MAC Cosmetics False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara Review

I wrote this post during my hiatus. Unfortunately these mascaras are now too old to wear (they should be replaced every 3 months to avoid eye infections) so I couldn't take pictures of my eye lashes wearing this mascara but just so you know I have long black straight lashes.

MAC Cosmetics describes this mascara as "Fashionably false in look but honestly real, this mascara's key benefits of volume and curl are matched by a dramatically exaggerated end look... The result is incredibly magnified and multiplied lashes that are thick, long, curled and feathered." They claim this mascara is the blackest of them all - carbon black. It is ophthalmology tested so should be fine for contact lens wearers, but it's not waterproof, although there is a waterproof version available.

The reality- I'd describe this mascara as a natural look or daytime mascara because it doesn't give lashes a dramatic full on false lash effect as the name implies. The brush is a bristle brush (rather than a plastic one) which MAC Cosmetics describe as being 'a unique double lush brush' that pushes up eyelashes. When I use it doesn't push up lashes and I fail to see why there's anything unique about it. This could be because I was testing the smaller sample brush but the full sized brush pictured on the website looks just like any other brush. However the wand is great for separating and fanning out the lashes. It's a wet formula which MAC claim is 'ultra thickening' but I don't think it made my lashes look thicker or have more volume.  I found it does lengthen lashes but it didn't give my lashes any volume let alone the 75% increase MAC claims. It does hold a curl though even on my straight lashes. Despite the claim of 100% increased curl it would not be my first choice, I think Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara is better for that. However the good thing is that this mascara doesn't smudge or flake and I had no problems wearing it with my contact lenses.

Two layers of this mascara produces a natural look rather than a ' va va voom' glam false lashes look. Apart from the colour which could be described as 'extreme black' this does the opposite of what is claims. This is a very natural looking mascara about as far away from 'False Lashes' as you can get. MAC Cosmetics claim that this mascara gives 75% increased volume, it gives 0%. It claims to give 100% curl more like 60%.

In my opinion I think MAC Cosmetics has wrongly marketed this mascara, yes it's a very dark black but the emphasis on the false lash look doesn't really match up with my experience of it. In all honesty I think there are much better mascaras out there for way less money.

MAC Cosmetics False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara MAC Cosmetics £20

Rodial Glamolash XLL Mascara Review

Rodial Glamolash XXL Black Mascara was free with the August issue of Red Magazine! Rodial claim that this mascara is an intense black, long wearing formula that makes sure eyelashes are 'maximised from day to night' and gives them 'supercharged volume.' This mascara contains carnauba wax to bind the mascara to the lashes and prevent clumping. The beeswax helps to condition the lashes while soluble collagen makes them look shiny and thick. Due to the the beeswax this mascara isn't vegan.

Rodial Glamolash XXL mascara comes in a matte black thick tube which is different but a bit clunky, it doesn't exactly scream luxury to me as a £24 mascara should.

The  mascara has a natural cone shaped bristle brush. It definitely makes your eye lashes look longer and as you can see from the photos it makes eyelashes look thicker too. It gives volume although it does have a tendency to clump lashes together despite the carnauba wax. You may need to get rid of excess mascara on the brush or use a lash comb afterwards.  It's quite a wet formula and it's long wearing and doesn't flake. Although by the second coat it begins to look a bit spidery. The best way is to add another coat while it's still wet. One coat is good for a natural, daytime look and two coats is more dramatic for the evening.  It can hold a curl but it's not as good as Bourjois Glam mascara (my Holy Grail.) I can wear Rodial's Glamolash XXL mascara with my contacts without any problems. It does have a slight chemical scent which doesn't affect me and won't interfere when applying, it's just that mascaras don't usually smell of anything but I noticed this does. This mascara is also fairly easy to remove.

























This mascara is great for giving longer looking and thicker eyelashes! However I do wish that the brush was better at separating the lashes so that they didn't clump together. My other reservation is the price. It is more expensive than mascaras from a lot of high end brands such as MAC, Too Faced, Laura Mercier and Benefit to name a few. (I know price is relative as I've just spotted Chantecaille mascara for £62!) However I can't see myself buying this in the future simply because I know that there are cheaper drugstore brands that give the same results for less money. But if you have the money and want to splash the cash then go for it!

Let me know which are your favourite mascaras.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara Review

It's been a couple of years since Benefit launched a new mascara and the latest launch inevitably has plenty of hype. In an unprecedented move Benefit teamed up with Elle to include a sample version with this months Elle before the actual launch in March, a smart move Benefit hopes to get us hooked on their mascara (excuse the pun!)

Benefit Roller Lash is marketed as a 'super-curling and lifting mascara', and the name and packaging reflect this with the full sized tube designed with a wand brush cap shaped like a cute pink retro hair roller and hence the name Roller Lash mascara. The idea is that this mascara will give you such long lasting curled lashes that you can ditch the eye lash curlers (good news for lash curler haters or those just happy to eliminate a step in make up routine.)

So what makes this one different? Well it always seems to be all about the brush! The Roller Lash has a slightly curved plastic comb with uniquely designed 'Hook'n'roll' plastic bristles which lean diagonally upward to catch, lift and curl lashes Just to be clear the brush is a hard plastic/rubber comb.(see Benefit diagram on their box below)

Benefit's consumer panel survey tested this mascara on of 31 women. After 4 weeks of use

97% reported that it visibly lifts lashes, 87% said it gives long lasting curl 94% said their eyes looked more open. Firstly, Benefit 31 women? I'm sure that they could find many more women willing to test out a brand new Benefit mascara, hey I'm sure some would even go so far to give away their first born child for such an opportunity! I get that they would want to keep the results quiet for a while while they fix and improve the mascara before it gets launched but hey it wouldn't kill them to find an extra ten or twenty women to make the results more robust and representative for all us make up lovers out there.

So Does it work?
 I have very straight lashes so I'm an ideal candidate for this. I found that the slightly curved brush separated lashes effortlessly and with most curved brushes worth their salt it lifted the lashes as you swept the wand through them. I was however very impressed by how curled the lashes looked- it was much better than many other curling mascaras I've tried alone without curlers. This mascara can be built up but you do have to be a little careful the lashes don't end up spiky or spidery.

 If you compare my photos with Benefit on the left the 'So Straight lashes' picture looks like my photo with the mascara on! There are three reasons for this, firstly I have very straight lashes, secondly I don't think the camera was able to pick up how curly they were and thirdly I do  think that Benefit's pictures are a little unrealistic! The last photo using heated lash curlers looks more like the 'Dream Curl' pictured but in real life it looked like I was definitely wearing false lashes even though I wasn't. What I'm trying to say is that sometimes a lot of make up is needed to show up on camera that in real life would look a bit too much. Even so I've never seen my lashes like they are in the rollerlash & curler picture beofre, they did look amazing and would be great for a night out.

However for me the biggest test was whether the curl is long lasting as most seem to have only a temporary effect or the curl needs to be 'locked in' with lash curlers. I was pleasantly surprised that the curl did hold through the day and did not need to be locked down or boosted with an eyelash curler.

This mascara does a great job at lengthening lashes as well. Perhaps because of the small brush handle or plastic bristles when applying this mascara I had to be careful the mascara didn't smudge under my brow- but with the full sized longer handle this probably won't be the case. This is a wet formula which may also contribute to this, There were no smudges wearing this throughout the day. As a contact lens wearer, it's important to wear mascara that doesn't flake or irritate the eyes and I found Rollerlash didn't irritate or flake during the day. However this mascara isn't waterproof  and is only available in black. Overall I was really impressed with the results and found this mascara can give long lasting curled lashes that are almost as good as using curlers. During the daytime you can skip the lash curlers and just use this but for night time I would amp up the curl with the help of lash curlers.

Overall impression
I know that Benefit's previous mascaras are a bit like Marmite in that you either love them or hate them. I never got the hype with Bad Girl Lash mascara but loved They'll Real although lashes do feel  hard and crispy towards the end of the day. From reading other reviews of Rollerlash it seems even haters of They're Real love this mascara so it's definitely worth checking out. I'm super impressed by Rollerlash's long lasting curl. I think I would rate They're Real and Rollerlash as equally good, I think They're real has a little more volumne but Rollerlash has more curl. However the upshot is that I would definitely recommend this mascara. The full sized mascaras will be in the shops March 1st priced £18.50.

Have you tried this mascara? What did you think? Was it better than Benefit' They're Real Mascara in your opinion? Let me know in the comments below.

Disappointing Beauty Products #4

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Facial Scrub (Supermarkets/Superdrug/Boots £3.99 for 75ml)
Simple claim that this " Oil Balancing Facial Scrub is a perfect blend of active ingredients and exfoliating goodness to remove dead skin cells, dirt and impurities. Clinically proven to reduce blackheads and blemishes in just 7 days. "
I used this as instructed but did not see any change in my skin or amount of blackheads. After 3 weeks I didn't see any changes and I felt that this was as ineffective as water. I was disappointed as I love this brand and the oil balancing ranged seemed perfect as it's for sensitive and oily skin. Unfortunately this didn't work for me.

The Body Shop Lip Butter in Honey Mania (The Body Shop £4 for 10ml/9g)
This does soften lips during the day but is not very moisturising. It feels similar to Vaseline in the fact that it acts as a barrier but doesn't feel soothing at all on chapped lips. The smell is very sweet but not off-putting. I'm currently using this to soften my elbows and around my fingernails and cuticles instead.

 Dr Organic Royal Jelly Lip Serum (£3.10 for 10ml Holland and Barratts)
The packaging states this is a  'intensely regenerating and revitalising' that 'instantly moisturises and restores the condition of the lips.'  I've never tried a lip serum before but  from this description I imagined it would be an intense moisturiser, but I this feels like a very light version of a lip balm.  I loved the smell fruity mango and ginseng and the fact it's organic with lovely ingredients such as organic royal jelly, Shea better, olive oil, African coffee tree oil and mango butter. It's also free from parabens, SLS, harsh preservatives and artificial colours. As far as the packaging goes I loved the tube it's more hygienic, although  stiff at first but then it gets easier to squeeze. However I was really disappointed, on the lips it made my lips feel dehydrated as if I've just eaten salt and vinegar crisps that have made my lips dry and uncomfortable from the salt. It also tingles a little this might be the ginseng or the bioactive effect it claims to have? Overall I would avoid this one.

No 7 Lash Adapt Mascara in Deepest Black (Boots £12.95 for 7ml)
I'm not sure if this is being discontinued or not. I loved this at first, it lengthens, adds volume holds a curl and suitable for sensitive eyes. The wand has a soft bristle brush. No 7 claim that this is a buildable mascara that can be layered without up to 6 times for more volume, which is does with minimal clumping.
The shiny silver packaging is gorgeous, and makes it look more expensive than it actually is.

The problem came when I wore it for my birthday and ended up with panda eyes when I got off the dance floor which ruined my photos, I was really annoyed. This is good enough for everyday use as long as you stay off the dance floor and avoid the gym and humid weather. For the price there are probably better ones out there

.No 7 Extreme length Mascara in Black (Boots mini sized. Full sized £12.50 for 7ml)

This mascara has a plastic bristled brush which No. 7 claim is unique because of it's flexible plastic bristles, it doesn't look different but does help to separate lashes, reducing clumping. No 7 also say that the brush helps to catch the small lashes in the corner but I think having bristles on the tip/head of the brush would be more effective. This mascara doesn't really have much of an impact, it adds a little length but in no way is it extreme. It doesn't give any volume to the lashes either. I would say this suits those who like lashes defined but are after a soft, natural look. This is also hypo-allergenic so suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. However I wouldn't buy again because there are cheaper mascaras out there that have more impact than this.

Avon Mega Effects Mascara Review

I know Avon Mega Effects Mascara  has been out for awhile but I've only recently un boxed and finally used it. This got a lot of hype for being 'revolutionary' because the mascara brush is unique- I'd describe it as a cross between a Afro style comb and a library date stamp.

To open you pull apart the cap, then you pull the handle of the brush out (Avon recommends rocking the brush from side to side to pull it out) then you can bend the brush to whatever angle you want, then brush upwards and outwards to your lashes. According to Avon this unique brush 'Provides panoramic volume and corner to corner coverage for dramatic definition.'

While some 'it' mascaras are purchased once due to the initial buzz around a gimmick but then dropped for the next hyped mascara or for the buyer's usual holy grail,  I can see myself repurchasing this because the gimmick  actually improves the application of mascara. It is brilliant for separating lashes and coating each one, essentially a mascara brush and comb in one. You can easily angle the brush to any angle you wish which makes the process of applying easier. Although you do need to be careful you don't pull the brush too far  upwards  as you will end up with smudges on your eyelid. This is easily solved by placing a card behind the lashes (so the card gets excess mascara instead of your skin.) It can also be applied to lower lashes. This mascara performs almost as well as Benefit's They're real mascara in lengthening the appearance of lashes.

   No Mascara

   Two Coats of Mascara

    Three coats of mascara

This is a wet formula which doesn't flake, it's sweat proof. Despite the brush eyelashes can sometimes clump together and you have to be careful about smudges on application especially as this is a wet formula. It does hold a curl throughout the day (although I haven't curled my lashes in the photos above and I just wanted to demonstrate what it looks like with just this mascara.) This shade 'Blackest black' is very pigmented, but other shades are also available brown-black and navy for those who prefer a subtle or brighter colour, navy could be used to enhance a blue eye make up look.Avon Mega Effects Mascara contains more product (9mls) compared to No 7 mascaras (7m.l) Unfortunately this mascara isn't waterproof

It still takes a few seconds longer to recognise where my mascara is when I'm in auto-pilot in the morning or when i'm in a rush because of the unique packaging, but I'm impressed with the mascara and would definitely recommend it. At £10 it's a good price for such a unique and good quality mascara, Avon could have increased the price for it's innovative USP but its the same price as their other mascaras and high street prices. Currently this mascara is on sale at £7 (Uk Avon Website) here.

To sum up I would give this 4 out of 5.

Benefit They're Real Mascara Review

 
  I don't tend to spend much on mascaras (probably the most I've spent is £12 or £13) and only try mascaras from high end brands if they're included in a set or have a discount. I think the price has put me off trying this before despite all the hype and Holy Grail status this has in the beauty world.

 However his mascara is absolutely amazing! The formula allows you to build and lengthen lashes to an extent I've never experienced before or thought possible and it lasts all day. The performance is probably on par with fibre lash mascaras that I've shied away from because they're not recommended for contact lens wearers. This mascara doesn't smudge or flake off also important considerations if you wear contact lenses. The formula is more on the wet side so it will take longer to dry. I have long thickish lashes that suit wet formulas. If you have thin short lashes this may be less effective since the mascara may not build up properly onto thin lashes. The formula can hold a curl but not as well as other mascaras so you may need to give it another boost and curl midday. However sometimes it can look a little spidery on application. This can be easily remedied with a lash comb/old mascara wand. Although I have black lashes I feel the darkness of the black colour is pretty decent. Benefit claims that 94% of people in their consumer panel survey saw dramatic length and volume of eyelashes. Initially I didn't see any difference to the volume and thickness of my lashes until I read on Benefit's website that you're supposed to hold the wand vertically and stroke upwards for the promised effect. This method does make lashes look thicker however it's also more likely to result in mascara clumping. Unfortunately this mascara is not waterproof.

This brush has short plastic bristles, with bristles on the end tip. I prefer fibre brushes but this brush does separate lashes and I like the fact that the bristles on the end tip are angled, making it easier to coat lashes in the corners of your eyes. When applied to lower lashes the effect is a wide eyed 60's Twiggy look. I prefer the more natural look so I just coat the upper lashes. The brush generally prevents eyelashes clumping as well. I thought the smaller wand on this small sized trial version wouldn't be as effective but I was proved wrong! The only downside of the smaller wand and plastic bristles is that you have to be careful not to poke your eye. Perhaps this is because I'm not used to using plastic bristles. The wiper (the plastic ring inside the mascara's mouth) is pretty effective at depositing the right amount of mascara on the brush and preventing clumped eyelashes.

When it comes to the packaging, personally I don't like the grey tube, I think silver would look more luxurious. I think the full sized version is silver so I don't know why this isn't silver too. Also I don't like the orange writing on grey background but I suppose it does stand out.

I would still use another mascara for lash volume on nights out (which require a more dramatic look) but I'm super impressed by the performance of this mascara, and glad I've finally had a chance to use it. This was a freebie with a magazine (Elle) but the mini size retails in Boots stores for £9.50 which makes this mascara more affordable. I never use up all the mascara in a full bottle anyway but I guess how quickly you get through it depends how often you use it. The smaller size would be good to pack when traveling. I definitely feel the high price point is worth it. If you haven't tried this already- do check it out you won't regret it.

4.0g  £9.50 Boots in store
8.5g £19.50 Boots Debenhams John Lewis Benefit

Too Faced LashGlasm Mascara review

LashGlasm Mascara is the first high end mascara I've tried. It is also the first time I've used a plastic bristle brush, and while this does separate your lashes it can still clump sometimes.
According to Too Faced,  Lashgasm Mascara "is a voluptuous, fluffing mascara that conditions as it thickens to create dramatically long lashes with intense colour"

The formula is very black and it lengthens as well as thickens. It doesn't flake or smudge and lasts the whole day. However it seems to fade and does not hold an eye lash curl well. I would not pay full price for this mascara (£16.50/ £18) because while this just a bit better than average, there are others that work better and are far cheaper. 

I would give this 3.5 /5 , good but not perfect. (Perfect meaning the mascara would hold a curl well and was waterproof) 

£18 Boots ; £16.50 Beauty Bay (mine came as part of Too Faced 2012 holiday set)