Recently in Mascara Category

Move over false lashes, there is a new mascara in town that makes having long, thick lashes easier and more fabulous. Max Factor was built on drama, it was the original make for Hollywood studios and they are staying true to this legacy with beauty products that make you look and feel like a movie star. The one thing that I obsess about is my lashes, or the lack thereof, so if I am not buying new mascara, I am testing out new false lashes. Yes, I use those lash conditioners and do all that, but there is nothing more instantly gratifying than applying mascara that puts miles on the lashes you have. The Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper will make your lashes long and beautiful and give you that glint in the eye and a flirtability factor that is borderline R-Rated. The brush is big and thick with a ton of fine bristles that get the job done. You only need one dip for each eye and with each stroke your lashes grow and grow like Jack's magical beanstalk. There is no clumping and the stiff brushes make sure each lash stays separate. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara at Drugstore.com for $9.99.

I just got the sample of Bobbi Brown's new "Perfectly Defined Mascara" ($24) and am loving the unique multi-comb brush that gets every single lash.  It even gets the tiny little bottom lashes on the inner corners without smudging!  I was weary to try it at first because I shy away from any mascaras that are waterproof (Serge Luten's mascara is amazing but removing it also removes half my lashes!) but this one rinsed off easily with water and cleanser yet lasted through my high cardio kickboxing session.  Will be very useful this summer poolside and beachside. Try this if you have puny or pale lashes, it really defines each and every lash! Perfectly Defined Mascara will be available at make up counters and at Bobbibrown.com starting in May. 

Finding a mascara that applies clump-free and doesn't make your lashes fall-out upon removal is hard enough, but finding one that can apply clump-free on your short, thin, corner, and lower lashes is on a level all its own! Luckily there's some great new ones that target exactly those lashes! The funky-looking one pictured on top is Imju Fiberwig Tiny Sniper Pure, $15. The wand has an ultra-fine angled brush that was inspired by makeup artists who often bend the heads of mascara brushes or use an interdental brush to avoid missing lashes. That's not the only cool innovation behind the wand though -- it was discovered that the best possible grip is the same as when holding a pen, so Tiny Sniper's cap is long enough to help prevent hand shaking when using it. Unsurprisingly the Tiny Sniper is great at targeting exactly what it sets out to do, plus its formulated to resist sweat and oil (to prevent smudging)..no wonder Imju is the best-selling mascara in Japan! More after the jump!

I saw the ad for Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara from L'Oreal a few weeks ago and immediately headed to my local CVS to get one. I am a sucker for new mascaras and will try anything, once. While I was there, I saw the Double Extend Magnifier Mascara and decided to give it a whirl while I was at it. What a huge waste of money (almost $20-- which is almost a tube of Dior Show-- my current favorite). The Double Extend Magnifier did nothing for me. The ceramide conditioner was fine but then the mascara could barely adhere to my lashes. There was definitely no 60% extension of lash length happening here. If anything, it clumped due to the ceramide base coat. Its only saving grace was that it slipped off easily with eye make up remover. L'Oreal Double Extend Lash Extender & Magnifier Mascara, $9.79

The Double Extend Beauty Tubes , $10.99, was only slightly better. Same ceramide base coat but slightly different formulation of mascara. The "tubes" did make my lashes slightly longer but not as much as Dior Show and definitely not the 80% it claims to do. Hello-- it's so obvious Linda Evangelista is wearing fake lashes in the ad but I thought I'd try, just in case. Lastly, it was really hard to wash off. I used Shu Uemura's cleansing oil on it first, hoping to soften it up for removal but it still felt like I ripped out a few lashes with it. Moral of this story? Don't try to save money with these mascaras because you end up wasting money. Anyone else try this and had better results? Enlighten me snobs!

If you were given the chance to dig into the makeup bag of your favorite beauty snob, I would bet some cash that you would find Diorshow Mascara. I have also been a loyal Diorshow aficionado for most of my adult life, that is until today....Today, I tried Physicians Formula: Plump Potion... And when I walked out of the bathroom this morning after applying it, my roommate said (and I quote) "Are you wearing fake eyelashes to school?"...And then I got to respond "No, these are just my natural eyelashes" =D yessssssss!!! If that example is not enough for your to give this magic mascara a try, I will give you another reason: Now in my senior year of college (aka: poverty), I sometimes find myself skipping meals to save up for some of my beauty habits- and fabulous eyelashes are at the top of my list of priorities!! Speaking of school, lets do some math....

• Cost of Diorshow Mascara- $24.00

• Cost of Physicians Formula: Plump Potion- $9.75

• Cost of a large tuna salad and lemonade from my favorite local deli- $5.25

 ...That's right, I would need to skip almost FIVE lunches to afford mesmerizing lashes should I decide to go with Diorshow, but less than two lunches for equally fabulous lashes with Plump Potion!! If you have tried Plump Potion - let us know what YOU thought of it =)

Update: The price of the palette has been dropped to $45!

This is the best palette for both bag and beauty snobs alike.  You get the super stylish Givenchy grommet clutch plus the palette of gorgeous shadows, blushes and lip color!  I've always loved the Givenchy prism shadows and powders, they're easy to blend to create the depth of colors you desire. 

The prisms also last forever, my last Givenchy bronzing prism lasted me two years.  I know, I know, you're supposed to toss them after a year but I was told toss it if it smells and since mine didn't, I kept it.  

The Very Couture Palette is $65 and it's one of my favorite Holiday gift sets this year!  Someone call Santa!    Givenchy at Sephora.com

When iconic desig house Ungaro collaborates with iconic cosmetic house MAC, the result is nothing short of spectacular.   Live from backstage at the Fall 2008 Collections, It-Boy designer, Esteban Cortazar, and M·A·C have come together to create a special colour collection as dreamy, refined, and, well, Parisienne as anything this side of the Avenue Georges V, exclusively ours! A limited edition for lips, eye and cheeks chez Ungaro.... only for MAC. At Maccosmetics.com on October 9th. (Jump to see entire line!)

About a month ago I first got word that Givenchy was launching a new mascara that would feature a small sphere with tiny bristles as its applicator, thus eschewing a traditional brush or comb. I sort of forgot about it until I was at the tents last Friday sipping on my skim cappuccino and reading WWD when I came across an article on Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara, $27. All I could think is I must try this new wand! And now just a few days later - have it, love it! The sphere shape allows for a much more precise application and even lets me get at my tiny lashes and my eyelash roots (near impossible for me to do with a pointed brush). Obviously it takes a little longer because the shape of the applicator can't get all your lashes in one quick swoop, but the easy, targeted application (especially critical when it comes to touching-up), makes Phenomen'Eyes well worth it, especially since all the added control comes sans that dreaded mascara clumping.

Phenomen'Eyes is available exclusively at Sephora.

I have used a lot of products in my time and tested even more for Beauty Snob but I still get excited at new and innovative products.  My friend Melinda met me for dinner last night and she brought me a little vibrating gift-- get your head out of the gutter-- it was Estee Lauder's "TurboLash" Mascara, complete with vibrator wand which requires battery.  I know what you're thinking because I thought the same, will they stop at nothing for gimmicky mascara?  But I was intrigued and immediately pulled it out to try.  The vibrating wand was kind of scary and I feared stabbing myself in the eye if I lost conrol but I got used to it and layered on coat after shiny coat of mascara on my puny lashes.  Now you know I am a Dior Show addict but it clumps no matter how many times I try combing it out.  Estee Lauder's TurboLash Mascara offers almost the same thickening formula but without the clumps!  It's amazing how with each vibrating stroke (I am fully aware of the double entendre here but stop laughing at me and focus people!) my lashes separated, lifted, curled and thickened.  It is not as lengthening as I'd like but let me tell you, ridding of my clumps is worth it!  I am actually thinking of using the wand with my Dior Show.... stay tuned for my experiment!  $30 At Estee Lauder counters everywhere or online at Esteelauder.com. (Note- please read battery installation directions carefully or ask your SA to install for you!)