Friday, August 30, 2013

Product Review: Lancome Hypnose Star Waterproof Mascara

Four years ago (geesh, had it already been 4 years!?) I purchased my first mascara from Lancome, the Lancome Oscillation mascara.  It came with an almost Php2k price tag (can't remember exactly) and I must admit, I just got carried away with the good things I've read and heard about it from people who have tried it.  And dang, it was a totally waste of money!  I told myself, "What was I thinking!?"  So yeah. that's a lot of money down the drain.  I think I got so disappointed that I gave it away. If you wanna know why, you can check out my review here.

Since then, I stayed away from pricey mascaras. If I can score a cheap mascara that works, why not?  I think the priciest mascara that I've used and liked is the Benefit They're Real mascara. It's Php1600 a tube, pricey but it delivers.  I didn't get disappointed like what happened with Lancome.  I told myself I'm not gonna commit the same mistake again.  Don't get me wrong, I love Lancome, most especially their makeup remover and the Genefique.  But no, not their mascara.  It's gonna be a total waste of money...for sure!

But that was before, until I came across their Hypnose Star mascara.  I was given the opportunity to give their mascaras a second chance when I attended the launch of their Alber Elbaz makeup collection last June.  Actually, I wasn't invited.  I sort of gate crashed!  (laughs)  Geesh, so embarrassing I know!  I just had nowhere to go and my friends are going so I decided to come along and check out what's new.  But no, the good people from Lancome most especially Sheena didn't make me feel I'm a trespasser! (laughs)  

So what's in this mascara that made me change my mind?  
Read on..

Lancome Hypnose Star Waterproof Mascara
A showstopping mascara that delivers layerable volume and luscious length for up to 24 hours. 

This particular packaging is courtesy of the brand's collaboration with Alber Elbaz, a famous Israeli fashion designer and creative director of Lanvin. The usual packaging is in the same shape, but just in black with tiny silver glitters at the bottom half of the tube.  



The brush is a dual-sided brush with a cone-like shape.  I love that it comes with shorter bristles at the tip, perfect to apply the product on the inner corners and lower lashes. It's designed to separate,  volumize and lengthen.  


Now let's see how if this product is worth buying despite its hefty price tag...

My bare lashes

My lashes are not really long, and they are straight.  And like the hair on my head, they are thin too!


And this is how my lashes would look like when curled.  My current favorite curler is from Bobbi Brown!
^_^

As you can see, my lashes can be curled nicely (well, depending on the curler) but since they are thin, I still need a mascara to emphasize my peepers and give it a more awake look.


And here's after one layer of the mascara:

See how it made my lashes look more volumized with just one application?  It also gives the lashes that jet black, glossy effect which is perfect if you're wearing dark eye makeup.  The formulation is kinda wet, but it's just amazing how it keeps my lashes curled..for the whole day!  Well, of course I haven't tried wearing my makeup for the whole 24hrs.  But it stays like that until I take it off.  

I can apply another layer and the look will still be clump-free.  I can say, stop at the 2nd layer since this is a wet mascara, your lashes will clump if you apply too much. If you want a really thick lashes, go for false eyelashes instead!
^_^

It's okay in giving volume, but not really in lengthening.  My lashes didn't look longer after using it but I don't mind at all.  I don't really like it when I feel my lashes when I try to look up or open my eyes really wide.  And yeah, I hate it too when my lashes touches my sunglasses. (laughs)



And yes, this baby is really waterproof!  You can dance in the rain and this won't budge.  No flaking and no allergic reactions too!  You need a good eye makeup remover to take this off so I suggest you use your trusted oil makeup remover, or the good 'ole Ponds Cold Cream that I use!

Like other Lancome mascara, this sells for almost Php2k a tube.  Pricey, I know but hey, it works and it guarantees me with fabulous peepers all day long so why the hell not!  It's a few more hundred bucks than my previous fave mascara (Benefit They're Real) so I guess it's just okay. I love it so much that I bought one for my Mom.  I'm on my second month of using this, and I use it everyday!  I only need a single layer on most times, so I'm guessing that this would last me for more than 4-5 months!  I know, don't worry, I'll throw this away once it gets all sticky and smelly.  But on second thought, I'm gonna keep it as a remembrance.  The packaging is lovely, don't you think?
^_^

So have you tried this? Or are you willing to give it a try despite it being pricey?  Or you'll just stick with cheaper brands that works for you?  

Now that I'm currently jobless (sniff), I don't think I'll re-purchase once I run out.  But I don't think I would need to for the next few months! So I'm all good. (laughs)  


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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Brigitte in US: First Weekend...


How are  you my lovelies?  So, I'm on my second week stay here in the US and for today's post I'll show you some pictures of the things I've been seeing and doing here.   I still can't believe I'm here now, and honestly there would be mornings when I would wake up and find myself staring at the ceiling trying to figure out where the hell I am! (laughs) I would look around the hotel room trying to imagine my room back in Manila or my room in the province.  I honestly didn't plan of going here before, but here I am now.  I'll be staying here for the next 2 weeks before I go to Dubai with my husband.  Mr. X got assigned in their NY office for a month, that's why I had to fly here and then we'll fly together to Dubai.  Not unless, there would be a change of plans which is not yet sure as of the moment but will tell you once things have been finalized.

I arrived here in New Jersey last August 16 and the next day, we already went out to go and see New York.  To hell with jet lag!  I wasn't able to sleep much days before I left PH, didn't sleep at all while in the plane and only had 3hrs sleep the night I arrived.  My eye bags were at its worse, thanks god for sunglasses!
^_^




the Madison Train Station, where we waited for my first train ride in the US of A!



with Kuya Cyril, a good friend from Bataan who have been so patient touring me and Mr. X around


first stop?  a visit to Statue of Liberty!

at Staten Island where we'll be riding a ferry going to Liberty Island..



The sun was up in all its glory, and I myself couldn't believe I'm all up for it!  Hindi na ako takot sa araw!? (laughs) By the way, it's summer here but it's not humid.  More like Baguio-type of weather.


see Ms. Liberty?


Too small, let's zoom shall we?


Now that's the ferry we'll gonna ride to get to the Statue of Liberty..

Ticket is at $17/pax, but no access to go onto the crown of the statue.  
Why?  I don't know.  
I didn't ask, LoL!


It's a 15-20 minute ferry ride going to Liberty Island.  There's no way you'll get bored while on the boat as you'd be able to see some parts of NY and of course, I'm pretty sure you'd be camwhoring like us most especially if it's your first time going there.


Us together with Ms. Liberty saying Hi!
^_^


selfie mode

Yes, I was this excited...I didn't expect I'd be seeing the Statue of Liberty for real!

The moment I saw the statue I was like "Why is she green?  I thought she's white?"

Apparently, the statue is made of copper and when it oxidizes, it turns to green.  

read on:

Cool, huh!?


Next stop was the St. Patrick's Cathedral back in Manhattan:


The cathedral is currently undergoing construction but its Neo-Gothic style is still apparent.  


The architecture inside the church is just so amazing!  It's so beautiful I was really in awe.  


the Pieta



Did you know that the cathedral has been used for a number of movies already and one of them was in Spiderman! 


Next stop was the Rockefeller Center:



Another historic landmark, the Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings.  This is where the famous skating spot, called The Rink, during winter months is located.



Behind me is where The Rink is located during winter months.




Top of the Rock is NY City's famous observation deck right in Rockefeller Center.  Of course you can also check out NY from the top of the Empire State Building but Top of the Rock offers a different view of the city.  I haven't been to any but we'll go to Empire State before we leave, and yes, I am excited!
^_^

Last stop for the day is, the Times Square!


If there's only one place I can visit in NY aside from the Statue of Liberty, it would be Times Square!  It's the annual site for the New Year's Eve ball drop to signify the coming of a new year.  People gather together here to celebrate, amidst the fireworks, booze and bonggang party-mood!
^_^

Lots of shopping too!   
There's Forever 21 which I'll be checking out on my next visit to NY.


Bonggang lights everywhere!


Geesh, I only get to see this on TV before and now I got to see it with my very own eyes, for real!

And if you think I skipped shopping on my first day, you're wrong! 

Oh yes, I went inside Sephora and got myself their newest primer.  I'll be missing its launch in PH but I made sure I won't be left behind.  Watch out for my review on this soon!


another favorite, Bobbi Brown!


I wanted to do more shopping but it's kinda hard when you have two men right behind you wherever you go. (laughs)  So I'll go back to Sephora soon...alone!
^_^

By the way, would you know if they allow taking pictures inside? My snaps were just ninja-shots.  I sure hope they allow because there are products available here that I'm pretty sure you'd want me to swatch and show you.



We left NY just in time to catch the last train going back to Madison to spend another night at Kuya Cyril's humble abode at Chatham.  We were so tired that I dozed off to sleep the moment I laid down.  But I think my body clock's still confused because I woke up around 4am (which is 4pm PH time) and wasn't able to go back to sleep anymore.  I took a quick shower (and removed my makeup, my bad!) and just waited until everybody's up.  We went out to get some groceries for breakfast and then went out again after lunch.

Walang Pahinga, BOW!


 We went around NJ to look for another hotel for me and Mr. X.  The hotel where he's staying is an hour or more trip going to their office in NY so we tried checking out for other hotels that are near his office.  We were able to check out one that still in NJ but with shorter commute time, but it's like in the middle of nowhere! (laughs) I won't be able to go anywhere in the area unlike where we are staying now (Tenafly, NJ). At least there are shops within the area, there's even a church right across the hotel..and a CVS!  So I'm glad we didn't transfer.  Whew!

We had a late lunch then went to Riverwalk to get dessert:




Yey, my first Ben and Jerry's ice-cream! Babaw ko (laughs)

It's milk chocolate cookies, aka OREO. 
^_^


Riverwalk is where you'd go if you want to see a nice view of NYC's skyline.  It reminds me of the skyline in Hongkong sans the dancing lights.  




selfie mode



So there you go, my first weekend in US. I'll post my first adventure going around NY alone next.  I hope I didn't bore you with my kwento though.  
^_^


Til next post!
Take care my loves!

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