Spring is in the air… and in my makeup bag. I’m slowly but surely breaking out new products that fit into a small window of time for me to primp before I leave for work. Right now I’m all about blush, bronzer and a dewy complexion. While my stash is somewhat small, here’s a quick list of my spring beauty picks in this moment.
I love my current mascara wardrobe but if I could save a few bucks and discover some new drugstore mascara dupes, I could reallocate those expenses to something else (oh like you know, a new bag or something). Of the four I purchased, one thing is for sure: no wand is the same. Here’s a quick beauty breakdown on these four drugstore mascaras.
It’s been a slow summer ladies.. not much has changed since my spring makeup essentials post. I think that’s a good thing. My mantra this summer has been, “less is more.” While I have upped my lip game and I did fall in love with a new collection of eyeshadows, my skin routine has been very consistent. On another note, my friend Nichole launched her own affordable online boutique, Always Be Envied. From dresses to rompers, she’s got quite the collection of pieces for any occasion, all priced under $50! Always Be Envied Boutique is also offering a special discount for Politics of Pretty readers! Receive 20% off your order through next Friday, August 29th with code SUMMER20. I fell in love with this black beaded halter dress, perfect for taking my summer look from day to night. As for beauty, here’s a run down of my summer makeup essentials:
Eyes:
This summer I made a impromptu purchase at Sephora on two NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows in Himalia (shimmering topaz) and Europa (pink peach). Best eye makeup purchase all summer. I love the metallic finish and you can apply them wet or dry. Two didn’t seem like enough so I splurged on one more, Phoebe (deep shimmering amethyst) and the Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush #49. Earlier this week I reviewed six different drugstore concealers—I’m still loving my Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser.
Lips:
Earlier this summer I treated myself to Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Nectar. I love love love this shade and the formula isn’t sticky, making it my go-to lip gloss. Benefit released their tinted lip balms this summer and I always keep a shade or two in my purse. The only lipstick I’ve been opting for this summer is NARS Lipstick in Heat Wave and what I happen to be wearing these photos.
Face:
My skin routine has been pretty consistent since my spring makeup essentials post. I recently started using MAC Prep + Prime Beauty Balm. I love the formula and I’m really impressed by the level of coverage. I’ve been applying it with my BeautyBlender and Ulta Professional Foam Jumbo Wedges. The power of sponges, people.
Black beaded halter dress (c/o Always Be Envied Boutique), Rebecca Minkoff bag, Kate Spade Cat Eye sunnies
Photography by Kate Ann
A couple months back I launched a mini series on the best drugstore mascaras for length, volume and curl. In the final installment of this series, I went on the ultimate mascara drugstore haul and picked up five different drugstore makeup brands that promise curvy lashes for a dramatic eye look. Check out my reviews below and find out what brand should be crowned as the best drugstore curling mascara.
Physicians Formula Organic Wear CC Curl + Care Mascara: The green tea scent is pleasant for an eco-friendly formula but it lacked any curling technique. Simply put: no bueno.
Boots No7 Exquisite Curl: This is my first time testing Boots No7 beauty products so my expectations were pretty low. What I really liked about this mascara was how it could pick up the finest lashes all while adding great length and volume in two coats.
Maybelline Volum’ Express Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara: I love the claw brush and compared to other tubes this mascara doesn’t clump but in terms of curl, this didn’t do much for me. I would use this for an every day natural look but not my go-to for dramatic looking eyes.
CoverGirl Flamed Up Mega Curl Mascara: If you don’t use or own a lash curler then chance are you won’t need one thanks to this tube by CoverGirl. The “c” shape of the brush makes for an even application.
Lumene Blueberry Curl Mascara: Compared to other tubes, this macara is easy to remove at night and the organic blueberry helps keep lashes healthy. Aside from that, I don’t think its curling technique did much for my limp lashes.
This blog post is not about finding the best do-it-all drugstore mascara. One tube can only pack so many effective ingredients to achieve your desired effect. Which is why I launched a mini series on the best drugstore mascaras for length, volume and curl. Not too long ago I dished on the best drugstore lengthening mascara. I went on the ultimate mascara haul and picked up five different drugstore makeup brands that promise the best volumizing mascara. Check out my reviews below and the winner!
CoverGirl Bombshell Volume by LashBlast Mascara: I like the double-ended two-step application but the top coal seals lashes for such a dark and intense finish that it makes it difficult to remove at night.
L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara: Three words: baby doll lashes. It creates killer volume and thickness in two to three coats. Unfortunately, it’s not a mascara I would recommend for sensitive eyes (I’m a contact lens wearer myself), but it gets the job done.
Maybelline Volum’Express The Rocket Mascara: I read some awesome reviews about this mascara but for some reason, this didn’t do much for my lashes other than create clumps and smudging.
Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Lash Boosting Mascara: Lately I received a couple requests from readers about recommendations for hypoallergenic mascaras and makeup. I thought I’d give this tube a try because to be honest, I had never tried Physicians Formula mascara (only their bronzers). The application is even but I experienced some smudging and flaking.
Revlon Photo Ready 3D Volume Mascara: The brush made it easy to define and separate lashes without clumping. It made my lashes darker and noticeably thicker but it did dry out pretty quickly.
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