Heroine Make was founded back in 2005 in Japan. For some reason, Japanese refer “make” as make up hence the name Heroine Make. Heroine being “the girl who is youthful and loves beauty“. Since its launch, Heroine Make won numerous awards including the holy grail award in Japan – Cosme.’
To my entirely honest, I’ve seen these in Asian beauty shops for years but have not made the move to purchase because the anime packaging doesn’t float my boat. I guess in my recent overseas trip, I succumbed, no thanks to my enablers – Tina & Shizuka. I picked up two mascara, a liquid eyeliner (my usual make up staple) and a brow pencil.
Verdict:
- Smooth Liquid Liner: I am beyond obsessed with this. This probably took over my obsession with Dolly Wink liquid liner. It is easy to use, especially great with flicks and it is dark (not as dark as a gel) and never smudges.
- Quick Eyebrow – I didn’t like this twist pen eyebrow liner, it felt too harsh to skin and barely any colour came out despite me trying so hard. This is a no go.
- Volume & Curl Mascara + Long & Curl Mascara – You’ve got to give it to the Japanese to always deliver mascara that are smudge proof, weather proof and impossible to remove. Despite it being difficult to remove, I love this combination as they deliver long lasting curl and volume for my sparse lashes and never causing any issues – EVER even after a long 15 hr day. The formula is wet without being heavy and never leaves my lashes crunchy dry looking once the formula dries.
Approximately AUD$10 – 15
Available in Sasa or most Asian beauty stores
For the longest time I’ve heard people raving about how much they love Clinique High Impact Mascara. I get that it helped to lengthen my lashes but I wasn’t that crazy about it. Recently, Clinique released the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara.
Combining both the lengthening and volumizing properties; Clinique has been running campaigns heavily to promote this one-step mascara. What I really like about this brush is that despite it being this large, it reaches into all my lashes from roots to tips effectively and combing/coating each lashes as we go.
Formula wise, it is moisturising never drying or leaving my lashes crunchy looking. As I always curl my lashes prior to applying mascara, I did not suffer from any midday lash drooping and I love how easy and efficiently the mascara comes off at the end of the day with some warm water and a cotton pad.
You will dig this mascara if you love their previous version – Clinique High Impact Mascara. You’ll also dig this if you love the fuller lashes look (who doesn’t?), voluminous lashes while still looking naturally glam. This is also safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
RRP AUD$38
Available on Clinique counters now
Earlier this year when Tina went on her holiday to Taiwan, she dutifully picked up some beauty products for me. One of them is the new Kate Art Dial Mascara from their latest Spring/Summer collection. As we all know, mascara can be quite boring because apart from the actual formula and brush head, there’s not much difference between brands. So when Kate released their revolutionary mascara that comes in a tilted comb applicator I was interested.
Any comb based mascara is a welcoming sight for short, sparse lashed individuals like me. I really love the Majolica Majolica mascara so naturally a twist dial comb effect mascara is my cup of tea. Kate mascara lengthens but not as much as MM mascara does and definitely curl the lashes slightly without weighing it down. If you are after something that boost volume, you will need a second mascara to do that.
Love it because it is less messy, coats and separates lashes from roots to tip, prevent clumps, doesn’t dry prematurely in a tube due to its default twisting mechanism. In additional, it’s tops for bottom lashes as well!
What I didn’t like is that you need to clean the comb after each use to prevent mascara drying on the comb, it can be messy if you overturn the dial which can cause overflow of product. Annoyingly, it takes longer time to complete the whole mascara application process because you will need to comb it through all lashes in all directions.
Overall, I think this is great as a lengthening and delivers in terms of coating lashes from roots to tips for all individual strands. Definitely requires a separate volumising mascara to increase lash volume.
Ps: 2-3 twists of the dial is sufficient for each eye coating both top and bottom lashes.
NT $450 / $1,600 yen / AUD$15 (approx.)
Available in Watsons
#37 Variation
Say hello to Chanel’s latest Les 4 Ombres eye shadow quartets. With Chanel’s latest collection focusing on eye make up, there are new 3 shades released for their iconic Les 4 Ombres, Illusion D’ombre and a new mascara.
In the past, I have always had great experiences from Chanel Les Ombres. Naturally the #37 Variation is another great eye shadow palette addition to the existing collection. The mixtures of pink and purple shades has this matte finish to it.
Texture wise, the eye shadows are satiny and really soft to touch. Best applied over eye primer with blending eye shadow brush and the finish is sparkling with a slight hint of shimmer with a matte feel finish. This swatch was done without eye primer, in terms of pigment the colours are exactly what I expect them to be. The lighter shades are light but visible and the darker shade are medium pigment without OTT harsh. Love how the dark plum purple shade has a blend of brown it it, making it very wearable with a hint of femininity.
RRP AUD$98
Along with the new collection, there’s the new Sublime De Chanel Waterproof Length and Curl Mascara aka the new formula of Inimitable Intense. I got to trial #10 Noir that curls, lifts, lengthens and separates like no other. The lash lengthening formula does not clump, dries quickly on the lashes and is smudge proof all day long. The mascara wand comes with these small little separated combs to help coat and comb out lashes efficiently delivering even mascara application from root to tip.
For day to day eye make up look I love a simple and effective mascara that comes off easily by the end of the day with oil cleanser. If maximum volume is your thing, be sure to add a second coat of volumising mascara on top. This is my go-to day to day mascara now.
PS. I find it unusual that most mascaras comes in round tube, Chanel definitely stands out with their sturdy square packaging.
Why I love it:
- A mascara that caters to both upper lash and bottom lash, how can you not love it?
- Love the black and brown mascara shade combo so that the bottom lashes won’t be too intense. Intense black for the top lashes and subtle brown for the bottom lashes. The perfect combo and definitely save space in the makeup bag.
- The brush sizes are perfect, big for the top lashes and miniature size for the bottom to coat each and every lashes effortlessly.
- The formula is smudgeproof, waterproof and it is easy to remove with warm water in the warm shower.
- Safe to wear with contact lenses and those with sensitive eyes
- To me this combo is more of a lengthening mascara for both top and bottom lashes so be sure to double/triple coat with a volumising mascara for the added volume. This however, works perfectly as my daily mascara routine.
You probably won’t be able to see much of the top lashes due to my really short and sparse lashes, but you get the idea with the bottom lashes. Subtle, defined and lengthened.
RRP AUD$58
Stockist number 1800 061 326
Available on Estee Lauder counters and online now
Rimmel recently launched a new lash plumping mascara – the Scandaleyes Mascara. Comes in a huge orange tube, quite hard to miss in a make up bag. There’s only one word to describe the applicator wand, it’s MASSIVE. L’Oreal previously released a mascara similar to this mascara and I didn’t like it this time around let’s see how this one fare.
As you can see the mascara brush has max density, it’s bigger than the mascaras that I am used to. I can see how this wand picks up all lashes long/short but it also has the tendency to get messy if you have really short and sparse lashes because chances are you’ll get the mascara bits onto the lids. So this mascara is definitely a great choice for ladies with long lashes..
The formula is injected with collagen and keratin that promises to keep lashes strong, healthy and plumped while delivering volume and curve to lashes. The finish of this mascara is wet and upon drying it doesn’t make my lashes look dry and crunchy (which I hate alot of volumising mascara tend to make lashes look so).
If you have medium to long lashes and want abit of a lift and volume, this is definitely the mascara for you.
RRP AUD$16.95
Available on counters now (David Jones, Kmart, Target, Coles, Big W, Woolworths, Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Priceline pharmacy and selected pharmacies nationally
Pantene Clinicare Micro-Repair Revitalizing Split End Fuser 10 x 5ml
RRP AUD$19.99
If you are a frequent abuser of heat styling, you’ll have those horrid dry, split ends on the end of the hair. We all do, Pantene recently released the Split End Fuser to temporarily (nothing can fix split ends unless you chop them off) seal in hair making it healthy and preventing further damage.
Clairol Herbal Essences Set Me Up Super Size Hairspray
RRP AUD$8.99
Containing floral lily fragrance and boost shine to the hair while setting the hair in place, this hairspray dry quickly to help finish look instantly! Spray away in this super size!
Rimmel Glam’Eyes Day2Night Mascara
RRP AUD$16.95
Definitely a first for me, one mascara with double cap effectively enabling me to have both lengthening and volumizing effect. All you need is one mascara for day to night. Brush wise, it is big so the whole application process is really quick and the mascara texture is more of the ‘wet’ type that keep lashes soft not dry and brittled.
Face of Australia – Mineral Therapy Illuminator
RRP AUD$14.95
These multi functional illuminator comes in such a huge tube (50ml each) making it great for face and body. The way to use these are endless. You can apply directly for face and body as highlighter, mix with foundation for the overall glow, use the darker shade by itself as a blush and mix with your tanning product to achieve a temporary tan.
My personal favourite shade is #angel mist (the pearl white one). I predominately use this as a highlighter and mixing it with my body lotion for body glow for night outs.
StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles
RRP AUD$69 (30ml)
This eye cream has cult status among beauty bloggers worldwide. It contains all these scientific proven ingredients to improve cellular renewal, diminish dark circles, improve firmness, tones the eye area and most importantly delay the signs of ageing. You’re guaranteed results in 2-8 weeks.
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
RRP AUD$60 (50ml)
Oldie but a goodie, This beauty booster instantly brightens and tightens skin appearance for a quick “pick-me-up”. Good for both face and decollete area as it is non-only and lightweight. It’s all in the gentle sweeping movements. No rubbing in!
Aquim Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser
RRP AUD$2.99 (70ml)
This goes without saying, pick one up and stuff it in your handbag. This hospital strength hand sanitiser is great to keep germs at bay and to prevent the nasties from spreading. Good for every day at home/office, gym, airports, travelling, parties, music festivals, you get the drill. Best of all? It doesn’t dry out the paws too!
Evian Facial Mist (Limited Edition)
RRP AUD$11.95 (50ml)
To refresh, stay hydrated with its unique mineral balance and neutral pH.
Instantly absorbs and moisturises hot thristy skin.
We all know Lancome is the best selling luxury mascara brand, simply because they are so good at what they do! This month, Lancome launched the new Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara. The mascara comes in Lancome’s signature mascara packaging – sturdy, hand friendly with a click-lock cap.
This mascara promises to boost volume, extend the length of lashes and to create the doll eye/wide eye effect. Excited?
The pointed application wand thickens lashes immediately with just one coat and defines hard-to-reach corners effortlessly without making a mess all over the eye area. The formula of the mascara isn’t as thick and gooey as Hypnose Drama which is a bonus because it leaves lashes really defined and volumised while separating lashes at the same time.
I love how easy this mascara is to apply and how long lasting it is. No flaking, smudging and it comes off with my usual oil cleanser removal routine. No additional fuss or tugging of the lashes required! As with all Lancome mascara, this one has fragrances and smells like roses!
TIP: If you are cursed with downward lashes, you will still need to curl your lashes prior to mascara application, don’t expect miracles!
Right now, Lancome is also a running a promotion on Facebook, enter for a chance to win this mascara!
RRP AUD$52
Available on Lancome counters now
