Second Chance: Better Than Sex Mascara

   A few years back the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced Cosmetics was suggested to me and I had high hopes for it... Sadly it wasn't what I was looking for because it stayed too tacky and my oily eyelids would smear the mascara if I happened to touch my eyes at all. Not just that, but my eyelashes are wonderfully long but having them hold a curl is quite the struggle *sigh*, and the original Better Than Sex formula didn't stand up to the task. Since my lashes have a hard time holding a curl, I always use eyelash curlers and have found that waterproof formulas tend to keep them curled and cute... My hopes for the Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara were that it dried better than the original formula, which would mean my lashes stay curled, and smudging wouldn't be an issue

   I found that the waterproof formula did completely dry, but it still took a bit longer than my usual waterproof mascaras, which resulted in my lashes not holding as much of a curl as I would have hoped for... Because it took a little longer, there was a very tiny bit of smudging when I tightlined with eyeliner, but the smudging was easy to clean up since the mascara was still a little wet.
   This version of the Better Than Sex mascara seemed to clump a lot more than I remember the original doing - to be honest, it caused a little bit of irritation around my lashes and it was hard to not fidget with them. It just isn't a look I'm into, for personal aesthetic and comfortability preference.

   I've heard great things from some people about the Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara but to be honest, even the gals at Ulta refer to it as a "waste of money". Either way, it just isn't for me, so I give it a 2.5/5... I know I won't wear it, mainly because I don't wear any products that irritate my eyes/skin/etc in the slightest (potential of sending my body into a flareup), so I'll be returning this item if I can't find someone who likes this range...   I wish this mascara dried more quickly and clumped less, because the pigment in this product makes lashes pop and the wand shape is very similar to my all-time-favorite mascara by Fairydrops. I would also like to mention that the water droplet effect on the bottle is a nice touch aesthetically, but I like it because it feels nice to touch when anxious.

   There really are so many products by Too Faced to enjoy, and who doesn't adore their packaging?! I'm really looking forward to posting more about their products for you all.

Note: Ingredients for this product can be found HERE.

*This post is in no was sponsored and all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

lashSENSATIONAL by Maybelline

   As someone whose eyelashes fall out ridiculously easy, I'm very picky when it comes to eye makeup... I was going through my YouTube feed and noticed a few weeks back that +Fleur DeForce had mentioned this product, so I headed to Walgreen's and picked up the lashSENSATIONAL mascara by Maybelline.
   It has been a while since I've trusted a drug store mascara, but I gave it a go... And I'm happy to say, it surpassed expectations!

   When I'm hunting for any makeup that goes on my eyelashes, I want the following:

• Curls (or at least helps keep the curl from my eyelash curler)
• Some extra volume is a plus
• Dries quickly (doesn't stay wet/sticky)
• No eye irritation
• Comes off without pulling eyelashes out

   My eyelashes are long, but grow straight out; eyelash curlers are a must. lashSENSATIONAL does a good job at holding a curl with one-two coats (depending on how thick your lashes are), and dries within 30 seconds... I always choose the blackest formula, and for this mascara it is 00 Blackest Black. I really enjoy the way the formula coats every lash without tugging on them, but it is a bit (almost) sticky while being applied. When my hands shake and it inevitably gets on my eyelids, I wait for it to dry before attempting to remove it; less messy that way... The wand has short, harder bristles in the inner scoop of the brush for adding volume and making sure the root of the lash is completely coated. The outer scoop has longer, more flexible bristles to help add length and separate lashes. I enjoy the versatility in this wand, because it gives options for different looks without having to use multiple products!
   This mascara does not add too much length to my already long eyelashes, and the amount of volume it adds to my lashes make them look like they are healthy and full. I would imagine on someone with regular, healthy lashes it will add some nice volume... I, of course, have gotten this mascara in my eyes in the past, and it did not burn. Of course, you should always wash out your eyes after something like this happens! When I wash off lashSENSATIONAL with micellar water, makeup wipes, or even just water in the shower (VERY GENTLY stroking my lashes) the formula becomes like a gel, easily and gently coming off.
   Even though I like my lashes to look like I'm wearing falsies, I really love this mascara! lashSENSATIONAL mascara makes me feel like I have healthy, beautiful eyelashes and someone who doesn't suffer from hair loss like I do will probably love the extra umf that it gives to their lashes as well... I rate is a 4.5/5, only because I wish mascara would make my eyelashes look fake, and definitely intend on purchasing more!

Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyurethane-35, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire Dabeille, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-200 Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Carnauba Wax/Cire de Carnauba, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Ethylene/Va Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Paraffin, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica. May Contain: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides, CI 77007/Ultramarines, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, MICA, CI 75470/Carmine, CI 77288/Chromium Oxide Greens, CI 77742/Manganese Violet, CI 77510/Ferric Ferrocyanide]

*This review is in no way sponsored; all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle