5 Drugstore Mascaras You Must Try!

I’ve been testing out several new mascaras lately (well new to me at least) and have fallen in LOVE with quite a few.  Here are 5 drugstore mascaras that you NEED in your life!

#1 – L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise $9.99 (0.28 fl oz)

This mascara has been creating quite a buzz on social media…and for good reason.  It claims to provide length, volume, soft feathery lashes with over 200 bristles, and more black pigments.

I completely agree with all these claims and have fallen hard.  I’ve tested it out on very hot days when I’ve been sweating and have not had any flaking or smudging.  It’s got a thick gel-like formula that coats the lashes well, holds curl, and lasts all day.  It’s a drier formula, which isn’t a bad thing, just something to note.  I haven’t noticed it drying out though, its remained the same as when I opened it a few weeks ago.  My new FAVE from the drugstore!

Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Starts NOW!

Starting today Ulta will begin their 21 Days of Beauty; a HUGE sales event that Ulta offers for 21 days from March 19th – April 8th.  These next 21 days are full of awesome deals on high-end cosmetics, skin care, Ulta brand products, brushes and much more!  Each day there will be a Beauty Steal that is good for one day only, so if you want in you’ll have to act fast!  I always order online and use Ebates, but you can get most items in-store too, just be warned that store items typically sell out fast.  There are also a number of Hot Buys and Ulta Collection Beauty Deals that run the length of the event and there’ll be daily Platinum Perk deals as well.  It’s absolutely amazing and one of my favorite times to stock up on favorites and try new beauty products.

I’ve composed a list of items that I feel are worth checking out.  My advice is to check Ulta’s website calendar here and plan ahead for what you want, so you can scoop it up on the day it’s offered.

DAILY BEAUTY STEALS

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Face Wash (8oz) – $ 14 (reg $28)- March 19th

Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss – $12 (reg $24) – March 21st

BECCA Backlight Priming Filter (1oz) – $19 (reg $38) – March 26th

Tarte Maneater Self-Sharpening Liner – $10 (reg $20) – March 28th

Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara – $11.50 (reg $23) – March 28th

Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten – $14 (reg $28) – March 29th

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water 3.9oz – $16 (reg $32) – March 31st

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara – $11 (reg $22) – April 2nd

Cargo Swimmables Water Resistant Blush – $13 (reg $26) – April 5th

Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief – $10 (reg $20) – April 7th

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil – $10.50 (reg $21) – April 8th

Monday Must Haves ~ Sephora Favorites Extravagant Eyes

For this week’s Monday Must Haves I’ll be reviewing an awesome little set I picked up during my Black Friday shopping called the Sephora Favorites Collection Extravagant Eyes.  This set is $42 and comes with 8 products, some full-size and others deluxe.  I’ve been playing with these products for the past several days and I have to say that I’m really impressed by the value and quality, so much so that I wanted to share my thoughts.

Let’s take a closer look at the products included in this set…

Huda Beauty Lashes in “Samantha #7” (retail $20) – medium volume, natural style lashes that are stacked up to create length and drama for every eye shape.  These lashes are so popular that they’re out of stock on Sephora’s website (and have been for a while now), so it’s awesome to get them in this set.  I’m not a frequent false-lash wearer, but when I do I want to have some length, volume and drama.  The Samantha lashes seem perfect for that.  Full-size product.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in “Plum” (retail $29) – a long-lasting, creamy eyeshadow stick that can also line, highlight, and create smoky looks.  I have several of these caviar sticks and they are fabulous!  So creamy and pigmented and they blend nicely before setting for all-day wear.  Plum is a beautiful smokey purple that looks great on its own or as a base for a dramatic eye.  Full-size product.

Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara in “Blacquer” (retail $26) – a lash-expanding, ultra volumizing mascara designed to deliver high-drama lashes.  I’ve only worn this a couple of times but so far, so good.  I did not care for their Velvet Noir mascara that I tried previously, but this formula seems different.  It’s very black and adds some volume and length (which is a must!).  Deluxe-size product.

Mascara Madness at Nordstrom

If you’re looking to save some extra cash on your favorite high-end mascaras, then head on over to Nordstrom today because they are offering a Buy 2, Get 3rd FREE sale!  Nordstrom has this sale a couple times a year and it’s always a great time to stock up!  No promo code is needed, just add 3 mascaras to your cart and one will be FREE (lowest priced).

My personal favorite mascara of all time is Stila’s HUGE Extreme Lash, but there are so many other awesome mascaras from Lancôme, MAC, Urban Decay, Dior, the list goes on and on!

Don’t Forget to use Ebates first for additional cash back rebates – today it’s 6% cash back at Nordstrom!

Also, if you’re not a Nordstrom Rewards member, it’s totally FREE, and you’ll receive an additional $10 to be used during holidays (November 26 – December 24).  You can sign up here.

What is your favorite high-end mascara?  If you picked up any in this sale today, please let me know!

Until next time my lovelies… ♥♥

Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara Review

HURRY…RUN…HAUL TUSHY for the Stila Cosmetics 25% Off Sale going on right now!  (sale expired but sign up on Stila’s website for notifications of upcoming sales – they occur frequently).  This is an excellent time to stock up on some of your must haves from their line.  The sale’s extension will end tonight (10/13/16) at 11:45pm PST, so don’t delay!

Just to quickly share – one of my most favorite holy grail products is Stila’s Huge Extreme Lash Mascara which retails for $23 and has 0.44 fl oz.  On sale right now you can get yours for only $17.25!  This is an excellent price for a high-end mascara.  Don’t forget to use your Ebates when purchasing for even greater savings with cash back rebates!

Now, I know mascara is very personal and just because it works for some doesn’t mean it works for all.  For me personally this mascara is PERFECT.  I have thin, very lightly colored, medium length lashes.  I also have very sensitive eyes that water like crazy most days. This mascara doesn’t irritate my eyes, it’s very black, does not clump, and is very long-lasting on me.  I use this on my top and lower lashes and I never worry about it flaking or smudging.  The formula is thick but not dry, and the wand has very comfortable nylon bristles that seem to catch all my little baby lashes with ease.  It’s so volumizing and lengthening and I just adore it!

I also love pairing my mascaras with a lash primer, since I don’t curl my lashes this seems to really help make my lashes stand out.  My current favorite is the Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer.  It’s a mouthful and pretty pricey ($29.50/0.33 fl oz) but definitely worth the splurge.  I usually wait to buy it when Sephora has the VIB or Friends and Family sale.  This mascara plays nicely with other primers as well (I’ve tried it with Clinique and Urban Decay) and it works wonderfully ☺

Have you tried the Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara yet?  Did you purchase anything in the 25% Off Sale?  I would love to hear your thoughts, please feel free to send them my way!

Until next time my lovelies… ♥♥