lash length: the easy and affordable way

Hey ladies!

 As far as I know, everyone wants longer, thicker lashes. It opens up your eyes and ups the glamour factor! What's not to love? 

Granted, there are a lot of mascaras that can dramatically increase your lash length on their own - but so far, nothing compares to the product up for discussion today. 

Of course, there are other alternatives. 

Falsies. 

Semi permanent lash extensions. 

Single false lashes. 

Primers. 

Don't get me wrong, these are all great options. I, for one, have a love/hate relationship with falsies. No matter how much I practice, I never get them on very well. Also… the time. It takes me SO LONG! Lash extensions? Absolutely amazing. I have been dying to try them, and will… eventually. The price tag is a little steep, and that doesn't include weekly to bi weekly fills, which really adds up. 

So how can you get that dramatic lash length WITHOUT wasting time and breaking the bank? 

I'm so glad you asked. 

Let me introduce you to your new best friend !

 Tarte Best in Faux Last Extending Fibers

I ended up buying this product because I had previous experience using Too Faced fiber mascara. I liked it, but it always got flaky and in my eye and ended up not being worth the pain. On a random Ulta browse, I found the Tarte Faux fiber. It is black fibers, as opposed to white (Too Faced) which I definitely prefer. 

And my favorite part? 

It is $20 vs $35!!

YESSSS!!! That's a pretty dramatic price difference. 

TO USE:

1. Apply a coat of regular mascara. ( I use my own, normal Loreal Carbon Black, because it's the bomb)

2. Pat in/comb up the fibers before your mascara dries. You will see the fibers clinging to your lashes. Start on the outside of your eye, at the base of your lashes and move up and in. 

3. Apply another coat of mascara to seal the deal. 

EASY!

I have a few photos to speak to this product….

One coat regular mascara  VS Tarte Faux Fiber
PS- Scary, no make up selfie :)

Tarte/Makeup application complete!

Final… lashes + makeup+ hair!

I can see a dramatic difference in the length of my lashes from when I use a regular mascara compared to the addition of Tarte Faux Fiber. 

So, ladies, what do you think? It's a one minute addition to your routine with a HUGE payoff for long, thick lashes. I am ALWAYS up for that! :)

Linking up with Biana to weekend! 

Maskcara Beauty 
Moonlight + Ash + Desert Sunset + Honey + Vanilla Dust 

Eyes:
Naked palette 
Virgin + Half Baked + Smog + Darkhorse

Lips:
MAC "Modesty" 

Review: Tarte Smooth Operator Clay Finishing Powder

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I have to be honest, I have never even tried to seek out another finishing powder. When I started using Bare Minerals, I did not stray. And as most Bare Minerals users know, the award winning Mineral Veil really is a fantastic product. It promises a "translucent finish, oil absorption, line minimization and airbrushed perfection." If that doesn't sell you, I don't know what will. But seriously, it does the job. I rarely put on foundation without finishing it off with Mineral Powder. For me, it completes the look  and pulls everything together. And in the Summer, when oily skin starts to peek through, it is a must!

Last month, my Ipsy Glam Bag sent me a small sample of Tarte Smooth Operator Clay Finishing Powder. I almost threw it in the back of my make up drawer, but instead I decided to take it along on our trip to Jamaica (travel size!). And I have to hand it to Tarte, this product is fantastic!

Per Tarte:



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"A translucent, silky finishing powder with Amazonian clay that keeps makeup in place and diffuses imperfections.

 

This translucent, silky finishing powder keeps makeup in place without ever appearing chalky. It mattifies skin by removing excess surface oil. This powder can even be used alone as a treatment to reap all the benefits of Amazonian clay."

First of all, can anyone tell me what the benefits of Amazonian clay are, exactly? Just wondering.
Per my usual deciding factor, I present to you the pros and cons list.













Pros:

• Gives an excellent matte finish
• Makes your skin feel silky smooth
• (I have found personally) Works amazingly well for setting under eye concealer

Cons:

• Doesn't have the "luminosity" factor. Some may actually consider this a pro.
• Price tag. Ouch.

This little Amazonian clay number will run you around $33 dollars. That's $11 dollars more than Bare Minerals Mineral Veil. And that's $11 you could use for ANYTHING else. For me, the $22 I spend on Bare Minerals veil goes a LONG way. It's not a product I replace frequently (MAYBE every 6 months). 

And for my extra frugal gals, here's a little tip: cornstarch.

I know, it makes your cookies a little more chewy and thickens up your soup.
But if you are looking for setting and mattifying, a little cornstarch over the top of your foundation will do the trick.

Sidenote: Cornstarch can also be a great dry shampoo. I talk about that here.

So, in conclusion: if you have $33 dollars just hanging out and want to invest in a quality product, Tarte finishing powder may very well be the right thing for you. It's absolutely worth trying!

Happy Friday Eve!