Spring 2010: Majolica Majorca Lash Bone Black Fiber In & Lash Enamel Glamour Volume On (or how to mess up a perfect mascara!)

Arggggh!! I hate you, Shiseido! Why, oh why, did you decide it was time to f**k up my holy grail mascara? Why did you think it´s way cool to throw in fibers and make a dupe of your Lash Expander when you already have the Lash Expander in your range??


Thanks to Adambeauty I have another 5 tubes of my holy grail Lash Enamel Glamour NEO on the way to me but how long will they last me? A year or so? =(
I am really pissed, angry, annoyed, devastated and seriously mad at Majolica Majorca! But they keep doing that anyway, no matter what I write. My beloved 24hr Powder Fantasia was replaced with the very mediocre Pore Cover thingy, too!


Ok well, the revamped mascara itself is not bad but it´s no way a VOLUMIZING mascara! Also I hate fibers in my mascara unless I am opting especially for a lengthening formula (which I nearly never do so I rarely use my Lash Expander Frame Plus). Ok, the mascara itself is bad indeed =(


I want to add that the new comb sucks, too! Yep, it sucks! The old one is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better. So I said it, thank you Shiseido for your wonderful new LENGTHENING mascara!


The older version Lash Enamel Glamour NEO is just perfection for me: it´s volumizing, keeps a curl like no other mascara, is deep black, has a great comb that lets me reach the very roots of my lashes and is quite easy to remove (it is waterproof so I surely need an eyemakeup remover). But the new one? Pffffffft. No volume and fibers (but to be fair it does hold a curl and it doesn´t need a lot of force to remove it) =(


So if you like a lengthening mascara you might like this mascara in fact. But for me =( =( =(

Ok, enough whining. On to the base. I always use a mascara base, my faves are from Kate, Coffret D´or and Majolica Majorca.


The new one is "improved" as it contains some black fibers in addition (they seem to love fibers these days!). Well, I don´t mind the fibers in mascara bases though.
I honestly think this is a good base but not much different from the previous version. I can´t really notice the black fibers on my lashes, they still look grayish/whitish when applied. The mascara adds a bit of length and volume and makes a good curl-keeping base.


Nooooo, I am not suffering from some gross hair-growth! These are the fibers in the base =P


All in all I am still in shock about the new mascara and might have to see a therapist soon =X


I got the mascara and base from Ichibankao who offered a perfect fast service as always!

Spring 2009: More Lavshuca

I was waiting for Adambeauty to list the new Spring collection from Lavshuca so I could order more items. Unfortunately he didn't bring in the new lipsticks (yet)...I really wanted to get a few more colors from him!


I quite liked the items I purchased a few weeks ago from Ichibankao (review is here) so I was sure I'd like the items I ordered from Adambeauty recently. Unfortunately some items turned out rather crappy for me =(

I got:


-Finish Powder High Cover
-Makeup Base Moist
-Separate Keep Mascara Volume
-Mascara Base N
-Grade Color Eyes PU-1

-Finish Powder High Cover:


I haven't tried Lavshuca's previous version of the loose powder so I can't compare. I read praises of it online though so I thought I'd like the new repackaged High Cover Powder as it looked pretty nice.
The powder comes in a pretty clear container with an eggplant-colored cover and a very soft puff with a super cute purple bow.
The powder looks very pale in the tub so it looked like a perfect thing for me.


You know I don't know what went wrong with this powder but the finish this gives is horrible. No matter if I apply this with a brush or the puff the result is an uneven blotchy mess with light yellow spots on my face.


I don't know what's the High Cover part in this as it's sheer but still totally messes up otherwise flawless face makeup.


Big nay from me. I actually don't like loose powders as a general thing (with few exceptions) and really should stick with pressed ones from now on.
Retails for 1680 Yen (I paid US$20 from Adambeauty)

-Makeup Base Moist:


The Makeup Base used to be filled in a pretty glass jar however Kanebo decided to use tubes now which is a lot more hygienic and convenient in my opinion.


The Makeup Base Moist is a pale pink cream which gives no coverage, just moisture. I prefer tinted bases but a good moisture base is always welcome, too (and this is a nice moisturizing base)...however Lavshuca's Makeup Base Moist irritated my skin a bit which led to the formation of a few red bumps on my cheeks.
So this gets a nay for sure =(
I paid US$15.50 (Adambeauty)

-Separate Keep Mascara Volume:


I should have known that this was going to be a mediocre mascara as Lavshuca's other mascaras (and most other mascaras produced by Kanebo brands) didn't work for me.
However I had hopes they would have a nice improved formula so I ordered the volumizing version (there is also a lengthening one available).


The mascara brush is curved which is a nice thing in my opinion. However the formula has a tendency to weigh my lashes down and if there is one thing I hate it's mascara that makes my lashes look straight. Why would I bother with base and curler if the mascara doesn't do its job?


The volumizing properties of this aren't that good either.
All in all skip this stuff. It's not worth it even though the new tube looks cute =). Get a MM mascara better!
I paid US$17.50

-Mascara Base N:


The simple white tube looks pretty much like the older version so I don't know if they did any repackaging?
The mascara base is pretty good (yep, finally something I like hehe!). It is clear and so it doesn't leave that annoying hard-to-cover white cast on your lashes.


It helps holding the curl well so it does its job well.
I paid US$13.50 and I think this is really a good choice if you're searching for a mascara base.

-Grade Color Eyes:


I really like my Grade Color Eyes in BR-2 and GN-1 as they have a shimmery silky texture.
So how come this quad is off?!? The colors are chalky and the light lavender shade has a problem sticking to my skin. The more you apply the more you rub off and end up with uneven eyeshadow (and I used the same base as with all other shadows and this is a problem that rarely occured so far!).


The 3 light colors all pretty much look alike, only the dark purple is very pigmented and shows up well. The colors looked like nice very cool-toned purples but in real life the purple is very much a standard shade many Japanese brands have in their lineup.


Really a pity as I was looking so forward to this palette! I suggest to rather get that new Coffret D'or palette in purple/pink which looks much prettier than Lavshuca's.
The colors are a pale pastel lilac, white, lavender and dark purple.


I paid US$18.50 from Adambeauty. BTW Attention, adam mixed up the swatches of the palettes in BR-1 and BR-2 so double-check that you will receive the correct palette when you order.

All in all a disappointing second visit of Lavshuca's Spring collection. I think their base makeup and mascaras will be on my do-not-buy list from now on.

The EOTD shows the palette, the mascara base and the mascara. My lashes really look bad *sniff*

Banila Co Two Eyes Volume Mascara & Eye Love Gel Liner

I haven't been reviewing a lot of my Banila Co items I received over a month ago yet so you'll find some reviews popping up within the next few weeks =)

Two items I am very pleased with are the Two Eyes Mascara Volume and the Eye Love Gel Liner in Black Glitz.

Two Eyes Mascara Volume:


This is the typical primer and mascara duo you can find in many brands. The primer leaves a light white tint on my lashes but it's easy to cover it up completely with the black mascara. I haven't tried either of the side separately but together they really make my lashes fat and long and very black. Really awesome!
The brushes are the regular spiral brush-type applicators you find in most mascaras. I generally prefer comb mascaras but the Banila Co Two Eyes Volume Mascara is really great so I don't mind the brush applicator.


In contrast to most Japanese mascaras that are waterproof the Korean ones tend to be washable and remove easily. This one is no exception.
I just use normal Cleansing Oil and a tad bit of eye makeup remover and it all comes off with a few swipes.
There is also a Two Eyes Long Mascara if you prefer a lengthening formula.
Retails for 14000 Won (about US$12-13)


-Eye Love Gel Liner Black Glitz:


This comes in a quite heavy wide glass pot with a black cover.
The formula of this is slick and not thick and sticky like e.g. Etude House's gel gel eyeliners. The Eye Love Gel Liner glides on beautifully and dries to a budge-proof and smudge-resistant finish.


The one I got is called Black Glitz as there are a few fine golden glitters sprinkled throughout the gel. However they don't seriously show up on my eyes so it's for me a regular black gel liner.
Retails for 7500 Won which is a steal

Etude House Dr. Mascara Fixer kit (Perfect Lash version)

As you might guess my previous Gmarket order contained a lot of Etude House stuff. I think I have now most of the stuff I am interested from them (and I still want some eyeliners and other small things) and who knows which new things come along!


The only mascara from Etude House I tried was the Vitcara mascara which comes with a comb applicator. I am not that fond of it as it's lengthening, has fibers and just doesn't give any real drama or something so I rarely reach for it.


I was definitely interested in trying another mascara from Etude House so I ordered the new 3 Proof Mascara for 9000 and a lash kit that contains 3 items for 14000 Won.

The kit contains:
-Dr. Mascara Fixer Perfect Lash
-Oh M'Eye Lash Maxivolume Mascara
-Mascara Remover
-pocket mirror (as gift)

-Dr. Mascara Fixer for Perfect Lash:


(this has been updated/deleted).
I have to correct myself. My first guess was right that this is a mascara topcoat to volumize, hold the curl and waterproof the mascara. I was a bit confused as I found different descriptions online some stating it's a lash base some stating it's a top coat. The majority says it's a top coat and the name also was the point that made me think it's one. Anyway, i used it both ways and it works lol. It's a good top coat then and holds my curl very well.

-Oh M'Eye Lash Maxivolume Mascara:


This is actually one of the cheapest mascaras I tried recently (only 4000 Won, below US$4!) and it's a pretty good volumizing curl-keeping mascara! I didn't really expect to like this but it's a darn good thing!
My lashes don't feel super soft when I am wearing this but not hard and crispy either. The formula isn't overly wet which I prefer.
This is waterproof so it holds up really well.
RRP 4000 Won

-Mascara Remover:


A bi-phase eye makeup remover. Gets rid of waterproof mascara really quickly without much rubbing. Also this doesn't sting like some other harsher eye makeup removers I tried.
I am pretty satisfied with this!
RRP 4000 Won

As you see the 3 products add to a total of 14000 Won so the kit doesn't save you any money. But you get a free mirror so it's pretty good for me (and after all 14000 Won isn't a lot for 3 great products).

There is also a kit available with the Dr. Mascara Fixer for Natural Lash instead of the Perfect Lash version.

Shiseido Maquillage Summer 2008

The Shiseido MQ collection this year isn't impressive as it only consists of some nail polishes and nail care stuff, a mascara and base and a mascara remover in a pen.

Nonetheless the items I purchased are good and worth checking out.

-Mascara Combing Remover: This is a very interesting item. It's waterproof eye makeup remover in a click-twist pen. You just have to twist the back of the pen and the gel is dispensed on the brush. Comb your lashes, let it work for a minute and then wipe off with a cotton pad. This works surprisingly well. It takes off most of the mascara (I wear waterproof mascara most of the time) so the rest can be easily removed with my regular face cleansing oil (from FancL).
Costs 1575 Yen.


-Full Vision Lash Base: This is a good lash base with fibers to lengthen your lashes. It has an awkward brush which works well though. Retail 1890 Yen.


-Full Vision Mascara: This is a lengthening mascara. Alone it's a bit too little drama for me but it looks gorgeous if you layer 1 application of this over a volumizing mascara like Majolica Majorca's Lash Enamel Glamour. This has the same odd mascara brush like the base. Costs 2940 Yen.


Review of the fall collection is coming up soon! It's not officially out until July 17!