Revlon grow luscious mascara review

If you thought I was slacking off on reviews, I promise you I wasn't! For the past 4 weeks I've been using one mascara only - Revlon grow luscious.
It was hard to do for a mascara junkie like me, but I did it for you - so here are the results!

The claim : (From Revlon's site)

-Lash enhancing formula complements the natural growth cycle of your lashes, improving their overall appearance and conditioning with each use
-Get lashes that look instantly longer and lusher and will also grow stronger day after day
-Oversized lash-extending brush
-Ophthalmologist tested

The brush:

It sure is big! I found it pretty good for grabbing all my lashes and distributing the mascara evenly. It's bigger than Diorshow's brush! see my comparison:

Left Revlon GL Right Diorshow:

My results:

Week 1: I started to notice my lashes were looking a little bit longer.

Week 2: I started to shed 1-2 lashes every night when taking off the mascara. This was really odd and I almost stopped using it but after a few days it cleared up.

Week 3: I didn't notice anything different.

Week 4: My lashes were noticably fuller and slightly thicker. They weren't any longer.

Completely unedited before & after photos; wearing only eyeshadow primer no mascara:

You can see in my after photo that both bottom and top lashes are slightly fuller and denser. There wasn't much improvement in the overall length of my lashes.

The mascara:

I really liked the mascara itself. With one coat it adds a little bit of length and definition, but it can easily be built up without clumping. I needed about 3 coats to get the effect I liked.
It wore well and didn't smudge or flake.

Wearing grow luscious mascara:

Overall, this mascara performed well for me.
I didn't like that through mid cycle of use I lost quite a few lashes. Even though they seemed to grow back faster than normal, I still have a few little lash stubs now that really annoy me.
I was impressed with the results I got, thicker and fuller lashes. Nothing extraordinary but also not bad for a drugstore product!

Repurchase? No, I don't want to risk losing any lashes again

Price: $9.99 CAD

Rating: 3.5/5

Some looks using Fyrrinae eyeshadows

When I'm not using MAC or NARS eyeshadows, I usually reach for my Fyrinnae colors. They are so vivid and unique, I wanted to share some looks I've done with them.

Here I used frost blade, shingami and immortality:

Here I used polar bear, starfish and fire opal:

Here I used equality, android angel and immortality:

Here I used polar bear, kimchi and fire opal:

Here I used baby beluga, star fish, rebellion and polar bear:

Fyrinnae eyeshadows are a little bit hard to work with at first. Most of them look best when patted on with a finger or sponge tip applicator. You can use them wet to really make the iredescent qualities pop. I usuallly use them over Fyrinnae's pixy epoxy or Gosh waterproof eyeshadow base.
I'll do some swatches of all these eyeshadows soon, since they are so fantastic.

Have you tried Fyrinnae? what is your favorite color?

*CLOSED* Very first Giveaway!

Thank you for your entries, this giveaway is now closed. Hi everyone! CSN stores is a virtual bounty for bargain hunters, and within their 200+ stores you can find everything from modern office furniture, jewelery and cute shoes to cribs and even coffins - hah. To thank you for your support I'm giving away a $25 gift card valid on absolutely anything from CSN stores. The giveaway is open to US and Canada readers, and will close February 26 2011 at 12 PM (GMT-5:00). How to enter: - Simply comment and leave your email address

For 1 extra entry each: - Follow me via google friend connect - Tweet about this giveaway For two extra entries each: - Copy my above giveaway picture and link back to this page on your site's side bar

- Mention this giveaway on your blog, and link back to it

One winner will be selected at random and notified via email. Thank you for your support and good luck!

Pure luxe strawberry eyeshadow photos swatches and EOTD

From the 'bubblegum ballz' collection, Pure luxe eyeshdow in Strawberry is my all time favorite pink. It's bold bright and so pretty.

It's very bright, almost with a fluorescent finish. Think MAC stars n' rockets on Ritalin.

My EOTD using strawberry:

This color just puts me in a good mood. It's really fun and makes my eyes stand out. Definitely one of my all time favorites.

Are there any colors you use that put you in a good mood?

NOTD: OPI not like the movies

Ever since I saw swatches on Beauty Judy's blog I knew I needed to have this polish! I hunted around for it until people were sick of seeing me lurking their OPI displays. It's part of the Katy Perry for OPI collection released January 2011.

Not like the movies is a super multidimensional duo chrome. The main colors are green and purple, but in different lights I see lilac, seafoam blue and silver. There are tiny silver shimmer particles mixed in as well.

It turns a murky green in some lights, really unique color.

This is a definite hit from Katy Perry's collection. The other colors are ok, and the black shatter is neat (call me old but wasn't that the trend in 1995?) but not like the movies is the color to get!

Estee Lauder peach nuance blush photos, swatches and FOTD

Along with my peach colored craze at the moment, I've been using Estee Lauder peach nuance blush a lot. It's my very fist peach blush! I didn't think it would suit my skin tone, but it looks very fresh and natural.

Peach nuance was released with 3 other colors: nude nuance, plum nuance and rose nuance. They were put out as part of a limited edition collection but Estee Lauder brought back peach nuance and plum nuance into the permanent line recently, due to the high demand for them.

The packaging is sturdy, a little bulky and not the most attractive. It's worth it for the pretty blush inside!

The gradient starts off with a warm light peach, moves into a midtone coral and lastly, ends in a deep pink peach.

gradient of colors swatched separately:

Gradient mixed together:

The end result is a flush of peach that gives a fresh and youthful look. It makes my face glow like no other! I really feel 5 years younger when I wear this.

The texture is smooth and pigmented. I would compare the finish to that of newer MAC beauty powders. It's not shimmery or matte but very finely milled with small light reflecting pearl.

Wearing peach nuance:

MAC limited edition blush ombres are similar to these EL nuance blushes. I don't own ripe peach but from what I have seen peach nuance looks similar. I've heard ripe peach is more shimmery in finish. I really like peach nuance, it sort of squished my lemming for ripe peach.

What is your favorite peach blush?

MAC frankly fresh lipglass photos and swatches

I've been wearing a lot of peach colors lately, subconsciously thinking warmer toned colors will warm me up in this freezing cold weather!
Frankly fresh was released with MAC's liberty of London collection spring 2010, and was meant to compliment peachstock lipstick.
I found peachstock too orange on me, but frankly fresh is the perfect peach color - ever.

It's a shame this is limited edition, I must hunt down something similar in MAC's permanent line.

This color goes with everything. It's just great to have when I can't decide what color to put on my lips.

What's your favorite peach colored lipgloss?

Becca mermaid loose shimmer powder photos and swatches

Ah mermaid, how long I waited to find you! I wanted this for years, and just recently got it from a very sweet person I'm forever indebted to.
I have a little obsession with mermaids and the ocean, so naturally I was very drawn to this color.
Mermaid is a discontinued shade of Becca's loose shimmer powder, which is really sad. Nothing quite compares to it, I just had to share swatches.

This is my first Becca product, it's a multi-use highlighting powder. You can apply it anywhere. There are quite a few different colors available.
I can't really describe Mermaid accurately. It's extremely complex and shifts tone in different light. Just imagine a mermaid's fin dazzling in the light, and dimming in murky water. Something to that effect.

There are gold and grey-green tones,

In some lights it looks bronze, others yellowed gold,

and the multi-faceted shimmer is absolutely amazing.

Here I wore it as an eyeshadow:

And I applied it as a cheekbone highlighter:

It's an understated color that just dazzles without being gaudy. I really love it and I *hope* they bring this color back.
Becca also makes pressed shimmer powders, which are supposedly really nice. I think I might try more from this line.
I'm curious, does anyone have a favorite Becca product?