REVIEW: nc Nutrimetics Extreme Volume Mascara...

Don't you just love the magic of mascara? It's something I can't live without, and which I wear almost every day of the week. I can spend anywhere up to 45 minutes doing my face, lip and eye makeup, but it's not complete until I stroke on a couple of coats of mascara. Just like a spritz of perfume, it's the finishing touch, the icing on my face-cake so to speak ♥ Mind you, one that clumps and flakes can make all that effort for nought, so this post is all about a couple of beauties from Nutrimetics that will give you whatever nature didn't, and without smudging, smearing, flaking or gluing your precious lashes together  - nc Extreme Volume Mascara...

These are new releases from Nutrimetics, and I was kindly sent both the regular and waterproof varieties to road-test. The presentation is an elegant and classy fat black tube with silver labelling, and both formulas contain Jojoba to strengthen, hydrate and nourish the lashes. The standard one has a curved wand with a bristle brush that tapers at the tip. This is my favourite kind of mascara applicator as my lashes are sparse and I find that bristles provide a far more effective coating while keeping the hairs separated. I've mentioned on numerous occasions that I don't use non-waterproof mascara because my eyes water so much, but I had no problems whatsoever with this formula - my lashes looked lush, long and vampily black, there was no under-eye smearing, and the curl lasted all day ♥ Winner!

The waterproof formula is just as lash-loving as the plain one. Incidentally, neither of these mascaras have a yucky chemical smell - what there is is very faint and not at all unpleasant. This applicator wand differs in that it has plastic spikes rather than bristles. It didn't give me as much separation as the bristles, but still quadrupled the appearance of my barely-there's, and didn't budge until I removed it with waterproof eye makeup remover at the end of the day. I was pleasantly surprised to find it took less product and less time to take it off than my usual brand, and interestingly with either formula, my lashes feel silky soft and flexible, regardless of how many coats I apply, which means there's far less chance of breakage ♥...

Here's a pic of both formulas in action - I used the regular one (with the bristle wand) as a base coat and then topped it with the waterproof one. I love how my lashes feel so soft and look natural, and yet the intensity of the black cream gives my eyes all the definition they need ♥...

All up I'm impressed with both of these mascaras, and after using them daily for the last month, my lashes seem to be in a lot better condition than usual ♥...

Well done Nutrimetics! I have volume, length and curl, and it feels like I'm not wearing mascara at all. The nc Extreme Volume Mascara is ophthalmologically tested, retails for $38, and can be purchased from their website. All Nutrimetics purchases are covered by a 60-day Money Back Guarantee, and yay, they don't test on animals ♥...

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Maybelline Total Temptation...

I'm always excited to have the opportunity to road test ANY beauty product, but when it's makeup, my happy dance goes on for quite a bit longer lol! And to my delight last month beautyheaven invited me to trial three gems from the new Maybelline Total Temptation range - Mascara, Brow Definer, and the Shadow + Highlighter Palette, all beautifully presented in this gorgeous flavour-of-the-month (or is it the year?) peachy packaging ♥...

The Shadow + Highlighter Palette is one of the prettiest I've seen in a while. I love that the lid is clear so I can see the colours and appreciate it's beauty all the time, nor do I have to open it when I'm checking if it coordinates with an outfit ♥ The eyeshadow pans are a mix of warm (left) and cool (right) shades, mattes and shimmery finishes, and there's one gorgeous pastel pink containing sparkly bits (second from the top on the right). All colours are deliciously pigmented, creamy and super easy to blend (yes even the mattes!) and there are "Look" suggestions on the back of the box for those who appreciate a little application guidance. The highlighters are nothing short of divine - a matching gold and lilaccy-pink that can be as subtle or as out-there as you wish, depending of course on how much you apply ♥...

Below are some 3-finger-swipe swatches - a bit wonky (swatching is definitely NOT my forte) as my camera just doesn't do them justice, but it gives you an idea of the intensity and finish of each of the pans - so gorgeous! ♥♥♥...

Left - artificial light, Right - flash

Left - artificial light, Right - flash

Highlighters

The Brow Definer is my dream brow product - it's a wind-up cream-to-powder stick (more cream than powder) in a diamond shape, which means there are sharp angles for creating a crisp outline, and a wider flat side for filling in. There's also a fluffy baby spoolie on the other end, which I use for grooming both before and after application. We were able to choose the shade, and I went with Blonde (300) - the perfect neutral taupe that's neither too ashy nor too golden ♥ My brows are almost non-existent, and this little darling gives me the most natural looking result ever. I've been using their Brow Satin for yonks, but this is an even better match for my skin tone and (latest) hair colour - adore! ♥♥♥...

I have to admit my hopes sank when I read that the Mascara (Blackest Black) was washable. While that might be a bonus for some gals because it's SO easy to remove, my eyes are drippy at the best of times, and when the wind blows or I'm watching a soppy movie you can forget it, so I always ALWAYS go for a waterproof formula. However, the wand is so effective and the volume and length result from the tapered brush so awesome that I've been using it for weeks, but adding a layer of waterproof The Falsies over the top, and have not had a problem with flaking or smudging (or the dreaded panda eyes) at all. The tube is solid and feels comfortable and balanced in my hand - the finish is matte and tends to get a bit grubby, but wipes clean in a flash ♥...

In fact, I was so impressed with how fabulous this makes my lashes look, I bought the waterproof variety (Very Black) so I can reap all the lush lash benefits using it solo. Found it at Priceline - the brush isn't as tapered, but still as effective at catching every last little wisp, and the tube is a pretty pale aqua ♥♥♥...

So many of my can't-live-without makeup items are by Maybelline, and now I have three more to add to the list. Muchas gracias beautyheaven and Maybelline! ♥♥♥

Have you tried any products from the Total Temptation range?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: MAC Bold & Bad Lash Mascara - Glosscar Winner!...

Another of the gems that came my way at the recent Beautyheaven Glosscar Awards Marketplace Member Event. This MAC Bold & Bad Lash Mascara is a stunner in all departments - from the outrageously fabulous packaging to the two lash-lushing formulas in the dual-brush compartments...

Oh how gorgeous it is from the get-go! The main fat silver tube is covered in embossed graffiti made of a velour material - so funky, and to touch it is to love it lol ♥ There are two tubes with two different brushes and two different types of mascara. Unscrewing the black section reveals a solid stem with a generous and tapered brush - the product is the blackest black and designed to lengthen and bulk up the top lashes. I didn't find it did much for my length, but it coats effortlessly and sure makes my spindly lashes stand out without any hint of clumping - the brush separates the lashes brilliantly...

Under the red cap is a teeny weeny wand - honestly, the smallest and finest mascara brush I've ever seen, and it coats every lower lash you possess, even the invisible ones you didn't know you had ♥ The formula is different in that it is smudgeproof (bonus!) and for someone who blinks constantly, I'm very happy to report that it passed the kats under-eye-smudge-smear-flake test with flying colours...

I apply two coats from the red on the lower lashes and one coat of the black on the top. I then curl the top lashes and apply another coat of the black, and finish with a topcoat of smudgeproof - all set for the day, and yet it comes off with micellar water...

It's no wonder that it has, in fact, won a beautyheaven Glosscar Award 2018 for the best new mascara!

Thanks beautyheaven, and congratulations to MAC on this innovative mascara in a way WAY over-saturated market - a bold breath of fresh air! RRP is $42 - double what I usually spend, but if it's ever on special, I'm in ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

REVIEW: L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber Mascara...

Followers of my little blog will know that I rarely (if ever) review mascaras. Having spent a small fortune in time and money over 30 years trying so many and almost ALWAYS being disappointed, about 10 years ago I classified mascara experimentation as a poor investment of both my energy and my cash. Consequently I decided to stick to the same one if it worked, and in this last decade, I've really only used Covergirl LashBlast and Maybelline The Falsies. But...I made an exception for this L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber as 1) it contains black fibres, 2) it's made by L'Oreal, and 3) the stunning purple packaging teased and taunted me till I succumbed lol...

Having used MNY The Falsies Volum'Express Waterproof mascara for the best part of the last 5 years, and being perfectly happy with the result as well rejoicing in its simplicity, it came as quite a surprise to have my head turned by a dual application formula, and especially one that's not waterproof. I've tried lots of those types too, and had issues with irritation, little bits getting in my eyes, or flaking within a few hours. Not so with this beauty...

Before I go any further, it's not cheap at $28.95, but the two I've bought so far have been on special for around $20, and no doubt will continue to be discounted from time to time, so I'm not fussed on the price point. The packaging is TOTALLY my kind of thing - gloriously glossy purple, black and silver, one piece with two ends that are clearly marked "1" & "2". 

"1" is a black primer - a standard black mascara. I stroke this on my top lashes and then curl them before moving onto step 2. I find this "apply before curling" technique works for any mascara to achieve a more effective curl, and make it last all day. This primer applies easily with no clumping - the wand is a dumbbell shape, narrow in the middle, wider at either end, which catches most of my lashes. Before it dries, I apply one coat of the fiber formula - a different shaped wand, this one is curved. The effect is instant and luscious - my lashes are naturally sparse and thin, and while I've improved them out of sight with RapidLash serum, they still need lots of help in order to be visible in my EOTD photos. Once it dries I apply a second coat of the fibres to both top and bottom lashes... 

Time to show you what I'm talking about - in the below pics, the photos on the left are from several weeks ago using my (till now) HG MNY The Falsies Waterproof Mascara, and the ones on the right are with L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber Mascara...

                            Maybelline The Falsies                                              L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber            

Maybelline The Falsies

L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber

The MNY The Falsies has been my go-to mascara, but this L'Oreal XFiber takes them up another notch - I just love how they look that little bit extra full, feathery & long. Mind you it's not a huge difference, but when your lashes are as wimpy as mine, every little bit helps! I still use the MNY mascara as a final waterproof coat on my lower lashes, as this is where I've had the most trouble in the past with any mascara smearing or smudging when my eyes water at the drop of a hat...

In summary, I'm head over heels for this new L'Oreal False Lash Superstar XFiber Mascara mascara - it doesn't sting, and so far I've had no problems with clumping or flaking, and it's super easy to remove. By the way, this article is in no way intended to dim the light of how brilliant Maybelline The Falsies is - it's been dear to my heart and my HG for a long long time, and I've only mentioned it here for comparison.

Have you tried this new L'Oreal mascara? Are you a fan of fibre mascaras?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - I never miss an episode...