Review: Maybelline Falsies Volum’ Express (waterproof) Mascara

Hey guys! I’m going to preface this by saying that I only use waterproof mascara. Not water resistant- waterproof. This is because I have very straight eye lashes, which point straight ahead or downwards. In order for my lashes to hold a curl, I can only use waterproof mascaras. I’m no scientist but it’s something about the formula. Most people don’t like using waterproof mascara because it’s a pain to take off, but I’ve gotten used to it. And honestly, it’s not that bad. So, onward to the review.

Initially, I thought that Falsies Flared (also from the Maybelline Falsies line) was my HG but I’m adamant that the company changed their formula, and thus the mascara is less volumizing and lengthening. This mascara, Falsies Volum’ Express, is basically the original Falsies Flared. It’s volumizing, lengthening, and holds up my wimpy Asian lashes. It’s more volumizing than lengthening, but judging by the brush you can’t really ask for it to give you a lash extension effect. My belief is that the more bristly and big in diameter, the more volumizing the mascara. If the brush is thin and long, the more lengthening (think L’Oreal Telescopic). Also, this mascara does clump- which I think is a part of the mega volumizing effect. I like some clumping because it gives the appearance of thicker lashes. You can always use tweezers or a needle to carefully separate lashes if you think they're too clumpy (stress on the careful part). 

Another thing, the shape of this brush is unlike any I've seen before. It's kind of got a paddle-ish, 2-D tear drop shape to it. It's flat, wee bit scooped, and wide. Interesting.
Anyway, this mascara has become my go-to product for eye makeup. I can wear this without eyeliner or eye shadow and it’ll give me a little bit of oomph. I frequent the gym a lot and this is the only makeup I'll wear; just because I think it makes me look a little less scary when I'm in my sweaty "beast" mode.

Hope this review helped some!
xo Allison

PS: Waterproof mascara is the bees knees because you can wear it in any season. Summer for if you want to go for a swim (can't promise you won't get a panda eye effect), Spring if you've got watery eyes from allergies, Winter for crying during sappy holiday movies, etc.

Review: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes (Natural Beauty + Dollface)

Hello!

So this will be my first official blog post! I thought I'd start off with a review of two of my favorite blushes- Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes in Natural Beauty and Dollface.

Hinted by its name, Natural Beauty gives a natural flush to the cheeks with its red-based hue. Tarte's website describes it as "red", while Sephora.com describes it as a "strawberry red". Personally, I describe this blush as a berry red. If you're looking for a basic red blush then this is the one for you. It may look a little daunting but it gives a great flushed appearance on my warm toned skin. I would advise a light handed application to those with fairer skin so you don't end up looking sun burned or too flushed. 

Matte Red

On the other hand, Blissful is described by Sephora and Tarte as a "warm peach"; I think that this blush is a pinky peach shade-which pulls more pink than peach. Personally, I do not think that this shade is insanely overwhelmingly awesome but it's a nice, basic pink to have in one's collection.

Matte Peachy-pink

Now let's discuss the blush's widely acclaimed 12-hour staying power. I would not say that these blushes have the ability to last 12 hours, but I do think that these blushes have the best staying power of any blush product I've tried. I've worn either of these blushes through a whole day of school, without re-touching, and they've stayed on the entire time. Admittedly, after a handful of hours the blush won't look as it did the morning you applied it, but it's still hanging in there. Of course if you're up to the 12 hour challenge, you can apply the blush in light layers or wear a cream blush under as a base. 

Moving onto packaging. The blushes are encased in sturdy plastic compacts with a nice mirror attached to the inside of the flip-lid. The plastic is pretty sound and, when closing the compact, gives a satisfying click. The color of the packaging also depends on the shade it contains. Which is handy if you're unable to open the compact and swatch the shades. 

I must note that these blushes are not the most pigmented products in the market. If you're looking for a super pigmented blush then I would look elsewhere. If you're willing to give a pigment underdog a chance then these will tickle your fancy. Comparing the two, Natural Beauty is more pigmented than Blissful. 

Under daylight
Top- Blissful
Bottom- Natural Beauty 

Under daylight
Left- Blissful
Right- Natural Beauty 

Under daylight
Top- Natural Beauty
Bottom- Blissful

With flash
Left- Natural Beauty
Right- Blissful

Some final words: Tarte is a popular company which is branded as more natural and "earth engineered". The company does not formulate their products with parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances. And my favorite part of the company is that they do not test their products on animals and is stamped with approval.

For those of you who have Amazonian blushes on your wishlist or cringe at the steep price, I advise that you sign up for their email notifications or social media platforms. I was reading the morning news, aka Instagram, and Tarte posted an Instagram exclusive 50% off flash sale promotion. Of course the day happened to be Valentine's Day, so I justified the purchases with it being Single Awareness Day in addition to the crazy discount.

Enough with the babbling! If you've made it with me through this treacherous blog entry journey and live to read this ending then props to you girl, or boy.

:) AL

*Boop!* Here we go!

I've been considering joining the blogger world for a few years after my Tumblr page turned into what feels like a typical stomping ground of GIFs and pics; and less of a place of my own. This isn't to say that I am dismissing Tumblr, because I find my fingers drifting to the letter 'T' on my keyboard, spending mindless hours hitting 'reblog' and scrolling until my fingertips bleed. I exaggerate. Kind of. Basically, what I am trying to express is that this blog will be a place of my own where I don't pathetically try to keep my number of Tumblr followers constant. This is where I will allow my inner beauty junkie to do its thing. Hopefully.

After thinking that I would be a pimply-faced, awkward teen for an eternity, I've now just turned into a girl who can conceal her occasional pimply face and run with her awkwardness. Freak flag and makeup bag in hand. With a thing of iced coffee. Yum yum.

I don't have any expectations for this blog to go viral (is that still the cool kid lingo to use?) or for a mad number of people to see this ('mad' as in a couple people), but if one person can learn something from, what I hope, my experiences with makeup, skin care, whatever-care, then I'll be a mish mosh of glee.

Sincerely,
Hashy hashtag Beauty Cray