Review: L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes

L'oreal's newest mascara is the Voluminous Million Lashes. It comes in a metallic gold, shiny packaging. I got this for $6.99 - $1 coupon a few days ago at The Superstore (in Canada). Being a fan of the original Voluminous mascara I was curious how this one performed, especially with a name like "million lashes" I had expectations of it doing miracles. I have read mostly negative reviews of this mascara, but being a mascara junkie, I had to try this out, who doesn't want Eva Longoria's lashes right? Miiillllions of them!

Review: Sigma Makeup F82 Round Top Synthetic Kabuki

One of Sigma's newest brushes is the F82, the Rounded Top Kabuki Brush, it's part of their new Sigmax line. I already had the F80 (my ultimate favourite Sigma brush), and was so excited when I saw the F82 announced because it looks ideal for liquid foundation application. This brush is $16 on Sigma Makeup's website, you can check it out here. For those in Canada, shipping is very reasonable and I receive my package normally within 10 business days.

This brush is described as "simplifies precise makeup application under the eyes and around the nose. This brush is also perfect for achieving flawless coverage using liquid and powder products. Made of Synthetic Sigmax HD filament." It's basically a synthetic kabuki on a stick, similar to the Bare Minerals Handy Buki Brush. It is incredibly dense and soft, the bristles are short and stubbly so they do not move around a lot at all, which means you can get precise application of whatever products you use. I would use this primarily for liquid foundation, but I can see it being great for cream blushes too or concealing.

Have you noticed that Sigma started engraving the numbers and names into their brushes? The F82 is the first one that I've noticed that has, you can tell in the top picture my camera doesn't focus as easily on the text. The original text was just painted/stamped on. I think this is nice because it is less likely to rub off.

The head on the F82 is slightly smaller than the F80, but the bristles are the same, it is not duo fibre, just has two-toned bristles. The bristles are shorter as well, but just as soft. The brush handle itself is slightly shorter too. You can get a more precise application with the F82 because the bristles are more dense and firm. The main difference is the head on the F82 is round whereas the F80 is flat topped, I think the F82 is easier to use to buff in your foundation because of the round shape. If you apply your foundation more in a tapping motion the F80 can be better since it is flat-topped, I use a combination of both methods.

As you can tell in the picture the F82 head is slightly smaller than the F80. Both of my brushes were recently used and washed so that's why you see colour in them. If you think the F80 takes a long time to dry, the F82 is even worse! Since it is so dense, short bristled and firm it does not air out quickly at all. Personally I do not mind my brushes being a little damp when I use them, some people even spray their brushes with Fix+ and stuff to soak them a bit, makes application easier.

Do I like this brush? I love it, I can see it quickly being added to my everyday routine for foundation and concealer application. If you liked the F80, you will like the F82 as well.

* Don't forget to enter my Sigma Makeup giveaway, one winner will be chosen for $50 worth of brushes, this contest ends in a few days!

Do you have this brush? What is your opinion of it?

Mascara Monday: Revlon Grow Luscious

There are many products on the market right now that claim to strengthen and improve the appearance and health of your lashes. I am a sucker for these products because I want lusher looking lashes, who doesn't right? Revlon isn't a brand that I turn to for mascara however, and the Fabulash name turned me off because I have tried the Fabulash mascara and it was a huge disappointment. I assumed that the design of this brush would be similar to that one, but it can't be any more different. I can't comment on whether this mascara improved my lashes since I've only used it for a few days, but I will tell you how it applies and if I like it. I got this for under $7 at Zellers (during 30% off Revlon sale), but if you are in Canada, check out Walmart this week, they have a 2 pack on for $8.xx.

Revlon's Grow Luscious claims to "help lashes grow stronger while visibly adding length and volume." Studies showed that "96% of women who tested the non-waterproof version saw instantly longer and lusher lashes". Does it stand up to it's claims? When this first came out, I read a few negative reviews, but since mostly positive. Honestly, I do not expect this mascara to do miracles on my lashes, but I do hope for a decent mascara that I will enjoy using and one that will give me length and volume.

This mascara comes in a green tube, which is something different, definitely easy to find in your purse. So let's talk about the brush, it is very large. This brush reminds me of the Too Faced Lash Injection or Prestige My Biggest Lashes brush (picture above). It's overwhelming at first and I think those with small eyes will have trouble with the large brush. The brush is the traditional wired bristles, which I prefer in mascaras. I have it in the colour "002 Black" here. The formula of this mascara is pretty much close to perfect for me, not too wet, does not dry too fast so you can add multiple coats. It does not leave my lashes brittle or hard whatsoever, which is great.

The result that this mascara gives is similar to that of Maybelline's Full and Soft in my opinion. It gives me close to that "false lashes" look that I want to achieve. The brush is soft and glides through evenly. It gives lush, soft, volumized and long lashes. No smudging or flaking occurred so far. I really enjoy this mascara, and am going to use it exclusively for the next few weeks and will update you on any changes to my lashes.

Have you used this mascara? What results did you experience?

NOTD: Revlon Gray Suede

Nude polishes are like my transition from the colourful stuff that I wore in the spring/summer into the dark, fall/winter colours that I'll be wearing soon. I purchased this polish during my last Revlon haul. Like I said before, I passed on this initially because it looked really blah compared to the other Daydreamer polishes (Lilac Pastelle, Peach Petal and Minted). That collection came out this past spring, so I didn't think I would find it again, since it was a limited edition colour. After seeing swatches of this colour online, I decided to pick it up, and it was like $3.50 on sale, so why not.

Gray Suede is a beige brown with purple undertones, I don't really see much gray in it at all. It's an interesting colour and looks much more interesting on the nail than in the bottle. It also has teeny tiny shimmers in it, that you can't really notice on the nail. This colour is very similar to Orly's Country Club Khaki. 2 coats gets it opaque, although application was tricky on this one, it went on uneven and bubbled for me. I find Revlon has really pretty colours and they are cheap polishes, but they do not apply as nicely as OPI. I change my polish often, so it isn't a big deal for me, as long as it looks nice for 1-2 days it's all good.

Do you have this polish? Do you like it?

MAC Cosmetics: A Tartan Tale Holiday 2010 Collection Pt 1

Release Dates:

October 28/ November 11 2010 [US/Canada]
November 2010 [International]

Lipstick ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)
Cut-a-Caper Mid-tone peachy pink (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
The Faerie Glen Pale neutral pink (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
Deepest Wish Deep creamy reddish brown (Amplified) (Limited Edition)
Full Fuchsia Bright blue fuchsia (Amplified) (Permanent at PRO)
Courting Lilac Sheer lilac mauve with soft gold pearl (Glaze) (Limited Edition)

Dazzleglass Creme ($18.00 U.S. / $21.00 CDN)
Radiant Jewels Dark sparkly magenta (Limited Edition)
Soft Dazzle Mid-tone peach pink with gold pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Dazzleglass Creme, ’09)
Passing Fancy Bright orange coral with soft pearl (Limited Edition)
Lightly Prancing Light peach with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
Romancin’ Mid-tone lavender with multi-dimensional pearl (Limited Edition)

Eyeshadow ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)
Golden Crown Light gold with bronze tartan striping (Limited Edition)
A Wish Come True Dirty mauve with bubblegum pink tartan striping (Limited Edition)
Follow Your Fantay Mid-tone peach with chocolate tartan striping (Limited Edition)
Enviably Fun Grass green with dark green tartan striping (Limited Edition)
Semi-Precious Aubergine with chocolate tartan striping (Limited Edition)
Glamora Castle Dark grey with teal tartan striping (Limited Edition)

Pigment ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)
Later Black with transforming purple pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Alice + Olivia)
Moonlight Night Blackened teal with teal pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)
The Family Crest Blackened bronze with pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)
Petrol Blue Deep navy with pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Black Line Black with gold pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Undercurrent Teal with pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Black Swan Black with pearl (Limited Edition)
Lord It Up Bronze with pearl (Limited Edition)

Blush ($18.50 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)
Her Blooming Cheek Bright iridescent blue-pink (Satin) (Limited Edition)
My Highland Honey Bright coral with soft gold pearl (Satin) (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($13.00 U.S. / $15.00 CDN)
Sly as a Fox Creamy mid-tone russet/burnt red (Cream) (Limited Edition)
Style Clan Dark taupe with red pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)


credit: temptalia for pictures and information!


What do you think of this collection? I think the plaid design on the eyeshadow is really cool. And "My Highland Honey" is definitely on my "want" list because I love coral peach blushes. There are also brush sets, eyeshadow and blush palettes and lip sets that I will include in a separate posts, this collection is quite big!

Review: Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power Clear Scrub

I rarely do skincare reviews because I am no skincare expert and I am still looking for what works and improves my skin. But this product from Neutrogena is one that I enjoy very much. I have dry skin and most cleansers/exfoliators dry it out excessively and do more harm than good. My skin gets dry in areas, but I do break out as well, along my chin mostly. I bought this product a few months ago after reading great reviews of it. Most of the stuff I have used from Neutrogena has worked out well for me so I was hoping for this one too. I don't remember how much this was, probably about $10 CAD at drugstores. There is an entire line of this acne-stress stuff so you can get the whole routine if you are interested.

This product claims to: 'clear oil instantly, fight breakouts and gently exfoliate without over-drying. Creamy formula with skin smoothers, including green tea and cucumber. Softens skin while microbeads exfoliate. For the treatment of acne.' I know skincare is tricky because one product may work for one person and then not the other. We all have different needs and skin types. This does contain 2% salicylic acid which is the acne fighter in here, 2% is pretty standard for drugstore products. It has menthol too which leaves your skin with that minty fresh feel. I did use the grapefruit acne-stress scrub before and I found that it irritated my skin and I wasn't a fan of it, despite it being pink and smelling really great!

Here is what it looks like, a thick green consistency with small blue-green beads throughout. I only use a pea-sized amount to cover my entire face and then rub in circular motions, leave it on for a a minute or so (hoping that helps the salicylic acid to absorb) and then wash it off. This product smells good and is gentle on my skin.

The best part of this product for me was that it did not dry out my face. I use it 3x a week and my skin does not feel tight or dry afterwards, which is a huge thing for me. Now the packaging suggests that this "helps prevent acne even before it emerges", this is a hard one to judge because you do not know if zits were going to come out before they do. If you regularly get zits and this helped you out, please let me know below. I am not a good judge of that because I break out in one area, my chin and it's quite problematic, using this product solely for a week or two now, I haven't found new monsters on my face.

Have you used this product? Did it work for you?