First Impression: Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara

I've seen this mascara many times in the store but I haven't heard much about Neutrogena mascaras so I've never picked it up. I was recently in a Target and decided to try this out. I got it in the shade "carbon black." It's a really skinny tube and it's packaged with the brush separate from the tube. So, when you open it for the first time, you open the mascara tube and insert the clean brush. This mascara claims to lengthen lashes 100% and includes vitamin E, olive oil, and antioxidants to increase lash health as well. It is anti-clumping, flaking, and smudging. 

The first thing I noticed about this mascara was the consistency. It's a lot thicker than the mascaras I typically use. I could tell it was a much thicker formula as soon as I inserted the brush. I noticed that this is beneficial when applying as it's a lot less messy, doesn't smudge onto my eyelids, and doesn't flake off onto my cheeks when I put it on. I was a little worried that would mean it'd be clumpy, but actually the opposite was true.

The first time I applied this, the first thing I noticed was how natural it looked. After applying one coat, it looked like I had naturally black, full lashes. It coated every lash but remained soft to the touch. I applied a few more coats to build up length and volume and was really happy with the finished product. This is definitely not a dramatic mascara - even after several coats it's very natural-looking. This would be a perfect "no makeup" mascara, a base coat, or a good everyday mascara if you're looking for something a little more subtle. 

This was just under $8 at Target and can be found in most drugstores and also at Ulta. It's a great mascara to keep in your makeup bag or to take when traveling because of its slim tube!

I've only been using this for about a week so I can't review it's lash lengthening properties, but I would repurchase just because I liked the product. I've actually been using this as a base mascara because it separates lashes and coats them so they're totally black. Then, I go in with just one coat of a different mascara to add a bit more length and thickness for a bolder look. I have used this several times on "no makeup" days and I really love the way it looks just on its own. I've also been using this on my bottom lashes and it has not smudged at all.

Have you tried this lengthening mascara? Did you see any results? Let me know! I will provide an update after I've been using it consistently for several weeks.

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara - Review

There hasn't been much hype around this mascara (I can't figure out why) but I spotted it in Sephora and decided to give it a try. I'm a long-time fan of simple, old-fashioned mascara wands. I'm not a huge lover of plastic brushes, curved brushes, fancy wands, etc. I tend to stick to more basic brushes and I find that they give more volume and length without clumping or getting all over my eyelids. I love the packaging of this - it's a bamboo tube with simple but cute labeling and design. The wand is just a normal mascara wand, nothing crazy; it reminded me of my all-time favorite, holy grail mascara - the L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black formula. 

I love the brush! It's fat (but not so much that it makes a mess when applying) and fluffy and gives really great volume and length. It holds a curl but it isn't difficult to remove. I never have problems with smudging, running, or it wearing off after a long day. This is definitely one of my new favorite mascaras! I also like the smell (weird?) it's a bit sweet and almost vanilla-like. A little weird in a mascara, but I'm not complaining.

I will definitely repurchase this mascara. I feel that it doesn't damage my lashes much (if at all) because it's easy to remove and the formula doesn't feel too harsh. In fact, I was noticing such a change in my lashes that I decided to look up the description of this mascara to see if it's meant to improve the quality of your lashes. Sephora's description of the gifted mascara claims that it's meant to repair, strengthen, and rebuild lashes. I can definitely see the results after just a couple weeks! It's easy to apply - only takes a couple coats and you're ready to go. Even without curling my lashes, it adds volume, length & lift. I have also tried the Lights, Camera, Flashes statement mascara by Tarte (you can read my thoughts on it here) but I definitely prefer this formula. It's perfect for everyday wear and could easily be a staple in your vanity. 

A bonus is that it's formulated without mineral oil, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. Also, Tarte does not test on animals!

What are your favorite mascaras? Do you prefer a traditional brush or a plastic one? Let me know in the comments!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara Review

LOVING this mascara! This was the first Tarte product I ever tried and to be honest, it didn't wow me at first. I bought this at the same time I bought the Benefit They're Real mascara and I ended up using the Benefit right away and didn't use the Tarte mascara for several weeks. Now I'm addicted. I have blonde lashes so it can take several coats for me to make sure all my lashes have been coated and darkened, but this mascara is SO black and because of the brush design, just a few sweeps and all my lashes are fully coated.

I initially purchased this based on a video by Fleur DeForce - she gave it a rave review and I decided I would give it a try. I really wanted to like it but wasn't all that impressed at first. I've discovered the secret - I have to curl my lashes first (I admit I'm not a consistent lash curler) and I have to use both sides of the brush. When you apply it to curled lashes it looks amazing! It holds the curl, it's super black and manages to coat each and every lash. It also adds volume and length. I started wearing this mascara to my hot yoga classes because although I don't wear any face makeup - I usually swipe on a bit of waterproof mascara since my lashes are blonde. This mascara does NOT budge. I've been wearing this everywhere for a couple of weeks now and I love it.

Tarte also claims that it's enriched with vitamins and minerals so that it ends up being healthy for your lashes. That's just an added bonus because the truly black formula and the brush design are really great and I will definitely be repurchasing this. The brush has two sides to it - a short, dense, side that helps coat the lashes and add volume, and a longer, firmer side that combs through to avoid clumps and lengthen. I love it so much I may just have to try the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara as well.

I purchased mine at Sephora but you can also find it at Ulta and Tarte online

PS - How cute is the packaging?!

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara Review

Bottom lash mascara. At first I found myself questioning the necessity of a mascara specifically for bottom lashes. However, if you pay attention to your bottom lashes throughout the day you might notice smudging, flaking, smearing, etc. I started to notice these problems and then I realized I had just been dealing with it... constantly wiping under my eyes and checking my eye makeup in the mirror to make sure I didn't have raccoon eyes. When I first heard about Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, I thought that it was a good idea, but maybe slightly unnecessary, but I decided to base my final decision on the price.

I was happily surprised to find the tiny mascara at Sephora for only $10. I decided to give it a try and I'm so happy I did. I can't go a day without this mascara, now. It comes in black & black/brown - I'm currently using it in 'black.' I love this product so much and can't imagine ever switching back to a regular mascara for tiny bottom lashes. The brush is sized perfectly and applies mascara neatly and precisely without clumping. I even use this on my upper lashes sometimes in the inner corner where my lashes are very small. This mascara never smudges or flakes. This summer, with temperatures in the triple digits, I never had a problem with my bottom lashes melting or smearing. 

I can swipe this on quickly at the end of my makeup routine to coat my bottom lashes and go. I don't have to worry about wiping away flecks of mascara or cleaning my under eye area. It makes my bottom lashes stand out and it's extremely convenient. I will definitely continue to repurchase this product. Its formulation makes me want to try other Clinique mascaras (which, by the way, are all priced very well). 

You can find this at Clinique booths in department stores or online, Sephora, and anywhere that sells Clinique cosmetic products.