Review: L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Blackest Black

(Sorry I threw away the packaging before I taking photos… fail)

What L’Oreal says about this mascara:

For lashes that look a million times multiplied and perfectly defined, there’s only one mascara – NEW Voluminous® Million Lashes™. The built-in Clean Sweep Wiping System wipes the brush free of clumps leaving the perfect amount of mascara for an ultra-volumized clean lash look. The Millionizing Brush evenly thickens lashes from root to tip. The result? Lashes look so multiplied, so clean, it’s like seeing millions. Ophthalmologist-tested and allergy-tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes an contact len wearers.Clump-free. Fragrance-free.

This mascara is good at volumizing but it can do a little better on lengthening. Because the formula is wet, you can apply as many coats as you wish, and I usually have to do 3 or so before I get the volume that I want. However because it is so wet, it does not hold up a curl at all. I curl it and then it just droops after the first full coat.

I like the brush, it separates my lashes and prevents clumping, no matter how many coats I put on. The only problem was that the bristles were a little too long for my liking, which made the mascara go on my eye lid too, no matter how hard to tried to prevent that from happening. If the spikes were a little shorter, I would like it more.

After about 3-4 hours it will transfer onto my under eye area, but it is not that obvious because it doesn’t flake off. This should be pretty easy to solve with a coat of Clarins Double Fix mascara.

Overall I find this a good “natural” mascara when you don’t want something too dramatic but you still need something there to frame your eyes. It is easy to use and low-maintenance because you don’t need to comb out your lashes afterwards or worry about clumping. I will probably use this for work in the morning when I need something easier to use.

Bare lashes:

In these photos I am wearing about 3 coats of mascara, no mascara base, and lashes have been curled prior to application:

Swatches/Quick Review: Joe Fresh Cream Eye Shadow

Joe Fresh Cream Eye Shadow is a cream eye shadow packaged in pan form. Pigmentation is excellent in both the shades I tried, both were rich in colour, and while dry, they still apply well. However, the formula  is drier and harder than most cream eyeshadows which means it does not glide on the eyelid as well and can cause some slight tugging. Because of its harder texture, you can easily use it as cream eyeliner (in Asia they have “cake” eyeliner, which is a very dry cream). The upside of them being so dry is that they dry down to almost a powder form and are very long wearing and smudgeproof. You can build it up for a more intense look, or do a light layer for a sheered out, more natural look.

• Slate is a dark matte grey.
• Medallion is a shimmery, near metallic bronze.

I really love the colour Medallion. I think it will look great as a base for metallic smokey eyes or just as an all-0ver colour for fall. Medallion is also the smoother one of the two as the dryness is not as obvious. Slate is pigmented but not as smooth as Medallion.

Here are some swatches (first set under sunlight and second set under natural lighting indoors):

In general, priced at just $6 each, these are worth checking out.

Quick Skincare Reviews: Kiehl’s Eye Alert & Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser

I am so very backlogged on these reviews, so sorry about that.  Here are some thoughts I have about two more of Kiehl’s more popular products!

Kiehl’s Eye Alert

• Texture: Gel with some gel beads in it that melts as you massage
• Scent: Light fresh scent
• Effect: Light, easy to absorb, no greasy residue, cooling
• Price: $21.50USD/$32CAD from Kiehl’s
• Overall: This is actually a men’s care eye cream but it works very well for young skin who are just looking into eye products. It is a light gel that is cooling and refreshing on the eyes. It’s purpose is to wake up tired eyes and  it contains caffeine and cucumber extract, both of which are great for mornings. As it is light and non-greasy, it also works well under makeup as it absorbs quickly with no residue. Highly recommend for newbies to eye cream!

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Cleanser

• Texture: Liquid soap kind of texture
• Scent: Smells like soap
• Effect: Foams up nicely, cleans well
• Price: $18USD/$25CAD from Kiehl’s
• Overall: This simple cleanser from Kiehl’s foams up really nice and deep cleans well. However, I felt that it was a little stripping of my skin, making it feel slightly tight. This is not a surprise though because I have dehydrated normal skin and this Ultra Facial Oil Free line is geared towards combination to oily skin. It also kind of bothered me that it smelled and felt like liquid soap. If you have oily skin and won’t mind the scent, then this is the product for you!

Swatches/Review: Joe Fresh Eyeshadow

After trying Joe Fresh lipsticks, I was excited to try their eyeshadows too. In general I thought their eyeshadows were on the dry, powdery and chalky side, especially the matte shades. The shimmery shades were a little better, but still lacking in pigmentation. While the price kind of makes up for the lack in texture, it is not an excuse for the lack in pigmentation (compared to Annabelle single potted eyeshadows, which are around the same price, these definitely under-perform).

From left to right (swatches in same order): Slate, Honeybell, Cactus, Smoke, Pixie

• Slate is exactly what it’s name says it is: a dark slate with some shimmer in the pan. Swatched, the shimmer is no longer visible. The pigmentation on this one was lacking, the formula was also chalky and dry.
• Honeybell is a matte cream. Swatched, it is a little powdery but it makes for an excellent highlight shade that is simple and perfect for daytime.
• If I were told to choose, then Cactus is my favourite out of the bunch, a dark shimmery forest green. The shimmer is sophisticated and subtle, not “in your face” like many shimmery shadows out there. This also swatched very smoothly and pigmented.
• Smoke is a matte dark grey with a hint of purple. This is also dry (not as dry as Slate though), and pigmentation is medium, but buildable.
• Pixie is a shimmery soft pink with a bit of lavender. This also applied pretty smoothly and the shimmers are more visible than the ones in Cactus.

Some swatches:

I would recommend that you take a good look at these when you get a chance to see them in person. There is a wide array of shades to choose from, which means some of them will likely turn out better than the ones I received here. The prices give them really good value and a huge selection of colours, but the quality of these shades in particular make me want to say “skip.”

Review/Swatches: Marcelle Lux Eye Dust in High Voltage (OH EM GEE!!!)

First, I must say I’ve never liked loose anythings, not powder, not blush, and definitely not eyeshadow. BUT, I must scream to the entire world how amazing this Lux Eye Dust swatches and performs. Yeah, the word is AMAZING.

Marcelle says this about their Lux Eye Dust:

“Perk up any look in a matter of minutes with Lux Eye Dusts. Transform your makeup from modest to daring with these new highly pigmented and shimmering mica shades. The multi-use light-weight formula allows you to mix them in with body cream, with nail polish and even with lip gloss. The possibilities are endless! Use them dry for a rich colorful look or wet for an even more dramatic and intense look.”

They are completely right about it being rich and colourful. The texture is really smooth and very, very pigmented. High Voltage is one of the most gorgeous greens I’ve ever used. I’m not joking when I say that it is full of depth and while shimmery, is still smooth.

Here are some swatches so you don’t think I’m kidding around with you. Keep in mind that these swatches were done dry! You can get it to be even more intense by using it with a damp brush.

A little off focus so you can see the sparkles:

The only thing with this that bothers me is how the packaging is a little hard to use. I had to loosen up the cap with a nail file before I could pry it open. Once open, I love how there is a stopper (looks like suction) to help prevent the powder from spilling everywhere.

I would love to try more of these, especially the gold (called Vegas… how appropriate is that?). I can imagine myself wearing this as part of a holiday look. Highly, highly recommended!