Review: Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara

When I picked up my Covergirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara (read my review on it here), I also purchased Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara.

I was very intrigued by both the commercial and the promises that this product made, so I decided to give it a shot. When I arrived home from buying this product, I was dismayed to find that some negative reviews had been written about this mascara, but I decided to test it out anyway.

This picture shows my natural lashes curled with no mascara applied. 

As you can see, the wand ensures that each lash will be coated evenly and really separates the lashes. It also has a lot of the product on it, but doesn't clump.

When I first applied the product, I noticed that my lashes did look longer, but not dramatically. As you can see in the above picture, the first coat of mascara added a lot of definition to my eyelashes and made them stand out. 

The mascara also held curl well almost all day, and didn’t clump when I added a second coat, which you can see in the last picture. I have been using this for a little over a month straight, and I really like it a lot. (I’ve only used the Covergirl LashBlast Fusion when I’ve tested it and gone for a night out)

I’m really happy that I didn’t let the negative reviews on this product change my decision to use it. I honestly really liked this mascara, and it has successfully come in as a close second to my favorite mascara – Urban Decay’s Multi-Benefit Skyscraper Mascara (read my review here). Though I don’t notice a difference in my lash growth yet (I’ll keep you updated in a few months when I have used it for a longer period of time), I am a fan of this product’s overall performance in that it doesn’t clump and does add some length to my natural lash.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara = A

Have you tried Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara? How did you like it? Let me know in the comment section! 

Review: Covergirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara

Since there is nowhere to get refills on my lash extensions up at college, I decided to forgo my lash maintenance appointment and let my extensions fall out on their own. I am a bit depressed because I LOVE my Xtreme Lash Extensions so much. I will be getting them again next year after college graduation, since I will be living back at home for a while and will be able to get my lashes filled indefinitely. Anyway, after my extensions were gone, I noticed that I was in dire need of mascara and decided to take a trip to Target. While there, I picked up Covergirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara  since I love the original LashBlast Volume Blasting formula, and I really liked the color of the packaging – purple is my favorite! I also purchased this mascara because I thought that if this was the “fusion” of both the original LashBlast Volume Blasting and the LashBlast Length mascara, it would be unbelievably amazing.

I liked the packaging of the product - I noticed that it was very sleek and easy to hold. As I said before, I also liked the color. 

When I examined the brush, I noticed that it looked just like the original LashBlast wand. There were a ton of tiny bristles that would prevent clumping from occurring, and ensured that each lash would be separated. 

When the brush was covered in mascara, I was still able to see the tiny bristles. 

When I initially applied the mascara to my eyes, I noticed that though there was no clumping, my lashes weren't longer or fuller. 

When the formula had been on my eyes for around 7 hours, I noticed that the curl was barely there, and the mascara had worn off a lot. 

Ultimately, I was not too thrilled with this product. Though I did like the packaging and the fact that it didn't clump, I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t hold curl too well and it wore off. I honestly didn’t think it added a dramatic amount of length and volume either. I don't think I am going to be using this product at all after my trial with it, and will definitely not repurchase it in the future. 

Covergirl LashBlast Fusion = C+

Have you tried this product? What did you think of it? Do you have any other mascara recommendations? Let me know in the comment section! :)

Makeup Deal Monday - Week of August 16, 2010

Here's the first Makeup Deal Monday. It's basically the same as Surfing Sunday, but I just changed the name and the day. Check back every Monday to check out all of the beauty deals that are happening during the week! Enjoy! :)

Sephora.com –

- Check out the full list of weekly specials here.

- Check out the Sale page here for some awesome deals!

- With any purchase, get a Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer sample when you enter the code KDEYE at checkout.

For Beauty Insiders only: (this is on the weekly specials page, but I wanted to point out that it is just for Beauty Insiders) Get a free Boscia Luminizing Black Mask sample when you enter the code BOSCIAMASK at checkout.

Ulta.com –

- A free 17-piece Ulta gift is offered if you spend $17.50 or more on any Ulta brand products. This huge gift comes in 2 different shades.

- Check out the huge amount of gifts with purchase here.

- All of the great special offers are listed here.

- Tarte products are available at Ulta with free shipping. Use the coupon code 53120 to get this offer.

bobbibrowncosmetics.com –

- Get free shipping and a travel-sized mini of Extreme Party Mascara when you enter the offer code FALL8 at checkout. This code can only be used once and is only valid through August 20, 2010 at midnight ET.

- Choose 2 complimentary samples at checkout. See them here.

Stilacosmetics.com -

- Get free shipping for purchases of $50 or more automatically – no code is needed.

LauraMercier.com -

- Free shipping for purchases of $50 or more.

Nordstrom.com – Beauty

- It’s only $5 shipping when you spend $50 or more when you enter the code BEAUTY

Bloomingdales.com – Beauty

- Check out the fabulous gifts with purchase here.

saksfifthavenue.com – Beauty

- There are some awesome gifts with purchase over at Saks too! Click here to see them!

Hope you enjoyed the first Makeup Deal Monday! Please comment below if you know of any beauty deals that are not in this post! xoxo

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Surfing Sunday is now Makeup Deal Monday

Starting tomorrow, "Surfing Sunday" will be changed to "Makeup Deal Monday". Check back tomorrow for some fantastic makeup deals for the week of Monday, August 16!

Most Wanted Makeup Wednesday

Introducing... Mix and Match Makeup's "Most Wanted Makeup Wednesday"! There is way too much makeup stuff that I have found I want (it's unhealthy, really), and I want to share my list of 5 items that I want each week with you! :)

1. Sigma's Pro Brush Belt -

I love that this product is made out of a beautiful synthetic material and is only $29! It has a ton of room for brushes and other cosmetic tools as well! The brush belt also comes in pink and black. I want to purchase the belt in black because it'll match the Complete Kit with Brush Roll that I already own (check back soon for a review of the Complete Kit with Brush Roll!).

2. MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish in Petticoat -

The colors of this MSF are so pretty! I love that there are both gold and amber flecks in the rose color - I feel that it would be such a pretty blush and highlight color. One of the girls who works at the MAC store told me that this is pretty comparable to Stereo Rose which I unfortunately didn't get, so I feel that this product is the next best thing.

3. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour Stars Collection -

I just saw this commercial, and I knew I had to have this product! I reapply my lip gloss constantly, so I really like the fact that this product doesn't smudge and stays on for a long time. Though I don't really wear red lipstick/gloss, I feel like Beyonce's Red is gorgeous! I also really like Andy's Rose too, because it's more of a pink color. I feel that the best part about this product is the cost - it's $11.49 for a product that lasts a long time! Though all of the colors are sold out on the L'Oreal Paris site, you can find the collection in stock here on Ulta.com!

4. NYX Cosmetics Smokey Purple Look Kit -

I have so many purple shadows, but it's never enough (purple is my favorite color). I love how this kit is so compact and contains such highly pigmented colors. I'm loving the way the girl in the picture's eye makeup looks, though I don't really know if I could pull that look off.

5. NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese -

Though I don't think the name of this pencil is very appealing (I hate the way Cottage Cheese tastes haha), I love the color of this pencil. The last time I went to Ulta to pick one up, it was out of stock, so I've been wanting this product for a while.

Hope you enjoyed the first "Most Wanted Makeup Wednesday"! Leave me some comments below letting me know what cosmetics product(s) you're wanting this week!

How to Care for your Lash Extensions

I love my lash extensions, so it's very important for me to care for them so that they last as long as they can. Here's how I care for my Xtreme Lash Extensions (refer to my last post “All About Eyelash Extensions” about whether or not lash extensions are right for you!)

When I initially get my lashes put on, or get my lashes filled, I don't get them wet for 48 hours (I mentioned this in my last post). This means I don't even get steam near them when I shower. Be sure to not use mascara on them for this period of time as well.

Each morning, I brush my lashes with a disposable mascara wand in order to straighten them out. I received mine from the woman who does my lash extensions, but you can buy a 12-pack of them at SallyBeauty.com here. When brushing, be sure to not brush hard or start too close to the lash line. Remember to start brushing your lashes from the middle of the lashes to the tips. Doing so will ensure that your lashes don’t come out while brushing.

Once a week, I apply the Xtreme Protective Coating to my lashes. This product strengthens the bond between the lash and the extension, which ultimately makes the lash extensions last longer. It also creates a barrier against oil and adds shine.

When doing my makeup, I use LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer (read my review here) before applying eyeshadow. This primer is oil-free, which is very important. Remember to use oil-free products around or on your lashes so that your extensions don’t slip off of your natural lash!

If I feel that I want to wear some mascara (which isn’t entirely necessary since the lashes look awesome by themselves), I use the mascara provided by Xtreme Lashes. I use the Xtreme Length Mascara, which is oil-free. Besides being safe for the lashes, it’s an extremely great product! It doesn’t clump or flake, and it comes off very easily with eye makeup remover.

When I take my eye makeup off, I use Almay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads. Again, it’s extremely important to remember to use oil-free products with your lashes! I feel that these pads are extremely convenient and can be easily disposed of. Remember not to put too much pressure on the lashes when using the pads, since you can tug at them and cause some of your lashes to come off!

Other times, I use Xtreme Eye Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser to take off my eye makeup. This was formulated by the company that created the extensions, so you know it’s perfectly safe to use around your lashes. It also smells really good – kind of like coconut, and has aloe in it for moisturizing purposes.

Finally, when I go to bed, I remember not to toss and turn (I mentioned this in my last post). It’s important to not sleep on one side or your stomach since you’ll apply pressure to your lashes, so sleeping on your back is ideal.

You can order any of the Xtreme Lashes products I mentioned above on either the Xtreme Lashes website here, or you can purchase them where you get your lashes done.

I hope this post helps you get the most out of your lash extensions! Feel free to ask any questions or post any comments below! Also, if you have Xtreme Lashes and care for them in a different way, be sure to tell me in the comment section! J

Surfing Sunday - August 8, 2010

Sorry for the lack of posts… I have been on vacation in Florida for a week and am actually leaving to go to the airport in an hour to get back home. I promise that I am going to post so much this week - in fact, I have a post that I’ve already written which is coming your way tomorrow!

Here are the great deals I’ve found for this week’s Surfing Sunday! I’m going to warn you now that this is quite a long post, although that is a good thing – it just means that I found a ton of deals!

Sephora.com –

• *Reminder for VIBs* Swag Bags are being given out to VIBs until today, so hurry and get yours! Check your email – you have to either print it out or show your code with a mobile device to get your bag if you choose to pick it up in store; or just enter the code given to you when checking out online. Also, VIBs earn DOUBLE POINTS with any Sephora purchase until today!
• Check out the full list of weekly specials here.
• Check out the Sale page here for some awesome deals!

These are only some of my favorite sale products from Sephora this week, since if I wrote about every product on the sale page that I want, I’d be sitting here all day!

1. The Waterproof Bronzing Kit – It contains 6 water-resistant products. It was originally $28, and is now $15. Even though the summer’s almost over (I’m so sad), I’ve been wanting to try out this kit since it has come out. With a price tag of $15, I can’t resist!
2. The Stila Collectible Travel Palettes “Road to Radiance – Across the USA” and “Pretty in Paris” - These palettes were once priced at $65, but have been marked down to $10! I love the colors in these palettes!
3. Stila Paint Your Pout Red Palette – The Talking Palette – I own nothing like this because I never wear red on my lips, but this palette makes me want to! It was originally $45, but is now only $15!

• For Beauty Insiders only: (this is on the weekly specials page, but I wanted to point out that it is just for Beauty Insiders) get a deluxe sample of Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara. This is a brand new mascara, so it’s your chance to grab it before anyone else! Enter the code “SPECTRUM” at checkout.

Ulta.com –

• Tarte is now offered at Ulta! To celebrate, Ulta has a new promotion – Free Shipping with any Tarte purchase when you enter the coupon code 53120 at checkout.
• Ulta is now offering 3 samples at checkout

bobbibrowncosmetics.com –

• Get free shipping with purchases of $65 or more!
• Choose 2 complimentary samples at checkout. See them here.
• Get two travel-sized minis: Extra Balm Rinse and Protective Face Lotion SPF 15 with any order when you enter the code TALENT at checkout. This offer is only valid until Friday, August 13, 2010.

Tartecosmetics.com -

• There is a Friends and Family promotion 40% off sitewide! If that’s not good enough, you get to choose a free gift! Click here to see the items which are 40% off.

Stilacosmetics.com -

• Click here for Stila's online warehouse sale! There are tons of great deals on this site!
• There is also free shipping for purchases of $50 or more

LauraMercier.com -

• Free shipping for purchases of $25 or over ending today at 11:59 CST, so act fast!

Lancome-usa.com -

• Free shipping and some great deluxe samples (check the offer out here) with any purchase of $45 when you enter the promo code AUGDELUXE2 at checkout. This offer ends today at 11:59 EST so act fast!

Nordstrom.com – Beauty

• It’s only $5 shipping when you spend $50 or more when you enter the code BEAUTY

Bloomingdales.com – Beauty

• Check out the fabulous gifts with purchase here.

saksfifthavenue.com – Beauty

• There are some awesome gifts with purchase over at Saks too! Click here to see them!

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Surfing Sunday! Please comment below if you know of any beauty deals that are not in this post! xoxo

Mix and Match Makeup's New Layout!!!

Sorry if you visited the site earlier today and things were all over the place... I did a major overhaul and changed everything around! Hope you enjoy the new layout!

Please let me know how you like it, and feel free to tell me if you have any suggestions! :)

NYX Giveaway Update

Update!

So, since Mix and Match Makeup didn't reach 25 followers by today (July 25,2010), the contest has been postponed until August 25th. If, by that date, Mix and Match Makeup reaches 50 followers, there will be a prize to be determined in addition to the $30 worth of NYX products!

For the rules of the giveaway, and to enter, please refer to the NYX Giveaway post. Good Luck! :)

Surfing Sunday

Here's this week's list of great online makeup deals!

Ulta.com –
- For this week only, get 20% off of your entire purchase! Use the coupon code 51194 to take advantage of this great deal! This offer is only available online.
- You can get $3.50 off of a $10 purchase on Ulta.com as well. Use the coupon code 49499!
***Remember, you can only choose 1 coupon code to use per order!***
- There are a bunch of free gifts with purchase available! To see the complete list, click here. My favorite is the 3-piece Benefit set you can receive with a $25 Benefit purchase.

Nordstrom.com –
- For the full list of Nordstrom exclusives, click here.
- There are sooooo many awesome gifts with purchase at Nordstrom.com. Check them out here.

SaksFifthAvenue.com –
- There are great gifts with purchase at Saks. See the full list here.

Urbandecay.com –
- There are a bunch of deals over at Urbandecay.com. Many of the deals are items for $5.00! Check out the Urban Decay clearance section here.
- You can get two Double Fatty Mascaras – 1 regular and 1 waterproof for only $29 (it’s worth $40). Check out the deal here.

- For other deals like the Double Fatty Double hitter, check out other gifts and sets here.

Benefitcosmetics.com –
- Get free shipping in the US with any $50 purchase on Benefit.com when you enter the code PRETTY50 at checkout.
- Get free international shipping with any $115 purchase on Benefit.com when you enter the code WORLD115 at checkout.
- There are a bunch of great items on sale! Check them out here.

MACcosmetics.com –
- Free U.S. shipping at MACcosmetics.com with any $50 purchase.
- This isn’t a deal or anything, but it is a reminder to check out your favorite MAC shades which are being discontinued. See the list here.

Tartecosmetics.com –
- There are some great Tarte value sets here.

- Check out the clearance section for some money-saving deals here.
- This isn’t really a deal, but I just wanted to inform you about the Limited Edition natural cheek stain “Ten”. Get it here before anywhere else!

BobbiBrownCosmetics.com –
- There’s a contest to win Bobbi Brown’s new Denim and Rose Collection here. One winner will win a $300 Bobbi Brown Gift Certificate AND the new Denim and Rose Collection, and 5 others will get other awesome prizes! Be sure to enter!
- Get free shipping with any $65 order. This will be applied automatically, so you won’t need to enter a code at checkout.

Hope you enjoyed this week's Surfing Sunday!

Feel free to leave me any comments or questions! :)