Drugstore Diaries: Mascara Comparisons

I'm not a big drinker, so I don't do pub crawls. But I  am a beauty lover, so a mascara crawl is more in line with my priorities.  And that is exactly what I did. Popping in to drugstores here and there picking up a mascara each time to see how they compare to each other and to some of my favorite high end formulas. Now it should be said before we proceed that I prefer a big, bold, daring, in-your-face lash, just so you have a reference. Throughout my trials, I found one or two I liked but nothing that took me permanently away from my holy grails (this one and this one are everything in my opinion). But I haven't tried them all, so I will always continue to shop, browse, try, obsess over.....all in the name of beauty blogging aka beauty delusion. Here is a peek at each mascara and how they looked on my lashes:

1. Revlon Lash Potion - This gives a nice delicate lash - great length and a separated look. I did however have trouble building this up to the intensity I prefer. I think I would use this as a base mascara and build up another on top. See? I told you...I need drama!

2. Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Flared - So many people talk about this mascara, but I was quite underwhelmed. It was dark, which I like, but the formula was sticky (for lack of a better term) and it was hard getting a full separated lash. And it smudged in the corners of my eyes. Bummer.

3. Covergirl Clump Crusher by Lashblast - Short, stubby lashes with no oomph. Not for me unfortunately. I know there are a few different clump crusher/lashblast mascaras so perhaps I got the wrong one, and there is a fantastic one out there that I am missing. If so, let me know.  Tweet me @alittlebitetc or leave me a comment below.

4. Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara - I pulled out the brush and initially thought "Heck, no!" It looked so measly and miniscule I thought there was no way this could make my lashes look like anything, but then I used it and was pleasantly surprised how much drama this little wand created. Lashes looked separated, long, dark and full. I do wish it was a bit more thickening, but I suppose I can layer.  *pouts slightly*

5. Loreal Power Volume Black Smoke - This was my favorite of the bunch - giving me the most dramatic lash. Long, thick, dramatic (I wish it was a tad bit darker, but now I am just being picky), but there was only one major drawback. Flakes, flakes, flakes! It both flaked and smudged and I was so upset. I felt so fierce leaving the house that morning, lashes in full effect, and then after a few hours, I looked like I had been out for a long night of dancing. Flakes, smudges, raccoon eyes. 

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Drugstore Diaries: Revlon Color Burst Lacquer Balms

The blogs are a-talkin' about these Revlon lip balms, and so far I have only been able to find the lacquer balms.  I am holding out for the matte balms, and hopefully they wow me a bit more than the lacquer ones did.  I purchased both a bold (called Vivacious Exuberante) and neutral (called Demure Reservee), figuring I would love the nude a tad more (because - well, we all know I live for a natural lip), but surprisingly it fell flat for me, while the brighter shade won me over.  Below is a look at the swatches of each color.

They are super easy to apply and feel great on the lips, but the shimmer/glitter in the nude shade, Demure Reservee was too gritty for my lips and actually altered the color to have an odd blue/green tint.  I know, it was weird for me too.  Vivacious Exuberante (these names though?) was less glittery and had a much more buttery smooth finish on the lips, with pigmentation that lasted for a good 4-5 hours.  I love the twist up option rather than having to use a sharpener, and if I can manage to track down the matte balms, I think I may have a stronger fondness for those.  On a side note, I recently bought a Cover Girl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm and was wowed by it - you can see the swatch and review here.  Have you tried these lacquer balms? What are your thoughts and what shades did you love?

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Drugstore Diaries: Wet N Wild Eye Palettes

The people are a-talkin' about these Wet n Wild eye palettes - mainly how the pigmentation is so intense for such an inexpensive product (trio of eyeshadow is under $3.00).  So during my lunch break I like to wander the aisles of Duane Reade and recently decided to pick up a few to see for myself if the buzz was warranted.  And I can confidently say after wearing for a few weeks - yes, the buzz is warranted.  The color selections were a little disappointing, but then again I know my corner drugstores do not carry as many versions as the larger chains so perhaps I have not been exposed to all the palettes.  Needless to say, I went for two neutral combinations (left is 'Walking on Eggshells' and right is 'Silent Treatment') and found the quality of the texture and wearability more substantial than I had anticipated.  Wet n Wild n Surprising should be the new company name, amiright?  Take a look below at the swatches from my two trios:

The colors are a tad more frosted than I would like, but after blending together the shimmer does settle down into a wearable look for the office. The "instructional placement" concept is nice but I prefer to use the colors as I darn well please - and never would I use a shimmer shade on my brow bone - the horror!  I prefer to use the lighter shades on my lid and work the dark shades through my crease or as a liner.  Caveat emptor however, these are quite delicate shadows and ones that I am sure would not travel well.  Just a dab into the palette with my brush and powder goes everywhere so I can only imagine what my bathroom floor would look like if one were to slip from my fingers - what a mess.  But then again at this price, I could afford a few back ups so maybe I will throw caution a little more to the wind with these.  What is life without taking risks?????

Shop more Wet n Wild colors:

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Drugstore Diaries: Maybelline, Neutrogena and Avene

I'm a bit of a fancy pants when it comes to makeup (no surprise, I'm sure), but with this new series on the blog I am excited to explore the wild drug store wilderness.  On a recent random pop in, I picked up three new items and have been loving each one.  As a fan of skin mists, I happened to see this on my way to the makeup section, and have heard so many great things about Avene's Thermal Spring Water spray, that I felt my summer skin would be amiss without it.  Glad I let my impulsive side win that day because it has lived up to the hype.  It's a burst of hydration any time I need it, and it now permanently lives in my handbag so I mist anywhere, anytime I darn well feel like it.  I'm proudly exercising my 1095th amendment, a person's right to mist.   

Maybelline's Great Lash mascara brought me back to my high school days, when this was my favorite mascara.  A little bit of Clinique brown eye liner and a few swipes of Great Lash, and I was out the door.  Oddly I have never tried their colored versions in all the years they have been out, so no time like the present to rekindle my old high school memories. The formula was just as I remembered, giving thick and dramatic lashes, but the subtle purple shade (in Vision in Violet) was a nice change from standard black.  I paired it with a variety of my neutral brown shadows and it complemented every look.

Completely new to the Neutrogena brand, I simply cannot pass up a mosaic blush.  If one is good, 75 are better.  There is something about swirling colors together to get a whole new shade that never gets old to me - clearly, I am still 7.  Anyhoo, beauty age IQ aside, I was delighted with the finished look.  The color is an array of pink tones (though it looks a tad like a skin irritation when swatched on my arm, I can guarantee you it's beautiful on the cheeks) that when blended together gives a nice rosy glow.  Be aware however, that the pigmentation is light so using a heavy hand is recommended.  I have found myself reaching for this Neutrogena sheer highlighting blush in shade Pure 22 almost every day since I brought it home, and have yet to find a look with which it doesn't work. 

What are some of your recent drugstore buys?  Anything you would recommend?

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Drugstore Diaries: Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Makeup

I am starting a new series on the blog - and if the post name didn't already give it away (I like to build up the suspense), it's going to be called Drugstore Diaries.  I'm quite the wordsmith, aren't I?  This series will focus on all my drugstore buys and finds, sharing my faves and must haves.  The first product I am featuring is the Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Makeup which was purchased after seeing a fellow blogger, The Style and Beauty Doctor's post, and her comparison of it to Armani Maestro.  It piqued my interest and I knew I had to try it for myself!  The formula is a liquid to powder makeup that is extremely sheer and wears almost like a second skin.  After having used Armani's Maestro foundation and finding it one of the most unique and amazing textures, I was anxious to see if this would be a suitable and more affordable dupe.  I am happy to say that the Loreal one impressed me greatly and is a very close match to Maestro.  It does offer more coverage in my opinion, and shows up a tad more on my skin whereas the Armani simply melts in immediately.   I applied with both my fingers and a brush and found the brush to give a smoother application.  Though it goes on as a liquid, it dries down to a powder finish leaving the skin with a smooth, velvety finish.  With NYC recently moonlighting as a city on the equator, I have been reaching for this almost every day.  It feels lightweight on my skin and wears well throughout the entire day, and even elicited a "your skin looks all perfect and stuff" comment from my husband at dinner one evening.  Ah, men.  I did need to touch up with powder occasionally but much less than usual - a feat in and of itself.  Already a fan of the Loreal Magic Skin Perfector BB Cream (and about to make a repurchase), I am happy to see that another product from this Magic range works so well for my oily skin.  

Have any of you tried this foundation yet?  What are your thoughts?

Shop all the items below:

L'Oreal Face Makeup · Giorgio Armani Liquid Foundation · L'Oreal Makeup

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