Review: L'oreal Paris Telescopic Explosion Mascara

PRODUCT NAME: L'oreal Paris Telescopic Explosion Mascara

COLOR: Black

DESCRIPTION: L'oreal claims this mascara can be apply from every angle to reach each and every lash; adapts to every eye shade, grabbing even the smallest lashes in hard to reach corners; creamy smooth formula that lengthens, thickens and separates every little lash for a fanned-out eye look; formula contains jojoba oil, palm oil and Pro-Vitamin B5 for soft texture and lash conditioning; and of course, no clumping, smudging or flaking.  Additional Info: suitable for sensitive eyes.

PRICE: USD $9.49 (Suggested)

AVAILABILITY: November 2009 in the USA (Already available in Europe)

A couple of weeks ago I received this mascara for me to try it out and share my experience with it.  I didn't know about it, so I decided not to look to reviews or videos done by other beauty bloggers (the mascara is available in Europe) to make my decision without any prejudices.  I mention this because I always look for reviews of products I'm interested in b4 buying them (hey, I like to spend my money as wisely as possible).

I was very curious because of the Telescopic Explosion wand, which of course reminds us of the Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes Mascara. I also have to agree with a youtuber (I forgot her name!) who said the wand looks like one of those medieval weapons, the morning star. LOL.

The mascara tube is like the regular Telescopic mascara, this one is just red.  When I saw the wand my first thought was "how do I work with this?"  And then I began playing. To my surprise, it is really easy to work with.  Way easier for me than the regular Telescopic mascara wand (it bends, so it was difficult for my to apply the mascara).  When L'oreal says the wand is designed to grab every little lash at every possible angle, they really mean it. Applying mascara to the the lower or the inner/outer corners lashes without making a mess is very easy to do.

What about the formula? I don't agree much with the thickening part, but this product separates my lashes and make them larger, like really spiky. I like that it provides length without making my naturally curled lashes all flat. 

**REMEMBER TO CLICK ON THE PIC FOR ENLARGE VERSIONS**

Look at those lower lashes!
The fanned-out look is totally achievable

I normally don't buy regular washable mascara because, thanks to the heat and humidity here in my beloved country, it's only a matters of minutes under the sun before it starts smudging and going all around my under eye area (doesn't matter if I haven't applied mascara to the lower lashes  o__O.  I have been testing this product for a few days now and it works okay =). Definitely no smudging and flaking (I hate when that happens). 

 

I find I do need to work fast with this product because it may clump while it's setting.  I don't like that but I have to say the clumping is minimal. When I do my dark smoky eyes look, I like that my lashes stand out and are very noticeable.

About the lash conditioning properties, all I can say is that my lashes doesn't feel hard as a rock after applying it, so that's good.  

I wish the packaging was a bit more sophisticated, the red "explosive" color just makes it look cheap. But that's just aesthetics, I know.  The price (USD $9.49) is the same as the regular Telescopic mascara (if I'm not mistaken) and average to other L'oreal and drugstore mascaras.  Of course, you can get this product for less at BOGO sales...which yours trully always do, LOL!!

All in all, this product is okay. Great for those morning I do the "bright eyes" look, where I need to appear very, very awake.  ;)

 

Rating: 3.5/5 (thumbs up for providing the spherical brush to the "drugstore mascara world"; but it dried up relatively fast and became more messy to apply)

ETA: I had to lower the rating 1pt of my original 4.5 rating because after less tha three months, I noticed the mascara got thicker inside the tube (and I know I closed it well & I always kept it in a cool place) and it was very difficult to apply. Something for L'OREAL to deal with. I normally use my mascaras for 6 months. It's still a great product and I would buy it again, but for a cheaper price.

'Til next time my beauties!

¡Vivan, amen y rían

MAC Fuschia P/M and UD Smog Dupes?

I like to find dupes for more expensive products, mostly on eyeshadows, blushes and lipsticks not so much for brushes and other tools.

What do you think of these?  I think they are pretty similar but not exact duplicates. 

MAC Fuschia Pigment vs. L'oreal HIP Pigment in Fiery

 

*Both pigments are great quality, I think Fiery is a bit more purple and dark than Fuschia.

**Please note: If you are gonna buy the HIP Pigments, consider getting them on one of those BOGO-Free sales.  They are pretty expensive at regular price (~$12 for 1.5g vs. MAC $19.50 for 7.5g)

***They look the same on my eyelids .

Urban Decay E/S in Smog vs. Milani E/S in Golden Bronze

 

*Smog is a tad darker, but both colors looks almost the same on my eye lids. Both e/s are so soft.

**Milani: ~ USD $4   vs.   Urban Decay: USD $16

Just sayin'...

MAC Style Black Collection Available Online

I've been waiting for this collection for quite sometime now, can't wait to go to my local store. The swatches I've seen are very interesting. Ah, this collection reminds me of my "heavy metal lover" days...so cool. So, if you like the goth, punk-rock chic, heavy metal groupie or just in-your-face look, maybe you would like to check it out. ;)

Check out pictures and swatches of the products from this collection HERE (link will take you to Temptalia.com; the lovely Christine has made swatches and reviews).

Oh, MAC is offering free shipping (US addresses only--including Puerto Rico) until 9/27/09, 11:59 pm EST with any purchase.  Use code BLACK at checkout.

What are your thoughts about this collection? Are you getting something from it? Share with me. =)

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

TotalBeauty.com: 2009 MTV Video Music Awards

I loved Beyonce's wild hair, Katy Perry's sexy eyes and Alessandra Ambrosio's hair and makeup, she looked amazing!

MTV 2009 Video Music Awards Best and Worst Looks

Taylor Swift was princess-perfect while Lady Gaga went above and beyond

While "space punk" appeared to be a red carpet theme, these artists all brought their individual style to MTV's 2009 Video Music Awards (case in point: Lady Gaga). Here, we present our most crave-worthy (and cringe-worthy) picks for hair and makeup. See the looks

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Months ago I posted a first look to the EL's Double Wear Foundation.  The time has come for a proper review.  Again, my reviews are based on personal experience. Each individual is different. May I remind you I have combination-oily skin, some redness and dark spots on my cheeks, nose and forehead.  In "MAC terms" I would be between NC 35 to NC 40 (depends on the time of year and product).

***REMEMBER TO CLICK ON ALL PICS FOR ENLAGED VERSIONS***

NAME:  Estee Lauder's Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup

DESCRIPTION:  As per Estee Lauder's website: "15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. Won't change color, smudge or come off on clothes.  Feels lightweight and comfortable. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day." It is oil-free, dermatologist-tested, non-acnegenic and fragrance-free. 20 available shades in Cool, Neutral and Warm undertones. 

SHADE I BOUGHT: 3W1 -- Tawny

PRICE: USD $33.50 + tax for 1 fl. oz.

SO??:  Okay, this is easy.  DW foundation simply complies with every claim made by EL. The only one I wouldn't be 100% sure is the 15 hr staying power, but only because I haven't used it for that long. I can say I have used it for 8-10 hrs and it does stay put, looks great and very important: it does not transfer to my clothes, ruining them. I just need to blot once when using this, maybe 4-5 hrs after applying it, which I think is great.  It doesn't make my face itch when I sweat and there is no terrible smell.  

If you like or need full coverage foundation, this is an excellent option.  Many people have compared it with the Revlon Colorstay Makeup and I do have to say, they are pretty similar.  The Colorstay does have some kind of chemical smell (though it disappears a few seconds after applying it) and I do feel it dries just a bit faster than the Double Wear foundation, but once both foundations are set, they will not move or smudge or whatever.  I've read some reviews about DW feeling like a "mask" and right away I know the cause is too much product was applied.  You just need a small amount of this foundation to get decent coverage.  Contrary to Colorstay, which I totally prefer to apply with my MAC187, I prefer to apply the DW foundation with the MAC 190 and then use the 187 in those areas I need more coverage (my cheeks).  But this is totally personal preference, it's what works for me.  

They provide a good range of shades, but I do feel Tawny is a bit dark & yellow for me now.  I am mixing it with the sample I got from the 3N1 shade and it is okay. I have also mixed it with the cooler Colorstay shades I have (like true beige) and get a great match.

This foundation comes in a rectangular, frosted crystal bottle with no pump (huge disappointment, for the price of it they should add one). As I have mentioned b4, the MAC foundation pumps fit perfectly in this bottle.  

The difference in price between the two foundations is considerable, since you can get Colorstay for about $11-12 or less if you get it on one of those BOGO-free sales.  Would I buy Double Wear again?  Honest to God, IDK right now. I will finish my Colorstay foundation bottles first and if I have the cash, maybe.  But really, there is not a huge difference between the two foundations that would make me go running to the DW.

That said, yes: the Double Wear foundation is an excellent product.  I recommend going to your nearest EL counter to get your perfect match.  If you can't go to a counter, you can always chat with a beauty expert at the Estee Lauder website.  If you don't like the foundation, you can always return it. I can't say the same thing about the Colorstay, because I already asked at my local drugstore and they don't allow that kind of returns.  =(  Booo!

RATING: 4.5/5 (Add a frickin pump to it, EL people!)

ETA:  Added two more pics--foundation swatches.

ETA 2:  Forgot to mention, I've read comments of people complaining this foundation is hard to take off.  I recommend using an oil-based makeup remover. I use MAC's Cleanse-Off Oil, then a soft face cleanser (double cleansing method).

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Look: Colorful Hepcat

I hadn't had the chance to work much with this Hepcat e/s since I got it. Yesterday was my nephew's baptism and I finally grabbed it for a colorful look.  I like purple shades on brown eyes.  I also used my Revlon Illuminance Vavava Bloom e/s pallete: the light purple as a base for Hepcat, the orangy peachy shade on the crease and the pink shade as a highlighter.  One can make great combos with that e/s palette, but I do think that it has to be set with powder eyeshadow or translucent powder so it lasts longer without creasing.

**I'm sorry the foundation looks lighter on pics, but looks OK on real life under natural lighting.

 

  

 

Under natural lighting:

FACE

Borghese Prima Viso Face Primer on cheeks

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Revlon Colorstay Foundation--Warm Golden

MAC Blushcreme -- Sweet William mixed with Brit Wit

L'oreal Translucide Loose Powder--Translucent

EYES

Revlon Illuminance Cream E/S -- Vavava Bloom

MAC Hepcat E/S

Maybelline Line Express E/L in Ebony Black (smudged out on upper lash line)

Urban Decay 24/7 E/L in Zero on both waterlines

L'oreal Voluminous WP Mascara in Black

MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud

LIPS

Lipbalm with spf 15

Palladio Plump n Shine ligpgloss in Pink Candy (in all honesty, I forgot to pack a gloss that would've matched better the rest of my makeup)

Hope you like this look. Lovely week.

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Great Lorac sale on Hautelook

Hautelook is having an awesome sale on LORAC Cosmetics with savings up to 80% off regular price.  E/S singles, palettes, lipsticks, glosses.  I will be checking this brand out, another first time for me, lol.  Click to go there! (this is my own personal invitation link, but membership is open to everyone).

 

My recs to you guys come from personal experience.  Once again, my experience with hautelook.com has been really great!  Once the shipping of my order got delayed and they promptly apologized and I didn't have to pay for the shipping cost. 

ETA: I've just noticed Lorac is having it's VIP Sale online (loraccosmetics.com) offering the same discounts.  You have another direct shipping option, though they only ship to the USA (50 states). Hautelook ships to PR and Canada.  Just wanted to let you know.

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

To look beautiful...

Thanks to those of you who shared your opinion on my first poll -- "What do you emphasize the most when doing your makeup?". 14 votes, yes!  LOL.  I see "flawless complexion" got the most votes. I agree, I prefer to have a nice, evened-out complexion when going out so I work my makeup mostly around that.  I'm very self concious about my skin, I have many "issues" to deal with.  I've went to a dermatologist this past week and, for sure, I have melasma on my face.  I will be starting treatment with 4% hydroquinone this week, let's see how that goes.

So this takes me to my next question-- How far will you go to achieve the look/physique you desire: plastic surgery (anywhere, everywhere), permanent makeup or just classic makeup tricks will do?  Answer on the poll on top of the "about me" section, you can select multiple answers.  Also, leave your thoughts here on the "Comments" area.  Share with me!

Image: Matchstick01 @ Photobucket.com

I have seen articles like this and this other one and I am just....eeeekkk!  (wow, the paparazzi really love to get pics like these). Who were the surgeons that operated on these celebrities? Because...damn! I've always thought that maybe when I'm older I will have some work done in the eye area, but I'm not sure. 

PLEASE NOTE:  I do love all things beauty-related but this old cliché is oh-so true---You could be gorgeous, physically perfect, flawless everything, BUT I you are a horrible, rotten person....meh... people with notice the stink really fast.  Just sayin'.

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

The 11 Worst Skin Care Serums

Hoping for an anti-aging miracle? You won't find it with these products

Some anti-aging products can completely revamp how our skin looks. Unfortunately, the serums on this list either didn't do much at all, or gave our readers worse skin (yikes!). Check them out, so you know what not to try. See serums

No. 11: Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum, $45

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.5

"The eye serum irritates my skin and burns my eyes ..."

No. 10: Olay Regenerist Targeted Tone Enhancer, $21.79

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.5

Even after "eight weeks" or using "the entire tube" readers "have not noticed a change ..."

No. 9: Fusion Beauty LiftFusion Face Lift, $140

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.4

"I didn't feel any of the benefits that were advertised, and cost per use was approximately $40 ..."

Want to see what's the worst? Click here!

Cover FX on Sale at Hautelook

For those Cover FX fans, Hautelook.com is having a small sale on some their products, like the face primer, the Skin Tint Tinted Moisturizer and lip products.  I do hope they can offer more Cover FX products on their next sale =D

Click on the image to get to the site (my personal invitation!):

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

L'oreal HIP E/S Swatches

Hey guys, yeah, I haven't been posting much.  I've had family issues to deal with and I finally met my new nephew this weekend. So cute!!!

Well, here are some swatches of the L'oreal HIP eye shadows.  I really like them but I confess I always buy them on one of the many bogo-free sales at Walgreens.  These E/S are probably the ones with the best quality and color payoff (most of them) that you can find at a drugstore.

My favorite from the ones I have is Dynamic.

These is a quick post about the ones I have, my hubby needs the computer asap.

**AS always, click on the pics for bigger version**

 

 

 

  

  

  

  

 

Hope you find this post helpful.



¡Vivan, amen y rían!

TotalBeauty.com: What guys really think of your look...

Interesting...

Pssst....Hurray for natural looks, lol.

What Guys Really Think of Your Look

Ever wonder what he really thinks of that "sexy" red lipstick or neon nail polish? Find out!

First a disclaimer: We think you should embrace whatever looks you love and make you happy. But just in case you're curious, we asked more than 200 men ages 20 to 30 what they love and hate about our hair, body and makeup styles. Find out what they had to say, and prepare to be shocked. See results