Review: Clinique High Lengths Mascara

So far, my quest for the best mascara in the world has led me to a lot of crumbly smeary raccoon-eyed days of test-run misery. As I've said a million times before, my miracle lash product thus far is Clinique Lash Power Mascara - waterproof, small precision applicator brush and all-around kickass formula that lasts through sweat, tears and Miami Beach in July.

Recently the fine folks at Clinique dropped me a sample of the NEW Clinique High Lengths Mascara. I didn't expect much since the other (non-Lash Power) Clinique mascaras out there rate a solid "meh" from me - they're nothing to write home about. High Lengths surprised me by being FREAKIN KILLER. KILL-ER.

Cost: $14
Details: The brush is this crazy skinny one-sided comb that looks like a praying mantis' leg or something. But it WORKS. Not only does it deliver enough product to give a glam lash look immediately (not a wussy wispy one) but it does so while enabling you to banish clumps and define each lash with a few swipes. NEVER in my life have I been able to get my lower lashes to look this long and separated.
Verdict: Get your ass to the Clinique counter STAT. I predict a sell-out in the near future!
Side Note: So far it's not on the Clinique site, but Neiman's, Bloomie's and Sephora have

L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara Sucks

L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara
Claim: "12x More Impact Instantly"
Cost: $7-10
Verdict: Don't waste your money.
Why: The dry clumps look like someone threw pepper in your face.
Details: My first purchase of this product was the waterproof formula. It left a flurry of tiny black flakes in my lashes and below my eyes after just an hour of normal wear. To be fair, I've never used a waterproof (that wasn't Clinique Lash Power) that wasn't a dry crumbly mess, so I decided to drop another $7-ish at Target and try the regular formula before I dissed it. Same thing happened! L'Oreal generally makes decent cosmetics, so this line is a HUGE disappointment.

Review: Cover Girl Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Mascara

The company line: "Get 4x brighter eyes* with Exact Eyelights Mascara! Light-reflecting metallics and a hint of tint bring out your blues, browns, hazels and greens, while our patented no-clump brush helps define lashes."
* Vs. bare lashes

The reality: Judge for yourself, do my eyes look brighter? The shimmer in the mascara is definitely not "glitter", which was a relief - it's subtle and in the case of the gold, the outcome is an overall brown look. I like that the formula is smudge resistant and the brush is a similar hard bristle style to "Lash Blast" mascara, which is a decent new release from CG. I've found it reduces clumpage and gives you a more even coat.

What sucks: It didn't complement my eye color and make it "pop" as much as a basic coat of black does. It's just a shimmery mascara, in a fun array of shades.

Price: $6.99

(Rihanna's Exact Eyelights ad)

Clinique Launches Spring 2009 Collection "First Blush"

I had the opportunity to try out the spring 2009 collection from Clinique this past week, "First Blush". Highlights include flower-themed eyeshadow duos in ethereal neutrals, high-shine glosses with just a whisper of color, and the standout innovation I adore - Quick Blush.

I have to admit, I'm a child and I played with the products before reading the details, so I had no idea how to use Quick Blush and ended up sticking my finger in the cap (where the blush is.) Here's how it actually works:

With a twist the brush picks up just enough blush from the cap to add a nice flush to your cheeks. Equally impressive is the quality of the super-soft retractable brush, which alone is worth the price of the product. I'll probably clean it and continue to use it even after the blush runs out. Reduce, reuse, recycle, ladies!

The eyeshadow packaging is super cute, and Clinique just has a knack for creating universally flattering shades. Of course I could show you pics of the gorgeous model with artist-applied eyeshadow they sent me, but I wanted y'all to see how they look on a real chick who applied them in about 30 seconds:

[Fresh Bloom Eye Shadow ($16.50 each, from left): Tiger Lily, Apple Blossom, Maple Blossom, Cherry Blossom; Lash Doubling Mascara ($14, all photos); Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in First Blush (1,2) and Honey Shimmer (3,4), $14 each; Quick Blush in Hurry Honey (1,3) and In-a-Rush Blush (2,4) $21.50.]

"First Blush" will be available at Clinique locations nationwide in February 2009, and online at Clinique.com.

P.S. My faves? The Quick Blush in Hurry Honey and the shadow in Tiger Lily.

Stila Honors Barbie's 50th with a Special Collection

Although she doesn't look it (chalk it up to botox - it's not like those boobs are real) Barbie turns 50 years old this year. To celebrate this occasion, America's favorite source of female body dysmorphia will be launching another cosmetics collaboration, on the heels of 2007's $9 million success with MAC Cosmetics.

This year, Barbie Loves Stila. Instead of separately-sold shades like they did with MAC, Mattel and Stila created four separate boxed sets ("beauty cans" ...ew) representing different stages of Barbie's evolution:

Ponytail Doll (a liquid eyeliner and a three-pan compact with two eye shadows and blush)
Malibu Barbie (a pale pink Lip Glaze called Malibu, a black mascara and a compact with two eye shadows and a bronzer)
Foxy Doll (mascara and a compact with two eye shadows and a blush)
Jewel Doll (bright pink Lip Glaze called Jewel, a Multi-Effect Mascara and a compact with two eye shadows and a blush)

Each will sell for $40 exclusively at Sephora. Considering a Stila eyeshadow is $18 and a lip glaze is $22, this will be a good deal providing that all the colors are nice.

Side Note: Am I crazy or does afro Barbie just look like a white Barbie with a really fake-looking tan? Unless it's supposed to be black Barbie post-LaToya Jackson rhinoplasty?

Review: BADgal Not So Badass

I'd heard all kinds of good things about Benefit BadGal mascara ($19), so I picked up a trial size tube ($9) at Sephora last week and have been wearing it the past few days.
What: BadGal has a HUGE brush at the end of the wand, just like Dior's DiorShow ($24) mascara. Both brands give you fat, bold lashes, but you have to maneuver pretty carefully to avoid hitting your eyelids with the massive applicator.
The verdict: I've worn both on moderately humid days, and BadGal does leave you in a semi-raccoon state by the end of the day. Sort of a bummer, since a sweaty night out is a perfect time to rock big fat lashes.
If you like huge brushes, my vote is DiorShow. However, be warned that it seems to dry out pretty quickly compared to other mascaras.

Coming Soon: Vibrating Mascara

For real. On July 17th Estee Lauder is launching a $30 Turbolash Mascara with a battery-operated wand that releases tiny vibrations as you apply. It'll be sold exclusively at Saks until later in the year.

What's the point? Supposedly the formula used dries instantly (so my long-time habit of sneezing immediately after applying will no longer leave me looking like a hysterical prom queen? Sweet.)

Lancome is also planning to release a similar product, called Ôscillation, that will allow you to get a super-even application.
Can you imagine trying to explain the buzzing sound in your purse by saying "it's my mascara?"

I'll follow with a review once I get my hands on these two and let you know if it really makes a difference. If I poke my eye out in the process, expect more typos than usual.

Clinique Lash Power: Sample Alert

Clinique is currently offering a free downloadable widget for brides-to-be to help keep them organized. When you download it, they'll also send you a free sample size of my current FAVORITE mascara ever-- new Lash Power, which is waterproof yet comes off without greasy eye makeup remover. (Check out my full product review.)

P.S. - They don't ask for details, so I'm pretty sure non-brides can get away with a free sample too just by clicking download.

Lash Power: Teeny Little Super Brush

I was skeptical when I first opened Clinique's NEW Lash Power mascara. The brush is so little! But what its size proved to offer was a precision beyond that of any mascara I've tried.
To put it in perspective: I NEVER do my bottom lashes, as it never fails to result in clumps and wand marks under my eye that need to be corrected. Lash power singled out each of these tiny lashes and coated them evenly, root to tip, without a flub, despite my unsteady hand.
Staying power: It claims 24-hour wear, and it's actually true. It managed to stay put flawlessly through too many margaritas, forgetful eye rubbing, a good night's sleep, eyes watering in 28 degree wind, and my overactive oil glands (thanks, Dad.) Originally created for the steamy climates of Asia, it held up remarkably against the perils of a northeastern U.S. winter.
Easy-off: Comes off with one cotton ball soaked in very warm water. (Handy when you forget your eye makeup remover at home.)
Soft texture: My eyelashes felt bare, but looked bold and really long. It wouldn't even crumble off into "mascara soot" when rubbed.
Notion seconded: A bff and fellow product junkie Erin gave it a shot and loved it so much I handed mine over to her. Her lashes looked amazing, like long, delicate fans.

Lash Power will be on the U.S. market in February (though it is on the Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom websites now), part of Clinique's Nude Blush Spring 2008 line (which FYI contains a lot of understated rose, peach and gold-ish shades. NARS collection is doing similar shades, so it looks like nude is going to be the look of spring! Pretty.)

At $14 it's a bargain for the level of quality. I'll be picking up another one myself.