Mascara Monday: Sephora Favorites Lash Stash to Go

You didn't think I'd forget about our long standing tradition, did you? Mascara Mondays are back and this week we're checking out Sephora Favorites Lash Stash to go.

 Now that my state has joined the rank of coolness and actually has Sephora (2) and Ulta (3), I can tell you all about the goodies I've tried, not just the ones I'm looking at.  This little baby caught my eye as soon as I walked in the store and I carried it around with me the whole 45 minutes or so that I was there. Ok, so I thought it was the last one and I wasn't going to let anyone else get their grimy little paws on it. Turns out there were tons left at the register (PS- how fun are those cute little displays that you just have to look at before you check out?)

Mascara minis are a weakness of mine and I had to get in on the action and get this one. I'd been dreaming about them, mentally putting them on my holiday wish-list just days before I found the summer version in stores. I never knew they did these at other times of the year. My eyes are peeled for them now.

So for the next few weeks you'll be able to read all about the mascaras in this set, that includes:

-Benefit BADgal Lash in Black
- BUXOM Lash in Blackest Black (my favorite mascara even before I bought this set)
- Korres Volcanic Minerals Voluminizing Mascara
- Lancome Définicils in Black
- Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! in Rich Black

Plus, I got a mini Benefit They're Real! from Sephora for my birthday so you'll get a review on that one too.

The best thing? The voucher for a FREE full-size mascara! Choose from the five mascaras included which range from $19-$27. This cutie pays for itself! Just hold on to that voucher and don't let it go.

In case you don't remember I've reviewed Lancome Definicils before here and Buxom here but I'll be reviewing them again for you in the coming weeks in case they've snuck in any formula changes when we weren't looking.

Buxom Waterproof Smoky Eye Stick

You all know how big a fan of Buxom by Bare Escentuals I am don't you? Yeah they're right up there with Urban Decay for my favorite brand. If I had to pick two companies to wear every day for the rest of my life those would be it. I'd have a hard time choosing between the two. I love everything Buxom puts out and the Waterproof Smoky Eye Stick is no exception. That Sephora promotional picture caught my attention right away in InStyle magazine. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Even though the model and I couldn't look any more different I think I could totally rock this look and Buxom Waterproof Smoky Eye Stick is a big part of making it happen.

When Karla Sugar posted swatches of these a while back I couldn't stop fantasizing about Nunchucks, a bright metallic blue. Even though most people call them numbchucks (which I hate) the correct term is nunchucks lol. Now I think I want them all. Ice Pick was the one used in the look above and I was hoping it would be a little more blue than gray, for the look I was going for anyway.

These can be used as a liner or as a shadow and Karla says they're more blendable than my beloved 24/7 Shadow Pencils. As much as I love liner I think I might love shadow more and I usually end up using it as my liner too. The only thing that can top that is a shadow pencil or crayon like this one, I love me some of those!

This look also features Dior's shadow quint 008 Smoky Design and Make Up For Ever (MUFE)'s Smoky Lash which I featured here. At $18 the Buxom stick is the most affordable of the bunch, there's no way I'm shelling out $59 on the Dior quint no matter how gorgeous it is, it's not in my nature.

Buxom Amplified Lash

Capitalism is a great thing. In this country we've grown up with the ability to pick and choose what we like and stick with it, watch companies grow from the ground up and take their product to new places. Another great thing about it is one company can start a trend that explodes onto the scene with other companies rushing to one up the competition. With the introduction of MAC's Haute and Naughty mascara last year it seems every makeup conglomerate is clamoring to make the next multiple formula mascara. We've seen them from Almay and Rimmel at the drugstore and now Buxom is bringing it to Sephora in a totally different way with Amplified Lash Mascara. Introducing the first (to my knowledge) adjustable brush. This isn't an adjustable tube, the brush itself actually gets bigger or smaller by turning a dial. Take a look...

Do you change your mind all the time like me? Hey, I'm a Gemini, what's your excuse?!? Some days I want thick fringy lashes other days I want long spidery wisps to compliment a nearly naked face. That's just the way it is. I can't be the only one, please, I'm begging you, tell me I'm not!

Buxom is one of my favorite brands and is a sub-brand of Bare Escentuals therefore products are free of potentially dangerous chemicals like parabens and sulfates. The line, unlike other chemical-free lines, is also super effective and gorgeous. I would seriously buy everything I could from them if possible and that's why I have high hopes for this product. If it's anything like the Buxom Mascara I'll be having a polygomist relationship with mascara, a love affair with both.

Sephora says: "When fully extended, the brush volumizes lashes up to 600%*. When in its compact position, the bristles squeeze closer together to expertly comb through each and every lash for maximum length, separation, and definition." * After two coats, based on an independent U.S. study.

Plus, how could you not love it? The color is Loud Black! Just my kind of black. At $22 it's a bit of splurge for me but the quality of this line makes it completely worth it and justifiable. In fact, since it's like owning two mascaras you really can't go wrong. If you've tried it or plan to try it let me know in the comments.

Buxom Hot Ticket

Woohoo! I like to think I don't let such important things slip by without taking notice but HELLO! how did I not know that there was relatively new Sephora in my state? Considering it's the first one within four hours of me you'd think I would have been all over that like white on rice! I just found out, though Matt actually found it and surprised me with a trip there for a belated birthday celebration since both of us were sick on the actual day.

Of course that means I had a lot of research to do. What to buy? What to investigate both for personal reasons and for you dear DOC readers? The list seems infinite so, being easily overwhelmed as I am, I decided not to do too much research, just seek and destroy once inside. Plus, we're hitting up Ulta on the way, still too far away at 85 miles from me. Can you even believe I can have such a makeup obsession way out in the willywags?

Well, I hit up my email to thank the lucky stars I remembered my birthday gift from Sephora and low and behold I have about seven emails from Sephora that I couldn't resist peeking at before the big day. Holy hell did I fall in love. With what you ask? This beauty.... Take a look.

Buxom Hot Ticket! Since I'm a hot ticket I clearly have to have it. Besides the fact that I'm addicted to Buxom mascara (still! despite my sacrifice to bring you Mascara Mondays) Buxom Lip Polish and Stay-There Eyeshadow, I'm dying to try the Insider Eyeliner. Considering the mini in this kit comes in shade Black Jasper, a dark bluish-gray, a color I have nowhere else in my makeup collection, I have to have it. We'll see if I pull the trigger when it's in front of me. The $29 price tag is almost too good to be true considering the full sized mascara and shadow retail for $18 and $17, respectively. You can't beat that plus a mini eyeliner and lip polish. Plus, Beagle (a light purple) shadow and Dani Lip Polish are both beautiful colors. I already have Dani and love it but since one off the characters in my 85th in-the-works novel is named Dani, it seems fitting I should get another one. Hurry and pick it up as it is limited edition and exclusive to Sephora! Not to mention Beagle doesn't seem to be available on it's own right now!

Buxom Lash

Oooh, Mascara Monday again. Time flies. I'm excited to share with you this week's pick, from one of my favorite lines: Buxom!

I can't rave enough about this mascara, it's so great I want to wear it everyday, a rarity for me with any product. The rubberized brush separates my lashes and somehow pulls them for incredible length. Usually, the combo of separation and length means your lashes are wimpy and thin, not with Buxom Lash. My lashes are impossibly full. Best of all, this mascara is so dark and glossy without being too over the top for everyday use.

Dare I say this is one of my favorites. You know I'm a drugstore mascara girl but this one is so great I might just concede on that theory. Buxom lash retails for $18 (nearly double the cost of my favorite drugstore brand) but that won't deter me. I love this stuff! Plus, I'm a huge fan of blue mascara and Buxom Lash comes in Blue Noir too, both colors without Parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic dyes and fragrances which could potentially irritate sensitve eyes in particular.

Buxom Do You Believe in Love at First Sight?

Wow. I see a trend on this here blog: Bare Escentuals Buxoms are hard to pass up this holiday season. Here's why...

Six, count 'em, six mini Buxom eyeliners! (From Sephora)
No. 1: "Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" (bright turquoise)
No. 2: "Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?" (violet purple)
No. 3: "Are you a parking ticket? You've got fine written all over you." (pearl white)
No. 4: "If I could rearrange the alphabet, I'd put "U" and "I" together." (black)
No. 5: "Are those sexy legs tired? You've been running through my mind." (espresso)
No. 6: "You must be a thief because you stole my heart." (gold with silver micro glitter

If you haven't figured it out by now I love purple and I love turquoise (wedding colors, hello!). Who doesn't need a black liner and white is perfect for looking more refreshed and awake. But, this set had me at microglitter, gold with silver microglitter at that, the best of both worlds. The only one I can't imagine wearing is the espresso shade but that's only because I haven't met a brown liner I like, I have a feeling if anyone could do it it would be Buxom.

If you picked this set up, tell me all about it, I'm jealous!

*Update* Picked these up for myself for Christmas and I will review them soon!

Buxom Love

Wow! Sephora, I'm really beginning to hate you!

Today, I visited the sight again (I know, I know, I should just stay away if I don't want to be tempted, but it's too damn hard) and I fell in love. With a Saint Bernard. I know what you're thinking but follow along on my puppy loving journey.

I stumbled upon Bare Escentuals Buxom Stay-There Shadows when the default picture immediately caught my eye, teal, my favorite color. I cannot resist teal anything, tops, shoes, bags, and especially eye shadows and liners. Take a look at this...



After reading the reviews for these beauties I was even more intrigued. How could I say no to that? These shadows are a Sephora exclusive and with no Sephora within shopping distance of me (huge bummer, I know) I can't check them out in person. They're cream formulas which I've only had touch and go success with (Love Bobbi Brown's, so-so on Stila). They're all named after dog breeds, which is where the Saint Bernard comes in, a gorgeous teal green. I MUST have it.

Bare Escentuals will make a charitable donation to Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit that provides disabled people with assistance dogs. What a wonderful charity! Another great reason to pick up this product.

For $17 you are getting a fairly small pot but the reviews speak for themselves, the best cream shadow users have ever tried, great sponge-y like consistency, most vibrant, etc. I can't live without these in my life. I'm going to have to spring for Saint Bernard, Pug (a pewter shimmer), Bull Dog (deep blue), Schnauzer (royal purple), and Chihuahua (silver). Can you tell I love bright, cool-toned shadows? On my fair, cool skin and light eyes it's the best combination. What color would you pick up?

*Update* I sprang for Saint Bernard and I will review it as soon as I've had enough time to accurately try it out. Can't wait to see the others.