Product Review: Laura Mercier Thickening & Building Mascara, Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara

I'm still making my way through Sephora's Lash Stash Mascara Deluxe Sampler, trying out each one and writing product reviews every two months as I go along. However, I tried two mascaras I disliked so much that I decided I couldn't wait two months for my next review.



First up, the Laura Mercier thickening and building mascara ($20 for the full-size version) promises to volumize and condition lashes with vitamins A, E, and C. Reviews for this mascara were only so-so on the Sephora website, and once I started trying it out, I could see why. The small wiry brush, while allowing for the utmost control, didn't do much for my lashes at all. After swiping a couple coats on, I squinted at the mirror trying to discern the minimal--if any--difference it made. As the day wore on, I decided I wasn't really wearing mascara, that I must've gotten a dried-out dud sample--and that was when the smudging began. At least with Benefit BADgal Lash, I had enough benefits to make the smudging worthwhile, but the Laura Mercier mascara was just all-around awful. I persisted valiantly for a week before I gave up and chucked it in the trash.



After my Laura Mercier disappointment, I approached Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara ($19 for the full-size version) with high hopes only to be let down once again. Boasting lash-boosting proteins and amino acids, Smashbox Lash DNA claims to create "mega length and curl while conditioning and rebuilding former lash damage." It also features a signature double helix brush intended to grab every lash and lengthen and separate even the teeniest ones. Unfortunately, in my experience, these were lofty claims the product did not meet. The brush clumped like mad and left black smears on my eyelids. (I guess I should've known better than to expect fabulous lashes from an applicator resembling a miniature version of what the chimney sweeps used in Mary Poppins.) Like the Laura Mercier mascara, as the day wore on I was left with severe undereye smudging. Fed up, I tossed this one after three days.

I know some of you are probably thinking, "If your mascara smudges so badly, why not go for waterproof?" Truthfully, I'm very lazy about using makeup remover. I also know there are formulas out there that come off easily with warm water but stay put and are relatively smudgeproof throughout the day. (Cover Girl Lash Blast is one of them.) In fact, I'm trying out a mascara from the Lash Stash Sampler right now that more or less fits this description, but you'll have to stay tuned for that review in an upcoming post!

Have you tried the Laura Mercier or Smashbox mascaras? What do you think of them?

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Product Review: Laneige Water Skincare

Have you ever watched a Korean drama and wondered how the leading actress maintains her flawless complexion? Well, us North Americans are one step closer to achieving K-beauty perfection thanks to the fact that Korean skincare and beauty brand Laneige is now available at Sephora. You may remember me raving about their BB Cushion Compact in a recent post; their skincare is no slouch either. More details after the jump!

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Product Review: L'Oreal Unlimited Mascara

Mascara used to be one of my favourite beauty products to experiment with. They need to be replaced every 3 months anyway and there are so many affordable and terrific options at the drugstore level, so why not try a new one each time? Lately though it seems like every new mascara I test equals Smudge City. I was hoping this wouldn't be the case with L'Oreal Unlimited Mascara ($16.99 at London Drugs), which I spotted at the #LDBeauty preview and was very excited about. At first I thought the "Unlimited" part referred to how much product was in the surprisingly bulbous tube, but nope, it refers to the limitless lash-lengthening and lifting benefits that this product promises.

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Product Review: Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara

While in Las Vegas, I bought Sephora's LashStash Mascara Deluxe Sampler ($39), a collection of ten sample-sized mascaras. Here was my chance to explore mascaras beyond the drugstore variety and see if these premium brands were worth the hefty price tag, all without actually committing to any one brand! Inspired, I decided to review a new mascara once every two months until I go through the entire sample pack.

First up: Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara. Benefit's BADgal Lash mascara has a cult following; fans swear that the big brush and clump-free formula give them the biggest, most luscious lashes they've ever gotten from mascara before.

I was pretty impressed with the reviews I read on the Sephora website, but my own feelings about the mascara are mixed. The feminine, luxe-looking black-and-silver packaging on the full-size product is replicated in miniature on the sample product. The wand felt comfortable in my hand, and while the brush was big, it didn't clump even after four or five coats. The mascara did indeed deliver on its promise of long luscious lashes which, at the same time, looked very natural.

Now, here comes the downside: The formula smudges like no other mascara I've ever tried. I found myself doing intermittent undereye checks throughout the day, but even so, by the end of the day, I had panda eyes I couldn't get rid of. After the first time this happened, I figured I should be more careful with applying moisturizer and eye makeup so that it doesn't wick away my mascara. The smudges still occurred. The smudgy formula left me more than a little disappointed because I'm such a fan of its benefits. At $19 US (and $22 or $24 Cdn, I think?), I think I'll pass on buying the full-size version.

Have you tried BADgal Lash Mascara? What do you think of it?

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Product Review: L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum

After testing a bunch of high-priced mascaras, I was ready to move on to excellent drugstore ones (hello, Cover Girl Lash Blast Length) and away from those that promised a lot and failed to deliver. It was around this time that a publicist from L'Oreal contacted me about trying their new L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum.

The first such serum to be available at the drugstore level, L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum boasts a pro-keratine, pro-peptide, pro-vitamin B5 formula that also contains the amino acid arginine. In other words, it contains ingredients that help lashes grow thicker and longer by infusing them with good stuff. To achieve optimal results, it's recommended that you apply the serum in the morning before putting on mascara and then at night before you sleep. Sweep the applicator on your lashes, then use the tip to swab the upper lash line.

The publicist sent me three full-size tubes of the serum. Because I received so much product, for this review I decided to pass on the other tubes to friends Aliza and Cwangdom to test. Here are our impressions of the product in a nutshell.

Aliza: I'm not a creature of habit so throwing a lash serum into my routine every night was challenging. Needless to say, I didn't use it every night as instructed. The upside is I think I still saw a slight difference in my lashes after a few uses. They were slightly darker and seemed fuller. However, this product stings if you get it on your lash line and anything burning around my eye is a turn off. Plus the serum is pretty thick. Once applied, it makes your lashes seem like you've done too much crying, so going out before it dries is not recommended.

Cwangdom:I noticed that my lashes appeared to be slightly thicker/fuller but not longer, shinier or darker. It takes a little while to add it into the routine. I was applying the serum every day after I curled my lashes and under my mascara in the morning. I found that when I put on the serum it pretty much cancelled out using the eyelash curler, which was annoying. I didn't like using it at night because I would wake up with dry clumps of stuff on my lashes--not the most lovely sight. It seems like the serum is more like a glorified clear brow/lash gel. I wouldn't continue using this product as the results weren't worth it. I'd rather just use the eyelash curler and mascara.



My Take: Like Aliza, I found that L'Oreal Lash Serum did sting a bit when it got in the eyes. After trying to use it as a mascara primer once and finding the product too sticky and clumpy, I gave up. (Kudos to Cwangdom for persisting.) Instead, I only applied the product at night. Like Cwangdom, I noticed that it left whitish clumps on my lashes in the mornings but they came off pretty easily when I washed my face. After 4-6 weeks, I did notice that my lashes appeared thicker, longer, and darker. The results weren't as noticeable as what you'd achieve with makeup, extensions, or false lashes.

All in all, I'd say give this product a try if you're curious. At roughly $13 Cdn, you don't have much to lose, but results aren't guaranteed. I also suspect they aren't as dramatic as what you'd get with a prescription product like Latisse.

Have you tried L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum? Do you use any other products on your lashes?

Tomorrow is the last day to enter my Sex and the City tour tix giveaway! I'll be drawing a winner at 12pm Pacific time. Have you entered yet?

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Product Review: ELF Top Sellers Kit

One perk of fashion blogging is that sometimes you get the chance to try out products you wouldn't normally buy for yourself. Case in point: Paulo from ISTYLEU received men's and women's beauty product kits from ELF Cosmetics, an American company notorious for products that only cost $1 or $2. While he sampled the men's products, he passed on the women's Top Sellers Kit ($25) to me. Yay!

For me, this product review wasn't just about the quality of the ELF cosmetics themselves, it was also a litmus test for this question: Can products priced so cheaply maintain a high level of quality? The answer to this question is yes and no.

Me sans makeup. I'm just about to try out the ELF cosmetics. Exciting!

The Hits:

• The Brightening Eye Color eyeshadow palettes and eyeliner pencils performed well. Even without primer, the colours in the Butternut palette endured a sweaty night of salsa dancing without creasing or smearing. Also, I love how the pencils all come with their own sharpeners.
• The Therapeutic Conditioning Lip Balm in Strawberry Creme is a great alternative to your standard cherry Chapstick and smells just as yummy.
• Confession: I've been afraid of eyelash curlers ever since I got my eyelid caught in one when I was 17. However, I've been using the Mechanical Eyelash Curler and loving it. It's just your basic eyelash curler, but the $1 price tag can't be beat!
• While the Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara didn't satisfy my desire for flirty dramatic lashes, it did do a great job of grooming my brows.
• The Shine Eraser blotting papers are very effective--one sheet does the job of 3 of my standby Daiso blotting papers. Plus they were powder-free, just the way I like my blotting papers (it doesn't clog your pores).
• I love the Eye Makeup Remover Pads and Nail Polish Removal Pads! These pre-moistened cleaner wipes come in little portable cylinders. They don't take up a lot of room on my dresser, and I can just imagine how convenient they would be for travel.
• The Liquid Eyeliner is comparable in quality to ones which cost $10+ but is only $1.
• The Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder provides a subtle glow.

Applying the Butternut eyeshadow palette with the ELF eyeshadow brush

Using the clear brow grooming gel

The bronzing powder and brush

The Misses:

• Having never tried false lashes before, I was psyched about the Dramatic Lash Kit but ultimately disappointed. The glue was really hard to squeeze out of the tube (I think it dried out at some point) and in the end, as much as I (and my photographer) tried to squeeze the glue out, there wasn't enough to stick on one false lash.
• The Eye Widener white eyeliner pencil claims it'll make your eyes look wider and brighter if used along the lower rim of your eyes. However, the first time I used it, the pencil crumbled into little white bits along my lower lash line--not exactly ideal for a contact lens wearer. Once I got the hang of it, I didn't notice a difference in how big or bright my eyes look.
• The Earth & Water Mascara Duo features waterproof mascara on one end and regular mascara on the other. While a great concept for travel, I found that the wands didn't perform as well as other types of mascaras I've used. My lashes didn't look noticeably different from the way they look sans mascara.
• I was disappointed with the quality of the ELF makeup brushes in the kit. The Blushing, Bronzing, and Blending Brush and Total Face Brush kept shedding bristles with each use. Also, when I washed the brushes, they emitted an unpleasant toxic smell.

The false lashes were a definite miss because of the bad glue.

Applying the mascara

The shedding Total Face Brush

Me after the makeup. Here I'm wearing the Butternut eyeshadow palette, the Coffee eye pencil, Eye Widener white pencil, bronzing powder, lip balm, duo mascara, and brow gel.

A special thanks to my friend Felix for taking these pictures for me!

Have any of you ever tried ELF cosmetics and products? What do you think of them?

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Product Review: L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara

Not being blessed in the eyelash department, I consider mascara to be one of my daily makeup essentials. It was thus understandable that when Matchstick contacted me about trying out L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara, I jumped at the chance. Matchstick sent me two tubes of the mascara along with a makeup bag full of other L'Oreal goodies--a black liquid eyeliner, makeup brush, and a smoky eyeshadow quad.

I was pretty stoked about the accompanying loot, but it was the mascara I was dying to try out. L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara promises to lengthen your lashes by up to 80% and mimic the lush, full look of lash extensions with its 2-step application process. The white base coat creates a tube-like coating to pump up your own lashes' length and volume. L'Oreal also claims this mascara washes off very easily with water--no rubbing or makeup remover required. Unfortunately, one of the tubes I was sent was completely dried out! I opened the black end and pulled out a bristle brush with tons of dried black clumps sticking to it. The second tube I opened was usable thankfully.

The good news: The mascara does everything it promises to! The first time I tried it out, I didn't notice a distinct difference between the effects of this mascara and my classic standby, Cover Girl Lash Exact. The second time around, I applied the white layer more rigorously, starting from the base of my lashes and wiggling the brush all the way up. This resulted in a dramatic difference. It does indeed form tubes around your lashes, as I discovered when I washed my mascara off with a wet terry cloth. Instead of flaking and blurring into a smudgy mess, it slid off in thin black lines. I tried wearing the mascara with contacts and am pleased to report that it doesn't irritate my eyes.

The bad news: The brush for the black coat clumps something fierce. Every time I applied it, I had to run the brush against the rim of the container to remove all the excess black gunk the nylon bristles dredged up. Also, when I did get clumps, they were harder to comb out with an eyelash comb than standard mascaras; I suspect it has something to do with the lengthening and volumizing effects of the tube extensions. Lastly, this mascara retails for $14.99, which seems a bit pricey for a product that has to be replaced every 3 months, but I suppose that's still a lot cheaper than paying for lash extensions.

A special offer for Solo Lisa readers! Log on to beautytubes.ca and get $5 off.



Update: I thought it only fair to you guys to mention it: After a week of using this mascara, I was forced to throw it out. The black brush was just clumping too much. I suspect this has to do with the black formula drying out after repeatedly being dredged up from the tube, exposed to the air, then scraped off and pushed back into the container. My final verdict is that although this mascara works wonders, in the long run if it dries out so easily it's kind of a waste of money.

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Product Review: L'Oreal Miss Manga Rock Mascara

"Doll-faced" is usually a figure of speech when it comes to beauty looks, but in the case of L'Oreal Miss Manga Rock Mascara ($11.99 at London Drugs), which promises to give you anime character-inspired lashes, the expression is quite literal. This latest iteration of L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara boasts a texturizing, volumizing formula and a 360-degree spiked brush. The idea is that you can build up your lash look from heightened volume to editorial-worthy spikes.

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Product Review: Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara

I almost contemplated not writing a review for Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara ($20 for full size; mine was the sample tube included in the Sephora mascara sampler). A mascara that does so little is really a non-mascara, and as such deserves a non-review. The formula contains Abyssinia oil, a substance that promises to condition and, along with the "revolutionary microbristle brush," give you voluminous lashes. Imagine my disappointment when after applying multiple coats my lashes looked like there was nothing on them. Sure, the brush makes application virtually clump-free, but it really doesn't do much of anything. No length, no volume, no "wow" effect. It looked as if I had nothing on my lashes. I'm glad I got to try this mascara out without paying the price for the full-size product--imagine how choked I'd be to try something only to discover that for all the good it did I might as well not have bought it at all!

That being said, I really don't understand the rave reviews for this mascara on the Sephora website. Have you tried it? Does it work for you?

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Product Review: Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

As an Asian girl who's not exactly blessed in the lash department, I'm always on the lookout for the next great mascara. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara ($31) launched a little while ago to great aplomb on social media, but it wasn't until recently that I got the chance to try this curling, lifting mascara for myself. So how did it work out? You'll have to click the jump to find out!

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Product Review: Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara

Vibrating wands are just one of many trends in the mascara world lately. The makers of such mascaras imply that the vibration action separates, defines and lengthens each lash in a way that manually applying mascara doesn't. But do they really work? I had the chance to find out. Since my beloved Cover Girl Lash Blast Length was reaching the end of its shelf life, I cast about for a new mascara and found a new tube of Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibration mascara on my bookcase. (It was amidst a bunch of unopened beauty products I'd accumulated from goodie bags for various events.)

Unfortunately, Maybelline's Pulse Perfection mascara disappointed on many counts. The vibration was minor, made little difference to my lashes, and was no substitute for good application technique. Instead of relying on the wand to do all the work as I swept the applicator through my lashes, I alternated manually wiggling the brush back and forth with pressing the vibration button.

The brush has sparse, short bristles. Combined with the tar-like texture of the formula, it made for clumpy, goopy results. I had to comb my lashes out, then sweep a wet Q-Tip over my eyelid to clean off traces of mascara. My lashes looked reasonably good at the end, but I was annoyed at the extra cleanup effort. What's more, the mascara formula proved to be smudgey as the day wore on. It left a dark shadow in the undereye area and made me look more sleep-deprived than I already was. Not attractive.

Considering the Pulse Perfection mascara retails for around $20 at drugstores (signficantly more than the average drugstore mascara), I'd say that pulsating wands are more of a gimmicky money-grab than a makeup must-have. After two days, I got sick of this mascara and tossed it in the trash.

Have you tried any vibrating wand mascaras? What do you think of them?

P.S. Only 1 day left to enter my Consonant Body giveaway. Have you done it yet?

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Product Review: Estee Lauder Little Black Primer

It's only been a week of testing, but I can already tell that the new Estee Lauder Little Black Primer ($27) will be as essential to my makeup arsenal as the LBD or the little black clutch is to my wardrobe. This black-tinted primer blends in with lashes, unlike traditional white primers. (Why didn't anyone think of this before?!) What's more, it can be used three ways: as a primer that amplifies lashes; as a lash tint; and as a topcoat that waterproofs and extends the wear of your normal mascara.

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Product Review: Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Eye Lifting Balm

File this product review under "nearly empty product I'm finally writing about" or under "pre-vacation blogging." Either way, I have a backlog of beauty posts to work through before taking off for Paris at the end of March and I'm starting with Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Hyaluronic Acid Eye Lifting Balm ($72)! I've always liked this all-natural French brand's skincare and how it uses different parts of the grape plant—the grapes, the grape skins, the leaves, the vines—in formulas for their antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. I couldn't resist picking up this eye cream at Sephora a couple months ago; the adorable 15 ml millennial pink tube just sealed the deal.

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Empties: August 2017

I can't believe it's been three months since my last empties post! Since I decided to start doing these round-ups, I've been much better about saving my empty packaging and taking notes on each product in my bullet journal. Here's what I've gone through.

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Product Review: Hourglass Superficial Lash Mascara

Finally, a mascara from my Sephora sampler pack that I loved enough to want to purchase! Hourglass Superficial Lash mascara promises to create volume, length, and definition with its precise brush, while the vitamin E-enriched formula moisturizes and nourishes lashes. With its unassuming packaging and my previous mascara disappointments, I initially expected the Hourglass mascara to be a dud as well, so you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I found this to be the Holy Grail of mascaras for me.

Unlike other volumizing/lengthening mascaras with huge brushes, I found the Superficial Lash applicator just right for my short Asian lashes. The applicator grabbed every lash and applied product evenly from the base to the tip without leaving smudges or marks on my eyelids. Even after 4-5 coats, it didn't clump at all. I was also pleased to discover that the formula conditioned my lashes as promised: they were softer and noticeably longer after a month of usage.

The only downside to this miraculous mascara is its hefty price ($26 US and $34 Cdn for the full-size version). But with all of its benefits, I think Hourglass Superficial Lash might be worth the splurge.

Have you tried Hourglass Superficial Lash?

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Product Review: Kiss Me Mascara

Although I tend to stick to tried and true beauty products, I can be a fickle girl when it comes to mascara. Mascaras only last for about 3 months until they have to be thrown out for sanitary reasons anyway, which provides the perfect built-in reason to try a new brand every time I buy. I've been unfailingly loyal to Cover Girl Lash Blast for the past 6 months, but when my last tube reached its expiration date, I reached for the Kiss Me Mascara sample that I got from Wink Beauty Lounge to tide me over.

Kiss Me promises to form smudgeproof, stay-put tubes around your own lashes to make them look longer and fuller; essentially, it will give you the look of lash extensions without having to go to the salon. The tubes stay put all day until you use warm water and gentle pressure to take them off. I've tried tube-forming mascara before and was unimpressed with the two-step process and how quickly the formula dried out, forcing me to throw it out after only a week.

Kiss Me lives up to most of its claims. The mascara did indeed form tubes around my lashes that slid off easily as soon as I pressed a washcloth soaked in water to my lash line for a few seconds. I liked the fact that it was a one-step application process and the formula didn't dry out in the tube. My lashes looked longer and more fluttery when I used it--in fact, they were so long I could feel them graze the lenses of my sunglasses when I blinked!

The downside? Kiss Me didn't fulfill its 100% smudgeproof promises. Little black lines of dye would wick away from my lashes onto the undereye area and I found myself checking for minute smudges throughout the day. The brush applicator rarely clumped, but when it did, the quick-drying tubes made clumps difficult to comb out. The high price tag (about $24-30) is a bit off-putting as well considering what a short shelf life mascara has. Overall, though, I give a thumbs-up to this product and definitely recommend trying it if you have the chance!

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Product Review: Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom Mascara

As far as drugstore mascaras go, few rival the perfection of Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume or Lash Blast Length. I've long raved about their volumizing and lengthening properties, clump-free application, all-day smudge-free formula (even on oily lids like mine!), and ability to come off at night with just a bit of warm water. Cover Girl has since launched a multitude of new mascaras, often with mixed results. Their latest, the much-hyped Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom Mascara ($9.49 at London Drugs), is one of the ones that seems to have missed the mark.

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Product Review: Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara and Magic Kajal Eye Pencil

As a beauty blogger, I get to try all sorts of products: some great, some bad and some that are full of promise but end up being somewhat disappointing. I'm sorry to say that the latest products I received from Givenchy ended up in the latter category. After my fantastic experience with their new Gelée d'Interdit Smoothing Gloss Balm, I was very excited about trying their latest mascara and eyeliner.

Every newly launched mascara claims to give a woman a bigger, bolder pair of lashes and Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes Mascara ($29.50) is no exception. The round applicator promises to grab every lash from the root, lengthening and volumizing for a "fanned-out panoramic effect" with lots of curl and no clumping. The applicator did deliver on these promises and allow for very precise application; I was able to tilt and angle it to apply mascara to every lash. I also liked the luxe look of the packaging with the short round tube and branded silver cap. Unfortunately , the mascara formula itself wasn't very good. After a few short hours of wear, it started to leave dark smudges on my lower eye and continued to do so throughout the day.

The Givenchy Magic Kajal Eye Pencil ($22) also turned out to be hit-and miss. Inspired by the kajal used by Indian women to line their eyes, this high-pigment pencil contains wax, oil and vitamin E to make it creamy and soft to apply and to minimize tugging on the sensitive eye area. Givenchy claims the formula is long-lasting and ideal for lining the inner rims of the eyes. I tried lining my inner eyelids and was pleased with how the formula stayed put even though I had watery eyes and was wearing contacts. However, when used as a conventional eyeliner worn along the upper lash line, Magic Kajal didn't deliver. Within an hour of applying it I had a smudgey mess all over my eyelids.

Have you tried either of these Givenchy products? What do you think of them?

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Product Review: Cover Girl Flamed Up Mega Curl Mascara

Amazing new mascara alert! After my lackluster experience with sister mascara Flamed Out, I was hesitant about trying out Cover Girl Flamed Up Mega Curl Mascara. But I'm glad I got over it because this one delivers the goods.

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Product Review: Fresh Supernova Mascara, Cargo Lash Activator Mascara

I only have two words to describe Fresh Supernova Mascara ($25 US for the full size version) and CARGO Lash Activator mascara (originally $35 US for the full size version, now $8.80): Smudge City. It's a shame because the product descriptions on the Sephora website promise such great things. Bursting with ingredients that nourish and condition lashes (meadowfoam seed oil, linden extract, fortified panthenol), Fresh claims to coat lashes in shiny, smudge-proof, good-for-you colour with just one coat. Meanwhile, CARGO's formula includes marine algae extracts and peptides to boost lash growth and prevent breakage and loss.



However, similar to my experiences with Benefit BADgal Lash, I found that both mascaras looked okay for 1-3 hours, then smudged very badly. The brushes were user-friendly and delivered long, thick, clump-free lashes. But having to keep checking for smudges in mirrors and any shiny surfaces I come across? I can live without that, thanks.

Has anyone else out there tried Fresh Supernova or CARGO Lash Activator?

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