Review: Make Up For Ever - Smoky Lash Mascara

 Allow me to introduce to you, my favorite new mascara! Make Up For Ever never disappoints!

I opened my email a month or two ago to find that Sephora was offering a very cool 500 point reward to their VIBs. I recently cashed in 500 points for the Tarte mini kit that I reviewed right here. The products were hit or miss. Actually, the only thing I really couldn't stand was the eyeliner. Anyhoo, I would give serious consideration to purchasing every single item in this MUFE mini kit. The kit included a primer sample, a mini eyeliner, mini gloss, the mascara this review is based upon, and a finishing powder. The products are packaged in a simple but sophisticated clear zipper case with black piping.

This mascara is so sooo great! I'm kind of at loss for words that accurately describe why I love it so much. It does everything a mascara should do and my lashes have never looked better. They look flawless. Soon I'll have pictures to illustrate this point. It lasts, it "performs," it's not uncomfortable, nor does it have an unpleasant smell.

What does MUFE have to say?

"This ultra-pigmented mascara was specially designed to give the lashes an exceptional volume-enhancing effect with infinite lengthening and immediate curling."

First of all; This mascara is blackest black. We're talking, like, black like my soul before I had children! I don't have any issues with the length or thickness of my lashes (though it would never hurt to be longer!) but this mascara really seemed to fill them in and bring them out. I must admit that this may in part be because it's so freaking black. It lifted my lashes nice and high, where they stayed all day with no smudging or flaking. No raccoon eyes!

The formula applies well but it will start to clump a bit if you overwork it. That said, I was easily able to build it up with multiple coats and did remark to Chad that the mascara made it appear as though I was wearing a gorgeous and dramatic set of false lashes. Something about the formula seems somewhat "drier" than others, and I did notice that my mini-tube dried out pretty quickly, which was disappointing not just because I adored the product, but also because I no longer have the product on hand to finish this review (I began drafting this months ago) and so I'm unable to comment on some of the things I don't quite remember.

The photo above gives you an idea of what the brush looks like. I found it easy to use and comfortable to apply. Despite having a somewhat dry formula, the wand didn't catch or drag on my lashes. I definitely intend to repurchase this mascara just as soon as I can, and when I do I will repost an updated version of this review.

You can find Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara at your local Sephora for around $23.00 or order it online. I would certainly recommend it. It's hands down the first mascara I've used that I truly loved and was excited about.

-H.Cat

Review: 4 MAC Mascaras

I'm working on content. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment. I'll be focusing on reviews and tutorials for the next little while. Also compiling a swatch library. Your feedback is valuable to me <3
The following characteristics will be covered in my future mascara reviews. I will be working out a proper rating system next week.

• Lengthening
• Thickening
• Definition
• Longevity
• Formula/Consistency
• Pigmentation
• Smudge/Smear/Flake
• Brush/Packaging
• Smell
• Price
• Repurchase

Haute & Naughty

How it works: This is almost a 2 in 1 mascara. The difference is in the wand and not the formula however. There are two different openings in the tube, but the same wand. One for a more conservative daytime look, and one for a more generous evening application. The smaller opening pulls the excess product off of the brush on its way out. I loved this, because I usually wipe my mascara brush on a tissue to remove the excess anyway. The thicker opening leaves more product on the brush, but I found that it may have been too much and often clumped. I didn’t see as many benefits as I did using the daytime handle of the tube. I used the pink handle almost exclusively because I never had an issue with clumping, and it provided good length, lift, and definition. Because I did tend to use only one side I don’t see much point in repurchasing because it does cost slightly more. The formula is very good, but it is not my favorite of the MAC mascaras. The lengthening and definition of this mascara are what make it great.

Lengthening: The smaller handle provided better lengthening than the thicker. When used with care, either end will provide a good boost in length.

Thickening: More thickness from the sparkly handle, for sure. The issue was to make sure there wasn’t too much product on the wand or it was susceptible to clumping. The pink end did not seem to plump up my lashes (which isn’t so important to me anyway.)

Definition: Outstanding definition from the pink handle. Not so much from the sparkly handle.

Longevity: No complaints. This kept up with me all day, every day after a single morning application. It also didn’t clump the occasional time I refreshed it for evening.

Formula/Consistency: The formula itself is great, provided there is not too much on the brush, in which case (and this is especially true of the sparkly handle) it can clump and even flake while you try to work through the clumps.

Pigmentation: I like a super black mascara. This was just black. Your standard “Blackest Black” but not a “Wow! What IS that!?” black. Ya know?

Smudge/Smear/Flake: This did not smudge smear or flake beyond the initial application process if I had not made sure the sparkly handle did not have too much product on the brush.

Brush/Packaging: The packaging is cute and somewhat clever, opening in two places, intended for daytime and evening, for either a more conservative or striking look

Smell: Typical of MAC mascara, not pleasant but it also didn’t bother me.

Price: There’s a price hike. I did not find it worth it since I only used one end of the

brush. Last time I checked this was retailing for $18 US and $22.50 Canadian.

Repurchase? Probably not. I liked it, but if I were at MAC for a mascara I would be grabbing False Lashes or Plush Lash instead. This would be good for someone with little mascara experience who doesn’t want to put the work into additional coats, or removing excess from their wand. 

Additional note: I actually returned this the first time I bought it. It was winter and every time a snowflake hit my eye, or my eyes watered in the bright sun, this mascara burned like hell. It hurt a lot! One time in particular my son was ill and I had to come pick him up from the daycare. My eyes watered in the wind. I could not get them to stop and I had no choice but to rub them hard. I had smudged awful raccoon eyes from the time I got to the bus stop until we got home and I could wash my face. It was awful. I decided to give it another shot months later and had no such problem at all. 

Zoom Lash

I used this and loved it for years. After a while it just wasn’t doing the trick for me anymore. This is definitely a one coat mascara, as it is thick, thick, thick! It’s a bit of a time saver for that reason. It’s pretty standard. It is a decent mascara, but it doesn’t stand out to me anymore.

Lengthening: You will see decent lengthening from this. Nothing to blow you away, but it should not disappoint.

Thickening: The formula is thick and does a really good job coating the lashes.

Definition: I couldn’t get a ton of definition due to the thickness of the formula. I found if I tried to work for separation I would actually end up with clumps.

Longevity: No problems. Applied in the morning and lasted the day.

Formula/Consistency: Thick. Coats well but does not provide a lot of lift or definition. It’s kind of heavy feeling.

Pigmentation: Not shockingly black, but black nonetheless.

Smudge/Smear/Flake: It’s been a while but I do believe this flaked a bit.

Brush/Packaging: Basic, simple yet chic MAC. The bristles are a bit short... I prefer more dense and fluffy. 

Smell: Typical MAC mascara smell. Not good, but not truly offensive.

Price: It’s slightly overpriced at $15 US, $18 CAD.

Repurchase? Nah. I’m over it. 

Plush Lash

Plush Lash is my second favorite MAC mascara. Actually, it’s my second favorite mascara, period. Just when I needed MAC to step up their mascara game, they introduced this little gem. It’s hard to say what I love about it. It’s just what I wanted! My lashes feel soft and flexible, lightweight, long…The wand is cut into a V shape. It’s simple and yet it makes all the difference. Experiment a bit and you’ll get the hang of working this brush to get maximum benefit.

Lengthening: Excellent length from this one.

Thickening: This adds a good thickness, and because the formula itself isn’t super thick, you can build it up easily.

Definition: Definition is quite good with this one.

Longevity: Morning application lasts all day. I’ve fallen asleep with this on and it still looked good in the morning!

Formula Consistency: This is good stuff. With a little effort you could easily go for the 3^rd coat with minimal clumping. That said, you should not need to apply 3 coats anyway. As a tip, it helps to remove the excess from the wand, especially when the mascara is quite new.

Pigmentation: Typical blackest black. I’m always wishing mascaras were blacker, but you should be satisfied with this.

Smudge/Smear/Flake: Zip, nada, zilch. It’s a winner, for sure!

Brush/Packaging: I love MAC’s simple black packaging. The brush of a medium size, bristles lay in a dense V shape. It takes some getting used to, but you’ll know what you’re doing and be able to apply this effortlessly after a few experimental applications. Find whichever edge works best for you, hold the wand close to your roots and wiggle upward.

Smell: It ain’t roses, but it’s not offensive either.

Price:  Slightly pricier than a drugstore mascara, but typical of MAC at $15 US, $18 CAD. Worth every penny in my opinion!

Repurchase? Absolutely! I’ve gone through 2 or 3 of these and I am someone who loves to switch it up.

False Lashes

This is my brand new HG of mascaras. I buy False Lash Extreme Black. I am totally in love with it. It’s everything I’ve sought after in a mascara!

MAC describes this as: “Intensely inky, this lightweight, innovative mousse-like formula saturates lashes in a carbon-black pigment that promises the deepest, darkest, richest look imaginable with full long-lasting coverage. Each stroke of the unique double-lush brush creates vixen volume and lift by filling in sparse lashes, magnifying and multiplying magnificently.” DITTO!

Lengthening: It works! It works so well that I’ve become accustom to having a Q-Tip ready to wipe the transfer when my super long lashes touch my brow bone immediately after applying.

Thickening: Plumps my lashes right up. I generally only use one coat, too.

Definition: Perfect definition!

Longevity: Like all the others, I apply this in the morning and it lasts until I remove it. I’ve reapplied over top in the evening and I have never had an issue with clumping or flaking.

Formula Consistency: Inky, light-weight mousse describes this perfectly. So does amazingsexylovedreamcometrue.

Pigmentation: It’s sooo black! Finally a mascara as black as my soul! Haha I kid, but this is the stuff dreams are made of.

Smudge/Smear/Flake: Not at all!

Brush/Packaging: I think this mascara is super cute. It reminds me of a little potion or a magic wand. The brush itself appears to be your standard medium sized brush, but it’s actually really dense.

Smell: It stinks a bit, but most great mascaras do have that weird rubbery smell.

Price: A little more than the regular ones at $19 US, and $22.50 CAD. I’d sell my soul for a lifetime supply of this.

Repurchase: Yes, yes, yes!! 

Review: Lise Watier's 24hrs Glam Mascara

First I will say that I really wanted to love this mascara. It's such a neat and unique idea.

I wandered into my neighborhood Shoppers Drugmart with one thing on my mind. The legendary Diorshow Mascara. In fact, I had it in my hand when the sales associate made a most convincing case for this; Lise Watier's 24hrs Glam Mascara. I put down the Diorshow and went with this alleged innovation in chic urban packaging. I've always been a sucker for an animal print!

This mascara uses an elastic polymer formula, which surrounds each lash in a three dimensional waterproof film. Another selling point for me was the removal method. You must literally wet your fingers and gently pull the coating from your lashes, like little silicone casings. It just sounded neat, okay?

The brush style is trademarked as the "Flexi-Queen." The stick itself came out clean, unlike my L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion mascara, which is caked in product and extremely messy. This was a big plus for me. The end of the brush had a little excess product, but you have to expect that with a brand new mascara. My second thought was that this style brush was not going to do much for me. One side for length, one for volume, in other words- one was flattish and prickly, the other being long and spiky. It was great for the bottom lashes, as most straight brushes with little "teeth" are, but as far as curling and building the upper lashes- NADA.

The consistency of the formula was wet and thin, almost gliding over the lashes like ink. It was hard to build this up, and letting it dry between coats is a bad idea! This resulted in a spidery look that flaked throughout the day. Whether fault of the formula or the brush, I had trouble combing it through my lashes evenly. The formula was sticky but actually did not clump, which is always a plus.

The biggest cons to this mascara were that the finish was dull, not glossy. It photographed with a flat, almost white powdered effect which I did not appreciate. It smelled like rubber, a fact I wouldn't think twice about if it had been half as soon a mascara as I'd hoped, and of course the $20.00 CAD price tag.

In the beginning I did believe that I liked this. After not too long I found myself reaching back to other older mascaras to avoid using this one. Eventually I came to the realization that it just didn't do the job.

If you like the sounds of the waterproof polymer formula, prefer a mascara with this brush type, and have lashes that could use lengthening but not necessarily volume- you might want to give this a try anyway. Some people do like it, but honestly I've seen more bad reviews than good. If you can find it on sale, even better, right? I've heard it was packaged with two other eye products for just $23.00, but I haven't seen this deal anywhere. The decision is yours to make!

-H. Cat