Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

Well hello Keira Knightley.  You're looking mighty fine today!

I think every woman and their dog has raced to get the latest copy of Elle magazine ....due to small fact that this months free goodie is indeed the newest mascara from Benefit.  Do I hear a Ooooooo!!

The Roller Lash has yet to be released which probably increased the interest.  So any way like a lone sheep I followed the herd of women and bought myself a copy. I tossed the magazine to the side and got wearing this as soon as I could.

Let's first tall wand/brush... It's a plastic comb style wand which is slightly curved in shape.  Each side of the wand has different lengths of bristles.   I like this fact as I like to wiggle my wands and rotate them when I apply mascara.

I find personally wiggling and rotating gets the best affect,  as it coats every lash from the base to the tip  which is what we want hey ladies???

The finished look is very natural, lifted and separated application.  This above is just one application and I hadn't curled my lashes either.  I quite like the finished look! ! !

You can grab a fall size tube online and in stores on February 12th when it comes rolling out on to the shelves. Corny joke I know!

Ax

Maybelline ~ The Rocket

Maybelline have done it again and blessed us beauty lovers with a new mascara.  I picked this up on New Years Eve as I took a detour home from work.  The ban, hasn't be broken - honest.

Maybelline's new mascara release The Rocket is part of the Volum' Express line.  I love the original Volum' Express and I was keen to try this out when I heard about it.

The packaging and the wand

I think this is Maybellines best mascara packaging yet.  I love the purple/blue tube and the neon pink writing.  I don't think you could ever lose this in your makeup bag.  As for the name, I'm not too sure...  The Rocket?  Catchy but I'm not sure if any mascara can give you rocket volume like Maybelline claim this can.  Let's wait and see the results.

The wand I think looks similar to Max Factor False Lash Effect/Covergirl Lash Blast.  It is also quite similar to the One by One as it has a plastic wand.  The difference between The Rocket and the One by One can be seen below in the comparison shot.  The Rocket wand itself has barely noticeable bristles, which are very short and look a little on the thin side.  I actually prefer the look of the One by One wand.

L-R: One by One and The Rocket

Maybelline say that this is a clump free mascara which is a bold claim.  I'm not sure there is a mascara out there which doesn't clump even a little bit.  A word of warning for you potential Rocket users... at the tip of wand you get that annoying blob of excess mascara.  I recommend removing this before application or there might be a mess.

So lets get onto what it looks like on the lashes.  One coat looks like...

One coat top lashes only (lashes were curled before applying)

After the initial first coat, I'm quite impressed.  The separation is good and the lashes look naturally volumised.  Not massively like Maybelline say they will be but still good.  I would be happy at leaving it with just the one application.

The second coat looks like...

Two coats top and one on lower lashes

Now for the second coat.  Maybelline claim this is a clump free mascara.  After the second application I personally think this clumped slightly, not too much however.  I had to work it a lot with the wand to get the right look.  I left the look as it was and didn't apply a third coat as i think that may of been clump overload.  I also applied one coat to my bottom lashes which to be honest look a little clumped together.

So for my thoughts...

I quite like this mascara but there are some down points.  Firstly the blob at the end of the wand which I addressed above.  Then the wand and its pointy stumpy bristles.  Because they are so short and pointy I feel like I stab my lids.  It can be a little uncomfortable and off putting.  This is my only real negative... so far. 

Yes there is an odd clumping here and there but you just have to work at it with the wand.  The formulation is quite wet, so I think that this may be better once it has aged slightly.  Sometimes I think drier mascara can perform better.

As for volume,  I don't think you get lots which is disappointing.  I wouldn't see myself buying this again when I have the option to buy the One by One which I think is better.  If the wand didn't jab me in the lids I think I'd like this more.

Have you seen this yet?  Will you be giving it a try?

Angela xox

My giveaway end this Sunday, click here for more info!

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess

You'll hopefully know by now that my favourite mascara is the One by One.  But if you saw my recent post there is rumours that Maybelline are calling it a day.  So with that news I've been on the hunt for my new best friend.

New on the market is the L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess.  A slightly tweaked version of the original but this has the added 'excess'.  I have never tried the original so I was completely in the dark at what to expect with this.

The packaging certainly looks glam and eye catching with its red and gold look.  The wand is huge and looks like a caterpillar.  I feel just a bit scared about trying to use it.

L'Oreal promise faned-out millionised lashes and volume.  The bristles grab and coat each lash from root to tip precisely and professionally.  Bold claims. 

The new brush is anti clumping and there is a 'wiper' inside the tube that removes any 'excess' clumps.  So when you pull the wand from the tube the clumps are removed.  Rather cool!

Curler lashes with three coats applied

I had this for a few weeks and I've been using this for a while and to be honest I'm not a fan.  I feel as though my lashes get clumped together (evidence in bottom right picture) and I think they don't look volumised at all.  There is no lengthening affect and that wand was awkward to handle.

I had curled my lashes before application but after applying the mascara they have just flopped flat again.  It doesn't hold a curl which is unfortunate.  On top of the disappointment of everything else this also flakes giving me a panda eye.  I don't even want to go there!

At £10.99 I was expecting amazing results but I am disappointed and won't be purchasing again. Sorry L'Oreal.

What mascara are you using right now??

Angela xox

Rumour has it

Like a animal getting ready for a hash cold winter... I am stocking up.  Why you ask?  Well rumour has it; Maybelline are discontinuing their mascara the One By One Volumn’ Express.  It is a rumour which I read a few times now and I hope and pray to anyone that will listen that it isn’t true.

For me the One by One is my most repurchased item, I think I’m on my sixth tube.  I honestly love it and will be very very VERY sad to see it go.  I’ve used higher end products before and spent £20+ on some mascaras but this hands down is everything I want in a mascara.  It gives you full lashes like you’re wearing false ones and the brush separates all the lashes... plus there is no clumping.  I have a review and swatches here (not like they’ll be helpful if it is being stopped...duh)


This weekend I stocked up and bought myself three new tubes.  And these were the last ones on the shelves, which might be an indication that it may be true.  I will be disappointed if the rumours are true and this is being stopped but what can you do??


So I may be looking for a new holy grail mascara... do you have any recommendations?

Angela xox

Collection 2000 Super Size Fat Lash Mascara Review

With a name as catchy as Super Size Fat Lash Mascara you are assuming you're going to be treated to fabulous super sized lashes.  Collection 2000's latest offering isn't all that's cracked up to be, let me explain why.

Featuring in my 'TAG: £20 Makeup Look ' video, which you can see here if you like, I had to grab myself a bargain mascara.  At £2.99 this is one of the cheapest mascaras on the UK drug store market.

The tube

With the tube donning the big fat words of Super Size, you'd think you'd be getting big results. Wrong!  The name of this mascara is completely misleading.  Instead of 'fat lash', I think it should say 'what lash?'

What they promise

The wand looks promising, it's just a standard bristle brush.  The mascara itself is very dry and it doesn't look like you get much product on the brush.  For longevity you're not meant to pump the mascara wand into the tube as that allows air into the tube, therefore drying it out faster and letting bacteria in.  Even after a naughty pump or two, you still don't get much mascara on the wand.

The wand

Now for the swatches.  I have taken various pictures at different angles so you can see the effect or lack of should I say.  Both lashes were curled twice before application and at least three coats of the mascara have been applied.  Now see what they look like. . .

The results

Sparse, flat, almost natural looking lashes.  Now where are my fat lashes as promised!?!  No matter how many times I applied this, it just made no difference.  It is hard to believe this is three coats.  It annoyingly left product on my lids, it left it so close to the lash line it looks like liner.

There is no big bold volumising effect which the tube says.  I'll be honest, I feel like this mascara is a complete flop.  I think the name they chose doesn't match the results given, it's creates more of a natural look.  So will I be buying it again once I use it all?  No, sorry Collection 2000.


Have you had any bad experiences with mascaras?

Angela xox

Maybe it's Maybelline...

(major picture alert....!!!)

I'm such a sucker for new makeup items, especially mascara.  When I noticed Maybelline had launched a brand new mascara, I was biting at the bit to try it out.  Maybelline has a good-ish reputation for mascara so I had high hopes when I popped this little cutie in my Boots shopping basket.

Presenting Maybellines Volum' Express One by One Mascara...

I love the way Maybelline has the wand and the tube separated in the packaging.  I think it's a great way to show what the brush really looks like.

I love the colour of the packaging, it's very eye catching. You couldn't lose this in your makeup bag!! The tube shape hasn't changed much from your Colossal and your Falsies packaging, which is maybe a little boring...but if it works why change it???

I do look at this wand and instantly think of a hedgehog...it's just so spikey lol!  On  a serious note I don't think I've ever seen so many spikes on a mascara wand before.  This  lash catcher wand picks up every lash and coats them all in one single application (obviously with a little bit of a wiggle here and there).  There is no clumping of product on the wand either......yay I hate that!!!!

The bare lashes: Nothing applied at all on the top and bottom lashes.  Sorry for the lack of makeup but wanted to be more focused on the lashes.

Coat Number One:  An impressive start which I'm more than happy with.  I'd quite happily where one coat for day time work wear.

Coat Number Two: More volume and definition.  The lashes are slightly clumped towards the outside lashes, but personally I think it's where I haven't worked the wand as much.  Doh!

Coat Number Three:  Three coats definitely makes your lashes look like your wearing falsies.  There's a definite wow factor in the performance for me.  I'd quite happily go out on the town with this look on my lashes.

Final thoughts: Overall I think this a pretty good.  Your lashes don't feel dry and spikey and they are soft to the touch.  I don't see and spider legs in sight!!  The mascara has an average drying speed (doesn't dry fast and it's not super wet).  A plus point to this mascara is it doesn't budge throughout the day in my experiences so far...yay!  This isn't water proof or water resistant, but I heard a waterproof version is in the pipeline :-)  Two to three coats of the beauty creates perfect lashes to me and what more can you ask for???  I think this is another thumbs up for Maybelline and a 10 out of 10 from me!!!

Have you tried this mascara??

Angela xox

Jolly Rave: Mascara review

Evening ladies, thank god Monday is out of the way.  Only 4 days till the weekend haha.  Anyways, on and off at the moment I’ve been using 2 different mascaras, because they are coming to the end of their little mascara lives.  One of them I proclaimed was my all time favourite.  The other, is my newest all time favourite.

Let me introduce you to my best buddies.  From left to right..

Maybelline’s Stiletto Lash Voluptuous and Max Factor False Lash Effect

Max Factor, was my proclaimed favourite back in April.  I used it religiously, but as soon as the Maybelline Stiletto Voluptuous came out I knew I'd love it and kind a threw my Max Factor to the side.  I'm a fan of the original stiletto formulation and how the wand makes my lashes look.  So I knew this one had to be better than the original.

See how the brushes look like in detail.  Max Factor has a big fat wand and Maybelline and a sleek curvy wand.  Both look different, both have different affects on my lashes.

What it looks like applied? From underneath.
 

(L - R) Maybelline & Max Factor

Max factor looks very separated and Maybelline on the left looks slightly clumped.  I think this could be because my mascara is starting to dry out.  It does separate ...PROMISE!!!

What it looks like applied? From a frontal view.

(L - R) Maybelline & Max Factor

Not the best picture in the world, as you can't really see the Max factor lashes too well.  But Maybelline's Voluptuous certainly give my lashes a wow factor.  Look at that curl.  I love these mascaras in their own unique ways, I would highly and I say HIGHLY recommend both.  

Max Factor (or Cover Girl Lash Blast as it's known across the pond) does come in water proof.  Unfortunately, Stiletto Voluptuous hasn't been released yet in a water proof. :0(  May be one day.

So I'm rethinking my holy grail mascara and might make it a plural.  Is it allowed to have two holy grail mascaras?  I think so.  So whats your holy grail mascara???

~Angela xoxo