Eyes

My school is right next to a shopping mall, and if that’s not a sign to shop everyday, I don’t know what is! The other day when I was early to class, (what, actually go to class early? Please.) I decided to go to the department store to see what was new. :-)

Anyone who knows me well enough will know that eyeliner is my must-have…. Ironically I’ve been using the same one for the past 3 years, so it’s time for a change! Chanel’s new La Ligne Professional Duo Eyeliner caught my eye at their counter and immediately I wanted it.

Eyeliner. Black. Smokey Eyes. Beautiful packaging. Black. Eyeliner. Black. Black. BLACK! I was sold!

Mistake-proof eyeliner duo enables every woman to achieve the perfectly lined eye. Stray-proof, powder-based formula easily mimics both the precision of a liquid eyeliner and smudged look of a kohl pencil.

The eyeliner is a very pigmented, “hard” eyeshadow. The sales lady said that it’s supposed to be applied wet, though it still works as a normal eyeshadow. When applied wet, it is the darkest black you will ever see! It gives a super-intense color. Just limit your use when it’s daytime - you don’t want to scare people!

My poor wallet suffered, and I admit this is way too expensive for eyeliner - but I’m very happy with my impulse buy!

Available in Noir-Lame, a black matte/black shimmer combination at US$45.

Cosmetics companies; especially mascara, always promote something as the “blackest black” (like this one). What’s the darkest eye-makeup you’ve ever used? For me, it would be this Chanel duo! Have you tried this product? I’d love to know your opinions :-)

Seems like Lancôme Ôscillation mascara was not a first of its kind!

Estée Lauder’s TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara is yet another battery operated mascara which vibrates gently through lashes.

An innovation in design and engineering, the mascara is said to create “maximum volume, length, curl and separation” – all at once!

TO USE:

1. Twist mascara cap at middle to open. The motor will automatically turn on.
2. Use care in applying mascara. Slowly pull brush up through lashes, starting at root.
3. Repeat for even more drama.
4. To close, twist cap tightly until motor shuts off. (Important: Always turn off motor to preserve battery life. When the battery runs down, it’s time to get a new mascara.)

I honestly can imagine this whole vibrating-brush fad actually working, but we shall see!

Image: Sephora.com

As much as I am devoted to my favorite mascaras, sometimes I get restless and want to try something new! I’m sure every beauty addict is the same!

The much talked about, The Lash Stash from Sephora allows you to sample seven must have mascaras until you find the perfect one (for the month, until you get the urge to spend again!)

The set includes travel sized mascaras from:

• Benefit A Little Bit BADgal Lash in Black
• Blinc Kiss Me Mascara in Black
• LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes in Black
• Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Black
• Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black
• Sephora Brand Lash Plumper in Black
• Too Faced Lash Injection in Black

Truly for mascara fans! Do you think Sephora made a good selection of mascaras for this set?

A revolutionary new mascara designed to grip at lashes starting at the roots”, Givenchy’s new Phenomen’Eyes Mascara is definitely a new innovation in mascara.

This weapon-looking wand promises to “perfectly curls and separates lashes. It has a high-tech, patented round sphere at the tip of the precision wand that reaches every lash and adapts to all eye shapes. It’s a Sephora exclusive.”

For some reason, I can imagine this working very well - I am definitely in line to try this one out!

Liking the whole weird-mascara trend? Check out the new vibrating mascaras from Estée Lauder and Lancôme - craziness!

After my beloved Lancome Virtouse tube started to dry out, I decided the other day to buy Diorshow Blackout, since I used to wear Diorshow and didn’t mind it, and just wanted a bit of a change. Also, the whole “From the catwalks to you” definitely made me want to try it out!

I’ve used Diorshow maybe 2 years ago then switched to Lancome mascaras that I dearly love, but I didn’t switch because I didn’t like Diorshow – just wanted a change and then forgot about it, I guess! I’m glad I’m back though!

Blackout is an “intense deep kohl black shade that glides on smoothly, and draws out every last lash to show-stopping lengths.”

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Lancôme mascara fans, (like me!) you will be happy to know that they will be launching a new mascara, Ôscillation this fall.

This unique mascara provides a 360-degree coat on lashes thanks to it’s vibrating brush, said to provide 7,000 vibrations per minute for the perfect formula application.

The mascara was created by Jean-Louis Guéret, the designer of all Lancôme mascaras, who has created almost 400 mascaras in his career. Ôscillation combines beauty with innovation, as the product has four patents for technology and formula.

This sounds really interesting! I’ve never heard anything like this before. From the picture, it looks like the mascara is one of those rubber brushes like Chanel Inimitable and Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash. I personally like old school, normal- bristled mascaras, but this is Lancôme so I will definitely try it out when it comes out. ;)

Intrigued? Estée Lauder has also come out with a vibrating mascara, TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara

Marisa Miller was declared No. 1 in Maxin’s Hot 100, with magazine editor James Kaminsky saying that she represented the return of the great American supermodel.

When she arrived at the Hot 100 party, her makeup artist Christy Coleman and hairstylist Jonathan Hanousek worked to get a “girl next door, sexy” look, which you can recreate with these products and tips from them:

Face:

Chantacaille Future Skin all over face for an even, fresh complexion. Add concealer under eyes to highlight the eye area. lastly, apply Translucent powder to set foundation and concealer.

Cheeks:

“I wanted to add a little blush to the apple of the cheek. This adds just the right amount of color enhance her cheekbones,” said Christy. She used Shimmery pink blush by Chanel.

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Since summer is pretty much here, it is time to bring the water-proof, smudge-proof, whatever-proof makeup out!

M.A.C.’s Liquidlast liner is one of their products I swear by and “combines long-lasting wear with a non-smudge, non-flake precision line. Goes on effortlessly.”

One thing about M.A.C. is that their products live up to what they claim. The eyeliner is very hard to get off and does not smudge at all.

I’ve tested this out in the pool, the beach, you name it, after my best friend got one for her and me – this thing’s staying power is ridiculous! I personally don’t wear liquid liner but never say never! (Update: Told you! I’m in love with this eyeliner that can be both liquid and power).

Liquidlast comes in a range of colors, so it is not limited to the normal black and browns. Instead, there are aqua, green, and fuchsia colors to choose from (as you can see in the picture!)

There’s not much to say about this product, except that it’s exactly what liquid liner should be. It’s easy to apply with its nail polish-like packaging, it’s small and compact to keep anywhere, stays on forever, and there are many colors to choose from, and is reasonably priced. In other words, what more could you ask for?!

Image: Product-girl.com

I went to Milan last year, and since then I’ve been obsessed. One-way ticket for one, please.

Since then Italian culture has mesmerized me. The buildings, the culture, the design, and the food - everything looked so deep, dark and sophisticated. Sign me up! As far as Italian-made goods go, I always think that it’s always made to perfection, be it a suit, a building or a makeup bag!

One of the stores I went into while in Milan was the huge Armani building (did you know there’s an Armani Cafe?!) and there was the debut of the Giorgio Armani cosmetics line. While nothing wowed me at that stage (it was brand new so there were only the ‘basics’ there) I saw a post on Can’t Live Without My Lipstick on the new Bronze Mania Collection, and I just had to post about it.

LOOK at it!

Summer collections always excite me because that’s my most favorite look - dark bronzed Smokey eyes, metallics, bronzer, nude lips…all the works.

This collection includes the new Skin Tints, that are water-soluble bronze tints that give you color with its smooth, gel texture. Colors range from a subtle summer glow to a deep Mediterranean tan, and the tint is said to be lightweight and give a natural and translucent look.

The collection also includes Summer Foundation, Lip Shimmer Bronze and mascara and lipsticks; however our eyes are on their Ochra Mediterranean Palette, which looks like the palette of my dreams. (Seriously, I’ve been searching for ages!)

The palette includes 4 eye shadows that can be used wet for a dramatic look, or dry for subtle highlights.

What makes this palette even better is that underneath there is also bronzer that is said to “add an extra touch of seductive sun glamour. Its warm bronze, scintillating colors recall the shimmer of the rocks by the ocean in the torrid heat of the Italian Mediterranean sun.”

At US$85, I might need to save up the money (poor student here!), but it’s way too beautiful to ignore.

Jan Marini Age Intervention’s Eyelash Conditioner has been a hot topic for many years.

It is a mascara like tube with an eyeliner-brush applicator that you apply to the base of your eyelashes, and is said to give you fuller, longer, thicker eyelashes.

I am not too sure about the exact facts, but the Eyelash Conditioner is a reformulated version than the one they had some time back, which was pulled off the shelves.

While the price tag may scare some off, I have seen some before and after pictures of consumers and some people I know swear by the product.

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I first heard about Bésame Comsmetics in 2006, and I was definitely impressed with their beautiful, old-glamour packaging.

The Story

The formula of Gingerbread formula dates back to the 1930s and was recreated by Besame Chemists for a “truly special mascara, made out of only 8 simple ingredients to give you defined, beautiful and healthy eyelashes.”

After hearing that the formula dated back to the 30s, and that this mascara was completely natural and healthy, I couldn’t wait to use it - it almost felt like I could take a step back in time and see how makeup was like in that era!

The Product

Gingerbread mascara lives up to the brands glamorous image, in its beautiful gold plated tube decorated by their signature Chrysanthemums. What’s different about this mascara, however, is that it is natural and scented - its gingerbread scent acts as a guard against bacteria.

This mascara is also made of only natural ingredients, is allergy tested, paraben-free, and is safe for sensitive eyes, making Gingerbread one of the most natural mascaras on the market today.

My thoughts!

Firstly - how refreshing that this mascara actually smells nice - I couldn’t stop smelling it! The mascara delivers a very natural, lengthening look and has great staying power (it is waterproof, which I normally hate, but this was very easy to remove).

However, it is almost too natural looking for me – if I’m gonna wear mascara, I gotta have big eyelashes! (A great mascara for that is this and this.) For those who like an everyday, natural soft mascara that stays, this would be perfect.