Bat those Eye Lashes

Revlon Grow Luscious By Fabulash, 001 Blackest Black, 0.38-Ounce

With some many different mascaras on the market claiming to lengthen and strengthen lashes how do you choose?  Beauty Match makeup expert says go to the professionals- Revlon!  Revlon has been making mascara for as long as anyone can remember, so they obviously know what they’re doing!  Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara strengthens and plumps lashes up to 200% instantly! This mascara provides volume and hydration for limp lashes.  Revlon attributes this amazing mascara to their precision tapered brush, that touches every lash individually and coats it with think, dark luminous pigment. Mascara so good you don’t even need other makeup!

Buy/More info

Revlon Customeyes Shadow and Liner, Party Pops, 0.20-Ounce (Pack of 2)

Eye Liner for to Pop Your Eyes!

Eye shadow should make your eyes pop and not look creased or dry. Revlon CustomEyes Shadow and liner contain jojoba which gives it a very supple texture! Only $9 and comes in a ton of colors! Try mixing a dark shade with a light sparkle shade over the top.

Buy/More Info

Best Selling Mascara

L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara, Black Brown .3 fl oz (9 ml)

L’Oreal Paris – need we say anymore… This product has been around for more than 20 years and is a top pick of most celebrity makeup artists around the globe (and a My Beauty Match Insider favorite), but don’t just take their word for it as there are over 40 thousand units sold everyday – that’s a lot of mascara!! It’s only $7.00 and you can find this mascara at any major drugstore around the world.

Quick Tips:

• Best Selling Mascara
• Top Pick of Celebrity Makeup Artists
• Over 40 thousand units sold every day

Buy/More Info

Review submitted by our product reviewer Eleni

I read about a recently launched prescription formulation that is supposed to grow full, long, dark eyelashes with Brooke Shields as the official spokesperson. It’s called Latisse and the FDA has approved it for patients in the U.S., but Health Canada has not ruled on it yet for prescriptions to Canadians. Having lost the outer halves of both brows to normal (aging) hair loss and many lashes to brittleness, I knew I would love to try Latisse someday.

Imagine my delight when I was asked to try out a lash serum that promised to do everything the prescription product does using natural, conditioning, non-irritating ingredients.

Testing Lash Mantra Eyelash Growth Serum:

It was easy enough to use. For this review, I used Lash Mantra each night on clean eyeleashes for 2-1/2 weeks. I’ll continue using it because I know there are more subtle changes on the way and it likely will take a few more weeks to observe a full growth cycle.

I applied Lash Mantra two different ways – with my fingertips, rubbing the serum into my lashes and working my way to the base, and also using the applicator for the same coverage effect. I did this on my eyebrows as well, concentrating on the outer section where hair no longer grew.

Did I see any results?

Surprisingly, YES – I saw subtle results at the 2-week mark. There are a few short little hairs growing where my eyebrows were bare! My brows look darker too. As for my lashes, they look shiny and less brittle. They have grown a tiny bit.

Maybe I should have snapped a close-up “before” photo so that I can really compare. The real test came yesterday when my friend Dianne accused me of wearing mascara and makeup to our water aerobics class. I denied any such charge, but she didn’t believe me and went to pull at my lashes. HA! I thought when no mascara flaked onto her fingers. She looked perplexed. After that, I didn’t feel like telling her that I was testing Lash Mantra … maybe next week.

Would I buy it? YES

Would I replace my current eyelash serum? I haven’t used a product like this before. There was a different formulation that I tried a few times using a sponge tip applicator, but it was completely useless and ineffective. At least with Lash Mantra, I actually saw some results.

Price: $39 USD

OVERALL REVIEW:

4-star16

>>> You’ll find more details on this lash-enhancing serum here: Lash Mantra!

You can never get tired of new mascaras, especially ones that have an extra gimic up their sleeve.

I’m talking about Maybelline’s latest, the Pulse Perfection Mascara.

This is a vibrating mascara, similar to the Estee Lauder Vibrating mascara, but not nearly as expensive!

I usually like to be fully in control when I apply makeup on myself but I suppose it’s nice to have the product do a bit more work than you every once in awhile.

The Pulse Perfection Mascara is definitely drawing a dramatic look. You can only choose two colours: Blackest Black and Very Black (this is fine by me since I’m all about adding more black accents to my eyes).

It looks simple enough to use. You can watch this video:  Pulse Perfection Mascara video to see how a model uses this product, although it just looks like she applies it like any other mascara.

Basically, there’s a button that you can press that allows the mascara to “vibrate” and then while holding onto the button, coat your eyelashes. Don’t forget to pull off the tab at the top of the tube first (you’ll get better results if you do that)!

For the best results give your lashes two coats or if you want your lashes to get darker, keep adding those coats on. Don’t forget your lower lashes. And voila! You’re done.

There is a special set of instructions that you can read if you aren’t comfortable taking the plunge and testing it out for yourself: Pulse Perfection Mascara application instructions.

You can buy this product online for $14.99 USD or in Canada for about $18.99.

The only people who can leave a comment below to participate are the ladies who have sent me a review of some of the products they’ve won in past contests and those who’ve sent me a testimonial for the Beauty has NO age limit book.

I will have loads of reader reviews published later in July and I’m so excited!

I only have one tube of mascara, but given that I already have three tubes of mascara I’m trying and my other testers are quite busy, I’m opening it up to readers.

>>> If you’ve NOT sent me reviews to products you’ve won in past contests (it’s NOT too late) and want to be considered to become a Beauty Match Tester, you still can send me your review. Here are the instructions: Write beauty reviews!

*** Remember, it’s never too late to send me product reviews!***

>>> You can send all your reviews here: Contact us page (pick the second email)

>>> Since I have less and less time on my hands because of the new nutrition site, I’m forced to look to more readers to help with new product testing. If you’ve sent me a review in the past, just leave me a comment below and I’ll randomly pick someone and I’ll mail the mascara to you at the same time I mail all the prizes for the June 2009 contest.

Good luck!

We love products that beautify and disguise all at the same time.

One thing about getting older that’s not so hot is looking tired even when you feel great. It’s even worse when people comment on how run-down you’re looking. Anything that can hide and improve that scenario all at the same time is absolutely welcome in my arsenal of cosmetic tricks.

Developed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Michelle Copeland, this perfect under eye concealer contains Dr. Copeland’s Rewind Eye Formula, which has an exclusive blend of age-defying ingredients for the eye area and has been successful in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and puffiness around eyes.

Testing Dr. Michelle Copeland Ageless Skin under Eye Concealer with Anti-Wrinkle Complex:

A couple of little dabs with the applicator under the eyes … blend lightly with your ring finger and that’s it. The formulation merges perfectly into the skins and disappears while hiding dark circles at the same time. It also leaves the under eye area supple and not dry or overly lined.

I used the medium shade and thought it might look dark on me, but it actually blended beautifully. When I run out of this one, I think I’ll buy the light shade just to see if it’s a better shade for my skin tone.

One problem with this concealer that I didn’t like is that a lot of the product is lost when it escapes from the container and builds up around the wand and neck. I had to tissue it clean often and I don’t like losing that much product.

Did I see any results?

The only result I was hoping for and got was good coverage for my dark under-eye circles. The skin really does get thinner under the eyes as we age and the underlying blood vessels take on a dark look. It’s good to cover up a bit just so as not to look tired all the time. The beauty of this concealer is that it also contains Dr. Copeland’s Rewind Eye Formula – an anti-wrinkle complex.

The skin under my eyes looked refreshed and soft!

Would I buy it? YES – I liked it a lot.

Would I replace my current under eye concealer? I will use this product which retails for $34 USD on a regular basis, but when I need an industrial strength concealer, I’ll have to go with the amazing Boi-ing by Benefit. I also like a light dusting of my mineral foundation under the eyes using a targeted utility brush to apply it when I’m in a rush and want to do a quick, natural face.

OVERALL REVIEW:

4-star13

covergirl_lashblast_luxe_drew_barrymore

Feature by Assistant Editor Colleen

Mascara’s not the only thing back! Have you seen the new Drew Barrymore ads yet? Drew Barrymore is looking as beautiful as ever with some nice black and long lashes to boot.

Nope, she’s not using the LashBlast anymore. She is back to promote the latest in the CoverGirl LashBlast series: the LashBlast Luxe mascara!!!

This mascara comes with an extra little surprise that the old version never had.

In addition to the voluminous lashes that the LashBlast delivers, the extra Luxe has a bonus tint of metallic sparkle to add to your eyelashes.

covergirl_lashblast_luxe

Your LashBlast  colour choices are:

1) Platinum – This slivery tint will add to a walk out in the moonlight.

2) Emerald – Let others be envy of this green sparkle.

3) Cabernet – Feeling a little blue? Maybe this metallic blue will change your mind.

4) Royale – For a little mystery add this red tint to your look.

I only wish there was a metallic purple added to this collection. <sigh> Oh well, I’ll have to experiment with the colours they’ve got. Don’t expect to find an overwhelming amount of glitter on your lashes. The metallic shades are subtle.

The LashBlast Luxe is also very easy to find. They’ve ditched the orange tubing for a hot pink one.

Find this new LashBlast on in store this month at $7.99 USD/ $8.99 CAD (we’ve seen it as low as $7.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart on sale).

serge_lutens_kohl_eyeliner_75

I sincerely thought that the first time I heard about Serge Lutens’ “Fard” Kohl eyeliner that the price was $7.50, but surely not $75. I thought there might have been a typo, but no … the eyeliner actually cost a staggering $75!!!

Serge Lutens is well known for his luxury fragrances and he’s now venturing out in the luxury makeup market at a time where most women are recycling what they already have in their makeup case.

I’m all for a little luxury here and there, but a $75 eyeliner is too expensive … even for my beauty editor blood!

Now to be fair to Serge Lutens, I’ve not tried their product and I have no doubt that it must look good, but it’s an eyeliner AND it’s $75.

For $75, that eyeliner better not fade or smudge during the day and it needs to last for 10 years!

I’ve not decided if I’ll try to get my hands on this eyeliner or not because I feel a bit insulted that a manufacturer would put out a product at this price in the middle of a recession.

What do you think? Leave a comment to let me know if you would pay $75 for an eyeliner!

If you are interested, you can buy the Serge Lutens $75 eyeliner at Barneys of New York or on their web site.

Color On EyeEnvy is a very smart idea and it really only takes about five minutes to apply the little colour pads on both eyelids and before you know it … you’ve got a smokey eye in your favourite shade of colour.

Color On EyeEnvy was designed by a celebrity make-up artist, the ColorOn Professional EyeEnvy Smokey Kit contains peel-off mineral cream eye shadows that are 100% hypo-allergenic, long-wearing, and crease-proof.

Color On EyeEnvy is extremely user friendly and if you follow the well explained instructions, this should give you fool-proof results! Each box contains five pairs of eye shadow appliqués, one jar of GetSet setting powder, one powder application brush and step-by-step instructions with application.

The kit costs $25 USD so it’s about $5 USD per pair of eye shadow appliqués. It’s not inexpensive in the sense that you can only use each colour eye shadow appliqués only once, but if you are doing your own makeup for a special occasion, this is far more cost effective than hiring the services of a professional makeup artist.

Overall, I thought it was a very creative product that was quite easy to use. The only complaint I have is perhaps about the intensity of the colours. If you have a light complexion, then the colours should show very well, but I found that on my skin tone the colours were more subdued than I would normally wear.

Would I buy it? Yes. If they had a more intensive palette of colours because I found it was quite easy to use.

Would I replace my current eyeshadow? No because it would be way too expensive to only use the Color On EyeEnvy. This is ideal for special occasions, but not for everyday use.

OVERALL REVIEW:

4-star16

Color On EyeEnvy is sold exclusively at Sephora and on Sephora.com.

ysl_mascara_volume_effet_faux_cils

I’d have to say that if I could only have five makeup products in my makeup bag and nothing more … mascara would have to be at the top of the list! In my opinion, mascara is a MUST because it creates longer and sexier lashes, which frame and open your eyes. I also find that if I’m tired, coating my lashes with mascara will give the illusion of more rested eyes.

When it comes to mascaras, I’m a purist … I like mine very black and non-waterproof.

I’ve been trying a lot of mascaras lately and it’s true that it’s such a personal and subjective choice, but there are a number of mascaras that are very popular and they are best-sellers for a reason.

cover_girl_lash_blast_mascara1

The Cover Girl Lash Blast got me so excited about mascara again that I spent the summer testing brands that I hadn’t before (you can buy both the Cover Girl Lash Blast at most drugstores, pharmacies and Wal-Mart).

Here are three other mascaras that I really loved and that I would buy again:

maybelline_mascara_xxl_extensions

* Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara: It’s designed to be a competitor to Cover Girl Lash

colossal-maybelline

You can watch my video review of the Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara below:

ysl_mascara_volume_effet_faux_cils

* Diorshow Backstage Makeup Mascara: Dior Diorshow Mascara is one of Sephora’s client’s favourites because it adds a lot volume and length to your lashes. It was voted favourite mascara in 2007 AND in 2008 among Sephora’s clients and it’s been featured as a favourite in numerous international fashion magazines.  The Dior mascara retails for $31CAD/$24 USD and it’s sold at Sephora and pretty much all department stores.

diorshow_mascara

Here are a few other posts on mascara:

1) My favourite Cover Girl runway looks for fall 2008 (get the Cover Girl Look Book)

2) Norman Sands shares his makeup tips from a recent makeup job with Leighton Meester (star of Gossip Girl)

3) 10 makeup trends for women over 35: Norman Sands discussed NARS fall 2008 makeup trends

4) Before and after photos of Eleni’s injection filler treatment

5) Makeup tips from Jennifer Lopez’s makeup artist

6) New Generation of Mascaras

7) Vibrating Mascaras are the latest “it” products on the market

Here’s a quick video to help you:

estee_lauder_vibrating_mascara

Estée Lauder and Lancôme are the first two cosmetic giants to launch these auto-powered vibrating brushes to give you magnified volume, daring length, curl and mega separation.

What’s so special about these mascaras?

Estée Lauder uses the LashSonic Brush^TM technology to ensure maximum definition and volume for your lashes.

Lancôme already holds supreme queen status when it comes to mascara sales with five of the top ten bestselling department store mascaras falling under their brand. With the launch of Lancôme Oscillation, they might be added a sixth top mascara best seller to their list.

With just a push of a button the new Lancôme Oscillation provides 7000 micro-oscillations per minute of vibration (big technical word).

The vibration will ensure that your lashes are well coated, well defined and extended to the max.

Rumour has it that with these new vibrating mascaras there will be no need for you to curl your lashes and even the straightness and shortest lashes will get the back-stage-super-model-treatment.

Where can you buy these revolutionary vibrating mascaras?

These vibrating mascaras are so exclusive that they are only sold in a few selected stores. Estée Lauder’s vibrating mascara is only sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue until January 2009. And the Lancôme Oscillation in a hand full of stores until the official Fall launch date, but you can also get it online at Lancôme-usa.com and Sephora.com

I’ve not gotten my hands on one of these vibrating mascaras yet, but I cannot wait to compare them to the clump-free mascaras like Cover Girl Lash Blast and Maybelline Colossal Mascara that I’ve been using up to now (and I quite like them).

Discover the new generation of clump-free mascaras:

This is a recent video review I did on clump-free brushes. I only shot this a few weeks ago, but given that now we’ll all be soon rushing to buy vibrating mascaras, this almost feels like yesterday’s new!

They are both the same price and you can get both the Maybelline Collosal Mascara and the Cover Girl Lash Blast at pretty much any drugstore and at Walmart.

So which one of the two should you buy?

Watch our video review to find out!

cover_girl_lash_blast_mascara

It’s so easy for companies to make these types of claims. If you’ve seen the TV advertisement with Drew Barrymore for Cover Girl’s new LashBlast mascara, then you’ll remember the catchy line.

Here’s the deal, the catchy line is far more than just a cute giggle created by a clever advertising company. Cover Girl’s LashBlast is FANTASTIC!

Since orange is one of my favourite colours, I’m quite partial to the packaging and since I did try the product I can also say that I’m as equally partial to the product itself.

Cover Girl LashBlast is part of the new generation of mascaras as I call them. Mascara goes way back to the 19^th when it was invented by French perfumer and businessman Eugene Rimmel (aka Rimmel of London) and not much has changed other than maybe the introduction of water-proof mascara.

The new twist in the world of mascara is all about the brush!

Gone are the days of traditional brushes that caused your lashes to clump and stick together (remember Tammy Faye Baker Messner who allegedly used to wear mascara on top of fake eyelashes?). Women over 35 want to really make sure their lashes look as natural as possible … even when wearing a few coats of mascara.

The new brushes that are found in mascaras like Cover Girl LashBlast are more like little plastic combs that really make a difference in extending the lashes while fanning them open.

I tried the product on numerous occasions and a friend of mine, Helen, has also been using it for a few months and now she also loves it.

I did read a number of other comments on Cover Girl LashBlast and it seems that some women find that it flakes after 6-8 hours.

I have to say that I didn’t have any negative experiences at all with the product. It was easy to apply, it gave me bigger and longer lashes and it was very easy to remove at the end of the day.

The best part of this whole package is the fact that the Cover Girl LashBlast mascara sells for a mere $7 USD/ $10 CDN.

You can find this new generation of mascara brushes in Guerlain’s Duo Brush mascara, Maybelline Define-a-Lash and Revlon 3D Extreme.

In terms of finding out the one that works best for you … you’ll just have to test drive a few to see.  That said, if I compare these mascaras to the traditional mascaras, the finished look is vastly different. These new brushes offer more natural lashes that are still big and beautiful.

Have you tried the Cover Girl LashBlast mascara and did you like it?