Lover's Gaze: New Mascara Launch from Pat McGrath Labs

Danyelle Valentin // @bufferingbetty

Seduction Elevated

Since it’s very first product debut, Pat McGrath Labs has craftily released makeup worthy of a display in an art museum. Her six-pan eye shadow palettes shaped like envelopes can be spotted instantly on a crowded shelf. Her lipstick-packaging and formulas- will stand the test of time. It is why whenever there is a new release from the beauty laboratory, makeup artists and enthusiast are in a frenzy. Well, babes, she’s done it again.

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Meet FetishEyes Mascara!

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The Big Claim: Directly from Ms. McGrath herself. (via ig, of course)

Prepare to LASH HAUTE with #FetishEYES Mascara. This instantly iconic formulation unleashes the ultimate in pro performance artistry, saturating each individual lash in the most intense black pigment while dramatically lifting and lengthening for unprecedented fullness and maximum volume. Straight from the lab, this all-in-one mascara seamlessly builds from coquettishly feathered to editorially-inspired, for a full-on lash fantasy that becomes more extreme with every swipe. ⚡️⚡️⚡️ The NEW RUNWAY-TESTED, MOTHER-APPROVED FetishEYES Mascara drops 2.14.19 - EXCLUSIVELY at PATMcGRATH.COM. (source)

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Lift ✔ Length ✔ Max Volume✔

Honestly, what else do you need from a mascara.

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FetishEyes Mascara will be available on Feb. 14th for $28 on patmcgrath.com + sephora.com!
Shop here

That’s right, Valentine’s Day! Tell bae to skip the flowers + shit, and just hand your their card so you can order what you really want.

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Finally, can we just take a moment to bask in the creative mind of Pat McGrath!

Her aesthetic will have you reaching back in time to revel in her time capsule of beauty knowledge.

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Her imagery is like an erotic fever dream. Haunting and beautiful.

It’s classic hollywood meets fetish femmedom. Latex, leather, and passion.

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One hell of an eye f**k

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The MIlk Makeup Mascara That's Doing Too Much While Doing Nothing At All

Written By @Twist.It.Tea

Milk Makeup Ubame Mascara. By Taylor Adami

I was so intrigued by Milk Makeup’s Ubame Mascara that I couldn’t wait to put it to the test.  As we all know, Milk Makeup is eco-conscious, paraben free and all around very innovative when it comes to ingredients and from first glance, this mascara didn’t fall short in those categories.  But I couldn’t help but wonder, “Is Milk Makeup just one big gimmick?”  (I know a few of you are scoffing at this!!) I will say it has it’s up and downs but part way through writing this article I had made up my mind about which category Ubame Mascara fell in to.  I want to mention first, the notable ingredients, and then with how it applied to my lashes.

Kishu Binchotan Charcoal courtesy of Free People

 One of the first unusual ingredients is right in the name, Ubame.  Ubame is naturally derived from oak trees in the Kishu region of Japan, which is then activated into charcoal. People use ubame for so many different things; mostly to purify water, absorb oils and grilling.  I won’t lie, I had no idea what this stuff was but it seemed magical and at the end of my research I was happy to take the time able to educate myself on all of its amazing uses.

The way Milk Makeup utilizes this organic ingredient is by promising a shade of black that is ‘blacker than black’.  I’ve personally never had problems with mascara not being a true black but I was willing to let them sucker me in over this ubame oak charcoal.  I noticed my lashes were dark, but nothing I’d say stood out to be much of a difference than my normal lashes just a bit more stuck together.   I was kind of disappointed, I was expecting a thicker, fuller lash but instead got a clumpy, haphazard mess.  My eye lashes were separated and weak.  I love when a mascara gives me a full lash starting at the base, and gradually separating.

Not actual sapphire dust, shown is Glitter Dust In Sapphire Blue by Shopo.

Next on the list of “Interesting Ingredient, But What Does It Do?” was the highly proclaimed, sapphire dust.  Well, I couldn’t have rolled my eyes harder at this one. After Googling plenty of different variations of, “what is sapphire dust?”, “what does sapphire dust do?”, none of my questions were answered especially in regard to what Milk Makeup claims to provide, “dimension and depth”.  At this point I’m a little skeptical because I’m getting the feeling Milk Makeup is marketing to a consumer who will buy anything that sounds ‘natural’ or ‘better for you’.  Honestly, I don’t see any need for sapphire dust in a mascara, but Milk seems to think it’s an important enough ingredient. I won’t lie, it does sound pretty cool to say you’re mascara is made out of activated charcoal and sapphire dust.  But, it doesn’t change the fact that this mascara really fell short.  I would have loved if the dust provided a reflective property to make the lashes seem fuller or longer.  Anything to make them seem less unenthused. With  Milk boasting about their Ubame mascara being 75% natural ingredients, I was convinced at this point they’re just throwing shit in there to sound cool. And the reason why I’m saying that is because ,they got me.  I thought these two ingredients were both interesting enough, to have high hopes for the mascara.   I was hoping the notable ingredients were more than a shock factor, but functional ingredients.  Unfortunately for me, this formula caused my eyes to it itch shortly into the day.  It is highlighted to be a buildable mascara and I found myself applying it close to four times before seeing some drama.  I think the excessive coats, mixed with a drier formula caused the mascara to flake under and into my eyes resulting in my eyes becoming extremely itchy.  So not only were my eyes itchy but black flecks were sticking under my eyes, and it looked like I haven’t been getting much sleep.  I didn’t put all of this together until I started reading some reviews claiming the same reaction. 

Milk Makeup Ubame Mascara Wand. By Taylor Adami

Apart from the non memorable formula,  the 3 part  wand was possibly the most unnecessary thing about this whole mascara.  The directions claim  that curling your eyelash prior isn’t needed.  I beg to differ.  In order to achieve any noticeable effect I had to curl my lashes prior or else they would stick straight out. It was annoying having to apply 4-5 coats per eye to only get a fraction of what BlackUp Volumizing Lengthening Mascara gives me in 1-2 strokes.  I don’t think this brush does anything for me at all, it was even difficult to apply in some areas of my eye because of the shape.   

 I will say one positive thing about Milk Makeups Ubame Mascara is their genius concept of the squeeze tube.  I loved feeling like I had more control over how much formula I was putting on the comb, and I wish every company would implement this packaging into their mascara lines. Unfortunately this packaging wasn’t enough to make up for the overall underwhelming results. 

"They're Real & They're Spectacular"

Written by @oohkayla

One of the first “high end” mascaras I remember purchasing was Benefit’s They’re Real mascara. Benefit was actually one of the first brands I ever purchased from in Sephora, in truth they really are the brand that led to my obsession. Fast forward to also 10 years later and I have come to the conclusion that They’re Real mascara may be my makeup soulmate.

Dear They’re Real, I am sorry for the years I spend neglecting you, I was young and foolish and trust me it won’t happen again. Will you forgive me? Yours Forever, Kayla M

Like most people I am a real sucker for numbers and statistics, I can tell through the computer screen you are staring at this saying, “What does that mean?” You know when 3 out of 4 dentists recommend a gum? Or when 9 out of 10 vets agree on a cat food? And you go out and buy it just because almost 100% think it is good, that is being a sucker for numbers and statistics. Benefit’s website has them all over their site and after being reunited with my love, I have to agree with them. I apply 1-2 coats to my top lashes using the wiggle through technique. The wiggle through is when you move your brush from side to side as you are moving it up through your lash, I find it gives me the maximum effect and rids me of any small clumps that may have occur not that clumps happen often.

1 out of 1 Kayla’s recommend this to her entire tribe. The brush this mascara has seems pretty standard but it isn’t! Think Harry Potter wand and then add a little spiked ball at end that helps with those really tiny lashes as well as helping to separate overall. I personally have very small, scattered, “are they even there?” lashes and this works wonders. The mascara lengthens, separates and adds volume. But be warned this won’t provide the look of falsies but it will help the makeup lovers out there that need a good staple mascara, who have a hard time finding something that makes the smallest of lashes step into their power and you take home to meet your parents!

If They’re Real Mascara was a person they would be the best man and maid of honor at your wedding, the aunt who always makes the best mac n’ cheese, the little black dress that hugs you in all the right places.

$10 Subscription Unboxing: Ipsy v. Sephora Play

Of all the mail that gets shoved into your mailbox, nothing compares to your subscription service finally getting in! Push past the bills, the junkmail, the wedding invites, and get right to the goods! Today we unbox two $10 beauty subscription services: Ipsy and Play! by Sephora. 

Ipsy

Ipsy is subscription service created by Michelle Phan, the woman who played a major role in how beauty marketing works today. For $10 a month, subscribers of Ipsy receive 4-5 deluxe size sample products that range from lip balms to body scrubs and everywhere in between. The products featured are from brands you'd find at your local drugstore, higher end products, and even indie lines. The products are all packaged in a cute unique pouch that coordinates with a theme of the month. While you cannot explicitly customize what will be featured in your bag, Ipsy does take into account your preferences from information obtained through a quiz taken when you initially subscribe to their service. 

This Gudetama themed bag included 2 skincare type items. The Tarte Rain Forest of the Sea Deep Dive Cleansing Gel and the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet. I appreciate that the skincare was so well balanced. Having a cleanser and moisturizer featured in the same bag shows that the curator really thought of the beauty process in terms of skincare. 

The remaining beauty products featured can give any Ipsy subscriber what they may need to be ready and out the door. Concealer, liner, highlight (brush). In the bag there was a Concealer Crayon from TreStique and a Wonderwand Gel-khol Eyeliner by Ciate London. The Illuminator brush is by Beau Gachis Cosmetics which is a full size brush and valued at $9.95. 

Play! by Sephora

Each Play! by Sephora subscriber receives 5 sample products and a fragrance sample.

This box included care items that serve as protective and restorative treatments from all the fun things of summer. Diving in the pool is fun. What it does to your hair and skin is not. There was a hair mask from Madam C.J. Walker. The Beauty Culture Dream Come True Wonderful Pre-Wash Protein Treatment is great to restore life to your hair throughout the summer. TTThe Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Bouncy Hydrating Gel can be helpful for after-sun care. Finally, the Ren Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream which smells like heaven!

The fragranced featured was Mon by Guerlain. It has a warm smell that is perfect for the "Glamp" theme. The Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm is an easy throw-it-on lip product. The It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara makes your lashes very fluttery. However, I thought it was kind of an out of place item. It just really didn't make sense in this bag. I read up on the product on Sephora's product web page. It describes the mascara "like skin care for your lashes."

Who do you think had a better bag? Ipsy or Play! by Sephora?

All photos are property of meetpepperb.com

What is the best natural mascara? NUDESTIX Lash Lengthening Mascara is a minimalists' dream and it also supports LASH GROWTH!

By: Amanda V. 

It's no secret that I love big beautiful lashes. I have been in a long lasting relationship with my Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara for the past couple of years. To say I am attached is an understatement. Lately I felt the need for change, because my go-to mascara became too intense for me to wear for work especially since I don't put much makeup on anymore during the weekdays. I began searching for something more subtle just to define my lashes.

AFTER WEEKS AND WEEKS of searching I finally came across NUDESTIX Lash Lengthening Mascara. Not only does thjs mascara perfectly coat my lashes with the creamiest formula, it is also a treatment, formulated with a lash boosting complex and peptides to strengthen your lashes and assists in natural growth of your lashes. BINGO!!! The wand is sleek and slender and perfect for shorter lashes. The perfect amount of product comes out with the wand so it isnt messy whatsoever and you aren't wasting any product. So far my lashes haven't clumped and the product hasn't flaked onto my cheeks. I apply 2 coats and it makes my slightly unruly lashes perfectly defined and wispy.  My lashes also don't feel stiff and crunchy, they feel feathery with movement. Although I haven't noticed much lash growth in the past 3 weeks, I do notice less fallout which is a plus.

The packaging of this gem superb! The mascara comes in a sleek black/black case that can be re-used for so many things. I usually fit a couple of emergency Tampons and a packet of Midol. 

If you are aiming for a dramatic lash look this is NOT for you. This is more for the minimal, natural look.

The Mascara itself is certified organic, hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested and fragrance free so even the most sensitive babes out there can use this bad boy. It is also Gluten and Cruelty free and perfect for the Vegan babes!! It retails for $24 and can be found at Sephora.com, Ulta.com, Beautylish.com and Nudestix.com. It can be quite the splurge for most but it is so worth it if you're looking for natural fluttery lashes that aren't too intense for daytime. 

NOTE: This product is NOT recommended for those with oily lids.. unless Raccoon Eyes is the look you are going for. 

Kiss New York Professionals - Dead Sexy Lashes,Volume and Define Review

                                                              No mascara                          Volume and Define applied together

Mix a mascara cocktail with this dual ended Kiss New York Professionals- Dead Sexy Lashes: Volume and Define Mascara. The volumizing end of the mascara has a chubby wand with thick, soft bristles that will add tons of volume to your lashes. My lashes looked thicker and fuller! The defining side has a thin, short wand, with bristles to match, that add length and definition to your lashes. While the formula for this mascara isn’t waterproof, it does hold up nicely throughout the day without flaking or smudging. The defining side works so well for my lower lashes. I usually don’t even bother putting mascara on the lower lash line but this mascara makes them look so long and separated that I fell in love with it.  

What I like about this product, and love about makeup in general, is that you get to experiment with it. Have you ever tried a product, liked it, but felt like it just needed something else? You can mix and match products to get the effect, color, and finish that you want. I love mixing a glowy bronzer with a rosy blush, I seldom wear just one lipstick, and you can bet that I’ve probably layered two different mascaras right now. Kiss New York Professionals- Dead Sexy Lashes: Volume and Define Mascara just took out all of the guess work for me.

If the mascara works so well, why does it only have 3 stars? The packaging is a major fail. Every time I open each end of the mascara, the stoppers pop out. The stoppers are what hold all the liquid in the tube and what helps to take off the excess product from the wand. The first time it happened, there was a mess all over my desk. It wastes so much product each time to wipe off the mascara. The application is made even more difficult by the fact that the wands are super short and the packaging is very chunky. It can be hard to reach all of your lashes. Maybe my mascara was just a dud, but more than half of the formula has had to be cleaned off my desk rather than my lashes. If you love Kiss products, I would suggest giving this one a try because it really does look gorgeous. However, there are similar, equally affordable mascaras on the market that will give you the same effect without the mess.

Product Rating: 3 stars

Available at kissnypro.com ; $9

Product Photo from kissnypro.com

Photo taken with iPhone 5s