Miss Manga Mascara from L'Oreal Paris

In March I had the opportunity to attend Rent the Runway's Capstone Weekend in NYC.  The event was a great experience, as attendees heard from RTR co-founder Jenn Hyman as well as from magazine editor and ANTM celeb, Ann Shoket from Seventeen Magazine.  Both of these women, as well as the other speakers offered valuable advice about breaking into such a competitive industry and how to stand up on your own feet.

A component of the weekend was an activity ran by L'Oreal Paris.  We were tasked with creating launch campaigns for two of L'Oreal's latest projects: the Advanced Hairstyle line and the Miss Manga mascara.  We were paired into groups based on the people seated around us.  I was fortunate to work with my friend and met a few girls from Duke University.  We chose to create a campaign  for the Advanced Hair Styling Product line.
After 20 minutes of collaboration, we handed our work into the judges.  It wasn't until the end of the day's events that the winners were announced.  The members of each team (one for the Advanced Hair Styling line and one for the Miss Manga mascara) would each receive a tube of the unreleased Miss Manga Mascara and the entire Advanced Hair Styling line!!  Needless to say, I was beyond surprised when my group was called on stage with the best campaign promoting the product line.  There were so many teams there and we had no idea we were giving L'Oreal what they wanted.

Fortunately, we were able to take the mascara home that day and the hair product would be shipped to us.  So because I've had the mascara for some time, I've been using it regularly so I could give you guys my own input!

The idea behind the product is to give women the doll-like lashes that the Harajuku girls of Japan rock on the streets.  This all new "360 degree flexible brush" from L'Oreal is meant to deliver "mega volume on top and mega volume on bottom".  At Capstone, L'Oreal debuted a rough cut of the US commercial and it featured the typical cosmetic model, white, thin, great bone structure, with her hair in Princess Leia-esque buns.  Here are some of the promotional  pictures.

Packaging and Product

 Personally, I'm not into the desired look, because I think it makes lashes look clumpy and less natural.

As to the mascara's performance, I felt it was decent.  Nothing special or out of the ordinary.  If you need a new mascara and want to try it out, go for it.  But I wouldn't rush out and grab it.

L'Oreal Paris' Miss Manga Mascara will be out this month in drugstores and retailers like Target & Ulta.

Almay's Newest Face

I am beyond excited to share this news with you.  After closing out her sell-out Blown Away Tour, Carrie Underwood was busy preparing for the Sound of Music and had yet to release news on her latest project.  I was hoping she would start writing for a fifth album.  Instead, Carrie recently (a half hour ago...) announced that she is the latest Global Brand Ambassador for Almay Cosmetics! She joins the iconic Kate Hudson as the brand's second ambassador.

Color of the Year 2014

Early December: this is always my favorite time of year, not just because the holiday season is blissfully upon us, but because Pantone releases its "Color of the Year".
Following 2013's Color of the Year, Emerald, Pantone selected Radiant Orchid to be 2014's celebrated hue.

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According to Pantone: "Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health."  Want to know more? Check out Pantone's Radiant Orchid page.

How do you feel about the this jewel-tone purple hue?  Personally, I think it is a color of optimism and provides us with motivation to break into 2014 with excitement and enthusiasm.

Looking to add some "Radiant Orchid" into your style routine?
Try some lip gloss or even nail polish:

Gloss: Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Lip Gloss in Lavender Lavish

This was a limited edition color for Fall 2013. You may be able to pick it up at local drugstores.

Nail Polish: Essie - Splash of Grenadine, Nordstrom or Ulta

Even the Today Show celebrated the Color of the Year:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Will you embrace it?!

Quick Laugh on a Friday...

With all the hype surrounding Urban Decay's launch of the Naked 3 Buzzfeed created a great parody centered around the product.  Check it out here.

Credit: Temptalia

My Staple Eyeliners

Today I thought I would share with you my most reached for eye liners and a few of my favorites.  Although I do love the quality of high-end products, being a college student on a budget keeps me away from spending $20+ on an eye-liner that I can pick up at Ulta or Target for $6 or $7...
 First let's talk about gel/cream eye-liners.

These types of eye-liners can be very intimidating because you have to use a brush to apply them.  However, I find that these have better staying power and pigmentation.
My most used liner is the Maybelline New York Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in brown.
Maybelline sells this product in Blackest Black, Brown, Charcoal, and Eggplant.

I love this shade because it is a dark brown that is neutral yet doesn't overwhelm my light complexion.  It enhances rather than make a bold statement.  For $9.99 check out Ulta, they always have a BOGO type deal with drugstore brands.

This next liner is the L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour in the shade Navy.  This too can be purchased at Ulta for $9.99.

I know it doesn't look too navy in the picture, however once applied there is a clear navy hue.  I was looking for a navy liner for quite some time, however everything I found was too blue.  This shade by L'Oreal is neutral enough that it adds a spark of blue but isn't in your face.

This eyeliner is Sephora's Waterproof Smokey Cream Liner in Bewitch Me, for $12.  

Bewitch Me is described as a metallic, deep violet.  My favorite part about this liner is the rich pigment it produces.  However, to get to the "deep violet" you have to go over the initial line you drew once it dries.  This shade is complementary to blue eyes, which is why I purchased it!  The Waterproof Smokey Cream Liner comes in 8 different shades ranging from neutrals to fun, brights!

Now, onto my pencil and liquid liners!

My favorite liner to create a defined, bold line (and a cat eye which I recently mastered!) is the L'Oreal Lineur Intense Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Carbon Black. The tip of the brush is narrow and flexible enough that I can achieve a line of any thickness.

The next brush on the list is probably my most favorite eye-liners of all times.  Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil can be purchased from Urban Decay or Sephora for $19 a pencil.  While they are very expsensive, they are so worth the price.  I first purchased a 24/7 pencil from Urban Decay in 7th grade, in the shade Gunmetal which is so old its not even sold anymore.  However, I do believe the replacement shade is called "Uzi".  Anyways, these are every beauty guru's favorite pencil because of the cream texture with brilliant pigment and staying power.  Everyone is sometimes afraid to branch to the gel liners, so I would recommend the 24/7 pencils as a substitute.  

These are so popular, Urban Decay is selling The Vault, 40 full-sized pencils for a low price of $300... 

Please sense my sarcasm.  This item was released about a month ago, and is already sold out.  Catch a review on Musings of a Muse.

My final pencil is your basic black liner.  Because I don't use it often, I didn't feel the need to splurge on one from UD.  Instead I went for the $1.99 NYC Kohl Eyebrow/Eyeliner Pencil that can be purchased from any drugstore.  I think its important to have a cheap, basic liner that will always be a staple.

Eyeliners and mascaras have always been my favorite make-up products.  What are yours?

Time to Get a Little Naked...

This post is about one of my favorite make-up brands and my favorite line of products.  Urban Decay has been on my radar since I first purchased their Heavy Metal Glitter Liner from Sephora in middle school.
Recently, buzz has been flying around the internet about the arrival of the Naked3 palette.  It follows the Naked, the Naked 2, and most recently the Naked Basics Palette.  Personally, I own the Naked and the Naked 2, both of which are divine.  They provide warm and cool hues to create a perfect shimmery yet natural smokey look.  (Want great Naked palette tutorials? Check out MakeupByTiffanyD.  She even does a Naked and Naked 2 comparison video!) The Naked 3 contains shades of pink, bronze, and rose gold.  This will allow users to create a rosey feminine look.  Here is what Urban Decay teased us with:


These are pictures from the review/swatches by Temptalia:

I highly recommend Temptalia's workup on the Naked 3.  She swatches every shade and provides possible dupes for each color.  Even though $52 is a decent chunk to spend on yet another Naked palette, I know this will be on my vanity ASAP.  Will you buy into the Naked 3?