Showing posts with label comparison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comparison. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2015

Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara Review

So I have finally gone through all of my full size mascaras and on a whim, I decided it was time for a new one. I picked up the new Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara in Very Black from Target a few days ago.

Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara Packaging
Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara
Claims:
  • flake-free
  • thickening
  • lengthening
  • lightweight
  • soft, touchable lashes
Covergirl also says that their Bloom mascara contains a new mousse formula which includes natural beeswax and is safe for contact lens wearers.

I was very impressed the first time I used it. The formula is a perfect middle ground between dry and wet that will give you enough product without making your lashes clumpy or messy. In just a few strokes my lashes looked longer and fuller and I loved the fanned out, wispy effect. They didn't flake at all nor did they feel heavy and cakey. No spider lashes either. Another thing that made me very happy was that it was not difficult to remove. I hate when I have to scrub the mascara off my eyelashes!

Eye before mascara
Eye before mascara
Eye with Covergirl Bloom mascara, no eyeliner
Eye with one coat of Covergirl Bloom mascara, no eyeliner

I love how this mascara gives a defined, long and thick lash effect in just one coat while still looking natural. Adding additional coats is easy and it doesn't clump at all! It is perfect for every day wear!

The brush is one of those stiffer prickly brushes and has a subtle butterfly shape. No dramatic or crazy brush shapes here. Just simple and easy to use.

Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara Wand
Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara Wand

For comparison, I included a picture of the Benefit The're Real mascara wand. They are fairly similar but I personally think that the Covergirl one is less prickly and more user friendly.

Benefit The're Real Mascara Wand
Benefit The're Real Mascara Wand
Just more proof that drugstore mascaras are better than higher end ones!
Covergirl Full Lash Bloom retails for $7.00 and is available at Ulta and most drugstores.

Have you tried this mascara yet? Do you have a favorite mascara that you want to share? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below!

Disclaimer: All images, thoughts and opinions are my own. Links are for convenience only.



Saturday, August 23, 2014

Naked 2 Basics Palette Review and Comparison


I love my Naked 1 and my Naked Basics Palettes and was so excited to see that Urban Decay was coming out with a new Basics Palette in cool colors. I wear taupe, grey and black eyeshadows constantly, so it is kind of my signature eye look most of the year. Add those colors to the quality of Urban Decay eyeshadows and the convenience of a small, travel sized palette and I was in heaven. I swatched both palettes for comparison.

Naked Basics PaletteNaked 2 Basics Palette

Naked Basics and Naked 2 Basics


The packaging is the same as the first Naked Basics Palette. It is nice and heavy, great for travel and indestructible to minor messes. I should know, I spilled a full travel mug of hot apple cider in my purse and it didn't even get inside the palette nor did it do any damage to the packaging.

Naked Basics Eyeshadows
Naked Basics Palette
Naked 2 Basics Eyeshadows
Naked 2 Basics Palette

All of the colors, other than Skimp and Venus, are matte. Both highlight colors are a bit shimmery and Skimp is definitely darker and more beige toned than Venus. Right away I noticed that the colors from the Naked 2 Basics palette were mostly darker than it's predecessor, and true to Urban Decay's claim, they are all cooler in comparison.

Naked Basics Eyeshadow Swatches
Naked Basics
Left to right: Venus, Foxy, Walk of Shame (W.O.S), Naked 2, Faint, Crave
Naked 2 Basics Eyeshadow Swatches
Naked 2 Basics
Left to right: Skimp, Stark, Frisk, Cover, Primal, Undone


Urban Decay Basics Eyeshadow Comparison Swatch Venus vs. Skimp
Venus vs. Skimp
I noticed a big difference between the two highlight colors. Venus is a creamy white while Skimp is more of a light beige. Both have about the same amount of shimmer.
Urban Decay Basics Eyeshadow Comparison Swatch Foxy vs. Stark
Foxy vs. Stark
Very similar but Foxy is lighter and warmer than Stark by just a hair.

Urban Decay Basics Eyeshadow Comparison Swatch W.O.S. vs. Frisk
W.O.S. vs. Frisk
Walk of Shame and Frisk look very similar in the palette but swatched they couldn't be more different. W.O.S. is still in the light skin tone range while Frisk is a nice light taupe.
Urban Decay Basics Eyeshadow Comparison Swatch Naked 2 vs. Cover
Naked 2 vs. Cover
Naked 2 is lighter than Cover. It is also still more on the beige side of things while cover is a mid toned taupe.
Urban Decay Basics Eyeshadow Comparison Swatch Faint vs. Primal
Faint vs. Primal
Here is wear we start to see differences in the 'Naked Basics is lighter than Naked 2 Basics' pattern. Faint is clearly a nice darker, warm brown while Primal is a darker taupe but lighter than Faint.

Urban Decay Basics Eyeshadow Comparison Swatch Crave vs. Undone
Crave vs. Undone
These last two colors follow Faint and Primal in that Naked Basics, Crave, is darker than Naked 2 Basics, Undone. Crave is a nice matte black while Undone is a dark, grey toned taupe.


Like with the 2nd Basics palette, all colors besides the first highlight shade are matte. The colors in the original palette seem lighter overall with the exception of Faint and Crave which are just a tad darker than their Naked 2 Basics counterparts, though they are no less pigmented. They are also cooler than the first Basics palette but not drastically so. Some colors are really similar and others are entirely different when you swatch them. I didn't notice a difference in quality between the two. They are both amazing; very pigmented, creamy and blend-able!

My Conclusion
I love both palettes and think that the colors can easily be used interchangeably. I prefer Basics 2 overall because of the coolness of the colors. These are going to be my go-to palettes for a long time! Don't dismiss it just because you already have the first Basics palette. You will not be disappointed.


Each palette retails for $29. Currently the Naked 2 Basics is currently only available on Urban Decay's website. Update! This palette is now available in Ulta and Sephora!


Disclaimer: Both products were bought with my own money. All opinions are my own.

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