Mascaras - Branching Out

So this isn't really a "newfound obsession" per say, but I recently branched out and tried different mascaras. I used Cover Girl mascara all through high school, but I didn't really fuss with makeup a whole lot. I had a standard eye shadow routine, and that was about it.

In college, I started using the Maybelline Great Lash mascara in Blackest Black. Everyone seemed to love this mascara and it was mentioned as a favorite in several magazines. I used the waterproof version once, and I wasn't thrilled with it at all. It didn't coat my lashes very well, and it honestly looked like I hadn't put on anything. It also flaked off and ended up as little black dots under my eyes. Not a good look...

After watching AllThatGlitters21 on YouTube rave about Loreal Telescopic mascara, I decided to give it a shot. I was used to having the actual brush, but with Telescopic, there was a spiky rubber applicator. I tried it once and instantly fell in love with it. It didn't clump or flake, and it thickened my eyelashes. It was lovely!

After having such a great experience with a new mascara made me want to try something else: I wanted to find a good waterproof mascara. Now, the reason I needed it was quite morbid: I knew I would be attending a funeral...and crying was inevitable. I made a trip to Ulta with one of my friends to start my search. I didn't have to look around long because Maybelline caught my eye. The new Define-A-Lash mascara had a similar applicator as Loreal Telescopic and there was a waterproof version. I was sold.

I brought it home and tried it immediately. It worked wonders! My eyelashes were super thick and really long. It lasted for a really long time. And yes, it did withstand the gruesome funeral test. I cried, wiped my eyes, and the mascara stayed in place. No smearing or running whatsoever.

I've heard that wearing waterproof mascara all the time isn't good for your eyelashes because it dries them out. I may go back and get the regular Define-A-Lash for every day use. Until that happens, Loreal Telescopic is still my everyday mascara.

The best part is that the mascaras I use are cheaper than the high end ones. Ulta usually has some really good sales on mascaras (buy one get one free, etc), so they're the perfect place to go to try new formulas and brands. Plus, if you watch in the newspaper, they'll include a $3.50 off coupon that applies to a $10 or more purchase. I signed up for the Ulta Rewards card and I get another advertisement too. I never shop there without a coupon and it actually saves a good amount of money!

So to recap: I used to like Maybelline Great Lash...and then I branched out. Loreal Telescopic is my second favorite mascara for every day application. My new waterproof mascara of choice is Maybelline Define-A-Lash. I still carry around Great Lash in my purse for touch ups, but other than that, I don't use it.

Pictured left to right:
Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black
Loreal Telescopic Mascara

Coffee Cups

If you know me really well, then you should know that I love coffee cups. If you know me really well and you didn't know that, don't feel bad. It's a closet addiction.

My boyfriend and I went to Kohl's one day, and we went back to look at the cookware. I saw the coolest coffee cup, and I knew I couldn't leave without it. It was on sale too!

It's not your typical coffee cup. It's a Food Network coffee cup! I absolutely love the Food Network, and this cup is a culmination of two of my obsessions. It's still available at Kohl's for $9.99. (Click the link to go to the page)

When I got this, it was still cold outside and it was always filled with hot coffee (extra milk and sugar, of course). Now that it's summer time, I fix my coffee and let it sit for a few minutes. Once it's cold, it tastes oh-so-yummy. Is that weird? It's just like a Starbucks drink, but it's a lot cheaper.

Stay tuned for more obsessions...

O.P.I. Nail Polishes

Lately, my newfound obsessions have been scarce. However, I realized I had a new one when I opened my purple glitter Caboodles case that I've had since middle school.

About six months ago, I got frustrated with my nail polishes. They were all old, dry, goopy, and well...blues, blacks, greens, and very odd colors. Not very big-girlish if you ask me. So I chunked them. Threw them all out.

This left me with a pinky clear, white, gold, and a duo chrome light blue and purple color. Not a lot to choose from, eh? After watching YouTube (hey, that seems to be a newfound obsession too!), I saw some nail polish colors I really liked.

I made a trip to Ulta with one of my friends, and they had those nail color sample things in the shape of a fingernail. I saw a bright pink that I fell in love with. Of course, it was a limited edition collection piece and it was sold out. They were having a buy one get one 1/2 off sale, so I wandered around and got a couple of O.P.I. polishes.

I've never been one to try the salon quality "higher end" nail polishes because well, they're nail polishes. They chip, and then you have to redo them in a day or two, and it's never been worth the effort.

Ok so back to the purpose of this entry: my newfound obsession is O.P.I. Nail Polish.

Go figure!

I opened my Caboodles case and realized I have seven recently acquired O.P.I. polishes. I've become a lot more picky about my beauty-ish products, so I always want to make sure I have the right colors that look good with my skin tone. I mean, I am spending about 3 times as much on these polishes.

I like them because they apply smoothly, are vibrant in color, and they actually last a while. Quality is definitely better than quantity...even though my quantity seems to be rising. Hmm.

These are the colors I have:

Shorts Story (Paige Denim Collection)

I had to special order this one online because I couldn't find it anywhere. I ended up getting it from eNail Supply. It's a gorgeous bright pink color with a tiny twinge of purple. I've always been scared of bright pink colors because they make my skin look really pale, even if I'm tan. This color accents my skin tone perfectly!

In My Back Pocket (Paige Denim Collection)

This is a bright orange color. Not neon orange, but a good vibrant lighter orange. I haven't really worn this color yet because I'm still not sure if I like it or not. This one also came from eNail Supply.

Princess Rule! (Princess Charming Collection)

I was a little bit iffy about this color because it's super bright and sparkly. I know we've all worn the polish that had the glitter chunks in it. I had different colors on all the time, but when it came time to remove said chunky glitter polish, it was a nightmare and it took forever. This color: no so much! It's a pretty girly color, it goes on smoothly, and it add a little extra pop of shine to any color you're wearing. It's transparent enough to let the bottom color show, but there's still a little bit of a pink base to it. You just have to see it. It's gorgeous!

Bright Lights-Big Color

This is my absolute FAVORITE color right now. It's orange with yellow duochrome. It's such a pretty summery color. It's been my "go-to" color if I'm not going to a wedding or if I have to dress a bit more formal.

Melon of Troy

This is a perfect melon color, for lack of a better description. If you don't like pinks, I would try this one for a more formal occasion. It has a shimmery quality to it, but it's really subtle. My ongoing trend seems to be oranges and pinks. How strange! If you don't like the bright colors, but you still want a happy, spring/summer look, I recommend this color. It's not too girly, any it still gives you some color.

Suzy & the Lifeguard
This is the color that started it all. I had a nail polish from Maybelline (I think) that I loved, and it got dried out. I couldn't find the same color anywhere. I scoured the city to no avail. And then, there it was. It was on a display shelf at my local Ulta. The perfect dupe for my Maybelline color. And I found it while O.P.I. polishes were on sale. It was a sign. It's a really nice light, light, light pink color with some shimmer to it. I love it for weddings, dinners, date nights, and those days where you just want to feel, "polished." Hah.

Second Honeymoon

This color is very similar to Suzy & the Lifeguard, but it doesn't have the shimmer factor. It's more of a really light matte pink. It's still shiny, like all nail polishes are, but the glistening factor is significantly less.