The Lash Diaries: YSL Faux Cils Mascara featuring Dior DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum and Primer

Now that all my eyelash extensions have fallen off I went ahead and splurged a little on mascara.  My philosophy behind it is, I was spending $60 every month to month-and-a-half, so I figured I could drop some serious dough on mascara, something that will last me a few months.

After a lot of research I narrowed down my choices to Dior’s DiorShow Iconic and YSL’s Volume Effect Faux Cils mascara.  I thought I was going to have to settle for Dior because we don’t have a YSL counter in my city but then went I went to Sephora to check out my options, and there it was shining with a gold aura around it, YSL Faux Cils mascara.  It was like it was meant to be, so I scooped it up along with the Dior Best in Show set which included a mini of the Dior DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum and Primer and the original DiorShow mascara (so I basically got the best of both worlds).

YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils mascara is not for the faint of heart.  From the luxurious tube to the floral scent (yes, this mascara actually smells good) to the brush, everything about this mascara is high end.  And for a whopping $36 CDN it better damn work.  Well my friends, this mascara actually does what it says, it gives you the effect of fake lashes. From the YSL website:

This award-winning volumizing mascara achieves a dramatic result in a single stroke. The secret? The triple-film complex. A coating film for intensity, a conditioning film with pro-vitamin B5 and aloe vera for curves and a fixing film with vinyl polymer for long-lasting effectiveness. The brush applicator combines nylon fibers of varying diameters for volume enhancement, as never before.

No mascara, just bare lashes

No mascara

I have a bit of a routine when I apply this mascara.  First I curl my lashes with my Sephora brand eyelash curler, then prime my lashes with the DiorShow primer then apply the mascara.  To be honest, I’m not sure if the primer actually makes your lashes look my voluminous/longer, I don’t see a big difference.  The product does claim to plump, prime, and lengthen lashes over time, but I mean I won’t be able to to tell you if my lashes are longer because I’m currently using the Rimmel serum anyways.

Right eye with the DiorShow Primer

I applied the DiorShow primer to my right eye and not to my left to see if there was a difference between the two.  The DiorShow primer is white in colour, but it’s not too noticeable on the lashes once applied.

DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum & Primer

One Coat of YSL Faux Cils. DiorShow primer is on the left eye (my right)

One coat - closed view

One coat - Side view

As you can see, after one coat there is some definite curl and volume.

Two coats

Two coats - eye without the DiorShow primer

Two coats with the DiorShow primer

After two coats my lashes look even more so noticeably longer and curled.  In the photos my lashes without the primer do seem longer, but I do find that my eyelashes on that eye are for some reason longer and they hold mascara better.  Aside from the benefits of a primer (coats lashes, better for them), I don’t think a primer is necessary with this mascara.

I highly recommend this mascara, it may be expensive, but it does a fantastic job of making lashes look curled, long, thick, and wonderful.  Also, unlike other mascaras I have tried, my lashes hold the curl throughout the day and they don’t feel crunchy at all; they still feel soft.

Little esthetic things like a gold tube and nice smell (although nice perks) don’t mean a lot to me if the product doesn’t work. And for $36, it better darn work well.  Luckily, this product does, just like every one YSL product I have tried thus far. As a note, I have not tried my mini of DiorShow, but look for a Cult Collection post about it once I crack it open.

Have you tried YSL’s Faux Cils mascara?  What were your thoughts?


The Lash Diaries: Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Serum

So the day has finally come.  If you have been following this blog religiously or know me personally, you guys would know that I have had eyelash extensions for the past year and a bit.  There are some horror stories out there but I personally loved them, they gave me long eyelashes that were fuss-free and made my makeup time in the morning shorter. The only downside about them is that they are quite expensive to keep up.  The place where I was going charges close to $60 a fill and typically you get fills every month to month and a half. Well, I’m starting to save for a condo so I can use all the money I can right now so the first thing to go was my beloved eyelashes.

Now my real eyelashes are not short or stumpy at all, seeing them for the first time in over a year, they actually aren’t that bad.  And truth be told, I’m kind of enjoying applying mascara once again.  Anyways, thanks to modern technology (and Latisse), a ton of makeup brands are coming out with their own eyelash serums that promise to lengthen and grow lashes.  Rimmel London is one of those companies.

A few weeks back I received the Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Serum with Grow-Lash Complex that promises bare lashes that look fuller and longer after 30 days.

So what exactly is Grow-Lash Complex?  Well according to Rimmel London, “the new Lash Accelerator Serum is a fortifying and lengthening serum with GROW-LASH Complex that helps battle thin, short lashes and strengthen them.  The serum helps to support the natural growth of beautifully long, remarkably strong lashes, with a hybrid applicator for precise application to lashes, lash line, or brows!”

“The GROW-LASH Complex works around-the-clock, with a conditioning and fortifying gel that helps to support healthy lash & brow growth.  The serum approves the appearance of lashes, making them look longer and fuller looking.  Also use it to create fuller, re-shaped and natural-looking brows.  Quick-drying clear gel is lightweight and easy to remove.”

The product comes in a clear tube with a green handle.  The wand is similar to a mascara wand with a small brush at the end to get hard-to-reach lashes or to cover your brows with (I will not be using this product for brow growth, only lashes).

So does it actually work?  Well my friends, we are going to find out.  Below is a photo that was taken on October 11, 2011 when I started using this product and I will follow up at the 15 day mark as well as the 30 day mark to see if it actually works.  You can apply the product either at night, under mascara, or on lazy days.  I will apply it every night before I go to bed.

October 11, 2011 - Day one of using the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Serum

I have heard positive things about this product, but only time will tell if it will work for me.

Have you tried Rimmel London’s Lash Accelerator Serum?  What were your thoughts?

Please note: I did receive this product for review, however, it did not affect my opinions on it.  All opinions are my honest own :).  



Blue Lagoon: A Wearable Blue Look

So I don’t know about you guys, but I find blue eyeshadow a bit unwearable at time.  I always see super nice blue eyeshadows but when I apply then I tend to look like a clown. Well, before you go throwing out that blue eyeshadow I came up with a wearable look for all your indigos, electrics, and navys out there.

Alright, so you start off with a blank canvas of course, my basic foundation routine is Hard Candy Sheer Envy primer, Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige, NARS Laguna as a contour, and NARS Angelika blush.  I didn’t apply concealer under my lids because I left that for last in case there is some fall out from the shadows. After you have your “canvas” ready, make sure to prime your lids.  I always use Urban Decay Primer Potion but there are a variety of different primers out there to choose from.

One you have your lids primed, grab a white-cream coloured eyeshadow (I used MAC’s Phloof!) and apply that all over your lids up to your brow bone.

Ignore the bushy brows, I am getting them done next weekend!

Next you are going to grab a grey colour and apply that to your crease and into the lid part of your eye as well, so half of your eyelid should be grey, as well as your crease.  The colour I used was MAC’s Soot (Pro shade).

Next grab an indigo colour and apply that lightly over the grey.  I used MAC’s Cobalt (also a Pro shade). Now to add some flavour to the look grab an electric blue colour and apply that on your bottom lashline.  I used MAC’s Electric Eel (also a Pro shade).  If you really want to ramp up the volume with the look, wet your eyeliner brush and then apply the shade.  It will be crazy neon. After you line your lower lash line, line your waterline, as well as the inside corners of your eyes with a white eyeliner.  I used a NYX eyeliner in white. Now move onto your upper lash line and lashes.  Line your lash line with a black liquid liner and then curl your lashes and apply mascara to both your top and bottom lashes.  I used MAC Liquid Eyeliner, a Sephora-brand eyelash curler, and Lancome Hypnose mascara. Next add some concealer and at this point you are basically done. Apply a nude-coloured lipstick or gloss to complete the look.

MAC Lip Gelee in Fashion Flower

Hope you enjoyed the look, don’t forget to subscribe :).



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