Mascara Experiment Inspired by Wayne Goss

For those of you who don't know.  I. LIKE. MAKEUP.  I read blogs, watch YouTube, read magazine and haunt makeup stores to find out what is new and lovely.  In my search for makeup tutorials, I stumbled across a makeup artist by the name of Wayne Goss (gossmakeupartist).  He is really knowledgeable in the art of beauty and I very much enjoy his videos (his cuteness is a mere by-product)!

Here is his channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/gossmakeupartist

One of his videos spoke to using liquid eyeliner on your lashes before applying mascara.  Makes them much more inky black and intense.  You know I had to try it....

Waynes' Video

So I decided to do a Lori version....  Here we go!

Scary before makeup eyes

 I decided to try my only black liquid liner, the L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black.  I can't get liquid liner to look sensible when using it as a liner so I took lemons and made lemonade (kinda).

L'Oreal Carbon Black Liquid Eyeliner

Brush tip applicator

 The brush tip made it very easy to apply to the lashes.  I curled the lashes, applied one coat and then I went ahead and put on foundation and eye makeup.  It was all dry in a very shot time.

One coat of liquid eyeliner

 So in a future post, I will be doing two looks and a review of some Make Up For Ever products.  As some of you recall I did a review on Smoky Lash mascara with disastrous results and an Aqua Cream with mixed results.  I will go into a much more detailed (and fun) story next week but for the sake of this post, I have a new Smoky Lash mascara and am using it in this experiment.

Plus one coat of MUFE Smoky Lash

 Looks pretty inky and dark, doesn't it?

Close up (liner eye)

One coat mascara on each

 No when I applied the mascara to both eyes, I didn't notice a huge difference between the two eyes as far as the intensity of black and lusciousness.  But I will leave you to judge.  Lets see if it makes any difference to it's lasting power?

Mascara only eye

 So it is exactly 12 hours later and here is the much more worn looking Lori...  I noticed two things:

1. Up close, the eye with the liquid liner does appear to have slightly more staying power than mascara alone.
2. The Smoky Lash mascara did much better this time!!

12 hours later

Previous Smoky lash (April 2012) Review

So, did I do this experiment correctly?  Should I have done something else to enhance my lashes with the liner?  Please comment below and tell me what you think.

Cheers,
Lori

May 2012 LuxeBox Overview and Review

Well, here endth May and this is the final box review for this month.  After some stellar boxes poor Loose Button will be hard pressed to wow.  But let's see, shall we?

Extra large box... Why?

Ah HA!!!  Two boxes!

Thank you Mom Bath and Body Box

 As part of the offering from LuxeBox, they sent a bonus (Bath and Body) Box in celebration of Mother's Day.   NICE!!!!

Venus & Olay 5 blade razor

Olay wrinkle revolution complex

Main LuxeBox... box

 I love the style of the box (and the personalized sticker)...  But that's just me.

Peek inside

Info card

 So that's great... lots of pictures but what is inside people???

• CARGO Lash Activator Mini Duo
• ORLANE Active Hydration
• PACO RABANNE Black XS for her and XS for him
• GOLDWELL Dual Senses Colour Shampoo and Conditioner

Cargo Lash Activator Mini Duo

Oh mascara... Anyone who reads my blog knows that I am OBSESSED with lashes and anything to make them pretty. So when I see that this product is to make them pretty and longer/thicker???  Really?  I have to try it, and I mean have to...  Compulsion.  Will try and get back to you on it!


Rating:  Hooray

Full size (of the mini) is $15.  Size received is FULL.  They do sell each individually for about $35 each.

Orlane Active Hydration

 I have received another Orlane product in a sample box and have not tried it yet.  This is formulated for dehydrated skin... the literature talk about re-educating cells but honestly my eyes glazed over.  Nourish, hydrate and help to firm is all I take notice of.

Rating:  Hooray

Full size is 50ml @ $135.  Size received was 3.5ml.

I kinda hope that I don't like this too much as paying out that kind of money is a killer!

Paco Rabanne Black XS for her and him

I have a box full of perfume samples.  Sounds like I am complaining but I am actually pretty ok with it.  My mood changes and sometimes the fragrance I want changes too.  And I like to try a scent before I chuck out my money to smell pretty (or mysterious).  Having a sample for a guy interested my husband sooooo.... that's not too bad.  The samples are pretty little though.

Rating:  Hooray

Full size for her:  50ml @ $74.  Size received is 2ml.
Full size for him:  50ml @ $56.  Size received is 2ml.

Goldwell Dual Senses shampoo and conditioner

OK I have to tell you all that in 5 months I have received over a dozen packages of shampoo and conditioner.  I recently went to Cuba and gave samples away.  Here I am with 2 more.  I struggle to get excited, these packages always leak in the shower or fall in the tub.  But, I keep some to take camping.

Rating:  Meh

Full size for Shampoo:  750ml @ $28.  Size received (X2) is 10ml.
Full size for Conditioner:  750ml @ $32.  Size received (X2) is 10ml.

My overall impression of this months box?  Mixed.  While all of the items were things I can use, some of the samples were repetitive and small.  The Body and Bath kind of made up for it so overall it was a pretty good month.

So overall rating?

Hoorays -3

Meh -1

Plus a non-rating Nice for the Bath and Body offering.

Cheers!

Lori

May 2012 GlossyBox Overview and Review

What a surprise to come home today and my GlossyBox was there waiting for me!  Yippee!!!  It can only get better...

Outside Box

Lovely wrapping

Each box is a very delicate pink which is lined with black and the pink Glossy logo.  Black tissue paper is tied with a pink grosgrain ribbon.  Enclosed inside was the usual card listing the products, and a promotional card about boxx cosmetics.

Products in the box:

• Curel Foot Therapy (Cream)
• Simple Eye Makeup Remover
• Simple Facial Wash Gel
• boxx Cosmetics Cream Corrector in Terrwyn
• Sebastian Professional Volupt Shampoo

Curel Foot Therapy

I need foot cream... period.  There is no strong scent and they claim that it hydrates and softens dry, cracked feet in just 2 nights.  I am willing to give anything a try.

Rating:  Hooray!!!

Full size: 100ml @ $3.99.  Size received - Full

Simple Eye makeup Remover and Facial Wash Gel

The brand Simple is a relatively new brand to Canada and specializes in product for sensitive skin.  They have no perfumes, dyes, soap, or oils.

The eye makeup remover also claims to remove waterproof mascara.

These are two products I always use and anything that is good for sensitive skin is perfect for me!

Rating for both:  Hooray

I somehow think that the prices listed on the card is incorrect as online as a 125ml of the makeup remover is listed at $9.99.  I am looking at www.well.ca for price verification.

Makeup Remover Sizes:  125ml @ $9.99.  Sample size - 56 ml

Facial Wash Gel Full Size: 150ml @ $9.99.  Sample size - 50 ml

boxx Cream Corrector in terrwyn

I have never heard of boxx cosmetics so I cannot comment on how well it work.  It is an oil-free product.  The colour is terrwyn and appears to be a light to medium in tone.

Rating:  Hooray

Full size:  4g @ $24.  Sample size - Full

Sebastian Professional Volupt  Shampoo

I love the scent and this is the second product from the Sebastian line.  The first being a hair spray which was broken and I could not use.

Rating:  Hooray

Full size: 250ml @ $15.78.  Sample size - Full

My overall impression of this months box?  I liked it.  Every single one of these items are ones I will use, and hey - that's exactly what I was taking a chance on.


So how many hoorays?  5 out of 5. The only thing that was a meh was what I think was incorrect information for Simple on the card.


Cheers,
Lori

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Garden Evolution - May 25th 2012

 So, I had promised that I would journal the evolution of my garden.  So here is the front as of May 25, 2012.

May 2012

Garden Spring 2010

Cushion Spurge, Pasqueflower, Boxwood and a creeping something???

Love my Cushion Spurge

Love this tulip

Bright orange double tulip

My first Annual pot of the season - Thanks Halifax Seed

May 2012

April 2012

Big difference 2 months can make!  And some work, but less than you would think!!!

May 2012 TopBox Overview and Review

Oh May... You are so close to summer that I can't help but be happy you are here, but happy when you go so that summer can park right on my doorstep!  No, that has nothing to do with the TopBox but I was feeling it.

OK, on to this months blog on May's TopBox.  There was a snafu apparently and I was not shipped my TopBox when everyone else was.  I contacted them and received mine about a week later, explaining the lateness of this post.

Outer Packaging

Inside Cylinder

I have requested the new style of cylinder but I suspect since I was forgotten, they didn't check into my preference.  Not a big deal.

Underneath the Tissue Paper

Now on to the items in this months "box":

• DEBORAH LIPPMAN Nail Polish
• COVER FX Clear Prep FX
• ORLANE Eye Contour Cream
• EXPRESSIONS Bronzing Brush

Details Card Side 1

Details Card Side 2

Deborah Lippman Polish

This is my first time ever receiving (or using) a Deborah Lippman polish.  From other blogs and reviews I have read, it is supposed to be a stellar product and very coveted.

Shade is Whatever Lola Wants

Just one coat

I must say I love the bottle design and the colour!  Goes on very well and dries fairly quickly.

Rating:  Hooray!!

Full size:  15 ml @ $20.  Size received:  Full

Available at Holt Refrew (boooo... No Holt in NS!)

Cover FX Clear Prep FX

I have been curious about this brand as some people say that it is ideal should you want a full coverage foundation.  This product is a skin primer which, they profess, prevents and heals skin blemishes.  I do not have particularly acne-prone skin but I did try it this morning and it did go on well and my MUFE foundation did glide right over it.  Does is reduce the appearance of pores?  Well....  That's debatable from one try.

Rating:  Hooray!!!

Full size: 30ml @ $39.  Size received: 7ml

Available at coverfx.com (and I know Shoppers Drug Mart carries this brand)

Orlane Eye Contour Cream

The promotional material says that it diminishes fine lines, puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. I need it, so I will try it!!  I take this stuff with a grain of salt though, we'll see.  I am a sucker for face creams!

Rating: Hooray!!

Full size: 15ml @ $75. Size received: 2ml.

Available at orlane.com (I tried the link from the card and it was a no-go!

Expression Bronzing Brush

I love makeup brushes.  I cannot have too many, I think I am addicted!!  Fortunately TopBox sent this brush and oooh boy - it is soft!!!  I do not wear bronzer as a rule (I have no idea how to apply it to my face correctly to be beneficial), but can see how I would use this for buffing foundation.  I do love my Make Up For Ever Kabuki Brush (story to come on that), but this one may make it into the rotation.

Rating: Hooray!!

Full size: well - it's full size  Size received: Full. Size (lol)

Available at topbox.ca/brushes



OK - there was a bonus in the "box", a free Deborah Lippman Nail file coupon at Holt Refrew (for a window of time).  I don't live anywhere where there is a Holt so this bonus is moot.  Also, they further clarified that the supply was not there for all cards (the "while supplies last" catch all).

No rating.

So... There you have it!  What was in the TopBox, well... box (cylinder shaped one).  My thoughts?

There were 2 sample-sized and 2 full size product this month.  The coupon for the nail file was basically a toss in. Each product holds my interest, in particular the makeup brush.  I don't compare it to other months as all the products are different every time so it is not comparing apples to apples.

So 4 Hoorays for the product...  Pretty good.  The shipping error rates a meh.  They did say that they added a little bonus for my trouble which never appeared (the nail file coupon was not a bonus as everyone got them!).

So 4 Hoorays and 1 Meh.  Not too shabby!!

Cheers!
Lori