pairs of old fake eyelashes (that I planned on reusing?! ick) and multiple used makeup sponges. Seriously- how did this become my life?

I felt a lot better afterwards, and was actually kind of inspired discovering that I had all these colors (of purple, at least). Now I’m determined to not only keep my makeup area clean but to actually use these things and mix it up a little bit more.

But there’s one issue here: my everyday makeup. I can’t quit what I think is a good thing. Even though I have thousands of magazine clippings on new and exciting trends in cosmetics, even though I could spend hours on Pinterest discovering techniques I didn’t know existed, even though my bff/hair dresser/prom date is an amazing make up artist, I just have the hardest time getting out of a makeup rut. The number one reason is that I’m lazy and sleep in as much as possible, and putting on makeup requires not only getting up a few minutes early but also opening your eyes, which is difficult for me in the AM. Half the time I put my makeup on in the car when I get to work if I have a few minutes to spare. Don’t judge me, I don’t have mirrors in my bathroom. There’s more natural light out there. However after Steve recently cleaned my relatively new car and discovered how much makeup residue was on my passenger door from me opening it after I’ve freshly applied every morning, I’ve started to be a little more aware and made myself promise I would put my makeup on at home, and then wash my hands. Only instead I’m still sleeping as late as possible and have just started carrying eye makeup remover wipes in my purse that I swipe my fingers with before I touch anything in the car. That’s called adapting.

The other thing is that I have this weird tendency to keep all of my fancy expensive makeup in it’s original packaging. Don’t worry, numerous people have affirmed me that this is weird, and adds way more time to your routine when you’re spending precious seconds getting your blush and and out of it’s tiny box. I’m a visual person and also crazy, and to me the packaging is part of what makes makeup expensive. If you buy a tube of Revlon lip stick at Walmart and it doesn’t come in a box, that means that thirty people could have opened it, tried it, smelled it, and whatever else people do when they think no one is watching.

This bag is comprised of the following items that I wear everyday/have been wearing for the past two years:

-Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup Foundation in Shade 02
-Diorskin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer in 002 Beige (guys- for serious, this concealer is, as my coworker would say, the bomb.com. But it costs $30, and it’s worth every penny. I never would have bought anything that is .33 fluid ounces for that much if I hadn’t tried it in Sephora after crying out for help because I was physically unable to find a concealer that hid all my undereye baggage. This stuff works. They are not paying me to say that, but if they wanted to, I would accept concealer as a form of currency. Also it’s probably the only thing from Dior I will ever own. In my life.)
-Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder in 01 Stay Buff
-Clinique Almost Bronzer SPF 15 in 01 Light/Medium (okay, how a powder that you put on like, 1/3 of your face can have SPF in it is beyond me)
-Clinique Blushing Blush in 108 Cupid
-Clinique Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-Hour Eye Colour in 04 Gingerly (seriously, I wear this under everything. And it does last a really long time)
-Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trio (I have no idea which color I’m using because this is one of the few things I’ve gotten as a free gift that I can’t live without, and it doesn’t actually exist for purchase anywhere. However, all of the colors are available separately, so that’s what I’ve resorted to buying, hence the following…)
-Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in 103 Buttered Bronze (this I bought only to use the dark color for my crease. $14 well spent.)
-Sally Hansen eyelash curler (oh.em.gee this thing is amazing. I bought it under pressure because there were too many eyelash curlers to choose from and I panicked and just grabbed this, but I’m glad I did because it’s really good.)
-Benefit BAD Gal Lash in Rich Black (I buy it in the mini tube from Sephora because it’s under $10 and the real stuff is like $19. Also I don’t wear mascara everyday so I don’t go through a ton.)

Remember when I went to the Blog Better Boston conference and had an amazing time and met lots of cool people? Well I also got a pretty sweet swag bag. Granted, there was stuff in it like maple champagne mustard that I didn’t care for but Steve happily accepted on my behalf, but there was also a super secret gift card for a jewelry website that I had never heard of. It was super secret because it was just a tiny pink square that in no way resembled a gift card.