Another mascara review

February 7, 2017

I like to try department store mascaras, and have found several that I've liked over the years, including Lancome Definicils and Chanel Inimitable. But no matter how many different mascaras I try, I always seem to come back to my favorite drugstore brand, L'Oreal Voluminous.

 I've used the L'Oreal Voluminous mascara on and off for years. 
Not having bought a tube for some time, I didn't realize how many other L'Oreal mascaras are now available. Thought I'd try one of them.

This is the L'Oreal Voluminous Super Star. It's $10.99 at CVS. It has two wands, one on each end. One deposits a white mascara primer; the other wand is to apply the actual mascara. Looked impressive, and I expected some thick(er) lashes.




I was underwhelmed by this mascara. Nothing special. I could have returned it. CVS has a great return policy and allows you to return opened (and used) cosmetics. But it was all I had, and I didn't feel like running out to exchange it.

But a few weeks later, I decided to try another one.

This is the L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Intenza. It was $8.99 at CVS.

I really liked this one. It has an interesting wand that seems to really deposit the mascara, and I got thicker, fuller, longer lashes with it.



This is my new favorite. Until I get bored, and decide to try something else!

So, flushed with success, I thought I'd try one of the L'Oreal eyeliners. This is the L'Oreal Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner. It's $10.49. 

This was terrible, really.

I couldn't make a line with it. It was just sharp, and didn't deposit any liner at all. I don't know what the fancy line on the package is, because I didn't get anything like that.

This is one item I did return.
So I went back to my favorite drugstore brand eyeliner. The Rimmel Exaggerate Auto Waterproof Eye Definer. I already have it in black, so I got it in Ripe Plum. It's $6.49 at CVS.
If you want a very thin precise line, this isn't it. But it is creamy and soft and I love how easily it goes on.

*******

So . . . in food news . . . 

I finally tried my new stick blender.


Wow! This was amazing. So, so much easier for blending up this broccoli soup than trying to ladle it hot into my food processor, blending it, and then pouring it back into another pot. I should have got one of these years ago.


I also made some yummy hot chocolate from scratch one day. Just a cup, just for me.


You know, for the antioxidants.

24 comments

  1. Love me some antioxidants!

    And yes the hand blender is amazing. I was afraid of mine when I first got it. Kept the manual on my bed table and read it every night for a week. I'm very instructions challenged. But it really is simple, isn't it. I used to dread transferring the hot soup to a big blender.

    I still haven't figured out what all the plastic containers are for that came with the immersion blender and I've had it for 4 years. But I packed them anyway even though I was tempted to toss them.

    The green of that soup is so pretty! Time to make some cream of broccoli soup, I think.

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  2. That gorgeous teacup filled with scrumptious hot chocolate looks like you need to drink at least 2-3, you know, for the antioxidants :) The more the better, right?

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  3. Oh, don't you just love the handheld stick blender?! My dear husband got me one last year for Christmas and I just love using :)

    Thank you for your honest thoughts on the mascara and eyeliner. I appreciate what you have to say and I always trust you :) I went back to using Neutrogena mascara not too long ago as I feel like it keeps my lashes nice and healthy. Some of the mascara available now leaves the lashes so thick and clump...ugh.

    Hugs to you, sweet friend!

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  4. That has been my favorite mascara for years. The L'Oreal Voluminous. It is one I keep going back to time after time. I used to switch off with Estee Lauders' mascara but they changed that and I don't like it as well. I started years ago using L'Oreal Fabulash. Love it.
    I have been thinking about the handheld stick blender. Glad you like it--maybe I will actually get one now. lol xoDiana

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  5. I buy a new mascara every other month - I buy it often because old mascara flakes into our eyes and that is a very bad thing.

    I bought one recently that I like but it smells funny - it is a Covergirl one, was arounde $10ish and it smells like bacteria and makes my eyes itch. I threw away the package and lord only knows where I bought it or where the receipt is - but I must find the receipt because something is wrong with it!

    So I have been using my old one, which even being 2 months old doesn't smell funny or flake yet - sheesh.

    I may try that new mascara you liked upon trying.

    I love that beautiful teacup, Deborah - it's gorgeous!!!!! Hugs! ♥

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  6. I can't wear mascara any longer. Your eyes look so gorgeous in your profile photo. I will have to look for a blender like yours. Your cup of cocoa looks delicious! (and healthy! lol)

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  7. I make soup regularly so a hand held blender is a must for me, makes life so much easier. Try adding some stilton cheese to the broccoli soup it is delicious.

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  8. I just ordered theseL'Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer and MaybellineThe Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara, both recommended by blogger Hotandflashy. Love her! Hey Debbie, I'm moving closer to taking the go-gray plunge. Are you putting anything on your hair to keep it from yellowing? Update us on your process, please. It looks sooo good!

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  9. Thanks for this post. Good information. I may try the butterfly wand mascara when there's a BOGO sale at my pharmacy.

    I get frustrated sometimes when bloggers tout products that I can't afford or couldn't possibly find in my rural area. I know that they get bits of money for that, or it was a gift from the company-part of the revenue stream.

    I use Maybelline for every day & then layer on the L'Oreal Voluminus on "special" days when I want a little more drama. I can't use liquid eyeliner as I have a small hand tremor and sometimes the application goes awry! I like NYC waterproof eyeliner, it's very forgiving and with a quick swipe of matching powder eye shadow using a slanted brush, it lasts all day without creating raccoon eyes.

    I've started having a cup of hot chocolate before bed as a relaxer and it seems to work.

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  10. L'Oreal mascara has been my go-to for years. And like you, I do buy, try and like some of the department store brands such as Chanel, Dior and YSL. The YSL I buy is a burgundy color which enhances your eye color if they are blue or green. But, L'Oreal voluminous will ALWAYS be my fave, as long as they don't change the formulation! And I try to get it in brown, or brown/black. I remember reading once that Bette Davis (or her makeup person) always used brown as that enhanced her eyes. That blender is pretty cool looking, and gives me an idea. . .it may be the perfect Valentine's gift for my husband. He does the majority of cooking in our house, and loves his tools and appliances (he's also a really good cook)!

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  11. Those little stick blenders are handy...good for smoothies too! I don't wear eye make up any more. It was just melt in the Florida humidity. I probably should try to curl my eyelashes more often though! Hugs!

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  12. Hello Deborah, I enjoy reading your makeup reviews. I have been using Cover Girl Clump Crusher for a long time. It works great and NO CLUMPING, which has been an issue in the past. Today show recommended 'Better than Sex' mascara. Interesting. I like Estee Lauder eyeliner pencil/crayon. I don't really wear eyeliner that often so it lasts a long time. Enjoy your day! Snowy in Iowa today!

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  13. As soon as I saw your mascara I thought I would ask you about eyeliners and lo and behold, I don't even have to ask. I use that same mascara but my eyeliners just don't seem to stay on my eyelid anymore. They smudge! So I will give your suggestion a try!

    I need an immersion blender too as I often make soups BUT now I'd like to try the hot chocolate. (you know....for the antioxidants!!) Looks and sounds delicious! Have a good day!
    xo
    Linda

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  14. Wow to that cup of hot chocolate. It looks amazing. I too love my stick blender…mine is called another name, but your name describes it perfectly. A great tool, wish I had it years ago!

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    1. Yes, I think it is actually called an immersion blender!

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  15. Your chocolate looks delicious...and that tea cup is beautiful!
    The immersion blenders are wonderful for soups. I cannot imagine going back to the food processor for this job ever! I think you will find this appliance a good investment.
    I recently purchased physician's formula mascara as my eyes are very sensitive and I like it a lot and it is at a lower price point than my usual Jane Iredale mascara but still more expensive than Maybelline which I can no longer wear due to sensitivities. I know women who have their lashes dyed but that does not make them look thicker just darker...I like a fuller look as it frames the eyes.

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  16. L'Oreal Voluminous in the black and gold tube has been my go-to mascara for years and years. On your recommendation, however, I'll give that new the Butterfly a test flight. I'll let you know. One of the things I love about the pointed tip on a mascara wand is that you can go back and use the tip to fill in eyelashes you might have missed without having to glop on another coat. The pointed tip makes it much more precise.

    When I wear eyeliner I want one that lasts all day, and Bobbi Brown's gel liner is great. It stays put. I use a small pointed brush from Laura Mercier to apply it. I go for a deep plum color, which makes my green eyes pop.

    Cheers, M-T

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  17. I received a stick blender for my birthday a few years ago from my son. I haven't used it a great deal. I found the potatoes whipped up too much. But soup, smoothies, etc should turn out well with it. I use Cover Girl Clump Crusher mascara. It works very well for me and I use only eyeliner pencils. I always found the liquid liners drew on too much whereas I prefer a subtle line that I can smudge if I want to. Another fun post, Deborah, and thank you for your prayers!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  18. Before I started drinking tea, hot chocolate was my beverage of choice. It never occurred to me to use a teacup for the hot chocolate! So pretty!

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  19. Hi Deborah, Oh I'd love a cup of your homemade hot chocolate. Yes for the health benefits. haha Love your soup. Delicious on a cold day. I had a stick blender and flat wore it out. I really need to get another as they come in so handy and quick.
    Enjoyed your mascara and liner reviews. I love Rimmel's pencil liner. The one you sharpen yourself. It goes on really smooth too.
    I will have to try the Loreal mascara. I think the shape of the brush is what really gives the results. I am currently using Maybelline's great lash with that same brush head. It gives lots of volume and intensifies length. I like to follow it up at the end with Stiletto mascara also by Maybelline. It doesn't leave little flakes as the day goes on.
    Thanks for the reviews as I have tried them all to find a favorite. haha
    Have a great weekend ahead. xo

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  20. Thank you for the reviews - it sure helps when trying to find a brand that works! I'm using Cover Girl Professional right now and I am happy with it, but I could use more volume. I like to try different eyeliners, too. Plum sounds wonderful. Your hot chocolate looks so good in your pretty cup. My Mom left me one dish set (I had to share with 4 sisters and several grand-daughters) and the Royal Albert tea set was the one she left me. I love it so much. Sending hugs xo Karen

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  21. Just had to stop back by to tell you that our little 6 yr old neighbor had her first Daddy/Daughter dance last night. Her mommy used the Loreal mascara just on the tips of Ella's lashes for photography purposes! Mom and daughter looked gorgeous!

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  22. Hello Deborah,

    I love that you are doing makeup reviews. I am such a makeup junkie too. I have used the L'Oreal Voluminous mascara for years and like you, it has been on and off. I have been using the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara which I totally recommend if you like thick and full lashes.

    The blender looks promising. I have Viking one which my niece gave me last year. I used it all the time and they are great for so many tasks.

    Have a great week.

    Janet

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  23. Dearest Deborah,
    Well, since I've had a nasty Dermatomyositis in January of 2015, I've cut back on the use of mascara, out of fear for triggering again an outbreak. Have not had problems anymore but want to be careful. Only when we go some place a bit more formal I put mascara on and for decades I only use the Chanel brand.
    Yes, such a stick blender is amazing! Got our big one from Tuesday Morning and are very happy with it. Just ate my piece of Droste dark chocolate letter with a tea. I dare to admit that I'm a chocoholic! Never would be able to quit eating that.
    Sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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