Oh, I’ve had my share of struggles with high-end mascaras, and I’m sure you have too. Are they worth paying a premium for when there are so many more affordable options out there? It depends, but for the past few months I have been using and loving Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash mascara. As a matter of fact, I named it my Holy Grail / Must-Have Product of 2010.

But because my mom has been raving about Benefit Bad Gal Lash for months, I decided to finally pit the two mascaras together in an ultimate battle of the brands.

Benefit Bad Gal Lash – $19 (Sephora)

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash – $22 (Sephora)

The Packaging

I like the way both products are packaged, but I give the advantage to Bad Gal for its amazing brush. Super thick and substantially longer than the brush included with Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash, it’s just plain better in my opinion. Other than that, however, the packaging for both mascaras is fairly standard (tube and wand).

The Application

As covered in the video down below, Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash applies rather clumpy, but it thickens the heck out of lashes and does so better than Bad Gal. The formula’s also much darker, but Bad Gal applies like a dream, lengthening better with greater definition. As far as application, I’d call this one a tie.

The Lasting Power

Lasting power is extremely important to me. Some might say I put all of my eggs in one basket on this one, but overall I think that if a mascara doesn’t last through the night, beautiful or not, what’s the point?

Well, Benefit Bad Gal Lash really disappointed me here. Despite applying like dream, it just didn’t last, leaving my lashes dull and lifeless well before the end of the day, while Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash, despite its clumpy formula, lasted all day and night.

Seeing them in action

No Mascara

Not wearing any mascara

Not wearing any mascara

One coat of each

Wearing one coat of Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash on the left and one coat of Benefit Bad Gal Lash on the Right

Wearing one coat of Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash on the left and one coat of Benefit Bad Gal Lash on the Right

Continue Reading…

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t suffer from dark circles, yet I only recently discovered the wonders of a nice concealer. I’m an avid viewer of Pixiwoo on YouTube and noticed that both Sam and Nic use different products to deal with their under-eye circles. I purchased MAC Select Moisture Cover Concealer after watching one of Nic’s videos, and I instantly fell in love. Then, later, I found Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, and now I love both of them so much that I decided to do a product comparison.

I began by taking a photo of myself not wearing any makeup. AHHHH! I know. Shameless. Well, I wanted you to be able to see the unevenness of my skin. I have pretty heavy dark circles that are very noticeable if I don’t wear concealer, and I also have large cheeks which cast a shadow on my dark circles, making them appear even worse!

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer on the left, MAC Select Moisture Cover on the right

I proceeded to do all of my makeup without using concealer. As you can see, I get quite dark near my tear ducts, and my cheeks, again, cast a nice shadow over my dark circles!

Then, I put the two products on each of my eyes, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer on the left and MAC Select Moisture Cover on the right.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer on the left, MAC Select Moisture Cover on the right

After blending, I took several photos to show the differences. The left side is Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Sand, the right is MAC Select Moisture Cover in NW25. As you can see, the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer covers a little bit better. It’s also a bit thicker in consistency, which I believe is why it conceals my circles so well. MAC Select is more of a liquid. Although the shades look really different before they’ve been blended, both of them actually blend quite well into my skin. I also like how they each reflect the light, and both of them have nice finishes.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer on the left, MAC Select Moisture Cover on the right

I think the difference is the most obvious in this photo. The left eye (Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer) shows less of the purple/brown color that’s usually present in my under-eye circles. Unfortunately, the MAC Select Moisture Cover on the right side looks sad.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer on the left, MAC Select Moisture Cover on the right

THE OVERALL WINNER: Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Sand!!! Although I originally believed it might settle into the fine lines under my eyes, it held up quite well. Creamy, easy to blend, smooth and good coverage — I would definitely repurchase this concealer again.

To see a comparison of Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer vs. Laura Mercier Secrete Camouflage Undercover Pot, click here.

Burberry Beauty officially launched last Tuesday at the San Francisco Nordie’s store, and I popped by to check out the new makeup line and to chat with Christopher Bailey, Burberry’s chief creative director (and quite possibly one of the most polite and well-dressed dudes I’ve ever met).

Here are some images of the new line and product swatches to go with the video above.

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows, $29 each

Continue Reading…

Ever had a brush with makeup brush confusion? If you’re not sure which brushes to begin your collection with or want to pare down your current makeup brush stash into a subset of useful essentials, here’s a video that might help.

Products mentioned in the video…

• MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush, $34
• Sonia Kashuk Blusher Brush, about $18
• MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush, about $25
• Sonia Kashuk Large Eye Shadow Brush, about $13
• MAC Small Angle Brush, about $20
• Sonia Kashuk Bent Eye Liner Brush, $6

Enjoy the rest of your night. I’m just about about ready to hop into bed, where I plan to read the June issue of Real Simple, ahh…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. If you’re looking for more makeup and beauty to watch, please visit my channels on Vimeo and YouTube.

Wow, it’s getting hot in hair!

(okay, that was a BAD pun)

Here are a few hot hair tips to keep that coif looking cute.

Products mentioned in the video…

• Garnier Fructis Fortifying Conditioner Body Boost, about $5
• John Frieda Collection Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat Protective Styling Spray, about $5
• TRESemmé FRESHSTART Dry Shampoo, also about $5

Have a great night. I’m just settling down to watch a couple of episodes of Entourage before bed.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen