The Mascara Edit #2

 It's been a while since I've done one of these posts, so I thought it was time it made a comeback. My mascara wardrobe has been made up of three drugstore picks I purchased Stateside, and whilst each has their own merits, none of them have totally blown me out of the water. Nevertheless, I thought I'd share the deets with you guys!

First up, the only mascara that is exclusive to The States, the Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara. I bought this completely because of all the positive reviews I've seen across the blogging & YouTube community. It's pretty hyped up. I must admit, the packaging drew me in too, it's so different and unique. It's got a plastic bristle wand with lots of short & stubby bristles, which theoretically should do a good job of getting all the lashes. The formula is a little dryer than I would normally like, it's pretty thick and not the easiest to work with. While there's nothing wrong with this mascara on paper, it's just lacking a little something for me. I was expecting to be wowed, but I can't say I was. It's a nice mascara, but it's nothing special. 

Next up is the L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara. My first observation here is that the wand is pretty similar to the Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara, unsurprising really since L'Oreal own Lancome, and they are doing a good job of duping their high end brands in their drugstore line at the moment. The wand is tapered, and slightly twisted, and the bristles aren't as close together as I would like. The formula is wet, but not too wet and not at all flaky so no complaints there. I also like that there is a little kink in the wand before the brush, making it easier to move the brush around, and wiggle it into the lashes without getting product all over your face (does anyone else do that, or is it just me?). The problem I have with this is the same problem I have with the Lancome offering, the bristles aren't placed closely together enough to really coat each individual lash, instead they end up kinda clumped together, with massive gaps. You can fix the problem if you spend a while brushing them through, but to be honest it's all a bit of a faff. That being said, a few people have commented on my lashes when I'm wearing this, so maybe it's worth the faff. 

Lastly, the Maybelline Colossal Go Extreme Volume Mascara. I think I'm gonna give up trying Maybelline mascaras, they're nice enough but they really never blow me out of the water. This one has a thick, chunky natural bristle wand, which in theory I should love, and a great formula, however something just isn't working right with this. I can spend ages piling this on but it never looks that impressive. It coats every lash but to the bare minimum, leaving them looking pretty much how they looked to start with, just a little darker. Disappointing, because that wand looks like my dream wand!

Sorry that that was a little negative! It's always a shame when products don't work for you, but at least I can give you guys my thoughts!

What mascaras are you loving right now?

Mini Mascara Maven

Being a shopaholic isn't without it's perks. Okay, so your bank balance never looks too great, and savings is a foreign concept, but there is something to be said for being a valued customer, particularly to high end brands. You end up first in the know when new launches hit counters, and sales associates never hold back when it comes to samples.

During the move between my uni halls and new flat, I discovered a plethora of miniature mascaras hidden about in my flat. None of them had been used. I think because mascara isn't something I tend to top up throughout the day, I never carry it in my handbag, so these handbag sized minis were definitely overlooked. Since the move however, I've made a concious effort to get mini mascara motivated, and now I have them in my handbag, on my desk, on my coffee table, and a stash in my everyday makeup drawers. So here's the verdict...

Benefit They're Real: I got this at a blogging event back at the beginning of the year, and it led untouched in my box of press stuff from then on. You guys know how I feel about They're Real, I just don't really get the hype. I've used up one full size and I was massively underwhelmed. I also find myself trying to pull it off my lashes throughout the day because it's so uncomfortably heavy on. Not a winner in my books. Shame because I love so many Benefit products, I wanted to love this. Read my review here.  

THE VERDICT: 1/5

YSL Babydoll Effect Faux Cils: If you read my favourite mascaras post last week, you'll know that I am a YSL Shocking Volume girl through and through. This is a nice mascara, it lengthens and seperates your lashes well, but it's just lacking in the volume department. Nice for subtle daytime lashes though.

THE VERDICT: 3/5

 Clinique High Impact Mascara: High impact my arse. This is an okay mascara, but it's just that, okay. It's not fantastic at length, it doesn't give much volume, and I find the formula a little flaky after four hours or so. It's an okay mascara, but it definitely isn't high impact.

THE VERDICT: 2/5

 Smashbox Hyperlash: I got this almost a year ago at the Smashbox UK launch, and it was the only product I never got around to using. Despite my innate aversion to plastic wands, I quite like this. Quite volumising and good at length, I just wish it held a curl better, and it does get a little flaky towards the end of the day. I do like this though!

THE VERDICT: 3/5

 Benefit Bad Gal: The first high end mascara I ever bought. I remember getting a miniature of this in a magazine when I was about fourteen, and then saving up for it once it run out. I much prefer this to They're Real. I love the bristles, they catch your lashes really well and add a good amount of volume and length.

THE VERDICT: 4/5

YSL Effect Faux Cils: The original YSL Mascara. I wanted to try this, and I'm glad I did, because I do really like this. Good for volume and length, holds a curl okay too. It's just not quite as good as Shocking. It's good, but it's not wow.

 THE VERDICT: 4/5

Diorshow Iconic Overcurl: My favourite of this bunch. I have somehow acquired three of these. Not sure how, since I own a grand total of one product from Dior. Anyway, the curvy wand means it grips every single lash in one fell swoop, lifting, volumising and lengthening. I will probably buy this when I use up all these minis!

THE VERDICT: 5/5

Smashbox Full Exposure: Marginally better than the previous Smashbox offering, it's basically the same mascara but this one is a bit more volumising.

THE VERDICT: 4/5

Do you own any of these mascaras? What do you think of them?

Top Five Mascaras

I feel like a lot of the beauty posts that hit my blog are individual product reviews, stuff I've bought and stuff I have in my stash, but I very rarely show you the products I use the most. So, enter here the Top 5 Series. Over the next few weeks I'm going to show you the products I reach for most, starting with mascaras, since I think I've got all of one mascara review on my blog! 

Maybelline The Mega Plush Volum' Express Mascara: I'm not gonna lie, I bought this because it was new and it looked pretty. The lovely Daniella did a post on this a couple of weeks or so ago which I think really sums up this mascara. It's a good mascara, if you've already got good lashes, or you don't want anything massive. The tapered shape of the brush means that it grabs every lash really well, from inner to outer corner. The formula isn't too thick, so you never end up looking clumpy, and it means you can also use the tapered end for your bottom lashes without getting it all over your face. This has all the makings of a good mascara, but I really wouldn't say it's volumising. Maybe if there were a few more tightly packed bristles, but for now, I reach for this on a more natural day, when I want to define and lengthen my lashes, but I don't want too much going on. I really like the effect, even if it's not too volumising.

£5.99 from Chemist Direct

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara: Normally I'm averse to plastic wands, with one other exception you will see in a minute, but I quite like this one. Now one thing to bear in mind with this mascara, it's really impressive for the first three or four weeks, but after that it just gets a bit meh. But, I really really like the look when you first get it, so for that reason, I will continue to purchase it. It's supposed to contain fibres that attach to your lashes and make them look longer, but you'd never know. The plastic bristles grip your lashes individually really well, seperating and lengthening them. The formula is thicker than the Maybelline offering, meaning you get a lot more volume, and it layers well. My boyfriend always compliments me on my lashes when I wear this mascara, so if he notices it looks good, it must be good! It's on the pricier end of the drugstore, but it goes on offer all the time. Also, I've tried the waterproof version of this mascara, it's shit, don't bother. (EDIT: My mother has just told me off for writing that. I am to tell you instead that it's not even worth a mention. Sorry mum!)

£10.99 from Boots

Yves Saint Laurent Shocking Volume Mascara: The eagle eyed amongst you will notice this is the only high end mascara I've included in this post. The drugstore is filled with incredible mascaras, and I've never been impressed with high end mascaras enough to warrant their equally high price tags. However, a very generous birthday present from my boyfriend last year led to a love affair with this mascara that even an extortionate price tag couldn't break. This mascara does everything right, volume, length, no clumps, holds a curl, stays put all day. This is hands down the best mascara I have ever tried. Spectacular, long thick lashes, perfect for a night out, or a striking daytime look.

£23.50 but on sale for £16.10 from Debenhams

Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara Waterproof: I've tried a fair few mascaras from Max Factor and I've liked them all, but I always come back to this one. It's definitely my favourite after the YSL offering, and definitely the best from the drugstore. The wand is simillar to YSL's Babydoll, but there are more bristles meaning it does more for volume. This is the only waterproof formula that made the cut, I seem to have an aversion to waterproof mascaras, normally because they tend to do little for your lashes when compared to the standard formula, but this one is nice because it does the exact same thing, but lasts longer. A++! 

£9.99 from Boots

NYC Big Bold Mascara: The only mascara that has had a full review grace my blog. The cheapest option of them all, it's pretty good at length and volume, but can flake off if you get hot and sweaty. Can't grumble about the price though! Read my full review here.

£3.99 from Superdrug

So there we go, the lowdown of my favourite mascaras. All of these feature in my daily rotation regularly, and I love them all!

Have you tried any of these mascaras? What is your favourite, holy grail mascara?