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Time to Try a Tinted Mascara?

bellasugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:00:16 -0800

Wearing brightly colored mascara is usually a lot of look, but it doesn't have to be. The newest varieties have just a hint of tint, adding depth and dimension without overpowering your lashes with color. They work by adding colored pigments to a dark base, which can play up your eye color without making you look like an extra in The Warriors.

Interested in adding a little color? To find out which mascara is right for your eyes,

Are You Buying These Vibrating Mascaras?

bellasugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:00:16 -0700

There's a considerable amount of buzz about two mascaras: Ôscillation from Lancôme ($34) and TurboLash ($30) from Estée Lauder. The dueling products both promise to add volume, length and curl to lashes through their vibrating wands. TurboLash sold out immediately upon its July debut, and Ôscillation had 21,000 names on a waiting list before launching this week. Of the two, I've tried only TurboLash. It's a good mascara that delivers natural-looking, long and separate lashes. But it's not as though manually wiggling mascara through my eyelashes is a huge burden, so I doubt I'll replace regular mascaras with vibrating ones permanently. What about you — have you tried these? Are you interested?

Are You Buying These Vibrating Mascaras?

Yep. I think they're cool. We live in the FUTURE.

Maybe. I'm curious, but I need to try them first.

Nope. This is too gimmicky for my tastes.

Josie Maran Gets Weepy Over Mascara

bellasugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:00:33 -0700

The lovely, beautiful Josie Maran is making big waves with her line of eco-friendly cosmetics. (Read my review here.) Now that you can find it at Sephora, I highly recommend checking it out — particularly the lipsticks, which glide on like buttah. As for the mascara, which I haven't tried, the lasses behind EcoStiletto came up with a clever way to test it: Chopping onions with Josie to see if the mascara runs. See what happens:

Doing Drugstore: L'Oréal Double Extend Lash Extension Effect Mascara

bellasugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:00:52 -0700

If you haven't tried tube mascaras yet, you'll be glad to know that drugstore versions are rolling out. One of the first is L'Oréal Double Extend Lash Extension Effect Mascara ($9.79), a two-step mascara with "beauty tube technology."

Tube mascaras are great for making lashes look longer, and because the formulas come off with warm water, they're much easier to remove. I'm a fan of Mirenesse Secret Weapon, but will L'Oréal's version perform as well? For the verdict (with pictures),

Purple Reign: BADgal Plum Makes Colored Mascara Subtle

bellasugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:00:53 -0700

If you're old enough to remember the first round of colored mascaras, you may not want to revisit the trend. But hear me out. While Benefit's BADgal Blue mascara is a shock of brightly hued blue, its new fraternal-twin mascara, BADgal Plum, is so subtle that you won't be mistaken for a member of the Thompson Twins.

True to its name, the color is a warm shade of deep plum that's closer to a dark brown than black. If anything, it's almost too natural in indoor light; while my lashes looked significantly fuller and thicker, it was hard to see the color. But while taking a little lunch-break walk with Sabs from OnSugar yesterday, she stopped me and said, "Are you wearing colored mascara? I love it!" Turns out that in the light, it adds just the right amount of color without being garish, and it highlights the green in my eyes. But if you want to give it a try, keep it off the lower lashes; I made the mistake of using it there, and it only made me look tired and, well, a little stoned. To sum up: Nice enough indoors, wowza outdoors, and best left to top lashes unless you want to look like the conductor of the Pineapple Express.

The Results Are in on Great Lash

bellasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:00:10 -0700

Out of curiosity, I asked you to share your opinions of Maybelline Great Lash mascara. It's never been my favorite, but it's a perennial best-seller. Over in the land of Product Reviews, opinion is split directly down the middle, earning this mascara an average rating. I loved reading everybody's opinions, but these three reviews really stood out:

The Italian Jem: "I find Maybelline Great Lash Royal Blue to be a very fun color, and cheaper than any other blue mascara. ... Putting the blue Great Lash over a single coat of a well-loved black mascara can help the lashes look fuller."
Coachluvr33: "I don't see it. I don't get it. What is the fuss surrounding this cult classic mascara? It produced clumpy, dense, spider-like creations on my eyelids that were hardly attractive and a real pain to get rid of."
Fab_domini: "I love this mascara. It might not live up to all the hype because it doesn't do anything out of this world, but its enough for a natural look."

Thanks to everyone who shared opinions! Thanks, too, to these three readers — check your inboxes for a Sugar gift! If you'd like to check out our preview of product reviews, have a little poke around the place.

What's the Deal With Great Lash Mascara?

bellasugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:00:36 -0700

So, Maybelline Great Lash mascara. We always read about how it's so top-notch and how makeup artists can't live without it and how it's the be-all and end-all of mascaras. But honestly, I don't know what the fuss is about. Every time I try it, my eyelashes rival those of the late and great Tammy Faye Messner — not my favorite look.

But that's just me. Perhaps you've had a different experience? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so head to Product Reviews to share your opinion and I'll feature some of the best ones here early next week. And don't forget: every day you share a product review, you're entered to win a prize. Can't wait to see what y'all have to say. Something tells me we're in for some surprisingly strong opinions on mascara.

Reader Review: ImmaDiva Raves About Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:42 -0700

It's always great to hear from readers, and when ImmaDiva sent me a message touting the benefits of Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara ($6.99), I had to share it:

Recently I tried Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara and I can't believe the results I got! It's hands down the best mascara I've ever used. I've tried a few from MAC and dozens of others, even Lash Blast. It volumizes at the base and lifts and curls. It doesn't clump either, I get perfect lashes each time and I was so amazed, I had to share. Can I email you the before-and-after pics?

Before-and-after pictures? I live for this sort of thing! To see the mascara in action,

Do You Keep Your Mouth Open When Applying Mascara?

bellasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:00:51 -0700

While applying mascara this morning, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. It's something I've been doing for years, and I know I'm not alone; my mouth opens wide the minute the wand touches my lashes, and my face seems to contort with every stroke.I've done a little research into this phenomenon. Perhaps it's a way to keep from blinking or relaxes the eye muscles for easier application. Whatever the case may be, tell me how you do it.Source

Do You Keep Your Mouth Open When Applying Mascara?

Yes

Other — I'll tell you in the comment section.

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes: Can This $27 Mascara Deliver?

bellasugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:00:30 -0700

Seems it's the Summer of unusual mascaras. Lancôme and Estée Lauder are both launching vibrating versions — more on those soon — and Givenchy is also trying something new with its Phenomen'Eyes Mascara ($27).

The big difference with this mascara is its wand. Instead of a traditional brush or comb applicator, it has a small sphere with tiny bristles sticking out in every direction. The design is meant to allow more precise application, helping you wiggle the mascara from the base of each lash to its tip. I've tried it and I have a lot of things to say, so for the full review — plus a before-and-after photo —

New Product Alert: Fresh Firebird Mascara

bellasugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:00:25 -0700

Last week Fresh introduced their second mascara to the world called Firebird ($26). This new lengthening mascara was inspired by a famous Russian fairy tale called The Firebird. The story is about a majestic bird with full, feathery magical wings that caused many deaths to the men who tried to seize it.

Firebird mascara won't kill you; it'll just make your lashes look lush. It has an extra-long brush that helps curl, elongate and add volume. Available only in black, it's formulated with seabuckthorn berry oil, red algae, and panthenol. The result is soft, bohemian, wing-like lashes as opposed to glamorous, thick and shiny lashes that you can get from their original SuperNova Mascara.

What I like best is that all you need is one stroke for great results. I can spend upwards of one minute on each eye applying my mascara, but this brush is so lush that it manages to hit just about every lash. (OK, fine, you many need one more stroke here and there to hit those stubborn little hairs closest to your eyes). Also, so far in my experience it doesn't clump or flake. Now that's magical!

Doing Drugstore: Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

bellasugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:00:48 -0700

After falling in love with Cover Girl Lash Blast, I was hoping for a renaissance in drugstore mascaras. Enter Maybelline The Colossal ($7.49), whose metallic yellow tube and purple lettering is about as subtle as the nuanced wit of Pauly Shore.

The Colossal seems to be Maybelline's answer to DiorShow mascara, promising to lend nine times the volume to your lashes. I'm not sure how one would measure that (tiny calipers?), but the wand is definitely fatter and bigger than most — so at least we know one thing is more voluminous. Maybelline also touts its formula, which contains collagen. But don't get too excited: It's the fourth-to-last ingredient, and since your body can't absorb collagen topically, it's really more for show.

As for the mascara itself, one coat definitely made my lashes stand out more. I wish the brush separated and defined them better, and I wasn't thrilled about the flakes that settled underneath my eyes after a few hours. With a lash curler, this mascara is quite good; without, it's only a little better than average. That's not a bad thing at all, but don't expect jaw-dropping results from this one.

A Sugar Intern Takes Spinlash For a, Uh, Spin

bellasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:00:29 -0700

Is Spinlash a clever gadget for making the most of your mascara? Or is the rotating mascara brush just a gimmick? I don't go for this sort of thing (is it really that hard to apply mascara by hand?) so I recruited Anna, one of our Sugar interns, to give it a whirl. Check out the video to see how it works, and whether she recommends it.

Get Flash to see this player.

Trend Alert: Vibrating Mascara

bellasugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Purses everywhere will soon be abuzz with vibrating mascaras — or so two beauty companies hope. WWD reported on a new Estée Lauder lash-builder this morning. Shortly thereafter, Lancôme announced the upcoming launch of its competing product. I guess the race is on to introduce the first genre of vibrating mascaras to the masses. So far, it's Estée Lauder 1, Lancôme 0. I'll score round two as soon as I can take them out for a spin.

In July, Estée Lauder will launch TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara ($30) exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue. The vibration of this battery-operated brush promises to separate lashes to avoid clumping.

Lancôme's version, Ôscillation, is due out in stores this Fall. The brush vibrates 7,000 times per minute, claiming to provide 360-degree coverage around each lash. It was created by Jean-Louis Guéret, who has developed almost 400 (!) mascaras in his lifetime. Lancôme is still working out an exact launch date and a price, so we'll all have to wait with bated breath before we buzz.

Are you excited or a little bit scared to test out these new vibrating mascaras?

BellaSugar's Top Five Mascara Picks

bellasugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:00:18 -0700

Over the past year, I've talked in great detail about many different types of volumizing, lengthening, curling, separating, and glossing mascaras. There's even a new one from Besame that smells just like gingerbread. I've tried them all, and while most of them are great at the beginning, I find that they generally don't live up to the hype about remaining clump and flake-free for more than a month.

That's why I'm partial to these five mascaras. I know that I can always turn to them to separate, define, and darken my lashes and make them look flirty and fluttery in the most natural-yet-enhanced possible way. What's your tried and true mascara?

Lancome Courbe Virtuose ($23) helps gives lashes that extra curl they need to look longer and sexier. The brush is amazing, it never clumps, and the color isn't too light nor too dark.
Lash Blast by Cover Girl ($6.99) is awesome. It's inexpensive and it effectively gives you a sexy, false-lash look.
The Balm Two-Timer ($19) is great because you can use the fine brush for a natural daytime look and the thick brush for a dramatic, curled, and elongated evening look.
Mirenesse Secret Weapon ($27, but deals abound) separates and lengthens lashes like crazy. It doesn't look too over-the-top, and although it stays all day, it comes off with just a bit of warm water.
Beauty Addicts Lash Galore ($22) is silky, rich, conditioning, and volumizing. It creates full, separated, long lashes with a touch of glamorous shine.

A Quick Tip About Eyelash Curlers

bellasugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:00:02 -0700

Over the weekend, a reader e-mailed me because she's been losing her eyelashes. She used to have thick, full lashes, but more recently, they'd been falling out. After she explained her beauty routine, I immediately knew what was up. She was using an eyelash curler, but the way she used it was the culprit: She curled her lashes both before and after using mascara.

One of the easiest ways to make your eyes look bigger is to use an eyelash curler, but it's essential to curl your lashes only before applying mascara. (Here's how to use a curler.) If you curl after applying mascara, the curler will stick to the coated lashes. At worst, it breaks the lashes then and there; at best, it will weaken your lashes over time, making them more likely to fall out.

Fortunately, lashes grow back over time, and my reader friend will soon be back to her doe-eyed self. But to avoid lash loss in the first place, curl them only before slicking on your mascara.

What A Pair: Dual-Ended Mascara

bellasugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:00:55 -0700

OK, so the concept of double-sided mascara isn't entirely novel. But after checking out Two-Timer Mascara from The Balm, I thoroughly enjoy having two options in one product to choose from. After a shopping trip, I noticed that more and more of these mascara pairs are being developed and I'm pretty stoked about it. If you share my enthusiasm, you'll love these three dual-sided mascaras too. And of course, if you know of any others — do tell!

Le 2 de Guerlain Mascara ($35) is a mascara that houses two different brushes on either side of the tube. The first brush curls, adds volume and length, while the second (mini-sized) brush gets to those tiny, hard-to-reach lashes on the inner and outer corners of the eye. I haven't tried it yet, but it sure looks supafly.

Elizabeth Arden Two Brush Mascara ($1 is a multi-functional, conditioning mascara that is available only in a deep black shade (however, I hear there are more to come). One side thickens, separates and elongates and the other brush is smaller to ensure that no lash will ever go naked.

For one other double-ended mascara,

Love It or Hate It? Colored Mascara

bellasugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:00:26 -0700

The other day I noticed a girl on the bus wearing neon blue mascara. She was impossibly stylish, but the mascara was so distracting that I couldn't help but feel like it was out of place in her overall look. While I'll try blue mascara on a whim, I'm not one to wear colored mascara very often. What's your take on colored mascara? Fun? Flirty? Too '80s? Source

Love It or Hate It? Colored Mascara

Love it

Hate it

Undecided

Reader Review: LORAC Visual Effects Mascara

bellasugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:00:03 -0700

I don't know about you, but if I'm going to spend $20 on a mascara, it better do a heckuva job. So when LORAC's Visual Effects Mascara ($19.50) claims to "curl, separate, and lengthen," I expect it to do just that. Beauty Product Junkies group member lily8206 really wanted to like this mascara, so let's see how it worked out for her:

"When I tried it at Sephora I used the sample mascara brushes they offer so I didn't get the effect of the special four-sided, contoured brush that is on the LORAC wand. It would be better off with a normal brush because the LORAC 'innovative' brush has some serious problems. The bristles are way too far apart, and therefore way too much product is on the brush — causing eye lashes to clump, big time. Having the bristles on all four sides is a logical idea, but they are oddly long. So I found that on top of it being awkward to use on my top lashes, applying the mascara to my bottom lashes was a serious challenge.

"I bought the midnight blue color, which is a really pretty medium shade of blue. When it is first applied it is a very subtle nice color on the lashes, but it dries quickly into a darker almost black color (losing all hints of blue). If I wanted black mascara I would buy black mascara. I gave it 1.5 stars. Aside from the color issue, I think the actual product could have been promising if the wand had been better designed."

Sounds like this one didn't quite deliver on its promises, and lily8206 will be returning her tube. By now I should be used to my hopes being dashed when it comes to big mascara claims. Sigh. Share your stories in Beauty Product Junkies, and maybe I'll post yours here, too!

Doing Drugstore: Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Lengthening Mascara

bellasugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:00:02 -0700

"No clumps!" the green packaging for the new Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Lengthening Mascara shouted at me. Zero, zip, zilch, nada? That's a tall order as far as I'm concerned. I was skeptical, but intrigued enough by the grandiose claim to drop $7.50 and give it a shot.

The mascara comes in a sleek, futuristic green tube, and the wand is slightly curved. The wand has widely spaced, short bristles (which are supposedly what prevents the clumping) but it looks like something that couldn't possibly deposit a thick coat of color onto my lashes. But looks can be deceiving, and the reality is that it's ergonomically designed for each bristle to snuggle in between each of your lashes, resulting in a thorough and mostly nonclumpy application of color. The thinness of the wand also allowed me to reach the inner-corner lashes without poking myself in the eye.

To see some before and after shots,

Reader Review: Cover Girl Professional All In One Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:00:40 -0700

I've had good luck with the Cover Girl Last Blast mascara, so I was excited to read NadiaPotter's review of Cover Girl Professional All In One Mascara in the group Beauty Product Junkies. The mascara claims to magnify your lashes while still looking natural, and to "find lashes you didn't know you had." I'll turn it over to NadiaPotter for the scoop:

I bought Cover Girl Professional All In One mascara, the mascara that is supposed to give you everything... Well, it doesn't, of course. It promises so much, but it doesn't do the full job.

It didn't give me volume, and I did have a little clumpiness. It does give a "natural effect," like you don't have on a mascara that "magnifies" your lashes at all. If you already have big and curly lashes, maybe it would look good on you. But I don't, so, I won't use this one.

Looks like I'll stick with my Lash Blast. Share your stories in Beauty Product Junkies, and maybe I'll post yours here, too!

Coming Soon: Bésame Cosmetics Gingerbread Mascara

bellasugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:00:44 -0800

Bésame is gearing up to launch a new product next month called Gingerbread 1930s Waterproof Mascara. I can see how the name might lead you to believe that it's auburn-colored, but it's really named after the food. The mascara has been scented with eight natural conditioning oils and food coloring to smell like gingerbread. You know me with scents: I can take it or leave it, especially when it's really sweet, but those of you who like the smell of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg will go wild for this.

When I first heard about the launch, I was curious about how it differs from Sculpture Lash. After consulting with the brand manager, she told me that it conditions lashes resulting in a shiny and polished finish, that it washes off easily and that it's waterproof. Similarly, it is paraben-free and safe for sensitive eyes.

To its credit, I agree about the shine, and it really does wash off easily with soap and water. Another bonus: it didn't clump at all (huge plus). I also love the gold and chrysanthemum packaging. Gingerbread Mascara will be available in black, brown and plum shades. So if you're ready for a scented mascara, you might think it's pretty, uh, sweet.

Product Review: Lancôme High Définicils Mascara

bellasugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:00:22 -0800

Move over Inimitable; here comes High Dèfinicils ($23.50). Back In 1991, Lancôme released its first-ever luxury mascara, called Définicils. Sixteen years later and after much success (more than 25 million tubes sold), it launched Dèfinicils Pro. This year Lancôme has expanded the line again with High Définicils, which joined the family in late January. Having used all three mascaras, I can say they are each wonderful for different reasons.

The original Définicils is a firm, straight brush that does a fantastic job of separating lashes. It's best suited for a polished, daytime look.

Définicils Pro has a curved brush that deposits more color at the base for a fuller, thicker look, and High Définicils has a bendy, rubber applicator to lengthen lashes and even give them a little bit of sheen. When Courbe Virtuose came out, I thought it was the be-all-end-all, but Lancôme is certainly providing steep competition. Are you interested in checking it out?

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

New Product Alert: The Balm Two-Timer Mascara

bellasugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:00:23 -0800

Yay, The Balm has just launched a mascara called Two-Timer ($19). I'm so happy to finally share this with you because I've been harboring this dirty little secret since my interview with CEO Marissa Shipman in May. And lucky for me, during a recent visit to The Balm offices, I was given the chance to test it out. Here's the scoop:

What makes this mascara stand apart from the crowd is that it's actually designed to be used within the three-to-six month life-span of a mascara. And although it has two sides to it, what you're actually getting is the same formula in two mini tubes with two different types wands to create two distinct looks. The coolest part of all is that if you prefer one brush over the other, just flip them and you've got a whole new tube!

The left brush (aka Marcus Lashalot) has a twisted spiral shape with a dip in the center to collect extra product and create voluminous and vixen-like lashes. The right brush (aka Johnny Finetune) is made from a flexible brush with thin bristles to define, separate and lengthen lashes. I like to think of it as Johnny by day and Marcus by night — oh, we girls can be so bad!

2007 Sugar Awards: Best Mascara

bellasugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:00:14 -0800

I must say that I'm pretty surprised about this year's mascara winner considering that Mirenesse Secret Weapon is an Australian brand which isn't easily accessible here in the States. Not only did it win, but it blew all of the other choices out of the water.

In second place was Dior Diorshow Black Out, and Lancôme Courbe Virtuose came in third. You also talked passionately about various Chanel, Lancôme, Blinc, MAC, Clinique, and Fresh brands in your comments, so now I'm pretty torn about what to try next.

Thanks so much for voting and commenting. Please report back with any additional opinions you may have about mascaras below!

Stila Launches New Shadows and More. Much More.

bellasugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 07:00:17 -0800

Stila has some good things cooking for spring, and they're slowly starting to trickle out. I'm eagerly awaiting a preview package so I can test the new items (and of course, I'll share my findings with you). But for now, here's the scoop.

The most exciting news is that Stila is introducing eye shadow duos ($20), placing two shades in one split pan. All of the 28 (!) shades are new, and they're in addition to the existing eye shadows. These shadows have been reformulated: they have micronized powder pigments and pearl to go on more smoothly, and a silicone-based binding system helps them blend better. Six of the 14 duos are available to Sephora Beauty Insiders right now, and the rest of the colors will be out in February.

To find out what else Stila has up its very pretty sleeve,

Doing Drugstore: Max Factor Vivid Impact Mascara

bellasugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:17:33 -0800

I've been on a bit of a mascara kick lately, and the latest one to enthrall me is Max Factor Vivid Impact Mascara ($10.12, but cheaper at drugstores). It's a double-ended mascara with two formulas. The first, a base coat, separates and defines eyelashes. After letting that dry, you follow up with a highlighting top coat, which adds a little color. I tried it in Blushing Blue, which uses a deep blue top coat and a shimmery pink top coat.

Like Cover Girl Lash Blast, Vivid Impact has a nontraditional wand. This one is rubbery, with tiny little spikes to deliver the mascara to lashes. To see how Vivid Impact looks on lashes,

Best of 2007: Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:48:48 -0800

2007 was a banner year for mascara. For a mascara to be successful now, it has to be so much more than just a tint for your lashes. It has to lengthen, curl, moisturize, volumize, thicken, condition and maybe even adhere to your lashes in little tubes! How's that for a high standard? In addition, some mascaras add shine, some are waterproof, and some also include a primer on one end to ensure that it lasts throughout the day. Mascara has become an industry unto its own. Vote below to let me know which mascara from 2007 is your favorite, and if you've missed any past polls, vote now! Source

Bellissima! Jemma Kidd Lasting Tint

bellasugar — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 11:00:58 -0800

Now you can add Jemma Kidd's Semi-Permanent, Waterproof Eye Lash Color ($28.50) to the wide world of makeup stains. But unlike lip and cheek stains, this one is for your eyelashes. What's more, it's waterproof.

The semipermanent dye is lightweight and promises not to smudge, flake, or feather for 24 hours. It goes on like a mascara, and you should let it dry for a few moments before applying a second coat. One thing to be careful of: Don't let any product touch your skin or else it will stain your face — yuck.

To remove, just wet a cotton ball or Q-tip with an oil-based eye makeup remover and wipe along your lashes so that the color gets lifted away at the root. Lasting Tint is available in black only, but if it takes off, who knows what colors could come up?

Doing Drugstore: Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:57:22 -0800

There's been a lot of hype leading up to the launch of Cover Girl Lash Blast—so much so that I've actually had a hard time tracking it down. Finally, Walgreens received a shipment, where I picked up a tube in black for $6.99.

After seeing so many samey-samey mascara wands, it's fun to see the fat orange tube, bent wand and prickled brush of Lash Blast. It's all just a design-geek thing, but still, it helps the product stand out. For my full review, including before-and-after pics,

Product Review: Mirenesse Secret Weapon Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:00:17 -0800

Last week, I got a sample of Mirenesse Secret Weapon mascara in a goodie bag. Mirenesse is an Australian cosmetics line that can be difficult to track down in the States; like Imju Fiberwig, Secret Weapon coats lashes rather than painting them.

Using Secret Weapon is a little different than working with traditional mascaras. You're supposed to apply it from the outer lash to the inner lash, jiggling the wand from root to tip. Although the formula is tear-proof, it can be removed with warm water alone—which makes this a good product for frequent travelers, since you don't have to pack separate eye makeup remover.

For the full review, plus before-and-after pictures, just

Trend Alert: Metallic Eye Lashes

bellasugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 10:00:49 -0800

The holiday season is all about glitz, glitter and glamour. Plus, it's a great time to let loose and play a little bit since your resolutions for any beauty (or behavior) modifications can start next year! These new metallic eye products are more like lash accessories than mascaras, since they are applied on top of your mascara. Have fun and please let me know what you think!

My Magiiic Mascara by Sephora Piiink ($4) is a young spirited, sparkling and stylish accessory for your eyes. One side of the product houses a rich black mascara, while the other has silver glitter with an easy-application mascara-like wand.

For two more metallic eye lash products,

Trend Alert: Tubular Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:00:22 -0700

The new breed of mascaras form tiny little tubes around each lash. They provide serious staying power and are great for when you're looking for a cry-proof product—or if you tend to get raccoon eyes from mascara that flakes and falls.

Big time fan Beaner plans on using one of these mascaras on her wedding day! Her favorite aspects of these mascaras are their lack of clumpiness and their ability to make your lashes look thicker and fuller. Have you ever tried any of the following tubular mascaras?

Blinc Kiss Me Mascara ($25) is a non-irritating, volumizing and lengthening mascara that creates small, water-resistant tubes around your lashes as opposed to just coating them on one side. Oh, and did I mention that Rachel McAdams is a fan, too? To remove the mascara, all you need to do is combine warm water with gentle pressure and the tubes will slide right off your lashes!

For two more tubular mascaras,

Get The Most From Your Makeup: Liquid Eyeliner

bellasugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:01:02 -0700

Jane Richardson, a makeup artist for Nars, gave me a great insider tip about liquid eyeliner. Did you know that it could also double as mascara? Since liquid eyeliner comes in so many more shade options, you can now have endless possibilities for mascara colors too!

When you've finished with your tube of mascara, don't throw out the wand. Thoroughly wash it off with soap and water, dip it into your liquid eyeliner and apply to your lashes! It dries quickly and lasts just as long as mascara. After you're finished, wash the wand off again and store it in a Ziploc baggie.

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Coming Soon: Cover Girl LashBlast Mascara

bellasugar — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:00:16 -0700

It's been a few months since Cover Girl's announcement of Drew Barrymore as its new spokesmodel, and soon we'll see the actress's ads. They'll appear in the November issues of magazines, but here's a sneak peek at her campaign for LashBlast mascara ($7.49). I love the contrast between the orange mascara and the black-and-white photo of Drew.

Even if I didn't already like Drew, I'd be interested in this mascara. WWD reports that LashBlast is Cover Girl's attempt to win the number-two position in mascara sales. (Since Maybelline makes twice as much in mascara sales as its competitors do, that's probably a good plan.) And judging by the description, I definitely want to try this stuff. LashBlast is a volumizing mascara with a larger-than-usual patented brush. Dr. Sarah Vickery, senior scientist for Cover Girl, explains:

"[Brush technology] had been stagnant for four years. Those brushes didn't penetrate the lashes, so why even have bristles? We said we should start with a new brush, a better brush. Most mascaras dump a lot of product at the base and then you try to fix it. We call that a dump-and-fix model. Now there's more of a uniform definition right away.... There's more touch points and even coverage on contact. All of the lashes are volumized in concert. 'Spherical wax' particles act as spacers so they lightly protrude out of the mascara film to help create a beauty fan of lashes."

Available in four colors, LashBlast will be in stores in October. Since I'm always looking for an inexpensive mascara (because pricey versions like DiorShow add up!) I'm curious to see if this brush is all it's cracked up to be.

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New Product Alert: La Bella Donna Dark Earth Mineral Mascara

bellasugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:00:34 -0700

Calling all fair-skinned, environmentally friendly Bella Donnas! The cosmetics company La Bella Donna has just come out with a fabulous new Dark Earth Mineral Mascara ($22).

Not only is it a warmer shade than black (which often is too severe on those with fair skin), but the rich, deep brown color is to die for! It's made from eco-friendly mineral pigments that have been formulated with tubular polymers and Ceramide 2 to volumize, lift, condition, lengthen and curl.

Also, due to the natural brown shade, it can double as a brow enhancer. Simply lay the brush off to the side and stroke outwards to enhance, fill and set your brows. Want to see how this technique looks? Come back in about an hour—I've got a special treat for you!

Bellissima! Clarins Fix' Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:28:43 -0700

Clarins Fix' Mascara ($1 is a sealant top coat for your eyelashes. It's not a regular mascara; instead, it transforms any mascara that you already have into a waterproof mascara. Brilliant!

It is made from ultra-fine waxes and hectorite clay crystals that have been formulated into a transparent gel. The gel then binds to the lashes, making them waterproof and even smudge-proof. You can also use it alone to strengthen, soften and add a fantastically shiny luster to your lashes. Just one coat, and you can cry if you want to!

Feeling Blue? Your Cosmetics Surely Are

bellasugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:50:00 -0700

Yesterday, a friend pointed out her new mascara. She was wearing Benefit Bad Gal Blue, a violet-blue hue that's said to brighten the appearance of eyes. I haven't had much confidence with it—I'm worried that blue mascara will make me look like Whitney Houston circa "How Will I Know?", which is not my prerogative—but the whites of my friend's eyes did look bright. (Then again, they usually do.)

Well, it turns out the blue trend is going over very well: More than 130,000 units of Bad Gal Blue were sold during the first two weeks. If you're interested in hopping on the blue bandwagon, just pull out some Miles Davis (Kind of Blue, natch) and check out my guide to blue lip glosses. (And now, I'm going to go nibble on some blueberries.)

Coming Soon: Prescriptives Here To Stay 24-Hour Longwear Mascara

bellasugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:00:15 -0700

Prescriptives is about to release a new treat called Here To Stay 24-Hour Longwear Mascara ($19.50). The mascara was formulated to last for up to 24 hours without smudging, clumping, fading or flaking!

In addition, the flexible comb/brush was designed with 360 degrees of tapered bristles for extra precise application so that it lifts, defines, curls, conditions and separates your lashes. This baby doesn't mess around! It's also customizable; you can wear it alone and it's waterproof, or you can layer it over another mascara and it's water-resistant.

One coat will give you a natural-looking lash, and two coats create a more dramatic, high-gloss effect. Starting in September you will be able to buy it in black and brown at Prescriptives counters nationwide and online.

Lying L'Oreal? Cosmetics Giant Slapped on the Wrist for Misleading Ads

bellasugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:00:03 -0700

Due to an eagle-eyed couch potato in the UK, L'Oreal is under fire for having misleading ads. A commercial for Telescopic mascara features Penelope Cruz looking long-lashed and lovely. It also promised that women could have "up to 60 percent longer eyelashes" with the mascara.

The problem? As the TV viewer suspected, Cruz was wearing false lashes in the commercial! She complained to the Advertising Standards Authority, which deemed the ads misleading. According to the Daily Mail:

L'Oréal told the ASA its product made the tips of lashes more visible, giving a lengthening effect.

It said: "Penelope Cruz was wearing a few individual false lashes inserted into her natural lashes to fill in the gaps in her natural lashes for a consistent standard of lashes."

Furthermore, the Beeb reports that L'Oreal said it was "common industry practice" to use artificial lashes.

Are you surprised? I'm not. To find out why,

Triple-Threat Mascaras, Part II

bellasugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:00:01 -0700

Welcome back to part two of Triple-Threat Mascaras. In part one we took a closer look at three mascaras that curl, lengthen and volumize. So if you've been on the hunt for a multi-purpose product that can make your lashes long and lush for every occasion, look no further. Here are four more triple-threat mascaras you'll be sure to love.

Givenchy Parad'Eyes Volume, Length and Curl Mascara ($23) is a mascara lover's dream! It curls, lengthens, volumizes (up to three times more volume), and plumps. All this and it's water-resistant, too. Available in black or brown.

For three other triple threat mascaras,

Triple-Threat Mascaras, Part I

bellasugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:18:52 -0700

Welcome to part one of BellaSugar's series on triple-threat mascaras. There are so many different styles of mascaras on the market that sometimes it can be a little bit overwhelming to find the right one! Since I get lots of questions asking me what I think the "best" mascara is, I thought I'd put together a couple of posts that include some of my favorite multi-purpose mascaras. These products curl, volumize and lengthen, so they've got a little something for everyone!

The newest Multi Effect Mascara from Stila ($20) does it all. Seriously? Seriously! The thin brush seems to last quite longer than most before getting clumpy, and it adds volume, length and curl with the whisk of the wand! It is available in black and brown.

For two more triple threat mascaras,

Do You Use Your Mascara Past the Expiration Date?

bellasugar — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 06:32:30 -0700

Did you know that mascara should be replaced every three months? I admit, in the past I've used mine when it's past its prime (but now I'm much better about it). Are you guilty of doing this, too?Source

Do You Use Your Mascara Past the Expiration Date?

No way. I always replace my mascara on time.

Sometimes, if I forget.

Yes, I don't pay attention to use-by dates.

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Sunday Giveaway! Benefit BadGAL Blue Mascara

bellasugar — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Thanks to our very generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of June.

This past week, we've been featuring products exclusively available at Sephora, such as Benefit BadGAL Blue mascara ($19). The blue makes your eyes look brighter and whiter, which makes blue eyes appear more blue; brown eyes more golden; and hazel eyes more lush green. I've been using this mascara for about a month, and it really does make your peepers look fresher!

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Sunday, June 24, and we'll announce the winner on Monday. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

New Product Alert: Lancôme Courbe Virtuose Mascara

bellasugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:08:14 -0700

Lancôme has just released a fantastic new mascara called Courbe Virtuose Divine Lasting Curves Mascara ($23)! In essence, it's like a hairspray or a hair gel, but it's for your eyelashes—pretty sweet!

This is a first for Lancôme. Not only does Courbe Virtuose have a curved brush, but it also features a new formula called CurlGuard, which lengthens lashes and then holds them in their curled position for up to twelve hours. To use, simply apply the patented brush to your lashes and wait for the mascara to dry. Aside from being long-lasting, it's smudge-proof and tear-proof, too.

Something to note is that so far, it has received the highest consumer rating out of all the Lancôme mascaras on the market. Since I am such a Definicils junkie, I am holding this to a really high standard. I can't wait to try it. (And don't you just love how the French can make a simple word like curve sound glamorous?)

Wednesday Giveaway! Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Thanks to our very generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of June. Congratulations to jill_elaine, who won yesterday's giveaway for N.V. Perricone Ceramic Skin Smoother Finishing Serum.

This week, we're featuring products exclusively available at Sephora, such as Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara ($23). If you want intense eyes, look no further—this limited-edition mascara delivers the drama with just one coat. It's infused with black powder to mimic the Dior makeup artists' trick of sprinkling lashes with powder prior to applying mascara. The result: The blackest black lashes you've ever seen. Check out my review on this mascara here.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 20, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

Beauty Marked! Waterproof Makeup

bellasugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:00:00 -0700

Just in time for Summer, I devoted our latest Beauty Mark It challenge to the myriad of waterproof makeup available nowadays. Not just the old-reliable mascara, but also eye shadows like this Lola Cosmetics SocialEyes Gel Eye Colour, plus liners, cheek colors, and foundations that stay put through Summer swims, sweat, and smudges. (To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.)

Gruaig_rua and Mademoiselle totally rocked this challenge, finding everything from waterproof concealer to a lip gloss that's a favorite of models. And as Missmargot pointed out, waterproof makeup requires a good makeup remover.

I've assembled all of the waterprof makeup beauty marks in a handy widget, so you can just use the arrows on the upper right to scroll through the Beauty Marks! If you want to learn more about a product, just click on the link. Nice work, everyone!

Bellissima! Origins Underwear for Lashes

bellasugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:13:26 -0700

I'm a big fan of eye-shadow base, and I'm just getting into this whole foundation primer thing. Now, here's another pre-makeup prepping product that I could see coming in very handy. Origins Underwear for Lashes ($13) is a clear fluid coating that you apply before mascara to get your lashes ready for lift off.

I definitely feel like my lashes need a bit of a boost sometimes before I put on mascara, particularly on those mornings when they seem a little droopy. I can see this stuff helping my mascara pack more of a punch without having to apply extra coats. Underwear for Lashes also sounds like a great option for anyone who's afraid to use an eyelash curler. If you've tried it, let me know what you think. (Thanks to Beauty Snob for the tip.)

Makeup Review: Dior DiorShow Black Out Mascara

bellasugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:23:57 -0700

If you pay attention to the hype, you might think that Dior's DiorShow Mascara can do no wrong. Indeed, the original DiorShow is a pretty amazing mascara. So when the limited-edition Dior DiorShow Black Out Mascara ($23) hit stores, I rushed out to get a tube. The mascara promised to be darker and more dramatic than the original, as well as to curl, lengthen, and add shine and volume to lashes.

Until now, I had never considered the possibility that a mascara could be too dramatic. But honestly, Black Out is too dark for me, so

How Many Coats of Mascara Do You Apply Daily?

bellasugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 05:04:59 -0700

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