MAC Opulash Optimum Black

Opulash is my favorite MAC mascara. Mostly because it lasts-and lasts and lasts. 8AM  to Midnight and it will never run or smudge on me ( rarer than seeing a meteor shower).  It also does a good job of lengthening and volumizing.

Now there is Opulash Optimum Black. What's the difference ? First up the formula.  The original Opulash was a thick formula and needed wiping before using and sometimes gave me clumps.   New Optimum Black seems to be just a little bit thinner  and therefore goes on much easier right out of the tube. It defines lashes better, adds some curl and I think is giving me more length and volume. It still has the all day wear  thanks to  a "blend of silica plates of mica and natural kaolin to thicken and grab each lash " and the wand/brush seems to be the same as the original. The shade of black is also the same very deep black .

 Verdict- The new Opulash Optimum Black is even better than Opulash. If you liked the former,  you might need to try the latter.

On counter August 25 and permanent .
$ 15.00

Cover Girl Nature Luxe Mascara

Cover Girl has added mascara as the latest to it's Nature Luxe line .

Having a name with Nature in it, we know not to expect showgirl lashes so Nature Luxe mascara is more natural  and less bold than say, the Blast line  but it's not that natural. Normally I do like a bolder lash but I am also more about length than volume and while again I did not achieve Blast proportions with Nature Luxe  I  got decent length with 3 coats. Two coats do nicely for a more basic look. But either way it's more than barely there . Your lashes will look "more".   The formula is very soft , easily buildable and lashes aren't stiff and  there are no clumps. It goes on very smoothly.

Mine is the regular version( not water resistant) but that's one of the things I love most about Cover Girl mascaras, that  they all are very smudge proof . The Nature Luxe is as well. All day wear with no smudges, no running.

This is the one to go to if you want a  mascara that looks good  but is nothing over the top . It's your lashes but better , but not dramatic either.

Rimmel Celebrates The Royal Wedding on Facebook

Rimmel has got Royal Wedding fever  just like many of us ( I certainly do ). They have set up their facebook page to be  a central spot for  contests, how to's on Kate Middleton's look,  tutorials and they will be doing live photos from the streets of London on the wedding day itself.

Interested? Then head over  at:

https://www.facebook.com/RimmelLondonUS

Maybelline One by One Volum'Express

Maybelline's newest mascara One by One by Volum'Express came out just this month. I haven't always had luck with Maybelline mascaras, but this has been a different story. I love it.

It's not too wet a formula, which is the first plus. Not dry but just right.  I get super length and definition and no clumps using this. No flaking  for the most part ( I had a little at the end of the day) and it lasts really long, even on me.  With 2 coats  my lashes look long and really good. I don't recall ever using Volum'Express in any of the other formulas so can't compare them.  But it's much better definition than Define a Lash, which worked pretty well for me overall,  but not nearly as well as this . One by One is  big length with medium volume, but the long, defined look is exactly what I like.

The wand is football shaped  , big but not huge and easy to use. Maybelline calls it an "exclusive ergonomical elastomer brush- The Lash Catcher " , which has been in development for 4 years. They say you get 3 bristles per lash with this brush and it is patent pending.


Available now at all mass market outlets .

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara

Rimmel's new Lash Accelerator is not only  a lengthening mascara but also one that strengthens and is said to help them grow longer.

Rimmel's formula for it is called GROW-LASH complex . Some of the ingredients in the complex are  Biotin, Keratin, Arganine, Vitaman H and Bamboo extract.

In their study with 41 women, Rimmel says lashes grew up to 117% longer in one month of use. After one week they saw stronger lashes .

Now I have just begun using  Lash Accelerator, so I can't say that it's grown my lashes . However, it does  nice job of lengthening. There are some I've used that lengthen more, but many that don't. This falls in the middle. It  feels very soft on , is never hard and it doesn't smudge. If it gets wet, yes it will run ( it's not waterproof)  but in the course of the day I had no smudges and I've mentioned  my major smudge issues many times. 

There are 2 shades - Extreme Black and Black. I have the Extreme  but I don't find it that deep. Not as much as some, which is fine by me. To me it's simply true black.

The wand is long and the brush is  a nice size. No huge brush to deal with, it gets all the lashes pretty easily.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator will be available in October and retail is $ 9.99 ( In the UK this has already been released. )

Maybelline Sneak Peek at Summer/Fall

Maybelline has a raft of new launches coming this summer season. Building on the success of all those new releases last year and early this year, they will expand a few lines and bring a popular mascara from Europe to our shores.

- Color Sensational Lipstick will come in a new Pearls version. Contained in a pearlized case with a shimmer finish in 10 shades. ( These hit stores in June)

- A Color Sensational LipStain will also be launced in 10 shades. This is a water based formula with berry nectars and will be a pen style wand.

- The Falsies Volum' Express is a new mascara here that has been hugely succesful in Europe according to Maybelline. This uses a fiber brush with a slightly flat tip that is cupped like a spoon. Pro Keratin fibers are in there for volume.

- Eye Studio Color Gleam Cream Eyeshadow- an addition to the Eyestudio line , a new cream formula . Each compact will have 3 bright shades with a shimmer finish.

- Instant Age Rewind Protector Finishing Powder- new to the fab Instant Age Rewind line, is a powder with SPF 25 .

- Dream Smooth Mousse Foundation- a mousse foundation for those with dry skin. This is said to provide up to 14 hours of hydration.

All images/info: WWD and Maybelline UK

Lancome Definicils Precious Cells Mascara

Today has been test day for the brand new Definicils Precious Cells mascara from Lancome. I have been a fan of the original Defincils for years and it's the best selling luxury mascara in the world.

Now Lancome has applied the Precious Cells ingredient Malus Domestica ( Swiss Apple) to this new mascara for conditioned , resilient lashes. Hyaluronic acid and Arginine are in there too.

You get the great definition of Definicils here obviously , but some volume as well. Lashes are very soft and I also got a lot of length . The wand is small, which I like, and is new. It has short and long bristles. The formula of Precious Cells is a creamier one and this is a wet mascara. I wipe some off before using.

Application is a breeze, it goes on smoothly, and I had no smudging issues all day. It's also made to remove easily with little to no pulling on lashes, therefore less lash fallout.

Definicils Precious Cells is available now at http://www.lancome-usa.com/ and in Lancome boutiques for $ 29.00.

Lancome counters will launch it shortly.

PS- In Europe the new mascara is Hypnose Precious Cells.

MAC Opulash Sneak Peek

One of the new items MAC tested at fashion week was new Opulash. While I didn't get a snap of the brush I did get one of the tube. It was used by Gregory Arlt to do the lashes seen here at Barbara Tfank.

Opulash is said to be MAC's longest lasting mascara ( I like that ). It should launch sometime in mid April and there will be plenty more details then.

Edit: Pre-sale is now at Nordstrom.com, on counter at Nordstrom April 22. Direct link here

Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara

Lash Stilletto Voluptuous is the new addition to the Lash Stilletto line. I never tried the original, so I can't say how this compares to the first one. I heard it was very black and very wet, two things I am not that fond of in a mascara. I also prefer volume with length, so voila , now Maybelline has combined the two.

Lash Stilletto Voluptuous is still a wetter formula, but not bad. It is also very dark but that also means it really shows up. It did give a lot of length and good volume. It is somewhat buildable. I did 2 coats no problem, the 3rd started to see some clumping. The brush is a slightly curved S shape.

I should also mention I had the waterproof version. I've mentioned many times that I am the smudge queen, so a non- waterproof wasn't going to do it. Sadly, even the waterproof smudged a little. That did not thrill me. Overall if it wasn't for that , I would have really liked this. Take it with a grain of salt though, as I said, I can make a mess out of many mascaras. It did hold up really well otherwise. By the end of the day, I still had very dark, curled looking( without being pre- curled) lashes.

This is in stores now and retail is $ 8.95

*press sample

MAC Studio Fix Lash

I've been using the line for over 15 years and can't can't recall the last time a MAC product disappointed me. Perhaps not ever. But I have never had much luck with their mascaras. Mostly because like so many , they smudge on me. Zoom and Plush Lash would be great if not for that. It's not them, it's more me.

New Studio Fix Lash is just so basic . Now basic is not what I think of with MAC . It has the newer plastic/rubber wand but simply lengthens a little bit , defines a little and thats it. No volume, no boost, no curl, no big lashes. MAC says it is the mascara that "kills clumps" and "separates". OK, it does do that. I can say I didn't have any clumping. So it does do what it does well. It also didn't smudge on me.

If any of you have tried it I'd be interested in what you thought. I know one other person who had the same thoughts as me after using it.

*press sample

Estee Lauder Blacker Than Black

It's hard to beleive that Estee Lauder has gotten in on the black makeup trend, but they have. They have done it in a more wearable way than some or maybe just a toned down version.

The new eyeshadow quad, which is a permanent addition, is Black Smoke and has lightest to darkest shades. The line also has the deepest black in every mascara formula they make. So no matter which you love best, you can have it blacker.

I tried the Double Wear, and I have to say it wasn't that dark. Now I don't like deep black mascara, so that was fine by me. It's a little darker than normal but no way will you have soot lashes. The mascaras are LE.

To achieve the intense jet black color, the scientists at Estée Lauder maximized color intensity
and opacity using select Carbon Black and Black Iron Oxides and putting the pigment through
an ultrasonic process.

These are the mascaras and their shade name:

-Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara in Blacker Black
-Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara™ in Bold Black
-Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara in Jet Black
-TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara in Turbo Black
-MagnaScopic Maximum Volume Mascara in Black
-More Than Mascara Moisture Binding Formula in More Black

*press sample

Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara

Are your lashes ready to get their party on ? If so then Bobbi Brown has an Extreme Party for them.

I've been hearing bits about this new mascara for months and now it's here . One of the things that makes this mascara different is that a new coat can be re-applied anytime. It's called a "re-activation" formula.

Using 2 coats I got really long, spiky, dark lashes. Some volume too . Basically it does exactly what it says- very dramatic lashes. It lasted well and yes, I was able to apply a new coat 6 hours later without any clump or mess. The lashes stay slightly soft , allowing that extra coat to go on easier.

This is my kind of party.

Extreme Party Mascara is out now and is $22.00

Estee Lauder Sumptous Color Mascara

Colored mascara was rampant in the 80s , it was also very bold. Colored mascara has been making a comeback but in a much more subtle way. I had a great Bourjois burgundy a few years ago that you could barely tell was colored. Now Estee Lauder has a full line of colors in their nice Bold Volume Lifting formula.

The shades are much deeper than the images on the company's website. I have tried the green( Emerald), burgundy( Garnet) and brown( Amber). Now brown is easy, I love brown in general some days. It works for my coloring and is dark enough. Amber is a deep brown but not as dark as the black browns of drugstore brands. Emerald is bright in the tube , but again on, looks very dark and not in your face green. Just pretty. The wine colored Garnet is a fav. A Burgundy can just look so nice at times , a little different than black but still a deep , rich color. Amethyst and Sapphire round out the colors.

These are fun to play with , and the formula gives good length, volume and some curl. It holds up really well and doesn't smudge .

*Pictured are swatches of Amethyst and Garnet, Garnet also on the wand/brush. ( keep in mimd they seem brighter here too, due to white background and flash)

$ 19.50 each at all counters and online.

L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

It's the length wars. New mascaras keep coming, each giving longer length than before. Available in the UK for some time, L'Oreal's newest, Telescopic Explosion, is in stores stateside now.

Telescopic Explosion has a small round ball for a wand, that looks a bit medieval but it works. It is a funny little brush but I kind of like it, though it does takes some getting used to ( you can poke your eye very easily). It gives major length . Some volume but not a lot . It can go on a little clumpy at first if you don't wipe the brush a bit, but you can comb it out. My lashes came out very long, very dark and very defined.

I don't think I'd replace my regular style wand with this permanantly but since I keep 3-4 mascaras in the rotation, I do like having this one in there. Most of us want long lashes and this did deliver.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Length

Cover Girl's newest mascara entry is Lash Blast Length.

Lash Blast Length is just that- all about length. The wand itself is incredibly long and thin. The brush has 450 bristles, 20 % more than Lash Blast. The accent is not on volume here.

Lash Blast Length has Elasta-Nylon fibers in it to make longer lashes. The new formula is also flake free. Cover Girl has had their smudge free formula for years now and it's been one of my favorites. I need all the smudge free help I can get and I am a fan of most of their mascaras for that reason and I also get good results.

I liked but didn't love Lash Blast, but am a fan of Volume Exact, Fantastic Lash and Professional Lash .

With Lash Blast Length I got very long, defined lashes. They lasted all day , no smudges and no drooping. I like my lashes as long as can be, who doesn't really ? So I used 3 coats and there wasn't any build up or clumps.

The mascara comes in both a regular and waterproof version.

Colors are :
Very-Black
Black
Brown-Black
Brown

The pre-sale is happening now online: http://www.covergirl.com/ for more info.

Stores will have it Sept.

Retail will be approx.$ 7.49

L'Oreal Extra- Volume Collagen Mascara

Extra- Volume Collagen is the latest mascara from L'Oreal. I hadn't used a L'Oreal mascara in a very long time and then got Voluminous and this one close together. Voluminious has been ok. Too natural and soft looking.

I was not thinking I'd like the Extra Volume Collagen either after seeing the ads. I hate how Eva Longoria's lashes look in them, . I though thats not what I want mine to look like ( even knowing those things are enhanced).

So I got, tried it, and liked it a lot. I get great volume and serious length and I want both , not just volume. It really gives a full look , lasts long, didn't clump and has almost no smudging until very late in the day. The waterproof version would take care of that. So this gets a thumbs up. I do wipe a tiny bit off the wand before using. The wand itself is nice. Not too huge but large. ( The size is 50% larger than tradional L'Oreal volume mascaras).

Available now at all mass market outlets with a retail of $ 7.95

Meltproof Makeup Tips

With a week of 100 temps behind us, but no doubt more heat coming, I thought I'd share some of my best hot weather makeup tips. I have serious makeup melt, even when it's not that hot, so the scorching weather really proves hard. I have tried many things to keep the makeup on, and some work pretty well.
First up are eye tips, since I think thats one area we all share in having trouble with. Plus, the face/ foundation in heat wars rage on for me. We'll save that for another post possibly.


A good tip is to begin to rely more on eyeliner than shadows for your eyes. Not just dark liner though, but brights or pastels. Eyepencils in lighter colors seem to hold up much better than black or dark brown. Plus there are now many waterproof versions out there. I have used the basic Sephora non -waterproof ones for years in a lime shade and a light purple with great results. Against a neutral eye background, these look nice, wear well, and if they do begin to slide, don't leave as much of a mess as dark ones.

Good choices :

Sephora Flashy Waterproof Liner: With colors like mauve, copper, orange and silver, you can't go wrong at 8.00

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes : A huge color spectrum for black to yellow -green to turquoise, these are $ 16.00.

For 35.00 you can get a metallic bronze set of 5 colors., which includes silver and black.


Urban Decay Liquid Liner- If you like liquid, here's your liner. Another I have used for years. Now in new bottle, these stay put forever. Better than the 24/7's even. Acid Green and Honey( gold) are 2 favs and great for now. $ 18.00

Eyeshadows:

Clinique Quick Eyes Liquid Shadow- dries fast, lasts really long. All are fairly light, iridescent shades that don't overdo it. $ 15.00



MAC Paints-I love the Paint Pots, but think these last far longer. In a bit of a messy tube, just squeeze out what you need and apply. Mostly in easy to wear neutrals, there are a few in deeper colors like the red Flammable and deep brown Deep Shadow. $ 16.50 These also make a great eyeshadow base. http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Mascara-

One of the most subjective makeup items out there it seems. But I can wear down even the most waterproof mascara, so if it lasts on me, it should last on anyone.


Cover Girl - I swear by these mostly. Since they went to a smudge free formula years ago, and I tried them for the 1st time, they always last and last and never smudge, ever. The ones I think work best are Volume Exact, Fantastic Lash, Professional( less than 5 bucks) and of course Marathon.

Lancome Defincils- a staple that makes it thru the whole day and night without budging, thankfully. $ 23.00

Now there are many others out there, some I have not tried, so feel free to weigh in here. Great Lash in any incarnation runs immediately on me, Chanel Imitable Waterproof, which I love, does not make it all day. Yes the waterproof doesn't even do it. Sigh.

All Purpose:

Benefit She Laq- I have talked about this before. This stuff saves my eye makeup when I really need it to . It's not perfect, it does make shadow look a bit crinkly, but it also makes it last all day in heat or not. Good enough for me. Makes those smudge-ing mascaras do their job right too. $ 28.00

NARS Multiple- One do it all stick that dries powder-y and lasts on lips and cheeks. Love it. Portable, great for the beach to touch up after, or anytime you need it. Creams rarley last on me, but this one does pretty well. Use on eyes too. $ 36.00

Hope this helps, thse are all products that I use and work for me. There is more to explore and if you have more tips, share.

All items except MAC and Cover Girl are http://www.sephora.com/