Beauty Bargain Review: ELF Mineral Infused Mascara

Hey beauties! I'm back with the second installment of "beauty bargain review" my review series on exactly that... bargain priced makeup! As of late I've kind of been on a mascara buying kick lately. I was getting slightly bored with my current mascaras, you know... when you just feel like mixing it up! So I started exploring the Makeup Alley website {which, if you don't know... is a makeup junkie's dream for reviews of products!} I searched mascaras that were top rated and I was surprised and immediately curious when I saw the e.l.f. Mineral Infused Mascara was one of the top drugstore options, with 80% of reviewers saying they would repurchase again. I thought for 3 dollars, it's gotta be worth a try!

The eyes, lips, face website describes this e.l.f. mineral infused mascara as: "The top rated Mineral Infused Mascara creates fuller, healthier looking lashes. Enhance lashes for a naturally thicker and more volumized look. The long-wear formula and unique silicone brush creates a clump free and defined application for gorgeous lashes all day." List of ingredients here if you're interested.

First Impressions: 
The brush is a rubberized, not your standard bristle-type brush. It has lots of little teeth for separating your lashes and to prevent clumps from forming. It is a pretty wet formula, those who prefer drier formulas, may not enjoy that. The tube opening is good at take away the extra product from the brush though, so there isn't too much mascara on the wand.

Application:

I thought I would start with a picture of my bare lashes, they are pretty short and hard to curl, definitely nothing to write home about!

Maximize to see details better!

The only "prep step" I did was curl my lashes with the amazing Lancome Eyelash Curler {I highly recommend this if you're looking for a good "upscale" eyelash curler}

1st coat: brush combs thoroughly through my lashes separating them, giving pretty good length and curl but not a lot of volume.
2nd coat: continues to length and gets some volume and curl, does a good job at not clumping {my eyelashes clump VERY easily!}
3rd coat: I probably could of done without the 3rd coat I got a few clumps, but for my lashes clumping as easily as they do, the clumping was VERY minimal and the length was pretty darn good. I doubt this mascara would clump at all on most people.

I found the lasting power to be perfectly fine, no flaking or running. I've worn it several times and had no problems.

The only thing I am slightly disappointed in is the lack of volume in this mascara, especially since elf advertises it as be voluminous. I've found if I use an eyelash primer before hand I can get a little more thickness out of my lashes, so that's a tip!

Value 5 out of 5 / Lasting Power: 4.5 out of 5 / Lengthening 4 out of 5 / Volume: 3 out of 5

I highly recommend checking out this mascara if you like in the market for any of the following: an inexpensive, lengthening, clump-free (pretty much), wetter formula, rubber brush mascara!

Thanks so much for reading ladies! If you have any additional questions about the mascara {or anything!} please comment below, until next time!

xo Leah

· ·

The best [unexpected] places to buy beauty products!

A little about me: I feel like I was bred to be a bargain hunter. My grandma is an amazing one and since I was very little she taught me the best places to find awesome clearance deals and insane markdowns. BUT, as I got older I developed a love/passion/obsession with makeup [that my grandma doesn't share- though she will NOT leave the house without lipstick :)] So I took a bit of what she taught me and learned some tricks on my own when it comes to finding beauty bargains. I think a lot of people would be surprised where to hunt down beauty bargains so I thought I'd compile a small list and give you some tips & tricks on how to find good, name brand makeup ...for CHEAP!

[in no particular order, though the last store is my favorite for finds!]

Dollar Tree:
I could talk and talk about how much I love the dollar tree  -I'll spare you-  BUT if you don't frequent this place, you should. BTW, if you're unfamiliar everything is a one dollar, everything. Regarding beauty, it is hit or miss as far as name brand stuff is concerned. They usually have LA Colors and random stuff, which is okay. But once and while you'll be strolling down the beauty aisle and... BAM! you see Milani, or ELF, or Maybelline!

I just recently got these gems (which helped to inspire this whole post):

3 Milani HD advanced lip colors and 2 Milani eyeliners

I always get so giddy when I see name brand stuff and I look through alllllll of it which brings me to tip 1: look through everything, you may not initially see "the hidden gem(s)" make sure to scan the entire beauty section (no matter what store you're at) and when things are hanging up look to the back of each peg, making sure not to miss anything.

With the Milani lipsticks pictured above I almost missed the color I ended up liking the most because as I was looking through I noticed it was only really 2 different colors available (which I had already put in my basket, of course) and after filing through about 10 or 15 I moved on to the eyeliner but before I left the aisle I thought I should look through all the lipsticks just to make sure they weren't anymore shades and with a little more digging I found a beautiful berry shade, which is now my favorite!

T.J. MAXX/Marshall's:

Most ladies probably are aware by now of the almighty bargain that is TJ MAXX & Marshall's, both are one of my favorite places to shop, and if you're not checking their hair/beauty/skin care section, you must!

This is the absolute BEST place that I've found to buy high end hair care products. I've seen practically ever name brand there from Bedhead to Joico, and it's at least half off. I have also found some AWESOME makeup including the balm, OPI, and Urban Decay! It is also a great place to get quality makeup tools like [dupe] beauty blender sponges, eyelash curlers and sometimes brushes. It can be hit or miss but 9 times out of 10 I usually find at least one thing I don't need can't live without.

Rite Aid:

Confession: I try to avoid any drugstore like the plague, I do so because when I go in I practically drool over all the makeup... then scoff at there ridiculous mark-up of prices (compared to Target or Walmart). The exception to that is Rite Aid, in my experience they have some GREAT sales, more so than CVS or even Walgreens. tip 2: sign up for store's email, then you'll know about the latest shipments and sales. I include this tip under Rite aid  because they send you coupons once a week or so [it's the only place I will buy Essie nail polish because once and a while I'll get a 2 dollar off coupon in my email!]

 Not to mention they're sales are phenomenal! They don't just do the typical "buy one, get one half off" other stores do, they have real clearance and sometimes they'll have ALL of NYC cosmetics 40% off or ALL of Rimmel. That's when I rack up, I got my favorite/holy grail bronzer (Sunny by NYC, more about that bronzer here) for a $.140, at that price if you already know you love it, get 2 or 3 back ups! Last time I went they had all of they're older stock of Wet n' Wild 75% off...

I got 3 loose powder blushes (which I intend to press- so I'll use them more) for ONE DOLLAR EACH and the mascara was no more than 2 dollars. A trend I've noticed with Rite Aid is that they aren't afraid to markdown "older" cosmetics when new collections come in and they don't have room on their displays... and that is alright with me!

Big Lots:

My all time favorite! Why you may ask? Because 99% of the time there is always something worth buying and their prices are absolutely fantastic, on everything (not just makeup). I have to brag for a minute and share the best, most high end brand I've found at Big Lots...

Philosophy: 2 eyeshadow quads, highlighter, 2 cream blushes

That's right Philosophy makeup! These products we're 3 dollars each, I definitely got back ups and even sold a few for a profit, haha. It just goes to show you can find great items by shopping discount places and always having your eyes peeled.

I just went to Big Lots yesterday so I took a few pictures to show you the typical lay out and to give you a few more tips and tricks.

Jackpot of Drugstore goodies!

Just in this one picture you can see there's Revlon, Sally Hansen, Maybelline, Covergirl etc. Most of the items will be hanging by hooks, so remember like I mentioned in when talking about the Dollar Tree make sure to look through the hooks so you don't miss anything.

Tips for Big Lots:

Make sure not to miss anything, as I was looking through all the crap at the top of the picture, I spotted this tiny box at the very bottom filled with revlon eyeshadows, concealers and l'oreal nail polish . I don't know why but (in my experience) Big Lots is NOTORIOUS for doing this, so check every inch of the aisle to maximize potential of finding something great!

Display of Physicians Formula on the end of  an aisle

Also don't forget to check the end of the aisle or (as we call it in the retail world) end cap! At Big Lots this is usually where their new arrivals are displayed OR where great name brands are [this is where I found the Philosophy stuff!] Also worth noting, you can usually find great hair care, personal hygiene stuff and sometimes skin care at Big Lots!

Well, that wraps it up my beauties! I really hope you enjoyed the list and I hope you learned a thing or two about where to shop for beauty bargains and HOW to shop for them!

As always please comment, share and subscribe!

xo Leah
Follow me:  Google Friend Connect     |     Instagram     |       Bloglovin'

Bits and bobs: eye of the day & latest polish!

I decided I start a new series to post at least once a week or so, with "little bits and bobs" I've been loving during the week. Anything from the eye look I wore one day, a piece of jewelry I've been loving or latest nail polish I've rocked! Easy, peasy and hopefully you can take some inspiration/ideas from it! :) So let's get on to it!

My eye look of today!:

• This created by using l'oreal eyeshadow infallible eyeshadow in Amber rush on my lid [I consider this eyeshadow a MUST HAVE, you will NOT regret this purchase], Mac's copperplate [beautiful matte cool toned grey] in the crease, I just used a soft matte brown -almost skin color- to blend everything together. 

• Rest of the face, sorry about the low quality [iphone] photo! Wearing revlon's pink pout lipstick, great cool toned matte pink -a supposed dupe for Mac's snob-.

And here is my most recent mani!

•  This is china glaze's "Dance Baby" it is a little more cool toned than the picture is letting on... it almost has a ting of lilac to it. Probably my favorite pink I own, and the glitter "accent" nail is Wet n' Wild's "Sparked" which absolutely gorgeous. To see this nail polish in full action click here.

• Other things I've been loving this week: NYX blushes: both powder and cream, mixing lipsticks especially mac's shy girl with any hot coral shade, and covergirl's 3 in 1 foundation!

Until next time my beauties... please comment, share and subscribe!

xo Leah

Perfect Mascara Combination: length and volume!

Are you in a mascara slump? Can't find one that does what it claims to do?  Believe me, I've been there and I believe I've finally found the perfect combination of 2 mascaras, that together (drum roll please...) give both length and volume, maintain curl AND doesn't clump. I know what you're thinking...AND yes, it is possible.

And I think I've got it down to a science.

The mascara lineup and their claims:

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara: L'oreal states:  "enhances your lashes with intense length and unique lash by lash separation. Precision Brush lengthens lashes up to 60%" (via. website) Cost: $ 8-10

breakdown: this mascara is a wetter formula (if you prefer a drier formula ...stick with me!), with a smaller comb-like brush. It is extremely good at lengthen but can fall short when it comes to holding a curl or creating volume, but it really does make your eyelashes a million miles long.

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara: L'oreal states: "soften and build lashes up to 5X their natural thickness, quickly thickens and builds lashes in a single application for a full and dramatic look." (via website) Cost: $ 5-7

breakdown: this is a drier formula (told yah, to stick with me) with your classic bristle-type brush [Dupe alert: also suppose to be a good cheaper alternative to Dior's Diorshow mascara] this brush is good at getting to the root of your lashes to create volume and hold curl. This is why...

TOGETHER they are the ultimate combination of awesome; even for my -mediocre at best- lashes!

Application: (attention: extreme close ups of my eyeball ahead! haha)

to start, my eye without any eye makeup on! As you can see, I have stumpy, barely there lashes!

Before applying mascara remember to CURL YOUR LASHES, this is will make a big difference in the way your lashes turn out!

1st step:

1st step: Applying voluminous and wiggling at the base of lashes!

Apply your first coat using the voluminous mascara, make sure to concentrate on slightly wiggling the brush at the base of the lashes then sweeping upwards, apply a generous coat. (maybe two if you like to apply a lot of coats of mascara, I ain't judgin')


2nd step:

2nd step: 1st coat of telescopic.

Wait until the first coat is tacky (or almost dry) then apply your first coat of the telescopic mascara, again slightly wiggling the brush through your lashes. Make sure to get the sparse hairs on the inner and outer corners of your lash line. This brush is very good at coating all your lashes, no matter how small.

results of 2nd step!

3rd step:

3rd step: applying telescopic again, focusing more on the tips my lashes.

Wait until your second coat is tacky or completely dry (if you find that works better for you) and apply the telescopic mascara again, focusing more on the ends or tips of your lashes. This will add even more length, almost like little false tips to your lashes... it's kind of crazy amazing haha

That's it! Not too hard or complicated, I know it may seem a little time consuming but it should only take a few minutes of your morning routine and it WILL make a difference, I promise!


Results!:

 

Thank you so much for reading beauties, I really hope you found this post helpful and will try this mascara combination for yourself! Please share, comment and subscribe! 

xo Leah

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

L'Oreal Telescopic Intense Looking Lengthening Mascara