NEW! L'Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara

When I first saw this mascara at CVS I gotta be honest I definitely freaked out a little bit. The packaging just by itself is so darn ADORABLE!!! I mean come on look at it. I am a sucker when it comes to great packaging.

So of course being the makeup addict/junkie I am I had to get it. I love the original Voluminous formula so I was interested to see whether or not this one is an improvement of the original or the exact same thing in a different type of packaging.

The packaging on this is very similar to the L'Oreal False Fiber Mascara with the exception of the neon pink and black. The brush is also very similar to the False Fiber Mascara. It starts out wide at the bottom and tapers to a thin point at the end. The thinner point allows easier access to those annoying little bits of lashes in the inner corners. Like most brushes on L'Oreal mascaras, this one is also a hair and not rubber brush. However unlike other L'Oreal mascaras, the brush wand is extremely flexible that rotates 360 Degrees. This gives you more control over the wand and allows more build able volume. 

I didn't notice an extreme difference in the formulation compared to the original. It claims to give a manga false lash effect and as you build up the mascara you can definitely see a manga like effect. The only slight difference with the formula is that this one is a bit on the wet side compared to the original.

As for wear time (non-waterproof formula), I did not have any issues with smudging or flaking. It wore about 6-8 hours. 

You can purchase this at drugstores nationwide for about $8-9 depending which drugstore.

SPRING 2014 BEAUTY TRENDS

Need an update on your look for the new year? Well look no further. Here are 5 popular spring beauty trends fresh off the runway guaranteed to liven up your beauty wardrobe for the upcoming year.

1.) Violet Eyeliner: During the spring a lot of pastels and pinks come out from lip sticks to lip glosses to even eyeshadows. However no matter how much we may want to rock that pink eyeshadow if not applied correctly your eyes can look bloodshot like you haven't slept in 1,000 years. This year though it is actually possible to rock that pink. Instead of the boring black and brown eyeliner try to freshen things up by pairing your pink eye look with a violet eyeliner. The violet eyeliner is very flattering paired with pink eyeshadows and will make your eyes appear fresher and bolder.

Suggestions: Try MAC Fluid line in Phlox Garden ($16 @ www.maccosmetics.com)

2.) Two-Toned Nails: Let's get real nail art is sooo 2013. So let's get rid of the chunky glitter and nail art pens and try something new like two-toned nails. Basically choose any color to your liking and paint your nails. Then take a second color and paint only half of your nail sort of like a french manicure but bigger. To make that perfect moon crest use a tiny eyeliner brush or paint brush.

3.) Blue Eyes: No I'm not going back to the 70s/80s where our moms and grandmothers were still wearing that ugly hooker blue eyeshadow. It is actually possible to pull off blue eyeshadow and you won't believe how easy it is. Instead of a royal blue try a pastel blue or an icy blue. Just apply all over the lid and blend it up to the crease. Add a highlight to your brow bone something one to two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Finish off with a thin line of black liquid eyeliner and pile on that mascara and you are good to go! This works best with cream eyeshadows and make sure to keep the rest of your face makeup simple you want all the attention on the eyes.

Suggestions: Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color in Ice ($25 @www.shiseido.com) Or Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tenacious Teal ($7 @ Drugstores nationwide)

4.) Look at Me Lips: Forget about the reds and nudes this spring it is all about the oranges and pepto bismol pinks. Bright, flirty and fun!

Suggestions: Maybelline Color Whisper in Petal Rebel ($8 @ Drugstores nationwide)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren ($8 at Drugstores nationwide)

5.) Last but not least CORAL CHEEKS- Once again we are moving away from the pinks and kicking it up a notch. Coral gives us that nice springy glow without looking too overdone. Plus it looks amazing on tan skin. Keep it simple with a pinky/nude lip gloss and some mascara and you are good to go.

Suggestions: NARS Super Orgasm ($26 @ www.sephora.com)

Dolce & Gabbana Luminous Cheek Color in Rosebud ($45 @ www.sephora.com)

Review: Wet n Wild Spring 2014 Collection Color Icon 5 Pan Palettes

Well they are finally here! The Wet n Wild Color Icon 5 pan palettes part of their Spring 2014 Collection (This particular line is not connected with the Fergie Spring Collection). This collection has a total of five 5-pan color icon palettes. I just got 2 of them because the blue palette in this collection is a smaller version of the Blue Me Away palette that is already in the Wet n Wild permanent line and the same goes for the purple one in this collection it is basically a mini version of the Petal Pusher palette. There is also a basic black smokey eye palette but that on is very similar to a trio in the permanent Wet n Wild collection.

The first one I got....

The Naked Truth (395A)

Packaging: Comes in the standard Wet n Wild packaging except instead of 3 colors or 8 like the other palettes in this line these new ones come with 5 shadows. 

Formulation: These palettes are really nice. They have a nice mixture of matte and shimmers which is not like the other palettes in the Wet n Wild line. They are usually all matte or all shimmer. I was slightly disappointed with the pigmentation of this palette. While the texture was very nice, the pigmentation wasn't very consistent. The matte shades are very nicely pigmented but the shimmer shades not so much. The Naked Truth however is still overall a nice palette. Great variety of neutral shades that are awesome for everyday wear for school to work. You can also darken your look for going out at night or just to kick it up a notch. 

The other palette I got...

Art in the Streets (391A)

Packaging: Comes in the standard Wet n Wild packaging except instead of 3 colors or 8 like the other palettes in this line these new ones come with 5 shadows. 

Formulation: This is probably my favorite palette out of the entire collection. First of all can we just admire the insane bright colors this palette has. All of these colors are not only well pigmented but all MATTE. There are very few drugstore brands that make all MATTE palettes especially with insane colors like these. The texture of these shadows are very soft and surprisingly blend able for matte shadows. They are a bit powdery however so make sure you are careful when applying. 

Both of these palettes retail at $3.99 however @ Wal Greens select palettes from the new collection have a dollar off sticker attached to them so in the end you are only paying $2.99! Definitely a bargain you don't want to miss! 

Because these palettes are new products they might be available everywhere just yet. However Wet n Wild prices are fixed (except when it comes to coupons) everywhere available. 

Review: Wet n Wild Spring 2014 Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection

Color Icon Palette in Poster Child (737A)

Packaging: Comes in the standard Wet n Wild Color Icon Palette. Total of 8 eye shadows ranging from pinks, blues, a yellow, an emerald green and a dark grayish black. This is the only new Color Icon Palette for their Spring 2014 Collection.

Formulation: These shadows like the other color icon palettes shadows have a very similar soft texture to them. They apply very smoothly without any creasing. The only issue I have with this palette is that the colors aren't as vibrant compared to the other Wet n Wild Color Icon palettes. However they still give off enough pigmentation to play around in. Definitely a fun palette to look into for the upcoming spring and summer months! 

Overall: 4.5/5

This is a permanent edition to the Wet n Wild line so don't fret if you cannot find it yet. It just started to be released into stores at the moment it may take a bit of time depending where you are for these to come to you.

All Color Icon Palettes from Wet n Wild are $4.99 no matter where you purchase them. Walgreens is the only drugstore I have seen carrying these products as of now.