Product Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

Two blog posts in one month (O.O)?! Yes!

Hello everyone!
Today, I'm going to be sharing my thoughts and experience using one of the most hyped "drugstore"makeup product in 2017, L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara.

This mascara is absolutely beautiful, and I'm not talking about the packaging. The formula of this mascara, and the brush, just perk your lashes up so well. It is essentially a push up bra for your eyelashes.
The product builds up easily, without clumping my eyelashes, and for me personally, the more I run the brush through my lashes, the better the results. I've been using this mascara for over a month now (possibly 6-7weeks), and it is the first one I reach for. I typically rotate 2-3 tubes of mascara at any given time, so for me to be continuously reaching for this mascara every time I do my makeup, shows me that I just love what it does for my eyelashes.

I usually go for Blackest Black, however, it would seem that in Trinidad only the shade Black (201) is stoked at local retail stores, and the price does vary according to location. I paid approximately TT$70, for mine, give or take a couple of dollars, but it was the last one in stock and I didn't want to wait for a restock because it had been sold out everywhere I went prior.
Honestly, I've never seen a mascara sell at the rate that this has been. When I try to go purchase a backup tube, the store attendants always say that they're having difficulty keeping it in stock due to the demand.

Wearing the Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

My natural lashes aren't the thickest or the fullest, but when I use this mascara, my lashes look full and fluffy. I remember when I first applied it, and I could not believe that my lashes could look so good. I don't wear false eyelashes nor do I have eyelash extensions, so I'm constantly hunting for a full, voluminous look, that helps to define my eyelashes, and this mascara does that for me.
I've not experienced any smudging or flaking with this product, and it comes off effortlessly with either Micellar water or makeup remover.

My main issue with this mascara is the packaging. While I do find the foiled pink and gold packaging beautiful, it flakes off. With continued use, the tube begins to flake, and I am left with a bunch of silver residue on my hands after I apply my mascara and it annoys me.

Flaking tube

Flaking tube #2

For this mascara, the pros definitely outweigh the cons, and yes, I will be repurchasing it soon. It's my new go-to mascara, and although I have some other mascaras to try, I just love the way this mascara makes my eyelashes look. This mascara lives up to the hype, at least for me it does.

Well folks, that's all for today. I know this post is short, but I didn't feel the need to go on and on about how much I like this mascara.
Thanks for stopping by my mind palace today, and I will see you all again very soon.
Bye (^_^)/

De-clutter and Empties: The Return to the Mind Palace

Return to the Mind Palace! 

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the blog!
This is the first time in over a year that I've actually sat down to post, and I feel excited to be working on the blog again. Honestly, due to how hectic things have been in the past year, I lost my zeal for blogging. I just could not bring myself to sit down and dedicate time to the blog because it felt like a chore, and I felt that my lack of enthusiasm and interest would reflect in anything I posted. 😓😞
After many months away from the blog, I started playing around with ideas to motivate me to return. I love my blog, I love makeup and beauty, but I felt as though nothing about my blog stood out enough for me to enjoy returning to regular posting so the break continued. After a conversation with some friends, it struck me, Mental Health. I'm a training psychologist who is passionate about talking about mental health and breaking down mental health stigma, why not do posts dedicated to Mental Health?! Slowly, behind the scenes, I begun to reconfigure the blog, and give it a bit of a face lift.
Thank you all for being so very patient with me, and I can't wait to get back to posting regularly. Now to the De-clutter!

De-clutter and Empties!

The De-Clutter Gang!

I love makeup, and like many makeup lovers I tend to keep some products around for far too long. If I love a specific product, I want to hold onto it for as long as possible (even if I don't use it frequently), and if I dislike a product, I still try to get my money's worth. However, there comes a time in a makeup lovers life where they just have to let go of the products that are just taking up valuable space in their collection.

Eyes

Starting with eye primer, and cream bases. I absolutely love the Milani Eyeshadow Primer. I already have a back up of this in my collection. Honestly my favourite eyeshadow primer that I've tried. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold, and Caramel Cool while they are great cream eyeshadows, I just don't use them. I've had these two for far too long, and it's time for them to go. While they are great products in terms of colour pigmentation, texture, and longevity, I do not think I'll be repurchasing them.

Shades: Oro (left), Pine Nut (right)

My original NYX cosmetics eyeshadows. They're both extremely old so they had to be de-cluttered but definitely some of the best eyeshadows I've owned, and I will miss them.

I typically get rid of mascaras regularly (between 3-6 months). Jordana Best Lash Extreme is still one of my favourites, and is a guaranteed repurchase. Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam while it is a nice mascara, I find the brush to be a bit too large for my eyes but the large brush gives really lovely volume to the lashes. Will I repurchase? - Maybe not. I've got a couple of mascaras to try out, and this mascara wasn't one I was enthusiastic about.

Milani Eye Tech Extreme - possibly the only liquid eyeliner I use because it is easy to apply, and very pigmented. However, this time it started to apply very streaky and would end up smudging on the outer corner destroying my wing. I don't know if the one bought was just super old but it has me discouraged from repurchasing anytime soon.
Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal (Sparkling Black) - Didn't like it at all. The glitter takes away from the colour, so rather than sparkling black, you get a glittery grey that isn't waterproof at all and barely lasts on the eye. Not going to waste my money on this particualr shade, but I am willing to try their regular colours; brown, black, white, and nude.

Face

I did a full post on this and the Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation in Sun Beige (310). I do like this powder, however it started to get old, the texture was off and it was not buffing in seamlessly anymore. I am currently testing the new Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder (future post maybe?)

Lips

SMLC- Ibiza

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cremes are one of my favourite lip formulas. However, this colour just did not work for me. It was streaky when applied, and with the applicator I just could not make it work for me.

Nails

I don't remember the names of either of these nail polishes but they're old and goopy.

Makeup Remover

I love both of these so much. Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover has been discontinued or at least they are no longer stocked in Trinidad. One of the best makeup removers I've ever used.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is awesome. I typically use Micellar Water after removing my makeup with coconut oi to clear the skin of any remaining oil and makeup debris before I wash my face. I am currently using the L'Oreal Micellar Water and it is very similar so at the moment there is no need for me to repurchase.

Well folks, that's all I have for today. Thank you all so much for stopping by, I do hope you enjoyed!
I'm so happy to be posting again, and I can't wait for the next post. Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and positive!
Bye ^_^)/

Another Update Blog: Product Testing, and Grad School

Hello everyone!
Another unexpected hiatus from posting for which I apologize.
After seemingly recovering from the horrible cold I caught in August, I've been recovering from a bit of a relapse of that cold. Random fevers, a full rash, painful sore throats; it has been quite a physical ordeal. My appetite is still suppressed, and I've not been able to return to a regular workout regime, which for me, is a different type of mental and physical torture. Since I've been nothing but varying degrees of ill, I've felt completely uninspired, and unenthusiastic about blogging. I've been wearing no makeup most days, which has delayed testing products, as well as my Makeup Play series.

I am hoping that from this week, September 26th, that I will be able to get back into my usual regimes once again. I'm going to start back product testing, and returning to my Makeup Play series. However, given that I am currently in the final year of my Master's Degree, things are extremely hectic, so I may not be able to maintain the weekly blog posts. I may have to reduce my monthly blog posts down from four a month, once per week; to either once or twice per month. Even with the best time management skills, this change in posting is inevitable.

Current Products to Test!

1. Tartlette in Bloom Palette
2. NYX Tame and Frame Eyebrow Pomade
   
3. L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Concealer
4. L.A. Splash Smitten Waterproof Lip Tint
5. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick 
6. Inglot (Freedom System) Single Eyeshadow
7. E.L.F Brushes
8. Morphe Brushes
9. Revlon Gel Envy Nail Polish

I am going to be trying my best to get posts out to you, but I do have to prioritize my Grad School work. Thank you for understanding!

Bye everyone (^_^)/

L.A. Colors Eyeshadows (12 Color Palette and 5 Color Matte Palette)

Hello my Mind Palace friends!
I have finally returned. My health took a bit of bump in August hence the lack of posting. However, I am finally feeling better, and finally able to return to blogging. Thank you all for your patience.

Today's post is going to be about some gem eyeshadow palettes from L.A. Colors. L.A. Colors is an inexpensive, and cruelty free brand, that makes some amazing products. In a few of my previous posts, I mentioned a L.A. Color Eyeshadow Pot as my go-to transition shade, and general favourite blending colour; (shade name is Bare Mauve). I recently purchased the 5 Color Matte Palette in Brown Tweed for TT$15; and was gifted the 12 Color Eyeshadow Palette in Brown Buzz last December for Secret Santa.

L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Palettes; Brown Buzz (top), Brown Tweed (below)

12 Color Eyeshadow Palette 

Starting with Brown Buzz, I was blown away with how beautifully these eyeshadows applied and blended. I used this palette predominantly in my Toph Bei Fong inspired Makeup Play look. These shadows are pigmented and soft, and blend like a dream. The palette has a mix of shimmer, and satin finishes, which makes it incredibly easy to use. I will link the Makeup Play post where I used this palette at the end of the post.

L.A. Colors 12 Color Eyeshadow Palette in Brown Buzz

Swatches from Brown Buzz 12 Color Palette (no flash)

5 Color Matte Eyeshadow Palette

An all matte eyeshadow palette that is inexpensive, pigmented, and easy to blend! Sounds too good to be true, but alas L.A. Color killed it. Whether you want a simple look for every day, or want to go smokey glam; this little palette can do it. If you work or go to school, i assure you this little palette will become an essential, as it makes doing your makeup on a morning easy and effortless. This is also a great complementary palette to own, since it will be easy to work in any single eyeshadow you own to produce a multitude of looks. I will be doing more looks incorporating this palette in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned to my Instagram.

Brown Tweed Matte Eyeshadow Palette

Swatches of Brown Tweed

Concluding Remarks
Both of these palettes have beautifully pigmented eyeshadows, that blend easily, and that do not make your wallet cry. I find myself reaching for the 5 Color Matte Palette whenever I do eyeshadow, so it is a product that can very easily sneak into your everyday makeup essentials. I am planning on purchasing more of the Matte Palettes in order to determine the consistency throughout the line, and I may do a full dedicated post about them in the future.

Thank you all for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful day.
I will see you all again very soon. Stay happy, healthy and positive until next time!
Bye (^_^)/

Links: Makeup Play #2 
http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2016/06/makeup-play-2-easy-fun-greens-aka.html