Style Chicks

I’ve heard good things about Maybelline Define-A-Lash Pulse Perfection Mascara, but it takes a lot to pull me away from my beloved Fiberwig mascara. But when Target had Pulse Perfection on sale for $4.99, I decided to give it a try.

I’m impressed. While the formula is quite wet when it goes on, application is actually a very quick process. Of course, the “cool” factor is the pulsing wand that distributes the mascara evenly. A lot of reviews have stated that it tickled, but I didn’t find that to be the case. It isn’t exactly a laser-precision separation of lashes either, as I still needed to coax a few lashes back into place after application. At the same time, it made my lashes look so full and fluffy that extreme definition didn’t seem to be the look this mascara is meant for – it’s not a minimal look.

I really like the hourglass-shaped brush. The bristles are firm albeit short. Despite the compact size of the brush, it distributes the formula really well on both sides of the lashes, even with just a swipe on the underneath. The firmness of the brush may be a plus or a minus for you – for me it’s a plus since it gives me a bit more control over where the mascara goes than some big fluffy wands. The first few times you use the mascara you may want to dab the extra product on the brush onto a paper towel  before application until you get the hang of it.

The results are pretty dramatic. It definitely adds length and serious volume. The pictures below are with two coats – and after being out in 90 degree heat for a couple of hours (forgot to take pics before I left the house). Not bad staying power, huh? I got a bit of flaking the first time I wore it, but not after that – so it can definitely be considered a summer-friendly mascara! And it holds a curl perfectly.

One of the reasons I love Fiberwig is the fact that it doesn’t budge during the day, but comes off easily with just water. With Pulse Perfection, it does require a more substantial cleanser to remove – but it came off cleanly with nary a tug with e.l.f. Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths (I’m loving those cloths in this makeup-melting heat). Cerave works well too.

Final verdict: After seeing my results with Define-A-Lash Pulse Perfection, Style Chick Lyn got one for herself, and Style Chick Lee is going to get herself one this week! We’ll have some big fluffy lashes around Style Chicks HQ soon!

Maybelline Define A Lash Pulse Perfection in Blackest Black

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Pulse Perfection Mascara in Blackest Black, false lash look on your own lashes!

Find Maybelline Define-A-Lash Pulse Perfection Mascara in Blackest Black at drugstore.com for $14.99.

When the sun is beating down on you, it’s hard to want to slick on more than gloss on your lips. But before you reach for that light,  juicy colored gloss, consider the possibility: unless your gloss has a SPF and you reapply consistently, you are subjecting your lips to the equivalent of rubbing baby oil on your skin and laying out in the sun. Add to that the fact that your lips have less natural melanin than the rest of your skin, and you could end up with a lip burn that can only be described as, well, icky. (OK, painful, peeling, blistering, miserable, and many other bad things as well…but you catch my drift…icky)

One option is trying a highly pigmented lipstick or stain. Anything that can provide a physical barrier will stop your lips from burning. Yesterday me and Style Chick Lyn were outside for a bit and both were wearing stains (Lyn wore Liptini Lip Liquer in Kirsh, and I had two coats of Stila Crush Lip and Cheek Stain in Mango), with nary a burn or chap. It works and still feels light!

Lyn wearing Liptini's Kirsh stain - just a light coat!

ELF has some great products that find a happy home in my regular makeup bag, and their Mineral Eyeshadow Primer is one of them. The formula is incredibly light, but packs a decent coverage and brightening punch, and keeps shadow in check. For everyday, I put it on after concealer (sometimes I use thin coats both before and after concealer if my eyes are puffy), and then just add highlighter (Benefit’s Georgia Peach) on my browbone, about half an inch from my eyebrow. It really gives a natural look that doesn’t crease or crinkle during the day, and it really doesn’t feel heavy or sticky.

It comes in one color, Sheer, which is ideal for me, but as you know, I’m quite pale. I don’t know how it would work on other skin tones, though when the other Style Chicks tried it out, it still looked natural on a more olive-toned fair skin. I think it would serve as a decent brightener on darker skin tones as well – don’t let the color in the tube scare you off, since it goes on so lightly.

It’s not just a great primer, either – it contains Vitamins A, C, and E – so you get some skincare action as well! Try applying it with a sponge or synthetic brush – the wand is a bit too small to blend with. And definitely make sure to blend it all the way into the inner V of your eye – it brightens and opens the area right up without looking fake. You just look…what do they call that…well rested.

There are some great eyeshadow primers on the market right now, and ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer is amongst them. For everyday use, it’s a great value at $3.00 and the tube lasts surprisingly long. In fact, I still had about 1/8th of my old tube left (which I got about a year ago and have been using 2-3 days a week) when I ordered my new tube recently.

Find ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer at EyesLipsFace.com.

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

Lock & Mane had a great article on ways to fight summertime frizz and other hair mishaps. And we’re not just saying that because they confirm several things we’ve said in the past.

Read it here.

It’s hot here in the NorthEast. Like, really hot. The last thing I feel like doing is intentionally blowing hot air on my head. Personally I’ve just been air-drying my hair last couple of days, but Style Chick Lyn didn’t have the time to let her hair dry on it’s own today. I asked her how she got her hair sleek in this crazy weather, and she said she used her T3 Featherweight dryer after letting it airdry for a bit. Doesn’t pump out as much hot air, and dries faster than regular dryers. Not a bad idea!

Find the T3 Featherweight Luxe Professional Hair Dryer at Lock & Mane. It may seem pricey at $250, but I’ve been using my original T3 for years now  - I would have spent far more over time on hair dryers that konk out faster and don’t work as well!

T3 Featherweight Luxe Professional Hair Dryer