The Maybelline Mascara Comparison

If there is one brand to rule the drugstore mascara world, Maybelline would be it. However, every time I go into a store to pick up a new mascara, I am overwhelmed by the plethora of colorful tubes. Hopefully, this comparison will put you at bit more at ease next time when you're out to pick up a Maybelline mascara.

Lash Sensational | I was very dissapointed with the formula of this mascara as it was so wet that my lashes drooped within seconds. I made the misatke of not getting the waterproof version, so I will give it the benefit of the doubt that it might be better at holding a curl. I will say that this mascara is very black and would provide great definition if your lashes can hold up the extra weight. Dislike

The Rocket (Waterproof) | I like to think of this as the perfect everyday mascara. It holds a curl with thin lashes, provides definition, and does not clump. The fat brush (pictured below) does a surprisingly good job at keeping clumps at bay. I wouldn't go out to say that it lengthens or gives crazy drama, but it does its job perfectly for a go-to mascara. Like 

Illegal Length | I loveee this mascara. I wouldn't wear it alone as it does not provide much definition, but it does the best job at adding extra length. The tiny fibers attach to your lashes and give the appearance of eyelash extensions! The skinny brush makes it easy to precisely apply the fibers to your individual lashes. It's quite magical when layered with another mascara (like The Rocket), and I would recommend this one to anyone. Like

The Falsies Flared (Waterproof) | From the first time I tried this mascara, I was a bit confused as it was so dry. It provided absolutely no definition or length. I was honestly better off with no mascara. I'm not sure if I just got a faulty product or if this is truly the formula, but I really did not like this mascara. Dislike 

What are your favorite and not-so-favorite Maybelline mascaras?

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-Emily

5 Minute Spring Hairstyles | Easy Faux Waterfall Headband

Words cannot begin to describe my love for this hairstyle. Cute Girls Hairstyles made a video on it, and ever since then, I've been recreating it on all my friends. It's so simple to do but the outcome is quite beautiful.

1. Create a deep side part to the end of one of your eyebrows.
2. Where the part begins, grab a section of hair about an inch thick. Since this is a headband, don't take hair from the very front of your head but rather, pick up the hair a little further back (see video).
3. Braid that hair into a tight three strand braid, and tie it off with a small elastic.
4. Open up the first stitch of the braid and pull a one inch section of hair through. Continue this until you reached the other side of your head.
5. Pin the braid to your head and pull hair over the pinned section to create a seamless look.

What is your favorite hairstyle for spring?

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-Emily

The (Un)favorites No. 3

bareMinerals Blemish Therapy | This tiny pot of powder claims quite magical powers. Said to both conceal and heal, this treatment seemed extremely enticing. However, after trying it out a few times, I can say that it sadly falls short in both categories. It does not provide enough coverage to conceal, and it frankly did nothing to help heal my acne. I was never one for powder concealers as I find liquids to be much more effect, and I don't think I will be trying any anytime soon.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer | Let's set things straight. I am in love with the product as it does a fantastic job at concealing anything from blemishes to undereye circles, but the packaging just sucks on all levels. At first, I never noticed anything horrendous about the packaging, but I gave it a few weeks and I saw how messy this product got. I am fairly clean person, and I like to keep all of my products clean as well, so believe me, I did not try and get concealer all over the sides of the tube. Somehow, the product builds up where the wand and tube meet and you are left with an absolute gunky mess. It's also not the easiest thing to clean off as the concealer itself has great staying power. The only way I can travel with this product is if I put it in its own plastic bag, and even at home, it leaves concealer all over my bathroom counter.

Elf Pencil Eyeliner | This must be the worst pencil eyeliner I have ever tried. It is extremely waxy, doesn't apply smoothly, and smudges like crazy. No, no, no. All the products I've tried from Elf have been such a disappointment so far!

Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara (waterproof) | I know how highly loved this mascara is to many beauty bloggers out there, but sadly, this just did not work out for me. It was extremely dry from my first use, and I found it to be quite flaky when I applied it to my lashes. For a mascara named "falsies," I expected a much wetter formula, something to provide volume and drama, but sadly, this fell short of my expectations and I much prefer Maybelline's Rocket Mascara (waterproof).

Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Cream | This was my first ever BB cream and probably my last. The coverage was surprisingly great for a BB, but the poor shade selection (three shades) made it hard to match my actual skin tone. The worst part was how much it oxidized. I had an atrocious orange face in natural light, and it was quite the disaster.

Covergirl Outlast Lipstain | I am all for the idea of a lipstain as I love a natural lip, but this little guy just fell short of my expectations. I will give it the benefit of the doubt because I've had it for a while, but the tip is completely dried up. Also, it applies quite patchy which makes it very hard to get an even application, only adding to the fact that it's very hard to blend out considering that it's a stain.

What have been your (un)favorites recently?

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-Emily

DIY | Mother's Day Cake in a Jar

Need a gift for Mother's Day? Well I have an idea for you! I think of this more as a super simple DIY than a recipe post as I was a cheater and just used box mix and greek yogurt..shhh none of you better tell. 

You Will Need 

-cake

-one single-serving carton of vanilla (or whatever flavor you desire) greek yogurt for every jar 

-granola, nuts, fruit (optional for extra layers)

-a mason jar

-ribbon

STEP ONE // Bake your cake! I chose red velvet as I liked the color for Mother's Day, and I mean who can resist red velvet? 

STEP TWO // Vanilla greek yogurt works great as a healthy frosting on its own, but if you are using plain greek yogurt, adding some agave nectar or honey might help to sweeten it up. I found that greek yogurt has the tartness of cream cheese and the taste is actually quite similar!

STEP THREE // Begin the assembly process by layering a generous portion of cake with the greek yogurt. I made three layers total.

STEP FOUR // Top it off with some granola or nuts if you'd like, and cap the lid on tight. Tie a cute ribbon around the top, and you're finished!

P.S. I now have this great desire to work for a food magazine.

P.S.S. Happy 18th Birthday to my wonderful friend Hanna who faithfully reads my blog. I usually don't post on Friday's, but this one's for you!

What are you giving your mom for Mother's Day?

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-Emily

My Perfect Breakfast Trio

Oh how I missed you all! Thought I doubt anyone noticed, I am so sorry for not posting this last week as I have been buckled down in my own little world studying for AP tests. Luckily, three out of four of them are done now, so I just have one more to go next Friday!

I am not a morning person. I love staying up late and sleeping in late, so breakfast usually turns into brunch for me. But on those days when I feel like getting up at a socially acceptable time, I like to start off my day with a delicious and nutritious breakfast. For me, that includes a handful of strawberries with a drizzle of agave nectar, a bowl of vanilla greek yogurt with a generous portion of granola, and a 95 calorie chai latte (link to my recipe here).

I am head over heals in love with this light blue bowl from Anthropologie, and I could talk ages about it but we're here for what's inside. I poured a cup of the delicious Trader Joe's Fat-Free Vanilla Greek Yogurt into the bowl and topped it off with a generous sprinkling of Nature's Path Hemp-Plus Granola.

You know the weather is warming up when strawberry season arrives, and I personally couldn't be happier! A light drizzle of agave nectar makes these so delicious and irresistible to me.

What would be your perfect breakfast?  

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-Emily