Month: December 2017

The Friday Five

The Friday Five – Best of Beauty 2017

Maritza7 Comments

When I sat down to go through all my makeup to pick my Top 5 of 2017, I thought it would take hours. I pictured I would go all Apprentice on my makeup and be like “You’re Fired, Becca Rose Quartz Highlighter!”, but it was surprisingly easy and even slightly cathartic. I spent so much money on makeup and I was worried that I was going to agonize over all the money I wasted, which trust me some money was truly wasted on junkie makeup, but when picking my Top 5, all I could think of was how much I got my money’s worth from these products.

So without further ado, I present you my 2017 Top 5 Best of Beauty:

#5 – Benefit Galifornia Blush

I remember roaming Sephora sometime earlier this year and looking at the Benefit display and thinking, “Damn, Benefit. You have got to step up your game!” Nothing called my attention and for the most part, nothing still does, EXCEPT, for their Galifornia blush. I wore the hell out of this blush during the summer and up until around October-ish, when my tan started fading a bit. It is the prettiest pinky, coral color that goes great with a full on glam date night look or a “running out the door to take the kids to baseball practice, so I need to look semi-presentable” type of look. Did I mention it smells like coconut scented tanning lotion?

#4 Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Weenie

If you read my post on how I accidently destroyed my beloved Weenie, then you know how I feel about this shadow. It’s coppery, with a hint of peachiness and it’s perfect for my blue eyes. I never make a fuss when I apply this eyeshadow. It’s simply, pat on the eyelid and blend a bit up to the crease. Apply mascara and I am out the door. I wear this to any event, from client meetings to kids school events and I always get compliments about how pretty my eyes look. Seriously, Colourpop should pay me commission based on how many times I have recommended this shadow to the PTSA moms at my kids school.

#3 Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Sunlight

I think based on the list I have going so far, 2017 was the year of No Fuss makeup. I had so much going on between work, school and family that I had no time to spend on complicated, time consuming looks. I wanted makeup that would literally get me out the door in less than 10 minutes. Some people might say to skip highlighter if you are rushed for time and to those people I say “Are you smoking something?”. I get it though, when you are crunched for time, you do the brows, some mascara and a bit of foundation or concealer. However, the Cover FX drops don’t really take up much more of my time and add that extra glow that take your look up a notch in an instant. I just take the same beauty sponge I used to blend in my foundation, and pat in some Sunlight highlighter across the tops of my cheekbones. Done! You have a gorgeous, natural, dewy golden glow about you. If you want to kick it up a notch, top it with a powder highlighter and you have an instant day to night look.

# 2 Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer in Tan-Tastic

Ok, I know I being slightly bitchy by adding a limited edition item to this list that is no longer available, but I would be untrue to myself if I omitted this bronzer because I literally use it almost everyday. The bronzer is just the most perfect warm shade of tan and blends beautifully. It’s also the perfect multitasker. When I am in a rush, I sweep this on my cheekbones, hairline, jaw and neck and then grab a fluffy crease brush and blend it on my the crease of my eyes. One and Done! What more could I ask for?

#1 Covergirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation

I need my foundation to make my skin look like skin. I don’t care if it let’s my freckles peek through or that it’s not full coverage, I just want my skin to look natural. I also don’t want to spend a fortune on foundation because it’s probably the beauty product I go through the most, so even though I LOVE tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation, I couldn’t spend $39 every 2 months on it. I’ve got kids and bills to pay, y’all! However, Covergirl saved the day. Their Healthy Elixir foundation is lightweight, easily blendable and can definitely be a full coverage foundation if you build it up, but I find that one layer creates a beautiful canvas for your makeup. It’s not a matte foundation, which I love, and gives your skin that lit from within look that, at 40 years old, is what I crave. Good job, Covergirl!

What are your top beauty products of 2017? Did any of you agree with my picks? If so, I’d love to hear from you.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Colourpop

Colourpop x Kathleen Lights – Dream St. – Review Time!

Maritza4 Comments

A few months ago I was chatting with my friend Karla and I was telling her that I have to put a kabosh on eye palettes. I have so many that it’s almost become a waste. I’ll spend money on the latest one, use it non-stop for about a month and then move on to the next Must Have palette. So I told Karla that I won’t buy another palette this year, UNLESS one comes out that I couldn’t possibly live without.

She promised she would do the same too, but she broke her promise like 2 days later.

WEAK!!!

DSC00218 (2)

I was doing so good for about a month and then I started hearing chatter that Kathleen Lights was going to collaborate with Colourpop once again and that it would include an eye shadow palette. I typically don’t fall into the hype surrounding Influencer/ Beauty Guru collaborations. Yeah, some of them are really nice, but most of them require you to sit by your computer, refreshing every 30 seconds, waiting for the product to go live and then find out it’s sold out 2.5 seconds after it went on sale. This sends you on a tailspin, especially when you start seeing all your friends start tweeting about how they got a palette and your sitting here with your thumb up your ass like a ding-dong.

AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!

However, Kathleen Lights is MY GIRL! Not only does she live in Miami (like me), but she’s a fellow Cuban and you know I got to support my peeps! So, I got my credit card on stand by and when her palette went on sale, I immediately jumped on the Colourpop website and was able to snag the Dream St. palette and the Ultra Satin Lip in Rever.

DSC00215 (2)

Kathleen Lights said in one of her video’s that Dream St. was her dream palette and let me tell you, it is easily my dream palette as well. As a blue eyed girl, I am always drawn to earthy colors. Shooting Star and Magical are perfect transition colors. I sometimes just apply Shooting Star on my crease, Moony on the lid, blend it really well, add mascara and call it a day. Also, Moony makes a beautiful, slightly neutral brow bone highlighter.

Out of all the shimmers, my favorite is Sweet Dream. It’s a light golden shade and definitely has a chunkiness about it that the other shimmers don’t, but is the most GORGEOUS topper. I like to use it on the center of the lid to create a halo look and then apply some of it on the inner corner to make the eyes pop.

Although the blue green shades are stunning and highly pigmented, these are the ones that I hesitate to use the most. It’s not because I don’t like them, but because I am highly intimidated by them. However, the easiest way I like to incorporate them in my eye looks is on the lower lash for that pop of color. If I line my lower lash with Water Bearer and smoke it out with the teensiest bit of Spark (it’s super pigmented), I am set for a glam date night with the hubs.

DSC00217 (2)

I also want to state that, although I have not put it to the test fully, I am 99.9% sure that any look you create with this palette will coordinate perfectly with the Ultra Satin Lip called Rever from the collection. If you are a red lip lover like me, but sometimes want to change things up, give this orangey red color a try. They first time you put it on, you will definitely be like “Hell NO!”, but once the color dries down a bit and you have the rest of your face all done up, you will be like ‘I see you, Rever!”

Did anyone else snag Dream St.? If so, sound off below and tell me your thoughts.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Holidays

Merry Christmas!

MaritzaLeave a comment

Dear Friends,

I hope that all of you have been enjoying Christmas so far. I have spending time with friends and family, but I wanted to pop in and say Merry Christmas to my blog friends and share some highlights from the past few days:

  • Getting a boatload of makeup from my friends and family, including, but not limited to, the tarteist Pro Glow Palette, Becca Apres Ski Face Palette and Mac Jacobs gel eyeliner in Black. Reviews galore coming, my friends!!!
  • Drinking Coquito, which is a Puerto Rican holiday drink made with coconuts, condensed milk, spices and rum. A LOT of rum
  • Playing Head’s Up with my family on Christmas Eve. It’s even better when you are all sauced up from Coquito.
  • Teaching my mostly American daughter how to dance Salsa. She’s comes from good Cuban stock, so it’s in her blood. I just got to wake it up from it’s slumber.
  • Feeding the stray alley cats and giving them their own little Noche Buena feast. I’m such a Cat Lady!
  • Taking a mid-day nap in front of the TV and waking up to one of the best scenes in “A Christmas Story”. Poor Ralphie finally getting a chance to meet Santa to ask from the Red Rid BB Gun and getting told by the Big Man himself that “You’ll shoot your eye, kid!” Classic!!
  • Chinese Food for dinner. Honey Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Crab Rangoons, Egg Rolls, Special Fried Rice and left over Coquito. Awww Yeaaahhh, Baby!
  • Spending time with my kids, husband, mom, aunt, brother, in-laws, nephews and nieces.

Happy Holidays, my friends!

Maritza

Holidays · Subscription Boxes

The Friday Five – Subscription Box Gift Ideas

MaritzaLeave a comment

So you waited till the last possible minute to buy a present for that friend or relative who lives out of state and you know that either you pay BEAUCOUP money to have it overnighted or wait till after the holidays to ship. Option #2 is not a bad idea except you came home today and see Aunt Hilda’s present sitting on your doorstep.

Darn it! Now you can’t wait till after Christmas because if she took the time to wrap, pack and ship a present to you, you are going to look like a major SNOT for not being as thoughtful.

That’s ok, my friends, I got you! This is where Subscription Boxes come in. For a one time flat fee, your Aunt Hilda is going to be the recipient of not only 1 present, but 12 monthly gifts for all of 2018. You will officially be the favorite niece in no time.

I personally love giving and receiving subscription boxes. It is literally the gift that keeps on giving. The trick is to finding the right box for your loved one. With so many subscription boxes out there, I am sure you can find one for anyone and have a lovely email delivered right to there inbox before the 25th. However, if you need a little help, I have rounded up my favorite 5 Subscription Boxes

(Images procured from company websites)

#5 – Facetory

Do you have a friend who is a K-Beauty addict? Then I have got the subscription box for you. For as low as $8.90, your friend can have a box of Korean Beauty masks delivered right to her doorstep. Personally, after all the partying, indulging and drinking that one might do for the holidays, nothing says Welcome 2018 like a home pampering session with a nice hydrating mask. All the packages are also so cute and quirky that I’m sure you will be seeing your friend’s before and after hitting your Instagram feed before the end of the year.

Prices – 4 sheet masks

  • 1 month $8.90
  • 3 months for $26.70
  • 6 months for $53.50
  • 9 months $80.10
  • 12 months for 106.80

#4 – Vellabox

I know, I know. The Bath and Bodyworks semi-annual sale is right around the corner and soon you will be stocking up on candles to last you for a whole year, but what if I told you that for as low as $10/month (plus shipping), you will get a quality candle delivered to your doorstep each month, with a specially curated handpicked item made by some of the finest American candlemakers in the know? I think you will be up for that, right? And so will you bougie friend who thinks BBW candles are for the common folk.

Prices – 4.0z candle

  • 3 months for $36
  • 6 months for $72
  • 12 months for $120

#3 – Birchbox

Ok, so I know that Birchbox has kind of been getting a beating in the latest unboxing videos on YouTube and I will admit that sometimes I am like “C’mon, Birchbox! I don’t want another stinking Briogeo Hair Mask!” However, I have been introduced to some of my most favorite products via Birchbox that I would have never have heard of if I subscribed to just Ipsy or Boxycharm. For example, my beloved Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara? Yep. That was Birchbox. Au Naturale Crème Blusher is a travel staple for me because I use it as both lipstick and blush. Never heard of them before and now I love the brand. Also, the boxes! Presentation alone wins Birchbox extra brownie points. The best part? There is no stupid waitlist and your giftee will receive their first box in January. How nice is that?

Prices (Use Code: Gift20)

  • 3 months for $24
  • 6 months for $48
  • 12 months for $88

#2 – Rocksbox

So I am really new to Rocksbox. I have only received one box so far and I am IN LOVE and I am sure that your uber chic friend who is always wearing the latest trends will as well. For $21 a month, you will be giving her the gift of jewelry and who the heck wouldn’t want that? She can choose to just rent the pieces with the $21 subscription you will be giving her and if she decides to purchase an item, those $21 will go towards the final cost. You will be BFF’s till your old and grey.

Prices:

  • 3 months for $49
  • 6 months for $99
  • 12 months for $189

#1 – StitchFix

As a busy mom, I just don’t have the time or energy to go shopping for clothes. Ugg! I get so overwhelmed by the sheer thought of trying on clothes in a tiny, poorly lit dressing room, that I have been wearing the same yoga pants for like 5 years. That is, until I bit the bullet and decided to join Stitch Fix. If I remind you of a friend, please do her a great favor and buy her a gift card towards her first Stitch Fix. The next time you meet up with her at brunch and she looks like she walked off the pages of a catalog, I PROMISE you all the mimosas will be on her dime.

Prices:

Gift Cards that contribute towards their First Fix ($20 styling fee) up to a full wardrobe ($1000)

Till next time, my friends.

Maritza

Lip Balm · Smith's Rosebud Salve · Uncategorized

Bah Humbag! Sick for the Holidays- Rosebud Salve to the Rescue

MaritzaLeave a comment

I have been sick since Saturday and I just can’t shake this cold. My head is pounding. My nose is running and I have a fever. Needless to say I have not worn any makeup, except for yesterday when I had to go into the office and I slapped on some mascara and lipstick so that I can look presentable and not like a Walking Dead cast member

For the record, my Hard Candy Velvet Mousse Lipstick in Cherry Blossom actually held strong through all the sneezing and nose blowing at the office. I really don’t know why more people don’t talk about them. Hands down one of my favorite liquid lipstick formulas because they are matte, but comfortable and not drying. The only drawback is that they leave a slight stain to your lips.

Today I find myself at home and I made the HUGE mistake of taking a peek in the mirror and was like “YOWZA! You look beat up, Maritza” To be honest, I feel so bad that I don’t care. My husband and kids will just need to deal with my red nose and under eye circles. However, all the nose blowing and coughing has really chapped my lips, nose and that space in between. When that happens, I turn to my savior. Smith’s Rosebud Salve.

img_0566

I have been using this balm for about 15 years. I bought my first tin when I was in my 20’s and back then, I liked the natural, ever so pinky, glossy sheen it gave my lips. Now, I still use it as a lip balm when my lips are chapped or dry, but I find that it works wonders on my cuticles, rough patches on my elbows and, yes, even the redness that occurs around my nose and upper lips when I blow my nose too much.

According to their website, this little handy-dandy product has been around since 1895 and has multiple uses. For example, I never thought to use it as a frizz fighter for your hair or to tame your eyebrows.  Also, they state you can use it as blush or even as eye shadow base to create a glossy wet look with your favorite eye shadow. I may just give that a try when I feel a bit better.

It has a slight rose scent, which now that I am all stuffed up, I can’t even enjoy. I know that some people don’t like that rosey smell because it’s a little grandma-ish, but I happen to like it. Funny enough, it reminds me more of my 20’s (single, clubbing with no kids) than it does of the Roaring 20’s when grandma was young,

I always stock up on these when I am at the checkout line at Sephora and trust me, a little goes a long way, so this tin will last you from one VIB sale to another. However, if you are a LBA (Lip Balm Addict), it only costs $6, so you are not breaking the bank if you find yourself hitting pan in between.

I hope all of you are enjoying the holidays so far. I am about to curl up in bed, fetal position style, close the blinds, swab some Smith’s Rosebud on my lips and on my nose and go to bed. Hoping that I feel much better before Christmas Day.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Bad Habit Beauty · Hush

Retro Love Palette by Bad Habit Beauty – Review

MaritzaLeave a comment

When I first saw the Anastasia Subculture palette, I fell in love. I was beginning to get bored with all the warm red and orange palettes that seemed to all debut at the same time last summer and wanted something different. Here comes this gorgeous palette with its blue packaging and containing an eclectic mix of shades that are both unique, yet relatable. I so wanted it and was prepared to spend my hard earned money on it, but then reviews started coming.

First I was like, “ok, one bad review doesn’t mean this palette is a dud. I’m sure you will love it”, but then the trickle of bad reviews turned into a tidal wave and I put my credit card back in my wallet. $54 for a palette is really high up there for me and if all these experienced make up artists and beauty gurus couldn’t make the colors work for them, then little old me didn’t have a chance in hell.

That didn’t mean that every time I stopped by Sephora or Macy’s I wouldn’t go to the Anastasia display and internally chastise it for it’s SubPar performance.

top model rage GIF

However, my dreams were not completely dashed. A few months later, I’m scrolling through Instagram and I start seeing pictures of the Retro Love palette and I am like, “Hold up! That looks like Subculture ” So, I click one of the links and end up on Hush and I felt like I was reborn.

What rock have I been living under that I did not know that this site existed? I am scrolling through and I seeing palette after palette of eyeshadows, highlighters, bronzers and blushes that resemble that of some of my favorite brands, but for like 1/4 of the cost.

Let’s call it was it is. They are basically knock offs, but that’s ok. I really don’t care if something is a cheaper version of the original as long as the quality is there and I’m not wasting my money on some crappy product that looks nice, but applies like poo. And, yes, I know that brands like, Kat Von D, have often expressed their dislike of these knock offs, but isn’t imitation the greatest form of flattery? I mean, remember the “Cerulean Blue” scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Miranda explains how one designer basically begins a trend and eventually that trend ends up in the sale bin of the Dress Barn like 2 years later? That’s just how fashion and, in this case, beauty works.

Anyways, I immediately spot the Retro Love palette by Bad Habit Beauty and add it to my cart. It was $10. I repeat, TEN DOLLARS. How can I NOT buy it? I was slightly distracted by all the other palettes, but held strong and only purchased this one. Trust me, it was hard not to go click crazy and buy everything.

It did take about 2 weeks for it to arrive, but when it did, I was pleasantly surprised by the presentation. Unlike the Anastasia Beverly Hill’s original, it did not have that velvet cover, but rather it’s made of that sturdy cardboard that you see on palettes from Colour Pop. Also, it’s a tad slimmer and compact, which I don’t mind at all.

I begin swatching and, my first thought is that these colors are surprisingly creamy to the touch and pigmented seeing them on my fingertips. There is also very little fall out upon tapping with a brush, which is good, considering that was one of the chief complaints from the ABH Subculture palette.

Some colors are definitely better than others though.  As pretty as the dark green and blue colors (Mod and Free Love) are, they did swatch patchy and I had a hard time creating a look with them as they ended up looking a bit muddy. Same for the plum color, Nostalgia. Psychedelic also had a weird consistency about it that almost flaked a bit when you dipped your brush into it, but it really has a beautiful iridescent pink color that I like using on the inner corner and for a halo eye look. However, the rest of the colors were BEAUTIFUL!

Free Love on the Lower Lash

 

I created the golden look above using Peace and Flower Power on the crease. Youth on the outer V and lower lid and Revolution on the lid. On my second go using the same colors (car selfie pic on the right), I decided to pack on Free Love on the lower lash and smoke it out a bit using Flower Power and I got so many compliments at work that I was like, “Call Covergirl. I’m ready for my close up.”

If you felt cheated by Subculture and aren’t willing to drop a wad of cash on a subpar palette, then definitely consider heading over to Hush and purchasing Retro Love. I don’t think you will feel disappointed.

Till next time, my friends.

Maritza

Holidays · Sephora Saturday

Sephora Saturday – What to Buy with My $25 Gift Card

MaritzaLeave a comment

I feel awful that I totally missed my Friday post. I will admit the last couple of days have been unusually busy and I was unable to get a chance to sit down and write. Not to brag or anything, but I actually left the house and socialized with ADULTS. It wasn’t a kids birthday party or some school function, but actual events with people who are relatively at my eye level and the beverages didn’t come in a box with a bendy straw, but in glasses and were of the alcoholic variety.

Yes. I mean they had vodka.

One of those events was a work party in which I received a $25 Sephora gift card from my co-workers for Christmas (they know me so well!) and I am in the midst of deciding what to buy. I’ve been surfing their website, placing way more than just $25 worth of stuff in my cart and I am simply unable to come to a decision.

For Example, should I get Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored? If you have read any of my previous posts, you know how much I LOVE a nice red lip and $24 seems a bit steep for just one lipstick, but it’s literally the most beautiful red I have seen this season. I think it would be worth the splurge.

I could also go for quantity while getting the most bang for my buck and try out the new Sephora #Lipstories Lipsticks. As a Miami Cuban, I feel almost obligated to get Coconut Grove and Hot in Havana. At only $8 a piece, I still have enough to also throw in Popsicle.

I have been dying to try Nudestix pencils. I love the thought of one product that can be used as lip color, blush and even eye color, so maybe I should go with the What’s Your Matte? Nudes + Red ($24). It even includes a sharpener, which is awesome because I am always losing mine.

Maybe I should use the $25 towards a larger purchase, even though I really shouldn’t because my credit cards are still recovering from all the Holiday shopping I just did, and  get the Huda Beauty’s Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette. Those pinky sunset colors are just GORGEOUS and, really, it’s only $2 over the card value, so I wouldn’t be out a whole lot of money.

Similarly, but way more expensive, I can also get the Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette ($49). Sure it is way over budget and I need another palette about as much as I need a hole in the head, but I can’t help it. I am obsessed with eyeshadows palettes. I love how colorful they are and I swear I would coordinate them with my outfits and carry them as a clutch if it wouldn’t be weird and completely impractical.

 

Also, can I tell you how much I LOVE the Try It On feature on the Sephora App. I had a blast “trying on” the eyeshadows from the Chocolate Gold Palette even though I am a little perturbed that an app can blend eyeshadow better than I could.

Anyone else have any suggestions for my cart? If so, leave them in the cart below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Colourpop

Colourpop – Weenie – Favorite Super Shock Shadow EVER

Maritza1 Comment

A few weeks ago, I was tidying up my room and in the rush to get things done, the unimaginable happened. I dropped my all time favorite Colourpop Super Shock Shadow, Weenie, on the tile floor and it shattered into a hundred pieces.

Pause to absorb.

Laying on the floor, face down, was my beloved eyeshadow. At first, I was like, “It’s ok, Maritza. The Super Shock formula is resilient. I’m sure it’s fine.” I gently turned it over and the powder fell out of the pot in crumbles. I tried to salvage what I could, but it was no use. Everytime I would try to pick up some of the color, it would dissipate between my fingers and litter the ground like a coppery carpet.

I was inconsolable. So I did what any grieving beauty lover would do. I tweeted and Instagramed my disappointment.

thebeautyswatcher RIP Weenie from @colourpopcosmetics. I didn’t mean to drop you onto the tile floor, ending your brief, but beautiful life. May your bronze beauty shine like pennies from heaven. 🙏#colourpopsupershockshadow#colourpopweenie#brokenmakeupbrokenheart

img_0526
Not even 2 minutes after opening Weenie, Sofia made a dent in it. I love my kids.

My grief was short lived because a few weeks later, Colourpop, had a Buy 1, Get 1 Super Shock Shadow deal and I snagged Weenie once again along with Liberty, a metallic silver that you could practically see your reflection when you swatch it.

The U.S. Coin Collection Swatches

With both of these in my arsenal, I feel like I have, what I like to call, the U.S. Coin Collection eye look complete. Weenie is a gorgeous coppery color that, yes, resembles a shiny new penny. I love to use it alone with just some mascara on those days when you want to seem put together, but just don’t have enough time create a complicated look.


Liberty, seems a little intimidating at first, but gently tap a bit on the center of the eye for a halo look or dab a bit in the inner corner and you will be beaming like a spit shined silver dime, quarter or possibly Lady Liberty herself.

Wait. She’s kind of green looking, but you get the imagery I’m going for, right?

Do you have a favorite Super Shock Shadow? If so, post in the comments below and I will give it a try.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

 

Beauty Review · Mascara · Maybelline

Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara – Review

MaritzaLeave a comment

In my quest to find a replacement for my beloved Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara, I have gone through quite a few duds.

Anyone remember, Covergirl’s Peacock Flare Debacle of 2017? (Shudder)

It’s not that I am super picky, it’s just that I have needs. In fact, I have 3 very specific needs:

  1. It cannot make my lashes clumpy. I HATE clumpy lashes! I don’t know if I am dating myself here, but every time I think of clumpy lashes, I think of Tammy Faye Baker crying on TV about “the children”.
  2. I need volume. Like lot’s of it. I actually have decently long lashes. You wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at them because they are blond (read: transparent). What I don’t have is enough of them.  It’s like my lashes are the Vin Diesel of eyes. Pretty to look at, but no hair.
  3. I want feathery, curled lashes. I literally want my lashes to  create unexpected gusts of wind when I blink.

I know what you are thinking. Why don’t you just wear fake lashes? Well, to start with, I don’t know how to apply them and the few times I have attempted to wear them have ended up with me throwing them on the floor and then taking it out on my husband and children for no apparent reason. I’d like to keep the emotional trauma to a minimum in my house.

So, my quest continues and took me to Maybelline. They have a new line called Total Temptation, which includes a mascara. The packaging is reminiscent of their collaboration with Gigi Hadid because it’s that pinky nude that other brands, like KKW and Fenty, also came out with this year. The difference, is that Maybelline incorporated some black to separate it from the multitude. I actually like the packaging. I mean the color is quite unoriginal, but there is a flat side to the applicator which I find makes it really comfortable to open and close the tube. Sometimes it’s the little things that impress me.

However, the winner for me is the brush. It actually has bristles! I find so many mascaras now a days are using rubber bristles, which I DETEST. I feel like they contribute to the clump. Bristles typically are packed tighter and are able to thicken and lengthen. The wand is also tilted at the end where the brush is located, which I suppose is to make it easier to get into the inner corner of your eye, but I really don’t find necessary.

img_0485

The brush is not curved, which immediately tells me this isn’t going to do much curling, but I found that it did a decent job in creating volume. When I did that little jiggle from the root and worked the brush up, it didn’t clump at the base like the Covergirl Peacock Flare, and did spread the products to the tips. However, what it does FANTASTICALLY is lengthen those suckers. I mean, they looked so long that the tips of my lashes touched just under my brow bone and left some color.  Check out my Instagram Highlights under Mascara Game to see what I am talking about. The length is NO JOKE!

The mascara lasted all day and I didn’t see any flaking or smudging at all. To be honest, this would be the perfect mascara, except that I feel like this is more for lengthening than volumizing. If you have a healthy set of lashes, then run to the store and grab yourself a tube.  However, if you are part of the 3 Lashes Club like me, then you might want to rethink it and continue the search. I feel like although it did provide some volume to my lashes, it wasn’t enough to offset how long they make them look and if you are short on them, then it does sort of accentuate the lack of lashes because they just look like spiky strings just hanging out on your eyeball.

Does that make sense?

Also, I am going to say that this was not a waterproof mascara, yet I still had to go in and use up 4 cotton pads of Micellar water to get everything off. It did not want release itself and was holding on to my lashes for dear life.

BONUS REVIEW: I also purchased the Total Temptation Brow Definer in Soft Brown. I’m more of a brow pomade kind of girl as my brows don’t just need to be filled, but practically colored in, and I found the formula to be creamy and long lasting. I still prefer the pomade because it helps to keep my brows in place and with this pencil, I have to use a brow gel, but it works great in a pinch when I just need to create an illusion of brows before I leave the house.

Let me know if you have any other mascaras you want me to try out. I’m always on the hunt.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

***Links in this post are affiliated and I do receive a small commission if you decide to purchase products directly from Amazon.***