eye makeup

Cargo LashActivator Night

~ stashy ~ 17 Comments

I have what I describe as, “meh”, lashes.  They’re short and wimpy, but they do have a bit of a curl.  I’m forever trying new products to help them grow or make them look fuller.  Now, I’m not one to use hardcore lash growth serums like Latisse or its generic version, Careprost, for fear of the potential side effects (they state that approx 4% of clinical trial patients reported darkening of skin, redness, dry eyes – with my luck, I would be in that 4%).

A couple of years ago, I started using Cargo’s LashActivator Night ($29 for 11ml, select Rexall, online):
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Cargo describes it as:

…a revolutionary nighttime elixir clinically proven to stimulate lashes at the lash bed for visibly longer, fuller and more lush lashes. This safe, non-irritating formula shows a 169% improvement over natural growth rates.

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Sonia Kashuk eye on neutral shimmer palette

~ stashy ~ 24 Comments

Yet another Targetgate™ item up for review, the Sonia Kashuk eye on neutral shimmer 03 eye shadow palette ($20 Target).  I originally was on the hunt for the all matte version of this palette but since they were all sold out, I settled for the shimmer one.  The palette contains 12 individual shadows of 0.8g each for a total of 9.6g.  The shades range from a light champagne to a deep smokey charcoal.  The palette is aptly named as the neutral palette as it has a blend of warm and cool shades but overall, the palette is neutral.

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Warning: do not use on lip area. (Click to enlarge for ingredient list)

The palette came completely shrink wrapped but for some reason there’s a smudge mark on the middle pan, top row.

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Cosmetic tattooing

~ stashy ~ 19 Comments

I’ve been thinking about getting cosmetic tattooing, or permanent makeup done for a long time now, and I’ve finally decided to proceed with it (consultation appointment tonight!)  The main reasons I want to do this are 1) to reduce the amount of makeup I need (with potential cost savings over time), and 2) to save time getting ready every day.

Images from hair and makeup ideas

The areas I am getting tattooed are:

  • eyebrows
  • eyeliner
  • lips

In the future, I think I may even do some eye shadow shading as well – I’ll bring in my beloved MAC Satin Taupe so they colour match it.

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Overview: CoverGirl LashBlast Mascaras

~ stashy ~ 28 Comments

I happen to have all of CoverGirl’s LashBlast mascaras in my stash, so I thought I’d do an overview post to show the differences between them, and my preferences.CGLashBlast1
From left to right, the order in which they were released, and their claims, they are:
Volume (orange tube) Jan 2008 “For bold, high-volume lashes”
Luxe* (deep pink tube) Feb 2009 “High-volume lashes tinted with shimmer”
Length (yellow tube) Sept 2009 “Makes lashes up to 80% longer looking vs bare lashes”
Fusion (purple tube) Apr 2010 “Volume + Length in one stroke”
24 Hour (black tube) Jan 2012 “Power hour after hour. Bold, intense volume”
Clump Crusher (green tube) Nov 2012 “200% more volume + length, zero clumps”
Full Lash Bloom (pink tube) Dec 2014 “Exceptional lash fullness that’s soft to the touch”

For this overview, I am just looking at the non-waterproof formulas. I typically do not wear waterproof mascaras for regular usage.
* I just realized that I’m missing Luxe in my stash, the darker pink tube. But I can speak to it since I’ve tried it many moons ago – it’s a gimmick to have shimmer in mascaras, it doesn’t shows up on the lashes unless there’s a spotlight on them. The only place you’ll notice the glitter is on the cotton pad when you remove your makeup at night. The Luxe version is literally the original LashBlast Volume with glitter dumped into the formula.
Keep reading for details on each type

Untrieds: Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen

~ stashy ~ 13 Comments

Today, I’m reviewing a recently acquired item – you may recall that I bought this during Targetgate™, along with a few Sonia Kashuk goodies.  The Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen retails for $12.00 (1.2g) and is a Target exclusive brand here in Canada.  Once Target stores closes here, I’m not sure if Pixi will be available in a bricks and mortar store here anymore.
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This liner comes in a fancy box.  I don’t think I’ve seen another drugstore brand that sells pencil eyeliners in boxes.

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Green Day

~ stashy ~ 9 Comments

In honour of today being St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I would showcase some green makeup items in my stash.  Let’s use the local dollar store as a gauge for what colour green we’re talking about:

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Looks like a Leprechaun vomited in there.

At first glance, I would claim that I do not own very many green makeup items.  But I actually do, especially eye shadows.

Keep reading to see my green makeup!

Beauty Hacks

~ stashy ~ 17 Comments

This is a list of beauty related “hacks” – just tips and tricks that are inexpensive, and perhaps a little unconventional. There are all things I use on a regular basis that have been helpful to my beauty routine – I hope you get some new ideas!

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Note that I’ve gleaned some of these ideas from various online sources over the years, and some I’ve dreamed up myself.

Keep reading for beautyhacks

My top 10 MAC eye shadows

~ stashy ~ 21 Comments

This is a popular Youtube topic and I can understand why.  MAC is a very accessible line that is a bit of a “gateway” makeup brand for many people, myself included.  MAC offers high quality cosmetics in a wide variety of colours and finishes, at a reasonable price point (compared to department store or Sephora brands).  My makeup collection began with essentials from MAC, including lots of their eye shadows.  I now own 89 MAC eye shadow shades, which is roughly 15% of my total eye shadow collection.

These are my top 10 MAC eye shadows – unfortunately I can’t guarantee that all of these are in the permanent collection (in fact, one shade was in their permanent collection but now discontinued!)  Note that these are only MAC’s powder eye shadows, I will do a separate post on Paints / Paint Pots and Pigments.
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  1. Satin Taupe* (frost) – permanent
  2. Patina* (frost) – permanent
  3. Wedge (matte) – permanent
  4. Romp* (frost) – permanent (discontinued in 2012)
  5. Stolen Moment* (Extra Dimension) – limited edition (LE)
  6. Twinks (Veluxe Pearl) – permanent
  7. Style Snob (Starflash) – LE
  8. All That Glitters (Veluxe Pearl) – permanent
  9. Smoke & Diamonds (Starflash) – LE
  10. Vex (frost) – permanent

They’re roughly in the order of my preference and usage – the ones with the asterisk mean I own a back-up of them.
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I purchase most of my MAC eye shadows in the refill pans – the ones in the individual packaging are usually from limited edition collections (I debate back and forth whether I should depot them or not).  Below are swatches of each and more detailed descriptions.

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Swatching products

~ stashy ~ 9 Comments

Along a similar vein as how I photograph products, I thought I would do quick post about how I swatch products for this blog.  I’m not sure if people enjoy these “how I do things” entries, but I personally enjoy taking a peek behind the scenes on other blogs / youtube channels.howiswatch1This isn’t meant to be a how-to guide, it’s just to show you what I use to achieve the swatches you see on this blog.

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L’Oreal Bare Naturale mascara

~ stashy ~ 21 Comments

You know a mascara is good when your coworker exclaims in a meeting, “Your EYELASHES! What mascara are you wearing?”  Or, when you are at Sephora, and the makeup artist compliments you on your eyelashes – not your eye makeup – she specifically says “I love your lashes!”  (I think she thought they were falsies?)  And by all accounts, I have dinky wimpy sparse eyelashes.  This is the magic that is L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mascara:
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But, before you proceed any further into this entry, I warn you: this wondrous miracle product is discontinued.  I’m sorry, so very sorry to do this to you. If you don’t want to suffer heartache and mental anguish, please turn back now…

But keep reading if you’re a glutton for punishment