Rave: Try Physicians Formula FakeOut Mascara for FREE with rebate!

I found this while browsing through various freebie sites, and it was too good not to share.

Try 100% Natural Origin FakeOut mascara by Physicians Formula for free!  Offer expires 10/31/13.  CLICK HERE to view and print the rebate form.

Review: Rimmel ScandalEyes Show Off Mascara - New for Spring 2013

This is my first experience with Rimmel products, so I didn't have any real expectations.

Description (From ulta.com): The first mascara that combines lash plumping and defining bristles with a unique play-ball brush. Flat side plumps lashes with show-stopping volume. Not a clump in sight. Ball side lifts and curls lashes for eyes that truly show-off. Flake-proof, smudge-proof formula lasts morning to night! Scandalous volume and lift, for lashes to really show off!

Great things may be possible with this mascara. 

The brush is kind of awkward.  Basically, it’s a standard mascara brush, with a ball brush at the end. The first time I applied the mascara, it did not go well; I used the brush like I would on any other mascara, and the results were not impressive at all.  The second time, I used primarily just the ball end tip to define each individual lash, and my results were much better. 

Perhaps I am a bit crazed, but when I hear that the mascara is from a line called “ScandalEyes”, I expect the mascara to provide bold, dramatic results.  Such is not the case, unfortunately.  I did get length and lift, which is what the mascara does indeed advertise, but the effect is more of a fluttery, doll lash look than anything that would be considered bold or dramatic.  At least by my standards.

Immediately before application

After application

Pros: Provides decent length, lift, and separation thanks to its unique ball end.  Helps achieve a natural look.  Dry “fiber” formula that dries quickly.  No smudges, flakes, clumps.  Cheap - $6.99 or less.

Cons: Application can be tricky at first, and may require a few practice runs.  Not very bold, not very dramatic, not very scandalous. 

Bottom line: While this is not my favorite mascara ever, it is decent (especially for the price!), so if you’re going for a doll-lash look or just a more subdued, natural look, you might want to give this a try!

Review: Maybelline Volum'Express The Rocket Mascara

  I have mixed feelings about this mascara.

At first, I loved it.  Then I tried L’Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions, and I haven’t really looked back.  Until now!  

Here’s the scoop, in a nutshell:  The mascara, when applied correctly, is amazing.  You get incredible volume and length, and your lashes will be bold, black, and beautiful.  Unfortunately, the formula is extremely wet (maybe the wettest I’ve ever tried), so it is messy, and a bit more difficult to apply.  Since I’ve been using a mascara that is fool proof for daily wear, I got The Rocket pretty much all over the place when applying it for this review.  With other mascaras, you can really take your time to apply the formula to every individual lash, but with The Rocket, I’ve found short, quick strokes work the best; if you labor and linger over this mascara, you may end up with three incredibly fat lashes.  I’ve had it happen.  It’s not pretty.  

Basically, if you put your mascara on swiftly and with the tactical brilliance of a female Napolean, I highly recommend this mascara to you.  If you don’t, or if you just don’t like wet formulas, don’t waste your time.  If you wear glasses, don’t waste your time; this mascara takes FOREVER to dry, and if you put your glasses on within five minutes of applying your mascara, you will get it all over your lenses.  It will also cause the curl of your lashes to “fall”.  I’ve found L’Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions the best option hands down for eyeglass wearers.  

From Maybelline.com: Explosive Volume In Rocket Time! 8X Bigger, Smoother. Now, the most explosive, beautiful lashes ever! Maybelline's Volum' Express The Rocket Mascara's patented Supersonic Brush with micro bristles loads on big, sleek volume instantly. The fast-glide formula keeps lashes smooth. Zero clumps guaranteed!

Note how I got mascara all over my eyelid during application.  Messy!

Pros:  Doesn’t smudge/flake/clump IF applied correctly.  Cheap – under $10.  Cute packaging.  Can produce amazing results.

Cons: Can be difficult to apply due to its wet formula.  Can be messy.  Takes a long time to fully dry.  

I predict that most people will either love this mascara or hate it. 

Review: L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara

Okay, ladies, we need to talk.  This is a mascaramergency. 

If you have not tried Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara by L’Oreal, RUN, do not walk, to the nearest drugstore and pick up a tube right stat now. 

Why?  This mascara, folks, is my go-to mascara.  It is my “Holy Grail” mascara.  It is everything a mascara should be, and more.  This mascara changed my life.  Okay, okay, maybe that’s taking it a bit too far, but I did wear it on my wedding day and honeymoon back in February, and let me tell you, it won against many other contenders. 

I’m not necessarily a beauty snob, but I do buy what is “good”.  Most of the time, the good stuff happens to be expensive.  However, sometimes, like with mascaras, the cheaper products are actually better.  I love drug store mascara, and for whatever reason, I’ve had better luck with them.  I’m not sure if it’s because of the formula, the brush, or if it’s all in my crazy head, but Maybelline and L’Oreal beat out brands like Clinique, Benefit, Urban Decay, Dior, et cetera, on my lashes.   All mascaras darken your eyelashes, of course, but finding one that holds curl – all day! – and doesn’t flake or clump, is a rarity for me.

From lorealparisusa.com: L’Oreal introduces liquid extensions in a bottle, with new Telescopic™ Shocking Extensions™ mascara, a new generation of lash length. In one motion lashes are separated, intensified, and look shockingly lengthened for an intense make-up result.

Note:  I purchased the waterproof version of this mascara because they were sold out of the regular version.  I don’t usually like the formulas of most waterproof mascaras.  

I absolutely LOVE the brush.

Before application.

After application.

Pros:  Doesn't smudge, doesn't flake, doesn't clump.  Provides length, definition, and volume. The mascara formula is "dry", so it doesn't take forever to dry or get all over your glasses if you wear them. Also, it's  cheap -- under $10!  

Cons:  Again, this is waterpoof, so not really a major issue, but it is harder to remove than most other waterproof mascaras. 

It seems everyone either loves or hates this mascara.  Have you tried it?  What's YOUR favorite?