Blaq Vixen Beauty

I'm trying to refrain from creating a list of beauty resolutions that I know that I won't be able to keep. In 2009, out of my 40 most pressing goals, I've only fully completed about 5. So much for "a different me."

That was before I  spotted an early campaign invite for the L'Oreal Paris Lash Boosting BzzCampaign in my inbox. I haven't been too impressed with the products that L'Oreal put out lately (peep my "L'Oreal Lost" series, as in "L'Oreal is falling from grace." Catch the reference?)

In my Lash Boosting BzzKit, I obtained three items: a BzzGuide, the L'Oreal Paris Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum, and the L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara. This all arrived December 24th. I saw it as an early Christmas present.

The Lash Serum has a patented Soft-Touch Applicator, which blows. It's a plastic scythe that enables you to coat the the entire length of the lashes, from the lash line to the tip. I wish that L'Oreal chose to implement a comb applicator because sometimes it's difficult to work it around my lashes. I love that the serum is clear. It takes some practice to make sure that you get just the right amount of serum on the applicator so that it will apply evenly.

Rest your eyes on the royal version of L'Oreal's Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara. This one is called the Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara. Step 1 is a serum-enriched primer. The serum contains two ingredients that  I've never heard before - arginine and centella - and is designed to fortify and nourish your lashes so that they will rival voluminous falsies in appearance.

Let me tell you why I'm not too fond of the primer.

I wish L'Oreal considered making the primer clear instead of white. As I'm sure you know if you use Double Extend Beauty Tubes, fully coating each lash covered in primer proves to be a challenge. When the primer dries, the lashes are stiff.  Not only that, but applying Step 2 (the mascara) ruins the look by transforming the lashes into clumpy, spider legs! Skip Step1 and just apply the mascara. The mascara is mostly great by itself but it does flake during the day. I have a couple of flakes that have settled in the bags underneath my eyes.

Don't mistake this as an inexpensive and more accessible alternative to Latisse or Jan Marini Eyelash Conditioner (which I actually need to remember to use and review) though. It is only meant to improve the lashes that you already have, not encourage new eyelash growth unfortunately. But wouldn't it be amazing if this product could transform your lashes into glossy, semi-permanent, feathered fringes? I'm almost giddy just thinking about the possibility.

I have 46 days left. I officially started on December 25th so I've been using the serum and 2-step mascara for ten days. It's too early to tell whether my lashes are longer or not but I have hope. I've noticed that when I remove the mascara, I do lose 1 to 2 lashes each session. It could be worse, right?

It's a fall fashion must-have...did you remember to order your CoverGirl Lash Blast Length mascara today.

CoverGirl celebrity makeup artist Molly Stern says, "This season is about a return to drama - and this mascara captures the mood perfectly. Use 2 coats at night for extreme lash length that won't quit."

You can order yours at Amazon.com,Drugstore.com Walgreens and CVS. I'm not going to promise that your lashes will look like Drew Barrymore's on the landing page (hell, my lashes don't even look like that), but if you're curious to see how well this mascara measures up to the original Lash Blast, take a chance and buy it.

Look out for my review on this mascara soon!

Since I just blogged about CoverGirl LashBlast Length, I figured I'd share my thoughts on CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe right quick.

Basically my review of Cover LashBlast applies for LashBlast Luxe. I said, "The first time, I had to learn how to work the brush. It was sort of difficult to reach the tiny inner lashes as well as the lashes in the outer corners of my eyes. Don't get me started on applying mascara on my bottom lashes - I recommend that you have several Q-Tips dipped in makeup remover on hand when applying this mascara unless you can manage not to get the product on your lids or under eye area."

Well, since you have to apply several coats of LashBlast Luxe for the glitter to show up, it's that much more important to have eye makeup remover and Q-tips handy, unless you don't mind the gathering of sparkling fall-out that's sure to gather underneath your eyes and on your cheeks. I use my Clean and Clear Soothing Eye Makeup Remover (making sure I shook it well beforehand) and a couple of Q-Tips from my Vanity Pack (in draft). However, I think it would be nice to have a Myrabelle Mascara Shield. Sometimes, my eyes twitch (especially when I try to tightline) or my hand is a bit shaky, so I rather invest in this yield to save time and effort trying to remove smudges of mascara and eyeliner on my upper lids and on my waterline.

Here's the brush for Black Cabernet:

As you can see, Black Cabernet looks more like a metallic, plum shade with red flecks. If you look closely, you can see the tiny bit of red at the tips of my lashes.

Afterwards, it seemed like my lashes were encrusted with finely milled Swarovski crystals. As for application, I shared that I "just used my brush one way" when I used CoverGirl LashBlast. With this one, I applied the mascara vertically and horizontally, working each lash to give me the length and thickness that I craved. Then I made sure to hit the very tips of my lashes so that they were coated with LashBlast Luxe sparkling formula. I also wanted to give the optical illusion that my lashes were extending past their usual length.

I want to share something that I saw yesterday: I received the latest issue of Glamour magazine. There's a CoverGirl ad with Drew Barrymore. In the ad, it said, "Why give up the glam? Just get it for less! Get department store beautiful without the department store price." Their picks:

Now I haven't had the pleasure of trying the DiorShow mascara yet but I have (obviously) tried LashBlast. So I wouldn't know if LashBlast gives the same results as DiorShow. I've tried Lancome Definicils but not CoverGirl LashExact. Do you have any of these mascaras? Would you say CoverGirl recommendations are dead-on?

If you're a fan of the CoverGirl Lash Blast and CoverGirl Lash Blast Luxe (in draft) mascaras, then you might be happy to know that CoverGirl has created another mascara that might be the next It mascara in Lash Fashion. Vixens, I'd like to introduce you to CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara (SRP: $7.49). This mascara incorporates a system that combines "an advanced Super-Length brush and CoverGirl's unique lengthening Elasta-Nylon formula for extreme lash length that won't break or flake off." You can expect to see up to 80% longer lashes. You shouldn't experience clumps, smears or smudges neither.

What makes CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara different is that their Elasta-Nylon formula contains nylon fibers, which are also used in lash extensions. The formula stretched your lashes to their maximum length, ensuring that they stay flexible and lightweight all-day. Imagine that! We all know how expensive some lash extentions can be. False eyelashes are great alternatives, but only if you're efficient at applying them (unlike me). But if you can apply mascara and you know certain tricks to get the longest and thickest lashes possible (no matter the formula), you might want to take a chance with LashBlast Length.

As you can see in the above picture, the mascara brush is very thin and long, unlike the massive, medium-length brush that both CoverGirl LashBlast and CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe has. The skinny brush makes it easier to grab and extend the tiny, fine inner corner lashes that you might have thanks to the specifically designed product reservoirs at the tip This allows for a "dramatic fan of ultra-long lashes." Who knows? Maybe there isn't a need to buy Shu Uemura's Toyko Lash Bar after all!

CoverGirl says that CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara has the longest brush ever. It gives "expert precision and control to create individualized clump-free lashes. It also has 20% more bristles than the previous LashBlast mascaras - this one has over 450 fine bristles!

Available in Very Black, Black, Dark Brown and Brown, this mascara will officially be on shelves on September 2009. However, starting on August 17, at covergirl.com/lashblastlength, you can pre-order it! The website will not be live beforehand but I will remind you the day before so that you won't forget to get yours. I personally cannot wait to try it!