My Top Mascara Picks: Dior, L'Oreal, CoverGirl and Make Up For Ever

I've been on a roll lately with my product reviews so I thought I would continue my review-a-thon with a post about my favorite mascaras.  Plural, because, uh, I love too many of them to choose just one.

From L-R
(please note that I only use waterproof mascaras. I don't like any formulas that aren't waterproof)

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara, Waterproof, Very Black
The CG Lash Blast is a great mascara overall. I wouldn't say it's my favorite of all of the ones I own, but I love it. It goes on nicely, doesn't clump and defines, thickens and lengthens lashes. It's a great bet if you're trying to find a great drugstore mascara. I tend to like a dry formula and this is dry, but not as dry as some of the other mascaras I love.

DiorShow Iconic Mascara, Waterproof, Black
This mascara, in my opinion works best on the lower lashes.  I actually only use it for that. There's something about the way the brush is shaped and the formula that is just an excellent fit for defining those lower lashes. it stays on all day, doesn't budge and creates separated, pretty lower lashes without clumps.  Like I mentioned, I don't use this on my upper lashes, because I find other formulas work better for that.  The brush is similar to the lash blast in that it's that rubbery plastic material with those stubby-like bristles.

DiorShow Mascara, Waterproof, Black
DiorShow was the first luxury mascara I ever bought.  I think the massive brush is what makes this a standout product (it also has a rose water smell but after awhile you don't notice it at all.)  I think this mascara has everything you'd want in a mascara- length, staying power, thickness.  It really creates those long, lush lashes we all hope for.  It takes some getting used to at first because the brush is so big, but it's worth it!

L'Oreal Volume Collagen Mascara, Waterproof, Blackest Black
This mascara is definitely a Holy Grail one for me.  It really creates very full, thick, lovely lashes.  The brush is different---the bristles are kind of all over the place going in different directions which I think it why this mascara really gives a gorgeous look to the lashes.  I can achieve thickness with this mascara in just one coat.  I like big hair, and I like big lashes---and this delivers---volume, thickness and overall just perfect lashes. This is a must-try, IMO.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash, Waterproof, Black

My newest addition, this mascara surprised me (pleasantly.)  I was a little skeptical but after reading all of the rave reviews I just had to try it during Sephora's F&F 20% off sale.  I'm so glad I did.  Out of all of my mascaras, this one definitely gives the most "feathery" lash look. I also notice that it seems to hold curl in my lashes really well.  It doesn't give quite the thickness of some other formulas I use...but it more than makes up for it because of the unique, soft, feathered appearance it gives to lashes. I'm not really sure how this formula creates that look---maybe the brush or the mascara itself, but I really do enjoy it and am glad I purchased it.

I hope this entry was helpful to anyone looking for a new mascara, or on the fence about trying a new product. What are YOUR favorite mascaras?  Share them in the comments below :)

xoxo,

Veronika.

A DiorShow Alternative?

I can't believe I'm even typing the words I'm about to type, but I think I have found a mascara that I am happy enough with to actually compare to my beloved DiorShow.

It's L'Oreal's New Extra Volume Collagen Waterproof Mascara in "Blackest Black." I don't know if it's the formula or the brush or a combo of the two...but this mascara is incredible. It gives me thick, feathery awesome lashes with tons of length and volume. It doesn't smudge or look cakey or flakey. It is lash perfection in a tube.

So, if you've got $7.99 and haven't found a mascara you love yet (or are trying to find a cheaper one than your designer one) then I definitely recommend you hit Target, Walgreens, CVS or another cosmetics retailer and pick this one up. It's SO much better than L'Oreal Voluminous too, which I previously thought was amazing. No my friends, this one is better.

I curl my lashes and apply one coat on each lash. By one coat, I mean I take what's on the brush on the first swipe out of the tube and apply it to my lashes using a "swipe up" motion from roots to tips, several times. I don't need more than one coat to make my lashes look full and lush. I don't like to use too many coats because I find if you put the first coat on and then re-dip and apply another (and another) it just starts to cake and flake (not this formula, all formulas in general.)

I hope this mascara soon finds a home in your collection- and if it does, let me know how you like it.

xoxo,

Veronika.

PS- THANK YOU to all of the incredible women who have been so amazingly supportive of me lately. I appreciate your thoughts, kind words and advice more than you know.

Best of 2009-Holy Grail Products I Couldn't Live Without!

I got this idea from Carolina Bella over at In My Shoes who got it from Emily at Beauty Broadcast. I definitely have some of my "best of" to share for 2009, so without further ado, here they are:

Best Liquid Foundation:
I don't use liquid, so I can't comment on this one, sorry ladies! (I promise I'll try one soon)...BUT my fave powder foundation is my HOLY GRAIL wouldtotallydiewithoutit MAC StudioFix Powder (I wear C3, for reference)

Best Bronzer:
NARS Laguna- I can't rave enough about this one- it gives the perfect color, the perfect glow and the packaging is great too. I love that this bronzer works on a lot of different skin tones, and that although it has a slight shimmer to it, it isn't detectable on the skin.

Best Blush:
Bobbi Brown blush in "peony" is my most-used at the moment. It is a bright pink that gives cheeks a super-healthy looking flush

Best Concealer:
MAC Studio Finish Concealer (the one in the pot.) If you need concealer, please please please go out and buy this one. I've used it for so many years, and I've never strayed because the coverage is SO incredible. Ladies with skin redness or acne- this is the concealer for you!

Overall Favorite Eye Shadow Brand:
MAC- my fave colors are: satin taupe, retrospeck, honesty and brun
Honorable Mention: Urban Decay and Too Faced

Best Single Product Eyeshadow:
Urban Decay "Midnight Cowboy Rides Again"- this sparkly gold/platinum eyeshadow isn't for everyone, but I absolutely love it.

Best Eyeliner:
MAC Fluidline Gel Liners (I use "dipdown" and "blacktrack")

Best Mascara:
DiorShow Black Waterproof
L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Waterproof (drugstore)

Best Lip Gloss:
There are so many to list here...I don't always wear actual colored gloss, but when I do here are my faves- MAC Dazzleglass in "Baby Sparks" and MAC Dazzleglass Creme in "My Favorite Pink"

Best Lipstick:
I really don't wear lipstick that often, but when I do I use MAC's "Colorcrafted" or NARS' "Roman Holiday"...I like PINK...anything pink!

Outstanding Brush:
The Sigma Brush Kit (entire set)- I love their SS150 powder brush

Best Packaging:
NARS and MAC

Best Hair Product:
I know I just started using this (literally today) but I can already tell I absolutely love Pureology's "Nanoworks" shampoo. I also really love Garnier XXL thickening mousse.

MVP (Most Valuable Product):
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin- I've tried many formulas over the years (cetaphil and clinique, to name a few) and this is the best, non greasy, not irritating moisturizer. I apply it in the morning after washing my face.

Runners up: La Roche Posay Effaclar A.I. Targeted Breakout Corrector and Proactiv's Refining Mask

What are YOUR Best of 2009 products? Rave about your faves in the comments below! To my fellow bloggers- I TAG you all to do this post! <3

xoxo,

Veronika.

Adorn Your Locks: Feathers, Florals and Bows, Oh My!

Hair accessories. They can bring so much to an outfit or a look, and yet many women are afraid to wear them because they think it might appear too bold or cutesy.

I'm here to tell you that hair accessories are one of the best ways to pretty-up any look!

Ever since Miss Blair Waldorf wore hair accessories from jeweled headbands to feathery fascinators on Gossip Girl, similar styles are available everywhere.



A few of Blair's most famous headbands were made by designer Jennifer Behr, but there are many more affordable options. Today I stumbled upon an adorable website that sells a pretty assortment of hair accessories, called True Birds. (click photo to enlarge)

Forever 21 has an incredible assortment of hair accesories as well- from rhinestone-adorned, bow-shaped bobby pins to feathery hair combs and floral blossoms both loose and affixed to headbands.


J. Crew, Club Monaco, and Bebe also have some gorgeous options if you don't mind spending a little extra.
Do you wear accessories in your hair? I do for almost every evening occasion. I think it adds so much to an outfit and is a nice alternative to traditional jewelry, or in addition to jewelry.

I even wore a feathered fascinator made by Etsy seller LoBoheme on our wedding day (she was even kind enough to feature a few of our wedding pics on her website!)

I'm trying to be bolder and use embellished bobby pins during the day too (I've got ones that have little bows and flowers on them- you just have to be careful so they don't come across as childish.)

Before I go, I wanted to tell you ladies that I wrote my second piece for Houston Culture Map. You can read it here. It was just a quick tidbit for a Christian Dior makeup event I attended and covered. I love DiorShow mascara and many of their other products (I am dying to try their Airflash Foundation but I need to justify the $60 price tag somehow!)

Thanks for reading, and I hope you are all having a great week!

xoxo,

Veronika.