Beauty Buy, Blunder & Break: Mascara

It has been much too long since I've posted a beauty review, but fear not, I have been trying more drugstore-brand cosmetics, and keeping tabs on what sucks and what doesn't. Lately, I've picked up a lot of new mascara. Let's start with the good. (Then we can move on to the bad and the ugly... or rather, mediocre.)

Buy: L'Oreal Double Extend

As you can see, this mascara requires two applications...

The first is the "Fortifying Extender" and the second, the "Color Magnifier".

The first is white and the second, the color of the mascara. I felt the "Fortifying Extender" applies sort-of a tubing on your lashes that really does what it promises - lengthens. This two step process is worth the effort; it was, by far, my most favorite mascara I've tried as of late. Retail price on this is $10.95.

Buy: L'Oreal Voluminous Power Volume 24H w/Collagen

OK, wow, so far L'Oreal is 2 for 2. This mascara has a thick brush and delivers on the volume. Retails for $7.95. I prefer the Double Extend, but this is a safe bet.

Break: Nuance Ultra-Defining

Here's why I'm calling this one a "break". Retailing at $9.79, I expect better, specifically I expect waterproof. However, I really like the tiny brush, as I do believe it aids in separation of lashes.

Personally, I prefer my lashes long and separated, as opposed to voluminous. I didn't have issues with flaking or transfer to my under-eye, but this mascara barely lasts through the whole day. C'mon, Selma, you can do better than this. I'm also giving it the "break" rating for the packaging. It's sleek and simple. 

(I wish other brands would follow suit on the packaging aspect. The more it looks like MAC, the better, m'kay?)

Blunder: Almay One Coat Thickening

Oy. OK, not only does this NOT thicken, lengthen or do much of anything you expect mascara to do, but it flakes off throughout the day. Not even worth the $5.99, which is the least expensive of the bunch.

Beauty Break & Blunder: Face Cleanser

Since I've had such great luck with Nuance makeup products, I thought I would try the skincare line.  I picked up the Walnut Facial Scrub (originally $7.99) and Chamomile Cream Cleanser (originally $7.99) when CVS was offering buy one get one 50% off all Nuance skincare items.

Walnut Scrub: Beauty Break

I liked the texture of this scrub.  It was exfoliating, but not harsh.  The smell was nice, as well.  My skin felt a bit cool after use - very fresh.

Chamomile Cream Cleanser: Beauty Blunder

I did not like this cleanser at all.  I felt the scent was an attempt to mimic higher end products, but it was way off.  It smelled cheap.  I couldn't get past the scent.

Both cleansers were inexpensive, but not cheap.  Additionally, I broke out in a rash that I think was caused by one of these cleansers, but I'm not sure which one.  I think it was the scrub though, because I used it more than once and as soon as I stopped using it, my skin cleared up.  I would recommend the walnut scrub, but with caution.

Beauty Break: Makeup Remover

Having completely given up on finding a wipe that removes waterproof mascara without taking my eye with it as well, I figured I had no choice but to bring in support. 

I picked up Nuance Salma Hayek Cucumber & Rosewater Dual Phase Makeup Remover at CVS for $7.99+tax.

Details from CVS.com: "With chamomile & lavender extracts. Softens and conditions while lifting away impurities and waterproof makeup. Inspired by my grandmother, my products are designed to help every woman enhance the nuances that define her individual beauty. - Salma. Cucumber, rosewater, chamomile & lavender extracts nurture and soothe the delicate eye area. Mimosa, blue agave, camapu & prickly pear extracts soothe, hydrate and firm skin. Glycerin, a lightweight moisturizer, softens and hydrates skin and lips. Ophthalmologist tested. Dermatologist tested. Not tested on animals. Fragrance free. Hypoallergenic. Gluten free."

Pros:

Packaging - I know it sounds trivial, but the thing you often miss out on with drugstore products (compared to department store) is the attractive packaging.  Next to my MAC products, this bottle fits right in, as do most Nuance items.  (Also, once shaken, the liquid has a bit of a sparkle to it!)

It's gentle and it works.  The Nuance makeup remover really is gentle.  It feels soft on my skin and isn't too greasy.  It doesn't burn my eyes.  And, it actually works!  It removes my waterproof mascara relatively quickly and with very minimal rubbing.

No fragrance - As stated in the description, the Nuance makeup remover is fragrance free, which is refreshing.

Cons:

Price - At $7.99 for 4.3 oz this remover is pretty expensive and doesn't last very long.  I purchased mine a little over a month ago, and it's almost gone.

If the price doesn't bother you, and you're looking for a fragrance free makeup remover that's aesthetically pleasing, I suggest picking this one up.

*Note: There is a pink liquid and clear liquid that separate.  Shaking is required before use.  The bottle shown here is a full bottle, with the clear liquid on top.

Beauty Break: Facial Cleansing Wipes

I'll confess, I'm lazy when it comes to taking my makeup off at the end of the day.  The quicker and easier, the better. So, I use wipes.  MAC wipes, of course, but the $26 price-tag is a buzz-kill.

For 100 wipes, the cost per wipe is $0.26. Additionally, these wipes don't remove waterproof mascara, so there's more money spent for an eye makeup remover.  I think I can do better than that?

$4.54 for Target brand remover

My search brought me to Walgreens (as it usually does; what can I say, they're easily accessible).  I found the Walgreens brand wipes at $6.49 for 25 wipes, coming out to... $0.26/per wipe?!  Wait a second... that's the same price as MAC!

OK, so the Walgreens wipes claim to remove waterproof mascara (just barely), so I'm saving money on that end, but the Walgreens brand wipes bother my eyes - MAC's do not.  And they definitely don't smell as nice as MAC!

So, needless to say, I'm still searching for a great makeup remover wipe.  Once I use up all 25 of the Walgreens brand wipes, I'll search for another alternative.  In the meantime, got any suggestions for me?