In case you wanted to shower mom with some more gifts post Mother's Day, or just reward yourself for being such a great you, LORAC has just the sale for you launching on Hautelook today.

Although what's for sale is never released ahead of time, hopefully some of their deeply pigmented eyeshadows and bronzers are available for purchase. Items start at $1.99 and as always, a sale so swell can only last as long as a mystery (ahem 48 hours or so). Not a member? Click here to join.

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There are many brands that Sephora introduces me to and then sometimes takes them away. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Lorac is one of those brands.

But that's okay for the next day or so because it is on sale at Hautelook with prices starting at $4 and not going past $10. Yes you heard me right.

Don't forget that when you when you sign up through this link, you get a $10 credit to spend on whatever you please!

As a last minute entry to Rai's Celebrity inspired makeup contest, I decided to do a black smokey eye a la Eva Mendes.

I used 2 blending brushes, a foundation brush, a medium shadow brush, and a blush brush...

Product Story (from the Sephora page):

"What it is: A nourishing liquid lipstick.

What it does: LORAC Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick delivers a glamorous-looking pout and luxuriously smooth textured lips. This formula is packed with ingredients that will leave your lips in prime-puckering condition. There's light-reflecting Mother of Pearl for radiant shine; Hyaluronic Acid for hydrating and helping fill in lines; Jojoba Oil and Sweet Almond Oil for moist, smooth lips; and Oriza Sativa Bran Extract to keep lips nourished and protected.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates"

Color tested: Haute

Review (5 highest, 1 lowest):

Packaging: 2 out of 5 (it's a glass type bottle, which means even with it not being a tube, you can't depot it and lose a lot of the product to mr. trash)

Price: 3 out of 5 ($22 at Sephora & Lorac)

Quality: 5 out of 5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

with 2 coats

My Verdict:
This gloss was very good looking, and did everything it promised. However (and this is a BIG however) the packaging ruined it. Not even the price.

I realize the price of $22 for one 0.17oz lip gloss may be steep. But in the world of beauty, where you can probably get free shipping and three samples from Sephora, or whatever type of goodies a retailer offers you. The point is - price can be negotiated in my mind of minds to be seen as alright. Especially if a product does what it promises to do.

All the colors rocked my socks but I didn't purchase many, due to my unhappiness and the price. The problem with it? The packaging looks like it's a glass tube. Similar to the MAC lipglass ones. This is a fancypants packaging, and though it's appealing - it hinders the purpose of getting every ounce for your buck. The packaging will probably be impossible to cut into pieces to get all the product, and with it's solid state, it will not bend or squeeze to give it up to mama anyway. I'm almost 100% positive that when I feel like it's empty - I will be prematurely thinking so.

Though I donate plenty throughout the year to various organizations... I am the least happiest when I unwillingly donate products to Mr. Trash.

So yes - the lipgloss is great, but the price raised my brow, and the packaging lowered my thumb. Boo!

Are you on Sephora's mailing list?

Today my e-mail was full of mascara. Only, most of their "8 most popular mascaras" have not crossed my shopping wrath or I have even heard of...

Mind you - we are only talking Sephora here. Here is what they got and whatever else I have to say about it - it IS my blog y'all!

Vibrating

Lancome - ÔSCILLATION - Vibrating Infinite Powermascara
What it is: The first vibrating powermascara by Lancôme. $34

Last time yaya was in Sephora she tried this. And loved it. Her wallet didn't so they parted ways, but there is a sequel coming soon.

The only con I found with this is that the vibrations make your eyes tear so you can't do it for a long time. However, 10 seconds per eye was perfect mascara-zation for me. I'll make a whole darn post about it soon, you just watch.

Volumizing

Buxom Lash (by Bare Escentuals)
What it is: A paraben-free, lash-volumizing mascara. $18

I really like brushes like these. The rubbery texture of it is conducive to volumizing. However!!! This never did it for me in store so it never walked home with me neither. For me this is an everyday mascara, and for that price, it needs to work harder. I'd spend my pennies on the MAC Plush Lash mascara - now that is what I call volume.

Best Seller

Dior DiorShow Mascara What it is: A cult-followed mascara that leaves lashes ultra thick, long, and curled. $24

Does it seem like I only condone the high price lash-wear paint? I like all sorts of mascaras, but Dior is a classic for me. I have this in black, brown, and blue. It doesn't clump. It's pretty big, so it kind of makes up for the price, and it's effective. It gives you the right amount of volume and length for your 9a-5p and 5p-9p... and 9p-5a. Yea, I said it.

Lengthening

Sephora Lash Stretcher
What it is: A lengthening and curling mascara, infused with fibers for maximum extension. $16

I haven't personally tried this but I already have found something wrong with it. The price kiddies. Now maybe I was the only person paying attention in undergrad business classes, but the store brand is intended to be the cheapest version of what's out there. That's generally how they can afford to sell other brands and earn a small profit on them - the profit they get from people picking up their cheap alternatives. Sephora ya hear me? You failed this class.

Waterproof

BADgal Waterproof Mascara (Benefit)
What it is: A waterproof black mascara. $19

Have any of you done the waterproof test? I.e: put water on it and see what happens? Have you ever taken a shower with mascara on? Yeah... that sight was gruesome. Most mascaras can be washed off with mere warm water and lightly running a wet wipe/finger, etc over the lashes. Most of this mascara went bye bye with the test for me, but maybe I just know their kryptonite? H2O that sucker. Overall I'm not a waterproof gal anyway. I like to make sure that water can take my war paint off pretty easily...

Primer + Mascara

LORAC Special Effects Mascara
What it is: A double-ended wand that features a conditioning primer and a defining and lengthening mascara. $22

I'm going to admit to never trying this, BUT I only speak for myself when I say that I'm not a fan of these, as I often neglect to use them, and they are an extra unwanted step when getting ready in a hurry. I suppose I will try it though, since LORAC has been kind enough to create good products for a while now :).

My recommendation for a good and lengthening primer? It's none other than MAC Prep + Prime.
Curling

Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara $14

I feel like no mascara can do the curl like a curler can. The curl it gives me is just enhancing the curl in my lashes because it is essentially putting something on my lashes tokeep them in that place. Don't you think?


Faux Look

I-mju Tiny Sniper
What it is: A lash-extending mascara. $15

Now this category, I was waiting all post to comment on. This is a whole bunch of no nos for me. 1. The packaging is a little misleading in the wand being so big, and the actual pot of mascara being so small. 2. Those darn small wands are no good for your whole eye. Thus, making it necessary to buy another mascara to help you finish your one stinking eye and making it more expensive and unecessary again! excuse my huffing and puffing here.

These are the same darn two main points that left me red in the face with steam out of my ears when I got my Guerlain double ended Le 2 De mascara. Guerlain has some great, luxurious, and expensive products but this went into the I hate you category, and not many things do.

The fail proof lash fiber mascaras in yaya's purse?

1. MUFE Lash Fibers (This is like a primer, so it's white. It already elongates your lashes though, so you can have any cheapie mascara swipe over just once to change to your wanted color. This is also perfect if you want to use color mascara as it makes the color more vibrant with the white base.)
2. I-mju FiberWig. I can feel my lashes touch my eyebrows with this bad boy on. No REALLY. I-mju should've stopped with this and quit with the tiny sniper.
   

And that's how I really feel about it!

What's your mascara grade sheet like?

Beauty and the Blog posted about Urban Decay Pocket Rocket lipgloss, and I just had to follow in suit. See here for the post.