Mascara. Which one do you choose?

With so many mascaras on the market, it become overwhelming deciding which one to choose. I guess the important thing when determing mascara is to decide what you're looking for? Are you looking for length? volume? curl? There are also mascaras that are good for every day use and those that are good for a night out on the town. I have put together a list of  three high-end mascaras that I think are wonderful for different reasons. Later, I will compile a list of drustore mascaras as well, but for now, I will stick to the professional make up. I will also post pics of how different mascaras look once applied, so that you can see the difference.

The first mascara I will discuss is Tarte "lights, camera, flashes" 4 in 1 mascara. I received a travel size of this mascara in my ipsy bag, and I will definitely be purchasing in the future.  This mascara is pretty much the end-all be-all mascara for me. The brush is not too thick, and does not clump. The mascara goes on smooth and does not clump at all. It provides the right amount of length and volume, and also holds a curl well. This mascara is great for every day use, as it does not produce a dramatic effect, but creates a more natural volume. I also find this mascara to be very easy to apply to bottom lashes for a more dramatic look if needed. The price of this mascara is $20.00. They have a travel version for $10.00, if you wanted to try it out, before spending the money.

The second mascara to be discussed is Urban Decay "Perversion bigger.blacker.badder" mascara. I also received a travel size of this mascara in one of my ipsy bags, and boy was I impressed. This mascara is great for going out at night, as the thick bristles create a very dramatic effect. Volume is this mascara's middle name! The one downside I found with this mascara is that you have to be careful applying it to bottom lashes. I like to take a piece of paper and place it under my lashes before application, to prevent smearing. This mascara is priced at $22.00

Beauty tip: when you're too pressed for time for a full makeup application, apply this mascara and pair it with a lipstick...and you're done! You look like you put effort, when you only put in 5 minutes!

The last and my most favorite mascara that we will discuss is Too Faced "Better than sex" mascara.
First off, the packaging of this mascara is absolutely beautiful. I love the pink color and the size, which tells me it will last me a little bit. The brush is slightly fat and has a slight angle to it, which adheres to your lashes perfectly. There is a little bit of clumpiness on the brush, which I found to be a little off-putting at first. However, once the extra mascara is removed from the blush, the mascara applies flawlessly. I find this mascara to be virtually perfect. It adds the right amount of length and volume to my lashes, and it applies smoothly to my bottom lashes. The shape of the brush helps aids me in applying mascara to those hard-to-reach lashes. It can be used for every day, or for a night time "cat-eye" effect. This mascara delivers everything it says it does, all in one beautiful pink package of joy! The price is $23.00.

Well, there you have it. Three mascaras that will please any beautiful lady. And even better, all three of these products are cruelty-free, which means they do not test their ingredients on animals. In this day and age, there is really no reason for that nonsense. I hope I have helped aid your decision in what kind of mascara to get, and until next time....xoxoxo. Bizarre Barbie is signing off.

Summer time fashion

It's my favorite time of the year...Summer!!! Summer has so much to offer, as far as wardrobe, especially in Florida. Pretty much anything goes, in the summer time. I love it because it's "no fuss no muss", and it's so effortless to look glamorous.  I'm going to go over a few staples, and must-haves for the summer. I'm also going to go over a few make-up/hair tips, that will help you out.

The first staple for summer is the sun dress. These dresses are very light and casual, yet very beautiful, when dressed up. They can be used as anything from a bathing suit cover up, to a going out dress, paired with heels. I have a few picture examples of sun dresses that I have used, and I truly believe every girl has to own at least a couple. 

The second staple for summer is a bathing suit...not just one, but many. Now, don't flip out. You can get fashionable bathing suits very cheap this days, if you shop smart, and wait for the sales. First and foremost, you need a bikini. Bikinis never go out of style, and perfect for the beach. Now, you probably need a couple different choices of bikinis. A regular triangle-top bikini would be good for just relaxing on the beach. However, if you are going to a water park, or doing something active while on the beach, I would suggest a bikini top  that fastens in the back, not just ties, and possibly one that is straight across the top, verses the triangle top, which covers barely anything. The last thing a woman needs when she's trying to have a fun, active day is to worry about "the girls" poppin out on a whim. Wardrobe malfunctions are so 5 years ago. So..different bikinis for different occasions, and I have outlined in pictures for you exactly what I mean.  Now, sometimes, a bikini is not ideal at all for your outdoor adventure. Maybe you feel bloated, or you're just not 100% feeling your body. I have these days often, and that's why I have a very fashionable, vintage whole piece, that is very sexy, but still covers up a lot of my body, so that I don't have to feel self-conscious. A whole piece is also very useful for other events as well, such as horseback riding on the beach, scuba diving, or other excursions. Also, if you have been spending a lot of time on the beach, and you develop a sunburn, maybe it would be best to cover up a little more of your body, so the burn does not get worse. Always remember to wear sunscreen though. My favorite brand is "Hang Ten" spf 50, but yet I still have a dark tan. Also, a cover up is a must. You can use a sun dress, as mentioned above, or you can get cover-ups that are cute, and fairly cheap. And don't forget sunglasses!

A few other staple items are: white jeans..they never go out of style, and are so cute, and easy to dress up. Also an array of shorts/cute tank tops for casual days, as well as skirts, which are always a plus for summer. Show off those tan legs! A couple pairs of flip flops, and strappy sandals, will complete any summer outfit. The colors of summer are bright and lively, so don't be afraid to show off your beauty with hot pink, neon green, peach, aqua, or bright purple. I have yet to meet a woman that doesn't look great in the summer time, wearing bright or cheery colors. If you wear a touch of bright "look at me" colors, you will look happy, and a happy girl is a beautiful girl. 

The last thing I want to cover for summer is make up. You can be loud and proud with summer colors, but you should use make up sparingly. In the hot summertime, it will feel heavy on your face, as well as start to melt and run off, leaving your face looking sloppy, and feeling uncomfortable. Therefore, I use minimal make up in the summertime. I usually cover my face with a bb cream that has an spf in it, but also gives you light to medium coverage. over that, I apply Clinique's bronzer in "sun-kissed" on places on my face that the sun would naturally hit. Then I apply a light pink eye shadow, some mascara, and a lip gloss. I usually use NYX butter gloss in apple strudel. It's smooth, and has a peachy look on the lips. As for hair, I don't even bother straightening it, because the humidity will ruin that in 5 minutes. I usually just spritz it with marc anthony "beach waves" spray mist, and scrunch it a few times. It takes about 2 minutes, and looks like I really put an effort into doing my hair.

Well, I hope my tips are helpful for your summer fashion! Always remember, simplicity is the best for a hot summer look. Don't try to aim for perfection, especially when it comes to hair and makeup. Beach babes have a slight messy, tousled look, and it's totally ok and sexy! Come back to my blog for my fashion tips, and product reviews.

Side-by-Side concealer review

Most girls understand the importance of concealer. Whether it's used to cover up the occasional pimple, or as a daily part of your makeup routine, choosing the right one is ever so important. With so many choices out there, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Today, I would like to compare three high quality concealers, and go through the good qualities of each one. The three that I have chosen are Clinique's "even better" concealer, Benefit's "fake up", and Boo-Boo cover up. 

Clinique's "even better" concealer comes in a pot, and is applied by using a concealer brush. I find the consistency of the concealer to be heavy and concentrated---a little goes a long way. I use this concealer on days that I need full coverage, because it does an excellent job covering up just about anything. When I feel overworked, and my eyes get dark circles around them, this is my go-to. If I wake up with a huge, ugly pimple, it's my go-to. I've even used it to cover up dark spots. It's also perfect underneath darker colors, for night time wear. It's only downfall is that it is extremely heavy, and can easily looked "caked" if not used sparingly. I feel like it's best for emergencies or night time. 

Benefit "fake up" comes in a stick, with the actual concealer in the middle of a moisturizing stick. I am in love with this concealer, and use it daily, for whatever little fixes I need. I love that it's not drying. It's very light and blends in well with any skin tone, providing the right amount of coverage, without being heavy. It's very easy to apply, simply dab areas that need extra tlc, and blot pressed powder over top. I would not recommend for major face emergencies, as this is more of an every day wear. 

Last but not least, Boo-Boo cover up is a casual, every day wear concealer, that comes in a squeezable tube. The coverage is moderate (slightly more than the stick, but not as much as the pot) and I find it very flexible, for day or night use. It's easy to apply. You can squeeze out a little or a lot, depending what kind of coverage is needed. It has a light feel, while doing its job of camouflaging boo boos. I've been using it on days that I need a little extra than my normal routine.

 

Concealer can definitely enhance your makeup, if worn correctly, and I view it as an important makeup tool, at hiding those every day imperfections, that pop up on us. I have provided you with three excellent concealer choices, but the possibilities are endless. If concealer is new to you, start small, by choosing an easy-to-apply stick, and work your way up. If you have questions/concerns, check out my youtube video for tips/tricks on how to apply concealer. 

Tarte cheek stain/lipstick Review

Today, I would like to review Tarte cheek stain, as well as Tarte lipstick. Both of these products, I have purchased in the color "blissful". I purchased both of these products from Ulta, which is where I buy most of my cosmetics. In this review, I will go over the price, the feel of the makeup on your face/smell, and the staying power of these products, and the overall quality.

Cheek stains seem to be all the rage right now. They don't look as "clownish" as blush, and tend to create a more natural, "flushed" look. This particular stain costs $30.00, which is actually pretty average. The matching lip tint costs $24.00, which I found to be kind of pricy for a lip tint. I bought it anyways, since they complimented eachother so well. 

The smell of both these products is phenomenal. I would buy these products for the smell alone. I will say that the blush appeared wayyy dark in the package, and was intimidating at first. However, when applied, it is a very "toned-down" version. I love the way this color is so fool-proof. If you apply too much, its very easy to blend in. However, I dont care for the initial "sticky" feel on my face. Also, the stain seems to fade quicker than I'd hoped. I find myself needing to reapply a few times in a typical day. Aint nobody got time for that! The lipstick to me was kind of "eh". Wonderful mint smell and taste, but it slides off your lips in 10 minutes flat. Looks hella good for that 10 minutes though. Just not worth the money in my opinion. 

After testing these products for 2 weeks straight, I came up with a 3 out of 5 shoe rating. I would buy the cheek stain again all day long, even though there are things I dont love about it. The lipstick I can take or leave, especially at that price. 

I will leave you with some  before and after pics. 

Before

After

Too Faced Chocolate Bar eyeshadow review

Too Faced is one of my favorite lines, sold at Ulta and Sephora. So, when they came out with an eyeshadow palette called Chocolate Bar, I couldn't resist. This palette contains 16 colors inside, and with names like gilded ganache, and black forest cordial, a girl is bound to fall in love. But that's not it! This eyeshadow is dusted with real cocoa powder, so it even smells decadent. How does it measure up in comparison to other big names? Read my review and find out. 

Firstly, the packaging is very cute, as it looks like a candy bar, but has pink and gold fancy writing. When you open it, there is a clear-plastic covering over each color, letting you know the color's name. The aroma is amazing as well, when you open this pretty box. There are also cards       which contain color combos and directions. 

This eyeshadow goes on smooth, yet light. It does not feel "caky", but instead seems to blend into the skin, not getting lost. It seems to last most of the day, yet I do have to reapply towards the end of my shift. There are endless amounts of color combos within this palette, to create an array of different smoky eyes, for daytime and night. One downside to this palette is the fact that it does not include brushes. It's kind of pricy, at 39.50, to not include brushes.  Overall, I give this palette a 4 out of 5 shoe rating. Here is a pic if the finished product, using Too Faced Chocolate bar eyeshasow, to create a daytime smoky look. 

Skyn Iceland Masque review

Skyn Iceland has come out with a two-step masque, that prides itself on hydrating, and replenishing dull, stressed out, dehydrated skin. I received a sample of this masque in my Ipsy glam bag this month, and decided to review it. 

First off, the packaging was very modern and cool, featuring a long presentation imprinted on it about how this product will surely rescue your dehydrated skin. Had too much coffee, and not enough water? No fear, because this product is pretty much a miracle! I was more than interested, seeing how drinking water is so much of a challenge for me. 

I opened up the first step of this two-step masque, which was the clay part. I applied it all over my face, and while doing so, noticed a very enticing aroma of cool mint. It was invigorating, yet not overpowering. I also felt a slight tingling sensation, which told me the product was doing it's job. I moved on to step two, which is the " activating gel", which is to be applied on top of the clay, and blended, to create a "warm foam". This is where it got tricky. The gel did not blend very well into the clay at all, and kept sliding off my fingers. Also, the " warm foam" was actually more like a " hot mess", which truly burned, and irritated. This was not pleasurable at all, nor did it seem productive. Nevertheless, I attempted to last ten minutes, with this mixture on my face. I lasted seven...before the butn was too intense. Rinsing this stuff off was an even bigger challenge. It took forever. 

Finally, I dried my face, and examined the results in the mirror. There was red irritation, due to the heat. But, there was also a visible improvement. My skin no longer looked or felt dehydrated and dull. It felt smooth and moisturized. I was actually very happy with the results, though I'm not sure it was worth the process.  

I will give this product a 3 out of 5 shoe rating.  It produces results, but with a price, and I'm just not willing to pay that price.  So my search continues for another " rescue" from dehydrated skin. 

Brio Geo Don't Despair. Repair Review

Brio Geo Dont Despair. Repair, is a deep conditioning masque for your hair. It is ideally applied once a week, while in the shower, left on for 2-3 minutes, and then rinsed out. This hair masque claims to restore your hair's natural luster, and softness, and repair damage. I received small portion of Brio Geo through ipsy, and decided to try it out, and review it. 

First off, this hair masque is quite pricey, in my opinion. It costs around $27.00 for 5.25 ounces. I received a small sample size, through my ipsy subscription, but I doubt I would pay this. 

Next, the texture and smell of this product is uniquely pleasant. It smells fresh, with a hint of coconut. The trxture is soft, and light--not heavy or greasy. It felt good in my hair, and didn't seem to weigh it down. 

This product was easy to apply, and did not irritate my scalp at all. It was soothing, rather than harsh. It rinsed out with ease, which is important. My hair was incredibly easy to comb, after applying this product, as it seemed to have detangling properties. My hair felt soft to the touch, and smelled amazing. The next day, my hair looked visibly better, with less flyaways and visible breakage. After using this product for a month, I saw a visible improvement. 

I rate this product 4 out of 5 shoes. I really loved this product, but I don't think I will pay that much for a hair conditioner. Until next time, and more reviews... Xoxo. Also, check out my Youtube Video on a unique way to curl your hair, and upcoming review!!