MakeupBug.com

Lately I’ve been hearing rumblings that Maybelline is discontinuing their amazing Dream Mousse Concealer. So I did a little research and found that it’s no longer listed on their US website and I read a response from Maybelline on makeupalley.com saying that they are regrettably discontinuing it.  However, it is still on the Canadian and UK websites, so I don’t know if stores are going to continue carrying it here, or if these websites are not as up-to-date as the US one.  I know this is a favorite concealer for a lot of people (including my sister!), so stock up now while you still have a chance!

Interestingly, Maybelline is not discontinuing their other Dream Mousse products: Dream Smooth Mousse foundation, Dream Liquid Mousse foundation, Dream Matte Mousse foundation, as well as the Dream Mousse blushes.  These are all safe for now!

Okay, I know this review a little behind the times (I just never got around to buying this mascara til now), but here it is anyway!

Promise: “Elastic formula stretches lashes up to 70% visibly longer in just one step,” “exclusive Grip & Extend brush grasps each lash to separate and lengthen from every angle,” “pro-vitamin B5 and silk protein strengthen and condition for hi-gloss black-patent shine.”

Availability: Drugstore product! Readily available.

Packaging: Super sleek and sexy shiny black tube with a red tip.  It looks like a stiletto heel of course!

Formula: Don’t expect any volume from this mascara!! I know Maybelline doesn’t promise volume with this one, but I thought there would be something… anything to boost my tiny lashes, but there wasn’t.  And for me, it didn’t really lengthen very well either. I had to pile on layers of product to get any length at all, and when I did, I got those weird wonky ends (you know the ones – where the tips of your lashes curve at weird angles).  But worst of all, and the reason I’m telling you not to buy this mascara, is the flaking!! Every time I wear Lash Stiletto I know it will only be a few hours before my cheeks are peppered with mascara flakes… Haha I’m not impressed.

Wand: I don’t like the wand either! There are a ton of bristles and they’re very thin, which is great for separating, but not adding volume or length.  The bristles are also very prickly, making the mascara application not so fun.

Price: Around $10 (Canadian).

Because I can’t fault Maybelline for not giving me volume (I’m am going to try Lash Stiletto Voluminous, don’t worry), I can’t take away stars for that. However, I can take them away for not giving me any noticeable length, for giving me wonky lashes, and for the freaking flakes!! 1/5 stars – I wanted to like it, but I don’t… at all.

Above: Elf Sugar Kiss Lashes in bling, Elf Dramatic Lash Kit, Elf Natural Lash Kit, Jane. Be Pure Mineral Gel Liner in wine, VS Beauty Rush Wet/Dry Shadows in bronzinger, gold rush, and plum crazy, Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in sunlit bronze, Elf Sugar Kiss Glitter Liners in shooting star, Elf Elements Compacts, Coastal Scents Mica Powders in goldstone, sunstone, metallic sapphire pearl, and mauve quartz.

From top left – Elf Elements Eyeshadows in ivory, mocha, dusk, sage.

From top left – Elf Elements Eyeshadows in ivory, golden glow, moondust, mocha.

This collective haul will be divided into four parts and will go over what I picked up recently or received as gifts. I want everyone to keep in mind that all of this wasn’t bought at one time… for instance, all the elf products were purchased way before the holidays, and some of these products were bought with gift certificates. So, keeping that in mind, here’s the first of four posts! I will be reviewing certain items that really stand out to me, whether they be good or bad.

Pictured above:  Elf elements compact, Elf Studio Line Powder Brush, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 005 silky beige, Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in sand, Elf Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in luminance, Coastal Scents Undercover High Definition Foundation in ST-02

Elf Elements face compact (clockwise from top left): flushed, glow, coy, bronzed

These are just a few products I find myself using every day or just loving at the moment!

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in “Blue Me Away!”: I’m wearing this on my nails right now and it’s the ultimate look-at-me shade! So bright and gorgeous!  It goes on great and dries to a glossy finish.

Kiss My Face Peaches and Creme Moisturizer: This is my nighttime moisturizer. I apply it after washing my face before bed.  It’s really moisturizing and thick but it absorbs into my skin really quickly.  Also, it smells amazing!!  Just like the Kiss My Face line should.  It doesn’t quite smell like peaches and creme though, it’s more like peach ring candy!

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in “Chai Latte”: I find myself reaching for this quad a lot since I purchased it.  It’s very soft and blendable, and surprisingly pigmented for a drugstore shadow.  I especially love the highlight and lid colors.

Softlips Strawberry Sherbet Lip Balm: Softlips lip balm has always been a favorite product of mine.  I usually use this right before bed to keep my lips moisturized all night.  It’s very light and makes your lips incredibly soft.  The strawberry scent is lovely too.

N.Y.C. 5-Way Concealer Palette: I use the salmon-colored concealer every day to hide my under eye circles.  The only downside to this palette is that it’s a little dry, unless you apply it with your fingers.  This actually makes application a lot quicker and that’s how I use it.

N.Y.C. Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in “Rose Glow”: I have a really fair complexion and this blush is the perfect everyday shade for me.  The colors blend together to make a light peachy pink shimmery blush.  It’s perfect for creating a natural healthy glow.

Clockwise from left: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream, Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quad in Chai Latte, Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Trio in Impeccable Greys, N.Y.C. 5-Way Concealer, N.Y.C. Liquid  Eyeliner in Jet Black.

Initial thoughts: Okay, I haven’t tried the eye cream or the concealer yet, but the concealer seems really creamy. I’ve had the other products for a little longer though, and I have to say I love them! The N.Y.C. Liquid Eyeliner is one of, no, it is the best liquid eyeliner I’ve ever used! The tiny, skinny brush makes application super easy.  But I’ll write a whole post on that product in the future.  The Maybelline Eye Shadows are surprisingly pigmented and silky smooth, and they were on a BOGO sale so how could I refuse? More in-depth reviews coming soon!

Just a quick review of Maybelline Define-a-Lash Volume mascara!~

Packaging: The packaging is so pretty!!  As you can see above, it’s a bright pink shiny tube with white letters.  Very eye catching.

Formula: Kinda terrible.  For a volumizing mascara, this product does not deliver any sort of volume.  When I did happen to build up enough coats to do so, my curled lashes started to droop.  In fact, the mascara at the ends of my lashes (the bits that extend the length) started to point downwards, so I had weird claw lashes!

Also, mascara gets clumpy after a few coats, I often found myself reaching for my lash comb while testing Define-a-Lash.

What this mascara is useful for is separating and coating each lash (as long as you don’t use more than one coat), so coupled with the very small brush, it’s perfect for the lower lashes, which is all I use it for.

Wand: Terrible.  In my opinion, this is one of the worst mascara wands out there.  It’s so flimsy (see below), that when I would try to separate clumped-together lashes it would bend the brush!  You have absolutely no control with this wand, it’s terrible.

Price & Availability: Maybelline is of course a drugstore brand and so it’s widely available.  This mascara is affordable too, at just under the $10 mark.

Overall, I give Define-a-Lash Volume 2/5  stars… its one of the worst mascaras I’ve tried.