Maybelline Volum' Express the Falsies Washable Mascara

I hate mascara ads. Hate them. People get bent out of shape about magazine airbrushing. Well, mascara ads are my pet peeve. The lashes in said ads are always so exaggerated that no matter what amazing results the mascara actually yields, you end up feeling cheated because your fringe still doesn’t look as fantastic as it does in the ads.

So, speaking of false advertising…a while back, Maybelline sent me a tube of their Volum' Express the Falsies Washable Mascara to test and review. At first, I was really disappointed that it didn’t look the model’s. But then I had to stop myself and think rationally. Obviously, the lashes at left have been creatively super-sized and no one in their right mind should expect to look like that, post-application. So I put the advertisement out of my mind, stood in front of the mirror again and took an objective look at my lashes. And you know what? Ad, schmad…Maybelline Falsies Mascara is ab fab – and I’ll tell you why.

First, Falsies has just the right consistency. I’m like Goldilocks when it comes to mascaras. I hate when the consistency is too thick or too watery. This one is just right – coating evenly without clumping. And over time, it doesn’t dry out like so many on the market. Another reason to love Falsies: the curved brush grabs every lash – lengthening and volumizing them to their true potential. For gals with sparse lashes like me who have little to work with, you know that this is a big deal. Finally, I absolutely love that the formula is buildable. So many mascaras claim to be buildable – and then you layer on coats only to wind up with clumped up, tarantula-looking foolishness. The Falsies Mascara builds perfectly. Apply one coat for a natural, “maybe she was born with it” doe eyes. Layer on multiple coats and your peepers will be batting a thousand.

I’m so impressed with Falsies that I’d say it’s a close second to my #1 mascara, Lancome’s Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara. They’re alike in many ways…well, except for the $16.50 difference in price.

Honestly, Falsies’ mascara is so great that Maybelline didn’t even need to augment their ad. The actual results speak for themselves, and the $8 price tag is just icing on the proverbial cake.

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Turn Back Time

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hello Mario,

I find as I get older, my skin needs a lot more coverage and does not have as much luster. Is there a specific product that could help because if I use too much concealer, I look too made up and if I use too much highlighter, it is not smooth looking - and too much glitter on older skin just doesn't look good. Can you recommend some products to use to cover and give the appearance of smooth maturing skin? I am going to turn 42 next month and I am a single mother of a 19-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son and I feel I have lost my shine....please help!

Regards,
Sue

Hi Sue,

I get asked this question a lot from women! As our skin changes with age naturally, the makeup you wear should change as well and same goes for your skin care regimen. Start with your skin products first because it can make a huge difference. Use anti-aging, lifting and collagen-boosting products and always use a rich eye cream like the Eye Balm Intense by La Mer.

For foundation, I recommend you go with a liquid like DiorSkin Sculpt Line-Smoothing Lifting Makeup SPF 20. It covers nicely, contains light-reflecting crystals and gives a glow to the skin. Just blend it well and make sure that the color is a perfect match. If your skin is dry, you can skip powder all together or apply a little loose powder to set the t-zone. For concealer, it's important again to use a liquid and one with anti-wrinkle or lifting properties. A great one is Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector by Maybelline.

To finish off your face, I think every woman should use a makeup setting spray or even Evian spray, especially if you use powder. There are so many out there that are amazing! One of my favorites is 10 Years Younger Makeup Setting Spray by Motives. Apply it right after you finish your makeup and throughout the day to refresh your makeup and keep you glowing.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Drugstore Beauty Must Haves!

After a brief television hiatus, I'm back on the tube again...this time, dishing on my favorite drugstore beauty must haves.

We all know that it doesn't actually cost a million bucks to look like a million bucks. But there are thousands of skin/body care products and cosmetics at your local drugstore...and choosing what should go in your basket and what should stay on the shelf can be overwhelming.

So reporter (and fabulous style blogger) Lilliana Vazquez asked me to share my beauty expertise with Philadelphia's NBC10 viewers and name my top drugstore beauty buys. Some of my current faves include:

L'Oreal Paris Ideal Skin Genesis Complexion Equalizer Day/Night Cream, $19.99 (comparable to Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20, $42.50)

Revlon PhotoReady Makeup, $13.99 (comparable to Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation, $40)

CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion, $9.99 (comparable to Diorshow Mascara, $24)

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss, $5.99 (compare to Lancome Juicy Tubes, $18)

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush and Highlighter, $12.99 (compare to Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, $38)

What are your favorite drugstore finds? Spill your must haves in the comments section...

Maybelline To Sponsor New York Fashion Week!

This just in...

Cosmetics leader, Maybelline New York, along with sports, entertainment and media company IMG, announced that the beauty brand will serve as the official cosmetic sponsor for IMG Fashion’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City’s Bryant Park. The two year agreement, which will commence at the upcoming spring collections in September 2009, will carry through to the event’s planned move to Lincoln Center in September 2010.

Maybelline New York will support a selection of well-established as well as up-and-coming designers including Charlotte Ronson, Tracy Reese, Michael Angel and Erin Wasson x RVCA. The makeup teams will be led by Charlotte Willer, the brand’s Global Makeup Artist.

I'd Like To Give A Shout Out To My Sister

I'd like to give a shout out to my little sis, who graduated from college today. This summer, she'll start graduate school at Georgetown, and I'm so proud of her!

This afternoon, while driving home from her graduation lunch, I marveled at Lauren's lush lashes; so I grilled her about what mascara she was wearing. She told me that it was Maybelline's Colossal Volum' Express. After I complained that Colossal never gave me such a dramatic look, she let me in on her little secret.

When a mascara doesn't exactly work out for my sister, she gives it a second chance...this time, using the disposable mascara wands from Sephora. "They make even drugstore mascaras look like a million bucks."

My sister is so smart, y'all. Look out, Georgetown!

Photo: Getty Images

Be The First To Try Maybelline's New Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara

Maybelline's Pulse Perfection Mascara is the first mass market vibrating mascara. At $14.95, it costs roughly half the price of prestige vibrating mascaras. Pulse Perfection won't be on shelves until mid-June, but you can get its pulsating applicator all up in your lashes as early as this Monday.

For one day only (May 18th), visit Maybelline.com/Pulse to snag a tube a month early. The link will take you to one of four online retailers (CVS, Target, Walgreens or Walmart) to purchase the mascara.

Kim Kardashian Fave: Great Lash Mascara

Almost every time I hear Kim Kardashian talk about her favorite beauty products, MAC's Zoomlash Mascara makes the list. But this celebrity rump shaker doesn't limit her lashes to zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a boom-boom. Oh no. On her blog, Kim dishes that sometimes, she likes to do drugstore...

"I have tried so many different mascaras and often switch, but right now I am in New Orleans and stopped off at a drug store and bought Maybelline's Great Lash and love it! It's all about layering: First I apply one coat then add 2 more. I like volume! This mascara is very affordable and works great! "

For more of Kim Kardashian's beauty and makeup tips, click here!

Source

This Mascara Makes Me Shed A Tear...A Few, Actually

For the past couple of days, my Cover Girl LashBlast has been playing a particularly impressive game of hide-and-seek. I’ve looked everywhere and I can’t find her, so I’ve been using Maybelline’s The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara.

And while I really love the way it looks, by the end of the day, it starts to irritate my eyes...to the point where I’m forced to wash it off way before of my nightly face-cleansing ritual, because my eyes are stinging so bad.

I'm not usually sensitive to eye makeup products, so it can’t just be me.

Have any of you had this experience with The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara?

Recessionista's Fabuless Pick of the Week: Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

Last week, I received the following email from a reader, Tara:

"I was wondering if you have tried Maybelline's The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara? I did a search on your blog and didn't come up with anything. I ran out of mascara and was at the store last night. I went to grab a Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara, but something caught my eye. There was a big display of The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara by Maybelline. The packaging is very eye catching since it is yellow and black and I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff. Plus, the color of the mascara is called "Glam Black," so how could I not try it when the word "Glam" is there? I put it on this morning and was amazed. The brush is "colossal" but my lashes are long and full and no clumps! Geez, sorry to ramble, but I'm just so excited to find a mascara that works wonders for only $6.99! If you haven't try it, you should!!"

Now, I wasn't sure whether the aforementioned email was an actual reader review, or a veiled PR pitch…so I decided to purchase for myself, review the mascara and draw my own conclusions.

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Mascara promises:

* 9X the volume, instantly
* No clumps
* Washable

Does it deliver? You betcha…but in a way you wouldn't expect. The brush is tame, in contrast to Cover Girl Lash Blast's big fatty wand. Yet it manages to catch every last lash and coat it in inky blackness. Layer after layer, I was amazed at how I couldn't coax the formula to clump. Colossal Volum' Express volumizes alright…just don't count on nine times your typical thickness. But while your lashes may lack a little in the lushness department, the formula lengthens like you wouldn't believe...this mascara takes even the most Lilliputian lashes to a whole nuther level. Plus, it washes off with minimal elbow grease.


Check me out wearing Colossal Volum' Express in Glam Black (please excuse the sloppy application).

Check back this time next week, when Spoiled Pretty brings you a new makeup bag must-have that's easy on your wallet.

Maybelline Does Mineral Makeup

Maybelline has a new line of mineral makeup – now available in drugstores.

The collection features concealer, powder and liquid foundations, blush, bronzer, and pressed powder. With built-in sun protection, this mineral line is doubly skin-friendly.

U Got The Look: NYE 2008

I still don’t have any plans for NYE. It might be a quiet, romantic dinner with my hubby. Or a raucous celebration with friends at a bar. Or I might just sit on the couch and blog my way into the new year. Whichever it is, here’s the makeup look I will be rocking.

I didn’t have a particular look I was going for. It really just started with Diane Brill’s Liquid Eye Liner in Lace Diamonds – and evolved from there. I didn’t expect to go so over-the-top. But once I started, I found it hard to stop…hence, my glittery glamtastic eyelids that rival the Times Square Ball in sparkle.

Once I finished piling it all on, I was afraid it was a little too Amanda Lepore for my liking. But it has since grown on me, and I hope you’ll agree that it looks quite pretty in pictures.

Step One - Face:
Apply Clinique Superfit Makeup (in Nutty) to entire face, using MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush.

Step Two – Eyes:
Line the inner rims with Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Eye Pencil (in Black). Apply Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow (in Woodrose) from lash line to crease. Apply Tarte’s Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duo (in Slate) - just the powder side; first, roll it on – then blend with a shadow brush. Next, line upper lid with Prestige Liquid Eyeliner (in Black). Then load shadow brush MAC Eye Shadow (in Idol Eyes) and pat onto lid. Curl eyelashes (I used a curler by Maybelline) and coat upper lashes with Diorshow Mascara (in Black) and apply DuWop Lash Lacquer mascara (in Carbon Black) to bottom lashes. Line upper lids again – but this time, use Diane Brill Liquid Eye Liner (in Lace Diamonds). Finally, brush some of the Diane Brill Eye Liner on the tips of upper lashes – to give them a diamond-like sparkle.


(top photo - naked eye lined with Diane Brill Liquid Eye Liner in Lace Diamonds; bottom photo - finished eye, after step two)

Step Three – Cheeks:
Dot DuWop Blush Therapy (in Hug) on apples of cheeks, then blend with fingertips.

Step Four – Highlighting:
Dot Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go down the bridge of the nose and on cheekbones, then gently tap with pad of finger until blended.

Step Five – Lips:
Finish off the look with a few swipes of MAC Lustreglass – I used Budding, but I think it’s been discontinued. Venetian is somewhat similar, but tad bit deeper – though still sheer.

That’s the recipe. I hope you had as much fun reading about the look as I had creating it! If you're looking for more NYE makeup ideas, my friend Marina at Makeup Loves Me has a bunch.

So with that, I’m going to conclude this post with the immortal words of my man, Prince. Every NYE, you’re bound to hear “1999” at least a couple times, so allow me to introduce you to another oldie, but goodie – a little ditty Prince recorded with Sheena Easton. Remember her? "Sugar Walls"? Okay, now I'm showing my age. Just watch the video.

I Love Lucy

I’ve always liked Lucy Liu, but it was her turn as badass assassin O-Ren Ishii in 2003’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 that made me sit up and take notice. In October’s issue of In Style, Liu shows us her softer side and lets us peek inside her G-Ahn makeup bag.

In Style: What’ your earliest beauty memory?
Liu: I used to watch my mom put makeup on, and we would go to the five-and-dime store and experiment with whatever makeup was there. It was basically L’Oreal lipstick – which is funny, because I still use it.

In Style: Do you always carry around two different eye liners?
Liu: Yes. The liquid liner is for above the eye, and the pencil is for inside of the eye. But I rarely use the pencil unless I’m going out. If you put liquid liner on during the day and then add pencil to the inner rims at night, it glams it up.

In Style: What about Aquaphor? I’ve heard you’re obsessed.
Liu: I use it for everything. It’s not too glossy, so I wear it when I do movies because it looks really natural. I always carry a mini with me. And if I fall, which I do a lot – I’ll put it on my [scrapes]. When I was shooting a movie in Montreal, it was freezing. If you take a little bit of Aquaphor and dab it on our face, it keeps your skin looking fresh. I dubbed it Aqua for Everything.

In Lucy Liu’s Makeup Bag

Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Ocher

Maybelline New York Expert Eyes Twin Brow and Eye Pencil in Velvet Black

L’Oreal Paris Colour Juice Lip Gloss in Cherry on Top

Scott Barnes Pressed Powder in Petal

L’Oreal Paris HIP High Intensity Pigments Gloss in Precious


Bare Escentuals Face Brush


L’Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Liquid Liner in Black

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Get On The Bus

Wanna go glam? Look for Style Network's sleek, 34-foot Beauty Bus as it delivers free fun and fashion to a mall near you! Visit the Bus to learn about the hottest new looks and style secrets, then get your own mini-makeover by top beauty professionals from Garnier and Maybelline New York! Special hair, nail and makeup stations on board the fully customized RV offer complimentary services ranging from hairstyling and blowouts to makeup consultations and manicures. After being pampered and made over, you can sit and relax in the Style Lounge.

Participants in the Beauty Bus road show will also learn about Dress for Success, an international organization promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women. Show up for a Style Beauty Bus stop in a town near you for a dose of the best in fashion, beauty and on-the-go glamour!

Primetime Emmys 2007 - A Retrospective

It’s the day after the 2007 Primetime Emmys…so without further ado, I bring you the obligatory red carpet recap.

Dude, Where’s My Makeup?

Rebecca Romijn looks like a beauty bandit snuck into her house and stole everything but her pastel makeup. Smart thief…I would have left it too. I really like Rebecca – she seems to be down to earth and unpretentious, but she’s a former model...so she, of all people, should know what looks good (and what doesn’t) in pictures. I would recommend a slightly stronger lip for Rebecca, such as Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Poppy Love. If I were her makeup artist, I would also coat her lashes with a few coats of Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara and use Benefit’s Gilded Eyeliner on the inside of lower lids to make her eyes pop.

Scarlet Fever

Like a timeless black dress, red lips never go out of style. So it should come as no surprise that we were seeing red last night, as more than a few starlets decided to match their lip color with that of the carpet.

Hot mama-to-be Christina Aguilera, and Katherine Heigl channeled old Hollywood - smartly pairing bold lips with lengthy lashes. I kinda wish Christina would have shown us a softer, less sultry side - but this is Mrs. Bratman's signature look...and she's gonna rock it 'til the wheels fall off.

As for Miss Heigl, "Congratulations" are an order. First she gets engaged, now she's an Emmy winner. She's come a long way since My Father the Hero.

To find a red that's wearable, use your complexion as a clue to finding your perfect hue. Blue-based reds give pale skin a boost - try Maybelline New York Moisture Extreme Lipcolor in Candied Apple. Gals with medium skin should choose orangey reds, like Nars Lipstick in Heat Wave. Ladies with dark skin can wear any red, as long as it's bright enough to show up. MAC Lip Pencil in Brick and Lipstick in Lady Bug is a winning combination for me.

Choosing Sides

Did I miss the memo? Did all of the attendees call each other on Saturday and coordinate their hairdos? I thought the point of these shindigs was to outdo the next girl, not be her carbon copy. Rashida Jones' makeup is beautiful, but her "side updo" falls flat...the bangs and side wisps look a little deflated and defeated.

Kate Walsh's do isn't exactly a don't - but between the red hair, lips, dress, and nails...it's just too much. So who am I siding with in the battle of the side updos? I'm crowning Heidi Klum the champ. The perfection that is Project Runway may have gone unacknowledged, but Heidi looked every bit the winner last night.

Not only did she choose the right makeup, she created her makeup! The collection is called the Heidi Klum Very Sexy Makeup Collection and will be available at Victoria's Secret in October. For more on the makeup Heidi wore, visit BellaSugar.com.

Life on the E List

Kathy Griffin is now an Emmy winner - but unfortunately, my favorite crazy comedienne has seen better days. First things first, Kathy - grow out those bangs...a nice side-swept bang would look so nice on you! And I would trade that nude lip for a soft rose-gold - try Clarins Lip Colour Tint in 19 Wild Berry.



Uh-Oh

Sandra, are you even wearing makeup? News flash: even the natural look requires makeup. Your Bottega Veneta dress, however, was gorgeous.



Pump Up the Volume

One of the series I'm most excited to return this fall is Heroes. So it pains me to be critical of Ali Larter, whose character is so fun to watch every week. Her skin looks flawless, and you can tell from her expression, that she's genuinely enjoying herself and excited to be there. But her hair is neither here nor there...looking at this and subsequent photos, it's clear that Ali's limp locks could use a little lift. A product like Phytovolume Actif Maximizing Volume Spray would add body to her fine hair.

The Sopranos

Who hit high notes last night? In my humble opinion, Eva Longoria looked anything but desperate - and set the bar high. She didn't pull any punches...instead opting for a look we've all seen before, but one that always delivers. As Rupert Everett says in My Best Friend's Wedding, "Love the bag, love the shoes, love everything!"

Honorable mention is awarded to both America Fererra and Hayden Panettiere. In a sea of reds and neutrals, it was so refreshing to see America in cerulean. And although her hair may have looked a little prom-ish from the front - trust me, her 'do was fierce.



Hayden didn't win high fashion marks with me, as her Marc Bouwer gown swallowed her petite frame. But her skin was youthfully dewy, her eyes sparkled, and she had this lit-from-with glow to her. Some of the vets could learn a few things from this newbie...when it comes to putting her best face forward, she's wise beyond her years.

Do you agree? Think I'm snarky cuz I'm jealous? Who do you think took top honors? Leave a comment below.

Don't Believe The Hype

Yesterday, I had a birthday party to attend, but not a thing to wear (on my lashes). Normally, I would have zipped on over to Sephora or a department store for one of my favorites – Dior Diorshow and Lancome Hypnose – but I was pressed for time. So instead, I went to the local drugstore and purchased a tube of Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash, hoping that it would suffice.

Maybelline promises that Define-A-Lash is a “zero clump mascara” that “creates stunning length with clean definition”. I disagree with Maybelline’s claims, as the mascara did not deliver length that I would describe as “stunning” and my lashes were far from clump-free. The product did impart good color, but isn’t that something you expect from mascara (with the exception of clear ones)?

I should have purchased Maybelline’s Great Lash, but I’ve seen so many commercials and advertisements proclaiming the virtues of the new rubber brushes. So I decided to give Define-A-Lash a try. In my experience, the brush was flimsy and cumbersome – and I doubt that I would ever purchase another mascara that uses a rubber brush.

Bottom line: don’t buy into Maybelline’s promises or be seduced by Define-A-Lash’s lime green packaging. With so many superior mascaras on the market, there is no justification for wasting $8 on this product.