There’s a new baby in the family.
Obviously I’m talking about Make Up For Ever and their Smoky mascara line. First there was Smoky Lash, then Smoky Extravagant, and now Smoky Stretch. I haven’t tried the original formula, but am a huge fan of Smoky Extravagant, so naturally when I heard there was a new one in the fam, I just had to try it.
Smoky Stretch is a lengthening and defining mascara. The exclusive Flex Control complex provides a smooth formula which glides on the lashes for length and definition. The formula is also formulated with Locust Tree Alginate Jelly to define and separate lashes, as well as Silk Protein to elongate and volumize lashes.
The real draw here for me is definitely the brush. Unlike Smoky Extravagant, which features a teardrop brush, this one is thin and long, really letting you get in there to coat every lash from root to tip. I love a good wand where you can really wriggle the brush to coat every single lash.
So how does it perform? Well, I had really high hopes for this one, but I have to say it’s not amazing. It’s alright, but I definitely like Smoky Extravagant more. I still love the brush on this one, but it doesn’t make my lashes look longer and I find the formula to be a bit clumpy. I think that this would make a great layering mascara, especially since it’s so dark. With that being said, I’ve tried many mascaras that didn’t do much for me that my friends loved. Everyone has different lashes, just like how we all have different hair types.
If you can grab a sample of this at your local Sephora (it’s brand new, comes out this month, so they might be offering samples of it soon), I would definitely try it out. This guy retails for C$28, so about average for a department store mascara. Make Up For Ever has been on a roll lately with products, so this one might just be up your alley.
Will you be trying Smoky Stretch?
Please note, this post contains product that were sent by PR. All opinions are my own.
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Makeup remover is a must in anyone’s collection.
Liquids, creams, pads, cloths, oils, gels, you name it, there’s a variety of ways to take off a day’s worth of makeup. New to the game is the gel version of L’Oreal Paris’s popular Sublime Soft Micellar Gelee Eye Makeup Remover. In case you aren’t familiar with micellar solutions, they are cleaning waters which leaves skin clean, fresh and ready for serum and moisturizer. Technically you don’t have to go in with a cleanser after, but I always do. Hands down my favourite, and just about every other beauty blogger/YouTuber’s is the Bioderma version, which is quite pricey here in North America (I got two giant bottles for cheap in Paris that I’m currently working through). With that being said, L’Oreal Paris released a drugstore version of this miracle water last year and it’s a great dupe for the Bioderma (and less expensive to boot!).
So new to the game is the micellar gelee. Yes, it kinda defeats the purpose of being “water” since it’s a thicker solution, but it gives you another option of taking all your makeup off. This little guy (great size for travelling at 125 ml) ensures an ultra-efficient makeup removal experience without irritation, making it also safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. It’s also fragrance free, alcohol free and hypoallergenic.
Overall I think this does a great job of removing makeup, but I do find that with the gel consistency, it makes it difficult to maneuver the cotton pad around to remove everything. The original, water formula provides a more smooth application. Between the two, I definitely prefer the original liquid formula better, but I mean that’s just personal preference. They both do a great job of removing makeup. But I also prefer the size of this guy since it’s nice and compact, so it’s a toss up.
If you are looking for something that removes makeup no problem, both formulas do a great job of that, so what it comes down to really is price (this retails for under $10 at Wal-Mart), but you get less than the original water formula.
Have you tried L’Oreal Paris’ Sublime Soft Micellar Gelee Eye Makeup Remover? What are your thoughts on micellar solutions?
Please note, I received this product from PR. All opinions are my own.
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Let’s talk lips!
So I’m a typical girl, I have a billion lipsticks (mostly baby pinks and nudes), but it’s still never enough. There’s no such thing as having too many lip products in your collection. Being a blogger, I get to try a ton of different products, both high-end and drugstore. And, if there is one thing I’ve learned trying so many different products, it’s that just because it costs more doesn’t mean that it’s any better than it’s less expensive counterpart.
So this brings me to New York Color’s Expert Last lipsticks. Available in a ton of colours (pretty much a shade for everyone), these lipsticks deliver opaque pigment in just one swipe. Depending on the colour, the product lasts up to six hours (longer for the more pigmented shades, like red or coral).
I have five shades from the line, which coincidently is a nice shade range for the line. Obviously my faves are the nude and a baby pink, but I’ve rocked the coral on more than one occasion and the deep red is also very pretty. These are quite moisturizing once applied, however, I have paired them with a gloss for some extra lip comfort.
Swatches are below, but I have to say that I am quite impressed with these. The colour doesn’t feather or bleed, it’s not sheer (what you see is what you get), and you seriously can’t tell that the product is by a drugstore line. I believe that these are part of a matte line, however, there is some sheen to them, so if you are expecting a true matte, look for something else. I didn’t mind though, since I find matte lipsticks dry out my lips.
Overall, I would seriously check these out next time you are at Wal-Mart or Target (RIP Canadian Target 🙁 🙁 ) or wherever you buy your makeup. Oh, and I didn’t even tell you the best part. These retail for under two dollars. UNDER TWO DOLLARS. For one. Guys, a MAC lipstick is $19 Canadian. You can basically get the whole NYC Lip Expert line for one MAC lipstick. Even if you’re on the fence about these, just get one to see how amazing they are. Don’t like it? Doubt it, but it will have cost you less than a grande skinny vanilla latte at Starbucks.
Have you tried NYC’s Lip Expert Lipsticks?
Please note, I was sent these products by PR. All opinions are my own.
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