Bring on Summer Baby!

It's finally somewhat warm and somewhat sunny! Sandals and beach trips are surely but a few short weeks away!

I don't know about you, but when the weather changes, my makeup game also gets antsy. And this season, I am relying on some tangerine dreams, an industry favorite and one amazing new kid on the beauty block.

Sephora Orange Pop blush: This looks a little bright in the pot, but once applied, gives a light, flattering, long lasting pop to cheeks. I was relying on rosy pink for so long and this provides a much needed, yet still natural jolt. 

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Girls Just Want to Have Fun: I saw this color and had to have it. It's punchy, it's fun and it lasts. Lippmann's colors always go on smooth, opaque and are never clumpy. DEFINITELY worth the higher price tag!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat: Loved by models, celebs, editors and makeup artists everywhere, this luminizing pen "brings light and radiance to the skin."  I have been without this gem for some time- hey, it's a bit difficult to justify the price tag- but I forgot how worth it it is. You really can SEE the difference. I was feeling and looking a bit tired (pregnancy problems!) and just a little swipe under the eyes after concealer changes the game. I even had a co-worker comment on how fresh I looked! Money well spent if you ask me.

Smashbox Full Exposure Waterproof Mascara: This new mascara offering is the JAM. I wasn't used to such a large brush, but once I figured out how to work with it (Tilt head all the way back! Start with the tip!), I loved the long, non clumpy, dramatic lashes it left me. Plus, it didn't even smear an inch after a good cry (again, pregnancy problems!). My new summer lash staple indeed.

d.j.v. beautenizer Fiberwig® LX: Brush-on Fiber Extensions

Japan's #1 mascara promises a thick fiber-rich formula that conditions, lengthens and separates lashes. And it does just that. The perfectly curled brush touches every lash, leaving them long and smudge-proof all day. Great for dramatic lashes and ladies who don't like waterproof but want the same results.

Mally Voluminizing Mascara

Another really nice, rich and creamy mascara that's great for the low-maintenance. Applies on smoothly for a clean, non-gloppy look. The straight brush makes it easy for a swipe of the lower lashes too.

Borghese Superiore State-of-the-Art Mascara

This nice, thick mascara does a great job for someone who wants a clean, no-fuss look. And there's something about the crescent-shaped wand that makes me feel like I'm getting every lash. But I'm some sort of weirdo because unless it's waterproof, my lashes droop immediately after I've applied it. This is no different.

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara

After one swipe this mascara gave me a soft, clean look. I waited and put a second coat on and it gave me a bit more oomph. It's a great everyday mascara that easily comes off with remover.

d.j.v. Beautinizer: Volume Lash Mascara

Hello, eyelashes!
EVERY time I wore this, someone would ask me if "those" were my real lashes--in the good way.
Fairly easy to remove, actually, for a mascara with good staying power.
No flakes, but not waterproof-- skipping the mascara if I'm going to laugh myself to tears is probably the best idea ;)
Volume Lash gives dramatic, beautiful lashes.
The brush was quite good as well--very little clumping.
So worth it!

Lash Galore and tips from BeautyAddicts

Loving BeautyAddicts Lash Galore! Not super heavy, but defines and lengthens lashes. Goes on smoothly and wears very well!

Some quick and easy mascara how-tos from the BeautyAddicts pros:

- Contrary to popular belief, an eyelash curler is not necessary to achieve desirable

lashes and wide-open eyes. Instead, when you

brush your lashes up and get to the tips, roll the wand backwards. This will grab the lashes and effortlessly curl them.

- If you don’t like a lot of mascara on your bottom lashes, here’s another great eye-opener trick. Take your eyeliner brush and run it lightly across the LashGALORE wand. Lightly comb it on your bottom lashes to get just the perfect hint of color and definition!

- Mascara works at its best about 3-6 months once opened. Preservatives in mascara only work for so long, plus old mascara is a nonperformer. Be sure to keep track of its life span and purchase a new one once its shelf life has expired.

Tarte: Beauty in a Box

Tarte
Beauty in a Box: Smoky EyesThis exclusive value set has everything you need for a night on the town. Sephora and Tarte have created the perfect combination that can be taken just about anywhere. I absolutely love the Lock & Roll 12 - hour eyeshadow in bronze. Every time I wear it, I get compliments. It is a complete look that takes only minutes to put on...and lasts all day.

Avon Super Curl-acious Mascara

Navy/Marine

I am so disappointed.

This mascara sucks!!!

Half an hour = the time it took to get from my lashes to little flakes all over my face & shirt.

Also, did NOT curl my lashes.

Revlon Double Twist Mascara

Blackest Black

Truth be told, I only got this mascara because I was getting Waterproof Mascara for my sister's wedding & this came in a two pack (yes, I got 6 tubes of various w.p.m.).

The brush is all funky, half comb & half brush.

I was worried.

Now I am hooked!

Good with one coat, no clumps, no streaks, no flakes!

This is a wonderful mascara!!!

Only two drawbacks:

1. Can be hard to remove-- but hello, is waterproof!

2. If you put it on at 8 am & are a watery-eyed-eye-rubber (guilty), don't expect to have any mascara on when midnight comes around. It was all over the kleenex, and not on my lashes. It's like the waterproof wears off & my runny eyes remove it...

Make Up For Ever: Smoky Lash Mascara

Extra Black

Wow.

I've never had a lash-invisibility issue, but, if I had, this would most likely solve it.

If my lashes were Dr. Bruce Banner, this mascara would be the anger that makes them the Incredible Hulk--just not green & scary.

Take the 20 seconds to wipe the brush on a tissue before using to preempt any flaking.

It's got some magic, anti-smudge power going on, as well as the aforementioned dramatic-lash properties.

It's $22.oo at Sephora, which makes me a bit cringy, but worth the splurge, especially for a very special occasion (dinner at the White House, tea w/a queen, Hot Date, etc).

Maybelline Mascara

Maybelline the Colossal Volum' Express Mascara
Classic Black
Nice coverage
Not at all clumpy
Worst time of year for mascara--hay fever=runny eyes!
Some flaking, but it stands up to my constantly watering eyes. Worth the trade-off to me;)
Needs some major remover!
Not a big fan of the Classic Black, it is grayer than I like. Would like to try in a blacker-black.

Maybelline Mascara

XXL Curl Power Volume + Length Microfiber Mascara
This is a smart little two-in-one container, one side is a
base coat, the other a top coat + color.
The brushes are nice, there's little-to-no clumps. Good color, good staying power. Not terribly hard to take off with eye makeup remover.
I tried the very black, it is good & black.
The curl part... I have long & thick lashes (lucky me:) ) but they are stick straight. I can't get my hair that straight with product & irons. I've never had a curling mascara that made any discernible difference. This, too, failed to give me the promised 45-degree angle. Don't feel bad, Maybelline, I can't even get a curl with the lash curling wands.

Mascara: Besame Gingerbread 1930's

Besame
1930s Mascara
Black
Waterproof & smells like gingerbread!
Seriously smells like gingerbread.
Apart from making me want to eat massive amounts of gingerbread when I apply, this mascara works very well.
Darkens, thickens, lengthens, &, most importantly for me, does not flake off & leave mascara goo all over my face!
The case is gold & etched with a beautiful geometric-floral pattern, so it even looks classy in my bag.
I'd let you try mine, but I don't believe in sharing mascara. Or drinks. Or lip-stuff. Or underwear. Go ahead & borrow some shoes, though;)

IsaDora Protecting Waterproof Mascara

IsaDora
Protecting Waterproof Mascara
Dark Brown

Ok, maybe I shouldn't have tried the dark brown. I usually wear black, but I have used brown mascara before. The brush on this mascara is clump-free and big enough, but I didn't feel as if I had put enough on. I couldn't really see that I had any color on at all. Very thin. The positive is that it is definitely waterproof, but not impossible to get off with makeup remover. I didn't have smudges and smears all over, but it didn't really thicken as I had hoped. Like I said before, maybe I should have held out for black.