Mascara Review | Maybelline vs. Milani vs. Wet n Wild

So when it's Africa hot outside the one of the few attempts I will make at getting all pretty is to put some mascara on. Here are the three I'm currently using plus a semi-in-depth review of each so you may or may not purchase them for yourself...

First off, here are my eyes au-naturel: 

right eye

left eye (the top lashes are a bit longer than my right eye)

Now here are my options when I decide to spruce them up a bit:

1. Milani Total Lash Cover with 3 Zone Brush

...not that it matters, but the packaging is adorable.

Now let's talk about that brush--cute right? I found using it to be a little tricky mainly because all the product got stuck on that over-sized tip and the bristles were sort of defeated by the pink comb part which ended up clumping the lashes more than separating them. Additionally, the formula smudges at the slightest hint of moisture so it's definitely not appropriate for a humid day or if you're sweating. Here's how it looked on my left eye:

Would I repurchase? Nah.

2. Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara

At only $2.99, this is the best bang for the buck as far as I'm concerned. There really isn't anything special about the formula; it takes a moment to get it to start defining, but it layers on beautifully with minimal clumping. It's not much for lengthening the lashes, but the volume and separation is really wonderful. Here it is on my right eye:

Would I repurchase? You betcha.

3. Maybelline The Rocket

It's one of the hottest mascaras out right now in the beauty community, so hot that I got all nervous picking it up at the drugstore and I accidentally picked up the waterproof one--good a thing I have waterproof mascara remover so it's not a problem. However, I still would like to compare it to the non-waterproof formula because I've heard waterproofing makes the formula more waxy. Anyway, I think it lives up to the hype; it lengthens and volumizes within the first few swipes and the clumps are minimal if not offset by the lengthening. Here it is on my right eye:

 Would I repurchase? Yes, the non-waterproof version.

So there you have it, three different options to keep your face from looking all messed up in the heat. 

Day 23: submitted. Crossing fingers for no bullshit.

New Things to make me Pretty

I think my nails have gotten harder and the base coat definitely keeps them from yellowing.  Good for the price I guess.

...just a replenishment of my favorite face primer.

Revlon balm stain in "crush" was actually bought about a month ago, but I wanted to include it in this post because I haven't worn it much. It's not the most dramatic color, but it's so rich that I feel like I need to have a full face on when I wear it (one of the few times I wore it HERE.)

The stain is really gorgeous with just some chapstix over it.

Having a good amount of brushes is essential when you're too lazy to wash them regularly. {Defining eye brush by Elf and a large domed brush and regular domed brush by Sonia Kashuk}

The shape fits my eye so well...

I love the angle...

The Shea Moisture shampoo and the Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub are brand new products to my regimen so I will review them later (as I'm writing this, I am hot oil conditioning my hair after washing with the shampoo for the first time).  I can report that the scrub shows a lot of promise after just a few weeks of use. The jojoba oil is a basic holy grail product that's really hard to find in stock so I'm happy I found it in such a large quantity.