They're Real! Benefit Mascara Review & Photos

You can say Hello to Big, Beautiful, Batting Lashes after using this mascara!

About 3 weeks ago I received a sample of the new Benefit mascara from Sephora when I was purchasing my Mom's birthday present. I was hesitant to choose the free mascara sample for two reasons:

1- I'm very, very picky about my mascaras.

2- I kinda wanted the Hourglass primer sample instead because I know that I like it already and it's super expensive! 

Nonetheless, I decided on the mascara since it was free and I had nothing to loose that way. I also figured it would make for a great blog post :-P

I ended up really liking it and got my Mother hooked on it too! 

PACKAGING:

THE CLAIMS: 

* 94% saw dramatic length and volume

* 90% saw base to tip curl

* 94% saw visible lift

* 100% saw long-wearing results

*Jet Black long-wearing formula won't smudge or dry out

*The specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had! 

THE FACTS:

* You get 8.5 g/ 0.3 oz. of product in the full size mascara

* Cost is approx. $22

MY THOUGHTS:

* I agree that it does grab every little lash with the help of the spiky ball end of the wand.

* I feel like it gives my lashes more length than volume. I would rather have the opposite in a mascara however that will differ from person to person depending on your lashes. If you want length more than anything, you will capital L-O-V-E this mascara! 

* It does stay on all day without flaking, however I have found that it leaves little black smudge marks above and below where my eyelashes end, which is very annoying. I don't think this will be a problem for everyone. Only those whose lashes are on the longer side. 

* I do love the Jet Black color to this mascara and the very wet formula. 

* I have yet to see if the claim is true about the formula not drying out since I've only had my full size tube for a week and a half....very skeptical about this! Why would they create a formula that won't dry out?? So that we the consumers never have to purchase another mascara again? Never going to happen.

PHOTOS:

Xoxo,

Ashley

Yo-Ho-Yo-Ho: A Piratey Kinda Makeup

Aaarrrrr Beauty Pirates!

I went to a Pirate themed event last night and had to think up some Pirate makeup fast! I searched Google for some ideas but nothing seemed too appealing to me...and there didn't seem to be a whole lot of different looks to choose from, surprisingly. I wanted something dirty looking yet pretty at the same time, so I sat down at my vanity and this is what I came up with! I am so excited to share my night with you =) Enjoy!

P.S. I wasn't able to take these photos until the end of the event, hence the wearing off lipstick in the pics =( Sorry guys! 

How To: Dirty/Sun-kissed Pirate Face

1) Tarte Recreate Anti-Aging Foundation with Wrinkle Rewind in the shade Cool Bisque 04. (This foundation is AWESOME girls! & we're never too young to start fighting those wrinkles!)

2) Mabelline Mineral Power Concealer in Fair, Light 0-1.

3) Hourglass Oxygen Foundation Powder in No. 1

4) Contour: Tarte Park Ave Princess Mineral Bronzer 

5) Blush: MAC Blushbaby 

6) Highlight: Lorac Bronzer in the shade Warm Glow

How To: Oil Slick Pirate Eyes 

1) Eyebrows: Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Pencil Pencil in Blonde 

2) Eyebrows: Benefit Brow Zings Duo in Light

3) UDPP in Greed

4) UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (Line entire lid up into the crease and blend out with finger). Also used to line the water line. 

5) Set "Zero" eye pencil with MAC Carbon eyeshadow and a fluffy brush. Also used Carbon to set "Zero" on bottom lash line. 

6) Brow Highlight: MAC Brule

7) MAC Symmetry between Brule and Carbon to blend the two colors together

8) Smashbox Brazilian Bronze e/s (over/in place of) MAC Symmetry

9) NARS e/s in Silent Night. Pop it in the center of the eyelid for a golden pop!

10) MAC Blacktrack Fluidline to line the upper lash line

11) Benefit They're Real Mascara (Review coming soon!)

11) Miss Adoro lashes in # 28 cut in half

How To: Walk the Plank with Red Lips

1) NYX 801 Auburn lipliner

2) MAC Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick 

The Actual Event: 

My beautiful Mom

My beautiful Aunt

The End <3

IMATS Haul

IMATS part 2! Now, the fun stuff...HAUL! Here's a look at what I picked up on Sunday. All I can say is AMAZING deals. I didn't get a truck load of items but I am so happy with everything I did purchase. Enjoy!

MAKEUP FOREVER 

Powder: Reg. $40 IMATS: $24
Foundation: Reg. $32 IMATS $19

LASHES 

$2 Each! The guy threw in 2 for FREE! =)

NYX 

Lipgloss: Bare
Jumbo Pencil: Milk
Liner: Peekaboo Neutral
$3 Each!

BEAUTY BLENDER 

New favorite beauty tool!
Beauty Blender: Reg. $19.95 IMATS. $12.99

LIME CRIME

Cutest packaging EVER!!!!! 

Reg. $16 IMATS. $9.50

$4!!!

FREE STUFF

Sigma had the BEST freebies! 

Mini blending brush and mini palette
of their new eyeshadow palette collection!

Wanna go to IMATS next year???

Visit www.imats.net

Xoxo,
Ashley

IMATS 2011- Picture HEAVY!

Hi Everyone!

I went to IMATS for the first time ever this year and it was AMAZING! I loved every second of it. I have known about IMATS for about 3 years now and have wanted to go ever since I found out about it. Somehow I always missed the date (since it's only once a year) but not this time! I attended IMATS on Sunday, June 26th and I took my best friend with me, who also loves makeup. We had such an amazing day and I want to share my experience with all of you! =)

For anyone who doesn't know what IMATS is, it stands for International Makeup Artist Trade Show. It's only held once a year, as mentioned above, but there are 6 different locations-Vancouver, Sydney, Toronto, London, New York, and Los Angles, which is the one I attended in Pasadena. It seems like every year this event gets larger and larger! The beauty community is growing so rapidly thanks to YouTube, and I don't say that sarcastically. I love how makeup is becoming more and more exposed through YouTube and the beauty community. I wish all Women were educated in Makeup so that no one would be afraid of it because often times that seems to be the situation. I think if women were exposed to makeup enough, everyone would appreciate it and find a style that fits them and makes them feel comfortable. This wish may not be too far off if Beauty Guru's continue to multiply and spread the word about makeup and continue to educate us. (I am Pro-YouTube 100%, lol)

Back to IMATS talk, I wanted nothing more than to meet my Makeup inspiration, Kandee Johnson! I almost thought about wearing a pair of Depends incase I came into contact with her because if I had I thought I just might pee myself! HAHAHAHA. Sadly, I did not run into her =( I have to meet her one day, I just have too. I was able, however, to meet Koren and Josh/Petrilude/Misty Maven and I did get a glance or two at Tiffany D at the Sigma booth, who are all YouTube superstars. 

Without further ado...here are my pictures from IMATS! Hope you enjoy. 

IMATS haul to follow! 

Approx. 6:45 AM going to pick up my BFF

Just Arrived!

Line to get a wristband! We were early & had already
purchased our tickets!

Wristband Booth Inside

Wristband: CHECK! IMATS Bag: CHECK!

Madness Begins!

Cutest Booth there...Sugarpill

Owner of Sugarpill, Amy

Purchased my first Lime Crime lipstick in Coquette <3 

Too Faced!

Sea of People

Awesome.

Loved her makeup. She worked at Makeup Forever. 

Waiting to pick up goodies at Makeup Forever

40% off for MUA's 20% off for everyone else

MAC Model. Wish I was this
sparkly every day <3

Koren from Youtube! He was such a sweetheart! 

Amy from Sugarpill Cosmetics. Amazing outfit! 

She was so cool looking!

The other side of his face was normal...very cool!

Her makeup is SOOO beautiful! This was my favorite. 

Josh/Petrilude/Misty Maven from Youtube! 

Scary! 

If you have any questions, please ask! =)

Xoxo,
Ashley