Week 1: Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment Gel! + Photos!

 It seems that after Latisse came on the market, tons of companies came out with lash "boosting" products. Or maybe they always existed, but once Latisse became heavily advertised, many brands (many of which are less expensive) came out with similar products that were just as effective. I personally, found it a bit overwhelming and never went through with purchasing a lash serum, despite the fact that I'm dying to have longer lashes. I was always a bit nervous to try a product like Latisse, because I have sensitive eyes and many reviewers have mentioned that their eyes became very red and irritated for the first week, and some mentioned even longer periods of time. Well, with that said - it didn't sound very appetizing to me to walk around with pink eye for how ever long that lasts.

A while back I purchased this little tube of Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator. When I say a while back, I'm talking over 6 months ago (easily). Back when I purchased it, I only used it about two times and tossed it in my cosmetic abyss. Why didn't I continue using it? Well, laziness I suppose. I must admit, although I make sure to always take my makeup off at night, I'm guilty of not taking off my eye makeup at times. In order for me to keep up with using the treatment, I'd have to wash off my eye makeup every night. Which, at the time I wasn't doing. The past month, I've been taking it off every night - as I've been following with my skincare routine very well. So it hit me earlier in the week to pull the tube back out and use it up.

I don't have any "before" pictures, because I really didn't expect this stuff to do anything for me. I was honestly only trying to finish it because I felt guilty for tossing it since I didn't give it a legitimate try.

So, at night I apply it heavily to my eye lashes. Yes, emphasis on heavy. I apply it as if I'm applying mascara. I pack the product on the brush and comb it through my lashes, making sure to touch the base of my lashes. I coat my top lashes from underneath and on top. Then, apply a coat to my bottom lashes. In the morning, I wash my face and sometimes apply a less heavy coat before my mascara.

It's now the end of the week, and I can't believe it.. I am seeing results. Not huge, significant results.. But my eyelashes feel a lot better. My lashes aren't that terrible. I mean, they're incredibly flimsy.. and they're not long - I'd say they are medium/average in length. When I touch them now, they don't feel as flimsy - yes, they are still flimsy, but they feel a little bit stronger. Also, I usually apply a mascara base before my mascara.. and I haven't all week and the past couple of days, my eyelashes (after mascara) look the same way they would look if I did apply a base. With my mascara, they look slightly longer than they did before. Again, it's not significant enough where YOU may notice, but I definitely noticed.

So I'm convinced this is a good lash conditioner. It's not something that would give you growth like a prescription product or more expensive product - So, I don't think your expectations should be very high in that aspect. But, if you're looking for a product that will help condition your lashes (if your lashes are flimsy, damaged from mascara, false lashes or lash extensions) this may be right up your alley.

I'm going to continue using this product until it's finished and I'll keep you updated weekly.

Makeupalley rates this a 3.9/5, with a 80% re-purchase rate. (click here to read reviews)

Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment Gel retails for around $5 (give or take). It's difficult to find in stores (around me at least), but you can find it for $3.99 a tube at drugstore.com.

I'm actually really hyped about this - and once I'm finished with this product, I'd like to actually try a more "intense" lash growth product. If you have tried any, I'd love your recommendations or any thoughts/opinions you may have in the comments below!!

Thanks so much, guys! ♥

NOTD: Wet N Wild Fast Dry Nail Polish in Grey's Anatomy.

Three (3) coats of Wet n Wild Gray's Anatomy, No Top coat

Gray’s Anatomy #237C, is a silvery gray with light purple and green pearly undertones. Depending on the lighting and angle, Grey's anatomy can appear as a silvery light purple or a silvery green. I notice in lower light, the purple is very prominent and when I bring my fingers in the sunlight, the green shows much more. It's slightly holographic, and reminiscent of the colors you may find inside a seashell. 

As for the polish itself, because it's a pearl, you have to be careful when applying it, because it shows all of your brush strokes once the polish is dry. A base coat may be a good idea for a smooth application. The polish is incredibly sheer, and to build the color to it's full opacity, you'd need three coats minimum. This polish claims to be dry in 60 seconds, but I think it takes a bit longer than that. After a couple of minutes, I tested it out and touched my nail and was able to make a fingerprint. So, I wouldn't compare this at all to OPI. I applied three coats, and although the color wasn't completely opaque, it was alright. I don't think I waited long enough between coats, otherwise the outcome may of been better. The finish is quite dull, so a top coat is very necessary.

I personally, didn't care for the color at all. I'm usually only go for creme formula polishes, and skip out on any frost or pearl finish polishes. But, I thought I'd try something new, that looked a bit interesting. In the end, I should of stuck with my instincts. I ended up removing this polish from my nails after I took the photo. It just reminded me of something I would of worn with a mood ring when I was in 5th grade. haha! Don't let my opinion effect yours though, this shade is actually very popular and many love it! It's actually a cheaper dupe for OPI "Not like the Movies" nail polish from the Katy Perry collection. 

(Sorry my blog has been turning into a nail blog lately, lol)

What do you think of this color???

Beauty & The Best: Products that receive the "Allure Best of Beauty Award" trial after trial.

While flipping through April's issue of Vogue, I came across a small section titled "Beauty and the Best" - A different kind of beauty recognition. So what it is basically, is a list of beauty items that have consecutively won a "Allure Best of Beauty Award", which is that little red stamp you may see on the label of some beauty products. I'll admit, while browsing through the beauty section at my local drugstore, I have picked up items because of that little red stamp.

The items featured, like I just mentioned continue winning the award after thousands of trials with other beauty products. So I thought I'd share the list with you guys! And maybe you can let me know what you think of the items (if you have tested them) in my comments below!

(The wording of the descriptions are taken directly from the magazine)

Best Shampoo for Fine Hair - Pantene Fine Hair Flat to Volume Shampoo. Used alone or with Pantene Fine Hair Flat to Volume Conditioner, it's volume that lasts up to 24 hours.

Best Single Process Home Color - Clairol Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10. Get high-gloss color in just 10 minutes!

Best Defrizzer - Fekkai Glossing Cream. The styling cream that helps eliminate frizz and adds moisture and brilliant shine.  

Best Day Mascara - Covergirl Lashblast Mascara. It's a big brush for big, bold, look-at-me lashes.

Best Facial Moisturizer - Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. The one shown to better hydrate than 23 luxury creams!

Best Deodorant - Secret Clinical Strength. This is waterproof wetness protection you can depend on to outlast heat, humidity and water.

Best Razor - Venus Embrace. The five-blade razor for women that hgus every curve for a close shave and dramatically smooth skin. 

Best Body Lotion - Olay Ultra Moisture Lotion. It's clinically proven to moisturize better than a  leasing lotion.

Makeupalley ratings for the products mentioned:

Pantene Fine Hair Flat to Volume Shampoo - 2.8/5, 33% re-purchase rate based on 6 reviews.

Clairol Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10 - 3.3/5, 57% re-purchase rate based on 275 reviews.

Fekkai Glossing Cream - 4.2/5, 77% re-purchase rate based on 917 reviews.

Covergirl Lashblast Mascara - 3.7/5, 67% re-purchase rate based on 3,626 reviews.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream - 3.6/5, 64% re-purchase rate based on 178 reviews.

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant - 3.5/5, 52% re-purchase rate based on 317 reviews.

Venus Embrace - 4/5, 73% re-purchase rate based on 111 reviews.

Olay Ultra Moisture Lotion - 4.6/5, re-purchase rate of 90% based on 10 reviews.

I personally have only used three of the products mentioned. Covergirl Lash Blast, Secret Clinical Strength & Fekkai Glossing Cream. I love all three of them, with CG Lash Blast & Secret Clinical Strength being my favorites that I use every day. I'm interested in trying the Clairol Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10 for my hair the next time I dye my hair. I currently use Clairol Natural Instincts and think it's great, but maybe I'll try something different. I'm also interested in trying Olay's Micro-Sculpting Cream.. as the Regenerist line has been peaking my interest lately. Most of the Regenerist products have really good reviews. (you can view them here)

What do you think about these products?

(Source: "Beauty & The Best." Vogue April 2011: Pages 199-204)

Nars Mekong Eyeshadow Review, Photos and Swatches!

NARS Mekong Eyeshadow

NARS Mekong Eyeshadow ($24) is a deep-dark brown infused with gold shimmer.

Like many of Nars Eyeshadows, Mekong is extremely pigmented. In fact, it's probably the most pigmented eyeshadow I own next to Nars Night Clubbing. In fact, it's a bit like Night Clubbing in that they are both very shimmery in the pan, but apply to the lids almost black with minimal shimmer.

In some ways, it's intimidating to use because it's so pigmented and dark. It works very well for a liner, and will probably be my main use for this shadow.

I don't at all find it difficult to blend using a soft brush and it looks excellent in the crease and applied as a liner. On my lids, its a blackend brown with a slight golden/brown sheen. Applied wet, it is darker (almost black), but the shimmer shows up much more. It makes for a beautiful, rich liner applied wet. 

I find that when using this shadow, I have fallout on my cheeks - so when using this, it's best to tap off excess product before applying it to your lids. You literally barely have to touch the shadow with your brush for great color payoff. 

Also, you can guard your cheek with a piece of paper (I like using a business card) or you can apply your foundation after your eyes. I can see why only 57% say they would repurchase, as I don't think I'll ever finish this eyeshadow. With daily use - I think it would take me a few years to finish.. and by that time, I'd probably find something else I love.

This shadow has a rating of 4/5 on makeupalley, with a 57% re-purchase rate. So, the overall rating is quite good, but only half of the reviewers would repurchase. The major complaints about this shadow is that even though it is richly pigmented, the shadow looks black on the lids rather than the beautifully shimmery brown. The shimmer doesn't transfer too well on the lids, making it look like an almost matte black-brown with very little sheen. Some say it's difficult to blend with poor lasting power. Some say it's perfect in every way. (Read reviews here)

So what do you think of Mekong? Is it a love it? Or leave it??