mascara – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: mascara

I Tried 8 Vegan Mascaras So You Don’t Have To | Vegan Mascara Mini Reviews

Posted on April 18, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Since going vegan in the summer of 2016, I’ve been on the hunt for my new Holy Grail mascara. While it’s been quite easy to find a vegan substitute for the majority of my makeup products, finding a vegan mascara has been a bit more challenging. Today I am going to share mini reviews of the eight different mascaras I’ve tried in the past couple of years. These mascaras range widely in both price and quality, and I will share my thoughts on them in the chronological order in which I tested them. Let’s go on a journey through all of the vegan mascaras I’ve tried!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume Mascara – $2.99 [BUY]

The first vegan mascara I tried is the Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume. I decided to start out with a very affordable option, as I always hope to find a product that is extremely budget friendly. I posted a full review of this mascara on my blog HERE. Overall, I thought this mascara was okay, but it didn’t provide me with too much volume or length. If you are looking for a natural-looking mascara that will give you just a little definition, the MegaVolume is a good option.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Volumizing & Defining Mascara – $2.90 [BUY]

I then decided to try another drugstore brand to see how that mascara would compare. I bought the e.l.f. Cosmetics Volumizing & Defining Mascara because I really enjoy this type of plastic wand as opposed to natural bristle wands. Unfortunately, this mascara was a huge disappointment! As I outlined in THIS blog post, the formula was extremely thick and heavy. Worst of all, it gave me the dreaded uni-lash, meaning all of my lashes stuck together in one clump. This was strike one for e.l.f., a brand I usually love!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

After two frustrating rounds with drugstore mascaras, I tried my hand at a high end option from Tarte. I am happy to report that I really enjoyed the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. It provided me with longer and fuller lashes, and was definitely the best option I tried thus far. However, I prefer a drier mascara formula, and this one is a bit on the wet side. That being said, I do recommend this mascara, and I can see myself going back to it at some point in the future. I don’t like spending a lot on high end mascaras, but this one is worth it if you like a wetter formula.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

I next decided to try a cult favorite mascara in the beauty community – the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Unfortunately, this mascara did not work out for me at all! I found the formula to be extremely heavy, and it made a huge mess every time I tried to apply it. I think the natural bristle brush combined with the wet formula was just a big no for my lashes. Despite so many people loving this mascara, I would not recommend it! It was back to drugstore formulas (and prices!) at this point.

e.l.f. Cosmetics 3-in-1 Mascara – $3.00 [BUY]

I decided to give e.l.f. a second chance, and purchased the 3-in-1 Mascara. Again, I went with a plastic mascara wand, and chose a formula advertised to define, lengthen, and volumize. This time, it wasn’t the mascara formula that went wrong – it was the packaging! The opening of the mascara was so narrow that the brush could barely fit through it. That meant that almost zero product made it onto the wand and onto my lashes. I consistently felt like I was putting absolutely nothing on my lashes with this mascara. I do want to mention that this product has since been reformulated, but I have no desire to try it again. We’ll call this strike two for e.l.f.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Volume Plumping Mascara – $3.00 [BUY]

I gave e.l.f. its third and final chance with the Volume Pluming Mascara. I grabbed this at Target, hoping that the promised “New Formula” would be good. Well, this was strike three for e.l.f. mascaras for me. Once again, the formula did almost nothing for my lashes. Remember how I said the Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume looked very natural? This Volume Plumping Mascara did even less than that. I’ve now come to the conclusion that e.l.f. mascaras are not for me. I absolutely love e.l.f. Cosmetics as a brand, but I do not plan on ever trying another mascara from the company.

Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength Mascara – $2.99 [BUY]

At this point in the game, I did some thinking. I wanted to stick with a drugstore mascara to save money, but I also needed to stay away from e.l.f. I decided to go back to Wet ‘n Wild and try a different mascara formula. This time I got the MegaLength, and I was pleasantly surprised! This is by far the best vegan mascara I’ve tested, and it’s only $2.99 regular price! I like this mascara because it does a great job at lengthening my lashes. It doesn’t provide much volume, but I would rather have long lashes than clumpy ones. While still not a Holy Grail product for me, this is a mascara I’ve repurchased a few times already.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Gifted Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

Last but not least, I got a mini size of the Tarte Gifted Mascara as a point perk from Sephora. I really liked this mascara, too. It can be a bit messy, but I like how my lashes looked really full and long after application. That being said, I wouldn’t buy this mascara at the full price. If it went on sale, I would consider getting this again, and I do recommend it if you’re looking for a weightless yet effective mascara.

Final Thoughts: I’ve learned a few important things during these past 18 months of testing vegan mascaras. First, e.l.f. Cosmetics mascaras are to be avoided (at least, for me). Second, spending a lot of money on a mascara isn’t worth it for me. I like to change out my mascaras every three to four months, so keeping the cost down is important. In the same way, more money doesn’t necessarily mean a better formula. In the end, I’m going to continue testing out vegan drugstore mascaras to see if I can find my new Holy Grail. Until then, I highly recommend the Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength!

What’s your favorite vegan mascara? Let me know in the comments!

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover Review

Posted on October 25, 2017October 22, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share a review of The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover with you. I purchased this product a few months ago when I was having a difficult time removing my mascara (see my full haul HERE). Since I’ve decided not to purchase makeup remover wipes for a while, a dedicated eye makeup remover was definitely needed. The Body Shop offers many vegan products, so it is one of my favorite places to buy skincare products at an affordable price. Let me share a bit more about this product with you, and let you know my experience with it.

The Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover is formulated to remove all traces of makeup quickly and gently. This product is fragrance free and suitable for sensitive skin, which I really love. To use, shake the product thoroughly and apply to a cotton round. I use this regularly for removing eye makeup, but haven’t tested it much for removing lip products. Thus, my experience is based on eye makeup only.

Overall, I think this is a good eye makeup remover. I really appreciate that it is gentle and fragrance free. However, I do find that it doesn’t take off all of my mascara. Whenever I use this product, I can still see traces of mascara on my lashes. I do try to get it all off by gently massaging the cotton round on my lashes, but I avoid rubbing the eye area too vigorously. Nonetheless, I’m able to get off the majority of mascara with this product, and I also sweep the cotton round through my eyebrows quickly to dissolve my brow gel.

In the end, I do recommend The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover if you have sensitive skin. It does a good job at removing the majority of my eye makeup, but it does not remove all traces of mascara. I would consider repurchasing this in the future, but I hope to try at least one other eye makeup remover to see how it compares. This product retails for $18.00 at The Body Shop, but make sure to shop during one of the store’s many coupon events for big savings. You can also buy this product at Ulta HERE for $15.00.

What is your favorite eye makeup remover? Let me know in the comments!

This post includes an Ulta affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Disappointing Beauty Products | Fall 2016

Posted on November 21, 2016November 19, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I want to share with you some beauty products that disappointed me this fall. While it’s fun to share my favorite things with you every month, I think it’s also really helpful to share the products that didn’t quite work for me. As always, it’s worth mentioning that while I don’t like these products, that doesn’t mean they won’t work for you! We all have different skin types, hair textures, and product preferences, so I will do my best to point out when I think a product’s qualities will be effective for someone other than myself. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the disappointing beauty products!

HAIR

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter [BUY]

First up is a hair butter I purchased from The Body Shop. My hair type is really strange, and it’s difficult to find products that work for me. My scalp and hair are dry, but my hair also gets oily really easily. I thought the Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter would help to keep my hair moisturized, but unfortunately it is way too heavy for my thin hair. I experimented with this product, sometimes leaving it on for two minutes and others leaving it on for the suggested five. No matter what, my hair was always left with a really weird feeling that I didn’t like. Unless you have really, really dry hair, I’m not sure this product is worth the hefty price tag.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo [BUY]

My hunt for the perfect drugstore dry shampoo continues. This one from Not Your Mother’s really baffles me! I used a travel size one during my trip to Los Angeles, and I really enjoyed it, so I bought the full size when I got home. For some reason, it doesn’t work for me at all anymore! Clean Freak is supposed to instantly absorb excess oils, leave no residue, and give fresh volume to the hair. What I do like is that there is no white residue left on my hair when I use this product. Unfortunately, that is the only good thing about it! It doesn’t absorb oils, and instead it weighs down my hair and makes it look worse than it did in the first place. Basically, I feel like this dry shampoo does absolutely nothing for me.

SKINCARE

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator [BUY]

Next up is a facial exfoliant that I also feel is quite ineffective. When I buy a face scrub, I want it to clean my pores and remove dead skin cells from my face. At first, I really liked this Seaweed exfoliator. It leaves my face feeling really clean and soft. However, I noticed that it does not remove the dead skin cells on my face at all! I still have a lot of dry patches when I use this product. Plus, it smells really weird. I’ll probably use up this bottle, but I will not be repurchasing it. I do recommend this if you want a really gentle scrub.

MAKEUP

Milani EasyBrow Automatic Pencil [BUY]

I am always on the hunt for my perfect brow product, and unfortunately the Milani EasyBrow is not the one! I was drawn to purchase this because of the spoolie brush on the end (I’m a sucker for any brow product that includes a spoolie). While I do really enjoy the color match and staying power of this pencil, my issue is that I cannot get a precise line with it. The formula is very waxy and the pencil is soft, so getting a nicely shaped brow is difficult for me. My brows are very sparse, and I need to fill them in a lot to get my desired look. Thus, if you only need a bit of added definition, this product may work well for you.

ELF HD Lifting Concealer in Adjusting [BUY]

I’ve had my ups and downs with this color-correcting concealer from ELF. This was my first foray into color-correcting, so at first I thought this product was amazing. However, the more I use this concealer, the more I see its flaws. I purchased it to help cover the redness in my skin, but I find my skin absorbs the green pigmentation and the redness still shows through my final foundation routine. I’m glad I tested out this product, but I’m not happy with the results.

ELF Smudge Pot in Ain’t That Sweet [BUY]

I got this cream eyeshadow as a free gift with my last ELF purchase. I knew this particular shadow wouldn’t be a favorite of mine because it is a pink glittery shade, but I was excited to see what the formula was like. I’m sad to report that the formula is not well done. Not only is the shadow extremely sheer, but it gathers and clumps when I attempt to apply it. The shadow also flakes off and contains some chunky glitter. This is just not a product I can recommend to anyone!

ELF Volumizing & Defining Mascara in Jet Black [BUY]

Last but not least is my biggest disappointment of the bunch. I has such high hopes for this mascara from ELF, but it let me down. This mascara is very thick and heavy, and leaves my lashes really crispy. The worst thing, though, is this mascara gives me the uni-lash! In other words, my lashes all stick together in one bunch. That is just not okay with me. I tried to make it through the three month time period for this mascara, but I can’t do it. I’m happy to toss this now!

That wraps up all of my beauty product disappointments for the fall 2016 season. I hope you found this helpful if you were curious about any of these products. As I mentioned at the beginning, just because I don’t like these products doesn’t mean they won’t be beneficial for someone else. I still love shopping from all of these brands, but sometimes there are a few duds. Here’s to discovering the next awesome beauty product!

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know how they worked for you!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume Mascara Review

Posted on August 8, 2016August 4, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share a review of a fabulous and affordable mascara with all of you. I’m not quite sure why, but for some reason I typically walk by the Wet ‘n Wild display at the drugstore without giving it much thought. After discovering that many Wet ‘n Wild products are vegan (see the full list HERE), I decided it was a great place to start rebuilding my makeup stash since I’m on a tight budget. I began by grabbing the MegaVolume Mascara in the shade Very Black. Let me share my thoughts on this product with you, including some before and after photos!

The Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume Mascara is advertised to provide five times the volume to your lashes with a natural-looking, enhancing effect. I purchased the shade C138 Very Black at my local Target. The regular retail price is just $2.97!

The applicator is a traditional mascara brush. I’m not a big fan of this applicator type. I find my eyelashes react much better to the silicone wands with spiky ends. Nonetheless, for under $3.00 I knew it wouldn’t be a huge loss if I wasn’t in love with this mascara!

Wet 'n Wild MegaVolume Mascara Review – BEFORE — *Before – no mascara*

Wet 'n Wild MegaVolume Mascara Review – AFTER — *After – two coats of Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume*

Here is a before and after look at my eyelashes with the MegaVolume Mascara. I like to layer two coats of this mascara on my lashes, as I find it gives them a fuller effect. As you can see from the photos, this definitely isn’t giving me a ton of volume in my lashes. Instead the MegaVolume is a nice everyday mascara if you want to add definition without going too big with your lashes. I find I get a good amount of length with this mascara, and not as much volume as I would like. Luckily, the mascara does not clump much at all, and I rarely have to pull out my lash comb. My only issue with the MegaVolume is that it does get a bit messy during application, and that requires a bit of clean-up with a cotton swab.

All in all, I think Wet ‘n Wild’s MegaVolume is a great option for those of you looking for a more natural mascara. I personally like to go for more dramatic lashes, so while I probably won’t repurchase the MegaVolume again, I highly recommend it. The mascara lasts all day and doesn’t flake off the lashes, and you really can’t beat the quality for the price. I think my next Wet ‘n Wild mascara test will be on the MegaPlump, as it might give my lashes that extra drama I like. You can purchase MegaVolume at your local drugstore or department store, or online HERE. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried this mascara! I would love to know if you like it or not!

This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Disappointing Beauty Products!

Posted on July 18, 2016June 8, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today’s blog post is going to feature a bunch of products that I’ve tried in the past few months, but unfortunately didn’t love. I share my favorites with you every month, so it makes sense to spend some time discussing the products that left me underwhelmed. The products I’m sharing today are not bad products, but they simply didn’t work for me. In fact, I have a couple cult favorites to share that disappointed me! Without further ado, let me share the beauty products that didn’t make the cut for me these past few months.

MAKEUP

L’oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara [LINK]

My biggest shock in this post is L’Oreal’s Miss Manga mascara. L’oreal is one of my all-time favorite mascara brands. My holy grail is the Voluminous Million Lashes, and I also love the Butterfly mascara. I heard good things about Miss Manga from other beauty bloggers, so I figured I would love it. Unfortunately, this mascara didn’t work for me at all! My lashes turned into one big clump, always resulting in me trying to solve a makeup disaster. I used this mascara for about two weeks before giving up on it.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara [LINK]

This next mascara is one that doesn’t work for me personally, but I know a lot of you will enjoy. Rimmel Scandaleyes Xtreme reminds me a lot of Benefit They’re Real mascara. It is thick and very black, and gives a dramatic look to the lashes. I prefer to use dry mascara formulas because heavier ones weigh down my lashes and tend to clump them. Thus, this mascara isn’t my cup of tea, but I know it’s a great product for others.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer [LINK]

I tried the cult favorite Instant Age Rewind Concealer from Maybelline and can’t believe how disappointed I am! This concealer only made the lines under my eyes look more pronounced. I tried it with primer and without primer, before foundation and after foundation, and nothing seemed to work. After going through about a quarter of the bottle, I gave up. This concealer is just not for me!

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse BB Cream [LINK]

The last product in my makeup category is this BB Cream from Dr. Jart+. I’ve tried other BB creams from this brand in the past and really enjoyed the, but the Water Fuse did nothing for me! I felt like I had to apply a ton of this product to get any payoff whatsoever. Plus, this cream leaves the skin looking really dewy, which is a no-no for people like me with oily skin. After one use I said goodbye to this product! It’s a sample, so I don’t feel too bad about it.

SKINCARE

DDF Amplifying Elixir [LINK]

Another surprise for me was this serum from the brand DDF. I used an acne treatment from DDF in the past and really enjoyed it, so I thought this serum would work well, too. However, about thirty minutes after I applied the serum, my skin felt like it was burning. Sure enough when I looked in the mirror my cheeks were turning a bright red color. Needless to say I immediately washed my face and stopped using this product.

HAIR CARE

Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder [LINK]

Last but not least is a hair care product from high end brand Bumble and Bumble. This is supposed to work as both a dry shampoo and volumizer, but unfortunately it was a loss for me. I used it as directed, but the powder would not blend into my roots no matter what I tried. I even used the powder in my hands and then applied it to my hair and that didn’t work either. Putting the blending issue aside, I didn’t think this was very effective as a dry shampoo anyway. I might recommend it for blondes, but definitely not brunettes!

That wraps up this disappointing beauty products post! I hope you found it helpful if you and I have similar skin types and beauty preferences. The products in this post were all disappointing because I’ve tried other products from these brands and really enjoyed them, but that’s just how life works! Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these products and what you think of them. You can also share your disappointing products with me!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Simple Glam Makeup Look featuring Rimmel London | All Drugstore Products

Posted on February 19, 2016February 11, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a makeup look to share with you featuring products from the drugstore brand Rimmel London. I was recently sent a package from Rimmel filled with products to create a glam makeup look. I couldn’t wait to test out all of the goodies and share them with you! In this post I’ll first be sharing each product individually and my first impressions of the product. Then I’ll share my completed makeup look at the end! Let’s go ahead and get started with this simple glam makeup look using all drugstore products!

THE PRODUCTS

Lasting Finishing Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation – $7.99

I was really intrigued with this foundation. It claims to be a long-wearing, 25-hour formula, and it also is formulated to be full coverage. I received the shade Classic Ivory, which is a bit too dark for me right now. The formula is definitely a medium coverage, and I recommend it for those with combination or oily skin, because it does stick to dry patches. That being said, it dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish. I love the feel of it on the skin, and it wears nicely throughout the day. I think this is a good pick for a drugstore foundation!

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer Natural Bronzer – $5.99

I was a bit hesitant to try out this bronzer, but if you’re going for a glam look you might as well go all out! I’m really impressed with this bronzer. It applies so smoothly and blends out beautifully. It truly is a natural bronzer, and I highly recommend it for bronzer newbies like me. I received the shade Sun Bronze, which worked well with my fair complexion. I’m excited to continue using this product!

Rimmel Scandaleyes in Bulletproof Beige Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige – $4.59

I went for this shimmery gold eyeshadow stick for my entire eye look. I applied this cream shadow over the lid and into the crease. It’s a beautiful color, and because it’s shimmery it can stand on its own. I like that this is a no fuss product! Plus, because I was wearing a bold lip, I knew I could go lighter on the eyes.

Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara – $6.99

I’ve had mixed luck with Rimmel mascaras in the past, but I have to say I am really impressed with this one! The brush has the rubbery texture that I like, and it definitely gives me both volume and length. The formula is a bit on the wet side, but I’m sure once it dries out a bit I will love it even more. I got the shade Black, and I highly recommend this one!

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick Moisture Renew Lipstick – $7.99

Last but not least is the Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert. While this shade is outside of my comfort zone, I am loving the formula! It definitely feels very moisturizing on the lips, and it applies very smoothly. I often feel weird when wearing lipstick, but I found this one very comfortable to wear. The red color is a bit staining, but I used a makeup remover wipe and that worked well. I will be checking out the other shades in this line for sure!

THE MAKEUP LOOK

Here is my final look! I used all drugstore products in this look, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I would wear this for a special occasion or a night out, or I would wear a lighter lip color for a day look. All of the products I used will be listed for your convenience.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation in Classic Ivory http://amzn.to/23ZBxvN
Rimmel London Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze http://amzn.to/1V6Q7LO
NYC New York Color Blush in Riverside Rose http://amzn.to/23ZCnbY
L’Oreal True Match Lumi in Rose http://amzn.to/23ZBNL9
Maybelline BROWdrama Pro Palette in Blonde http://amzn.to/1Q9Z4jc
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige http://amzn.to/1V6QVQZ
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara in Black http://amzn.to/1Kei2cq
Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent http://amzn.to/1V6Rieg
Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert http://amzn.to/23ZD6d8

All in all, I’m so glad I received these products from Rimmel to test out for all of you. I’m quite impressed with the great quality, especially with the mascara and lipstick. Rimmel is often on sale at the drugstore, and coupons can sometimes be found in the Sunday newspaper. I highly recommend trying out these products! Also, please let me know if you’ll be recreating this simple glam look!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

New Covergirl Product Reviews | Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Lip Balm + Plumpify blast PRO Mascara

Posted on January 22, 2016January 15, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am super excited to be sharing full reviews of two new products from the brand Covergirl. I received these products from Influenster, and I am really glad I did. I am a huge Covergirl fan, and I love that the brand’s products are fabulous and affordable. The two products I received are the Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Lip Balm and the Plumpify blast PRO Mascara. I have full reviews and swatches of each of these products for you, so let’s jump right into the post!

New Covergirl Product Reviews | Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Lip Balm + Plumpify blast PRO Mascara

Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Lip Balm

First up is the Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Lip Balm in the shade Soda. I am so impressed with this lip balm! It reminds me of the high end Fresh Sugar lip balms – it even has the same smell! I got the shade Soda, which is a berry mauve shade. I’m very impressed with how pigmented this lip balm is, and it feels really nice on the lips!

Here are swatches both on my arm and on the lips. Soda is a bit darker than I would normally wear, so I’m hoping there are other shades in this line. The formula is just amazing! I highly recommend this for sure.

Plumpify blast PRO Mascara

Covergirl Plumpify blast PRO Mascara in Very Black Covergirl mascara is always hit or miss for me, so I was a little nervous to try this one. I received the shade Very Black, which is what I wear regularly. The Plumpify blast PRO is designed to give extreme plump and life with a 50x volume claim. I like that there is an actual before and after photograph right on the box!

Here is a look at the packaging, which is a sleek black and red color. I am in love with the red applicator! It is my favorite type of brush, and has a unique swirly form. The brush also has a rounded tip similar to Benefit’s They’re Real! This tip helps to push apart stubborn lashes, and works wonders on bottom lashes.

Covergirl Plumpify blast PRO Mascara in Very Black The formula for me is a bit on the heavy side. This is definitely a wet mascara, and I much prefer dry formulas. Nonetheless, I do get great volume with the Plumpify. My lashes did clump a bit because of the heavy formula, but I am liking the look. I also love that this mascara is hypoallergenic and removes with soap and water. Any time a mascara comes off with a makeup remover wipe I know it’s a good one!

All in all, I am very much loving these new products from Covergirl! They are both amazing quality, and I recommend them. If you prefer a dry mascara, Plumpify might not be for you, so take that into consideration. Otherwise, I know I’ll be using both of these products on a regular basis! Keep an eye at your local drugstore, or shop online using the widget provided. Definitely let me know in the comments if you’ll be purchasing these!

When you shop using this widget I earn a small commission. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Rimmel London Wonder’Lash | Lift Me Up Mascara Review

Posted on September 25, 2015September 16, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to review a brand new mascara from the Rimmel London Wonder’Lash line. The Lift Me Up Mascara has a unique formula with vitamins and cucumber, and is designed to provide lift and volume to the lashes for an eye-awakening look. It comes in a bright green tube with a twisted design, which is sure to stand out in your makeup collection. The Lift Me Up comes in two shades – Black and Extreme Black. Let me share my thoughts on Extreme Black with all of you!

THE FORMULA

First things first, let’s talk about the formula. The Lift Me Up has a wet formula, much like the Covergirl Lashblast Volume and the Benefit They’re Real. I personally prefer dry mascara formulas, because wet formulas weigh my lashes down. That being said, I do find that the Lift Me Up does a great job at separating the lashes, and really pulling them up to give the lashes a fuller look. While I do wish the formula was lighter, if you like wet formulas you will really like this one. Keep in mind that the mascara does have a cucumber scent to it. While I can’t smell it once it is on my eyes, and I haven’t experienced any irritation, the scent is strong during application. Finally, the formula is great in terms of staying power. The mascara does not flake, and only comes off with eye makeup remover. The Lift Me Up is definitely long-wearing!

PRECISION BRUSH

The Lift Me Up also comes with what Rimmel is calling a Precision Brush. The brush is quite thick, and I have a lot of trouble with it. For some reason I end up with mascara all over my eyelids despite a careful application. I can’t even feel the brush hitting my eyelids, but I always have to clean up with cotton swabs afterwards to remove the mess. That being said, I usually like to stick with rubber applicators, as these brushes don’t work well for me. If you like mascaras with this type of applicator, I think you’ll have better luck.

All in all, I think the new Rimmel Lift Me Up mascara is good, but much better suited for someone else. I will not be repurchasing this mascara simply because it doesn’t work well for me, but I do think the wet formula and full brush will suit many of you well. The mascara retails for $8.99, but keep an eye out for sales at your local drugstore or department store. I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this mascara, so please let me know what you think of the Lift Me Up in the comments if you’ve tried it already!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Affordable Eye Makeup Starter Kit | Measurable Difference Desert Nights Eyeshadow Giveaway!

Posted on September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you how to put together an eye makeup starter kit that is fabulous and affordable! This kit is great if you are just starting to wear makeup, but can also be a gift for the makeup lover in your life. Everything featured in this post is under $10 each, so you can be sure to find some awesome products without breaking the bank. Make sure to stay tuned until the end of this post to find out how you can win a Measurable Difference Desert Nights Eyeshadow palette!

BASE / CREAM EYESHADOW

Maybelline Color Tattoo [BUY]

I like to start off any eyeshadow look with an eye base using a cream eyeshadow. The Maybelline Color Tattoo products are excellent quality, and can be purchased on Amazon for just $4.99! I recommend the shade Barely Branded, which is a light tan shade with just a hint of shimmer. You can wear it alone or layer under other eyeshadows. Plus, it’s easy to apply with your fingers!

EYESHADOWMeasurable Difference Eyeshadow Palette – Desert Nights [BUY]

I always recommend a neutral eyeshadow palette for beginners. Neutrals are easy to wear during the day and at night, and look good on anyone! The Desert Nights palette from Measurable Difference contains five different shades from light to dark that can create a variety of eye looks. This palette retails for only $6.99 as well, so you can try a good amount of shades for an affordable price tag!

EYELINER

Covergirl Intensify Me! Eyeliner Covergirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner [BUY]

If you have trouble applying eyeliner, I strongly recommend the new Covergirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner. The tip of the liner is sturdy, and has both a flat side and a skinny side so you can get a really precise line. I love that the liner on this product is a really dark black, and I never experience skipping during application. There is no reason to fear liquid liner with this product!

MASCARA

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes [BUY]

Last but not least, my favorite eye product is mascara. The L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes is one of my all-time favorite mascaras, and I recently repurchased it for the first time in a couple years. It gives a really full look to the lashes, and truly lives up to the voluminous name. I highly recommend it!

GIVEAWAY

Chrislie.com is giving away the Measurable Difference Desert Nights Eyeshadow Palette! I am sharing this giveaway with all of you, but please know the giveaway is being run by the brand. All information can be found in the giveaway widget. Good luck!

I hope you found this post helpful whether you are a makeup newbie or are simply looking for some new products to try. Be sure to let me know your favorite eye makeup products in the comments!

The giveaway in this post is being hosted by Chrislie. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

5 Easy Steps to Clump Free Lashes | What You Need & Techniques

Posted on August 14, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! I’ve been a mascara junkie for several years now, even before I really dove into the world of beauty. Mascara can really add a lot to your face – it draws people to look at your eyes just by adding a bit of definition. But mascara has one big downfall that we all experience from time to time, and that is clumping! No one likes clumpy lashes, and it can be really frustrating when you are rushing to get ready in the morning and your lashes decide to clump together. Today I’m going to share five easy steps to clump free lashes with all of you so you can avoid the dreaded clump. These steps can be used together or separately to maximize your clump free success rate!

1. Remove Leftover Mascara

First things first, make sure your lashes are clean before you attempt to layer on new mascara. This might sound silly, but mascara likes to stick with you even after removing makeup, washing your face, and taking a shower. We’ve all experienced the not-so-chic raccoon eye look after getting out of the shower! Leftover mascara can definitely contribute to clumpy lashes, so use an eye-makeup remover before doing your makeup to get rid of any residue. The Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover is an affordable remover that can be found at your local drugstore or on Amazon HERE. When you start with a clean base, you’re setting yourself up for clump free success!

2. Use an Eyelash Curler

I was never a fan of eyelash curlers because I have naturally curly lashes and thought a curler was an unnecessary tool for me. However, I got this pink eyelash curler to review from the brand Crave Naturals and fell in love with it. Not only does an eyelash curler curl your lashes, but it separates them. Your lashes will have a much more difficult time clumping together when they are separated. Don’t be afraid to break out a curler! It’s really not as scary as it looks! You can purchase my favorite curler online HERE and read my full review HERE.

3. Use a Lash Comb

A quick fix to a clumpy mascara application is a lash comb. This little tool comes in most brush kits, and I often set it aside without ever using it. One day I was desperate – I had messed up my mascara big time and didn’t want to redo my entire face of makeup. I grabbed this tool and lightly brushed it through my lashes, and it worked! The comb gently separated my lashes without ruining my makeup, and quickly become a go to for me. I use this one from ecoTools that can be purchased at Target or on Amazon HERE.

4. Test, Test, Test!

This next tip is one of the most important, and it is all about finding the right mascara for you. I call it “Test, Test, Test!” because that it what you have to do. All of us have different eyelashes, and some mascaras will clump them up, while others will work perfectly. You need to find the perfect formula and perfect applicator for your lashes, and that’s where the testing comes in. Here at Adventures in Polishland I’m all about the fabulous and affordable. If you are having trouble finding the right mascara for you, I suggest going to the drugstore and buying whatever mascara is on sale that week and testing it out. Keep trying inexpensive mascaras until you find one that works for you. Everyone has different lashes, but here are my favorite drugstore mascaras: CoverGirl Super Sizer (pictured above), CoverGirl Clump Crusher, and L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes.

5. Get a New Mascara

My last tip is very straightforward – if your lashes are clumping up it might be time to get a new mascara. Mascara should only be used for about three months before tossing it and getting a new one (another reason to buy affordable mascaras at the drugstore!). I know I am guilty of using mascara WAY past its expiration date, but when my mascara gets clumpy I know for sure it’s been too long. If your beloved mascara has suddenly dried up, it’s time to restock!

That brings us to the end of this post! I hope you found these tips helpful. I would love to know what else you do to ensure your lashes remain clump free. Let me know your tips in the comments, and please share your all-time favorite mascara as well. I would love to test it out!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.