Lancôme #Grandiose Mascara Review

About a week ago, I was sent Lancome's new Grandiose Mascara compliments of Influenster to test out.  I decided to review it on camera this time...eek! My first time on video:

https://www.youtube.com/v/LPxboqmK-Qg?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata

The packaging for this mascara is gorgeous and just speaks luxury. Feels nice to hold and is easy to open.

The new swan neck wand that claims to makes application easier and helps to coat every lash. I did find it coated everyday, but I am still learning to get used to applying with this wand.  It gets easier each time I use it.

As you can seen, it did a great job at giving me length and volume. There was some clumping, otherwise it looks very natural. I'm just not used to using a formula of that consistency. I prefer a dryer mascara that doesn't clump.

Would I recommend it? Yes. Just because it isn't my preferred type of mascara doesn't mean I don't like it. I think it looks great and from other pictures I've seen online, some people can really rock this.

Would I buy it? Honestly, no. It is a bit too pricy for me ($35, Sephora).  I often do splurge on beauty products, but I just don't love this enough to buy it.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

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I'm Impressed Yet Again! Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure #imPressManicure

I recently received another VoxBox from Influenster.  This box was specifically for the imPress Press-On Manicure from Broadway Nails.  As you may recall, I had received these in my #MapleVoxBox back in December 2013.  I did a review on them here.

This imPress Manicure Canada VoxBox contained two packages of the Press-On Manicure, complimentary for me to tryout.  The names of them are Holla! and Working Girl, as seen here:

One, which has a fancy fishnet stocking type design called "Holla!" that I am wearing here:

The other is named "Working Girl" and has a black background with a sparkly silver crackle top, seen below: 

Beautiful! This one I am saving to wear to an upcoming family function. 

I really love how these manicures are so easy to apply.  I have yet to have a problem finding a nail to match each of my fingers.  I have great looking nails in just a few minutes.  The only downfall is that I have really short nail-beds so the nails are pretty long on me, which I am not used to.  I'd love to see Broadway Nails come up with a set or two for those of us with this problem.  (Even the short length ones are a little too long for me)

Some tips/recommendations I have are:  

• Pick your sizes and nails and lay them out before applying. You want to make sure you have the best fitting nails ready.
• Save your thumbs for last, especially if you aren't used to wearing longer nails.  It makes it so much easier to apply with them off.
• Look at the remaining nails to see if you can come up with another set to wear.  I kept the leftover nails and will be able to get 2 uses out of the package.
• If you are concerned about potentially "breaking" a nail while out, take carry the package with you so you can easily swap out a nail for the next closest size. 

I highly recommend the Broadway imPress Press-On Manicures. Give them a try.  They are available in many different patterns and colours. They can be found at many retailers, such as Walmart.

What are your thoughts? Have you used artificial nails before? Would you? Have you tried any of the Broadway imPress Press-On Manicures or other Broadway products?  Lemme know!

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Mystery Revealed! The #MysteryBrand was Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser!

I knew it!

After about a week and a half of testing the L'Oreal #MysteryBrand for Influenster, testers were sent another package revealing what the brand is.  If you read my previous post here about about the #MysteryBrand, you would have seen that my guess was the new Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser line, and I was right!

The box contained four Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser products, three of which I had already tried from the mystery box:

The Damage Eraser Shampoo

Smells great, makes my hair feel nice and clean and it doesn't feel stripped or dried out afterwards.

The Damage Eraser Conditioner

Conditioned my hair really well without making it feel heavy.  Also smells great.

The Damage Eraser Strength Reconstructing Butter

A thick, creamy hair mask that left my hair feeling really conditioned and soft.  It didn't leave my hair feeling heavy like a lot of other hair masks or butters.  Has the same great fragrance as the rest of the line.

and my favourite out of the whole line....

The Damage Eraser Split Ends Bandage

I just love this stuff! It leaves my hair feeling so soft and shiny. My hair is normally frizzy, dry, coarse, and lifeless. When I use this it makes my hair feel so much different. I even told friends that when I touch my hair it feels like I am wearing a wig! It doesn't even feel like my own hair! I highly recommend this!

Overall, I am very satisfied with all of the products. They have made such a difference to my hair.  There is one downside to them though, and that is that they make me breakout around my hairline and on my neck. Hopefully this is only temporary because I really want to keep purchasing this line.

Have you tried any of the Damage Eraser line? If so, what did you think?  If you haven't, what one do you think you'd most like to try?

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Demystifying the L'Oreal Canada #MysteryBrand

What could the L'Oreal Canada #MysteryBrand be?

Late last week I found out that I had been selected for the L'Oreal Canada #MysteryBrand VoxBox from Influenster.  This box contained trial sized, unbranded bottles shampoo, conditioner, and split end serum. Selected Influensters were asked to try the #MysteryBrand from L'Oreal Canada and give our opinions of the product, as well as take a guess at what we think the #MysteryBrand is. 

First off, these products smell great.  The smell was very familiar to me but I couldn't put quite put my nose on it (hehe).  The shampoo lathered well and left my hair feeling clean.  The conditioner did a great job of making my hair feel moisturized, and it was very easy to get my fingers through my hair.  The serum was amazing, it left my normally dry hair feeling soft, shiny and silky.  My hair didn't feel greasy or weighed down like it does when I use other products for dry/damaged hair. 

When checking back to the insert card that came with the package, I noticed that it listed two familiar ingredients, Phyto-Keratin Complex and Cupuacu Butter,  and it all clicked!  I had won and received a bottle of the new Garnier Fructise Damage Eraser Split Ends Bandage Serum last week and it listed the same ingredients on the bottle.  I checked the smell on it, and it was an exact match.  

I think I solved the mystery!

I will soon be receiving a follow up Reveal VoxBox soon and I will find out if I am right.  Stay tuned for an update!

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I can finally have great looking nails with imPRESS Press-on Manicure by Broadway Nails

A beautiful, well-groomed hand has been something I have wanted since I was a teen. I've have always been envious of my friends and of celebrities who have long, strong, beautifully shaped nails. Unfortunately, genetics got in the way and I was born with my mother's nails. A short nail bed with thin, peeling nails.
I've tried lotions, pills, and potions to try and get healthier, stronger nails. Nothing seems to work.
A few weeks ago I had found out that I was selected to review Canada's first Influenster box, the #MapleVoxBox. I was pretty excited about trying all the goodies in it, but one item had caught my eye. The imPRESS Press-on Manicure by Broadway Nails. I've always wanted to try artificial nails, but was worried that the glue would make my nails even worse. This is what excited me about the imPRESS nails. It didn't use a glue. It it has its own adhesive on the nail which can last up to a week! The nail pattern I received is called Lovestruck which was a combination of orange, neon yellow, and purple polka dot. I loved this pattern and colour combination! So much fun!

The application was a breeze! I picked out the nails that were the best fit for each nail and just peeled off the plastic to expose the adhesive and pressed the nail down. Simple! (tip: do your thumbs last, it makes it a lot easier!)
My nails looked great! Mine lasted 4 days, but that is pretty good considering I am a mom who is always doing dishes, cleaning up, etc. These specific nails were the short type, but as you can see in the pic below, they were still a little long on me. This is because I have a really small nail bed. I would have liked for them to be a little shorter because I'm not used to that length but that doesn't chance my opinion

I would definately recommend the imPRESS Press-on Manicure, and I plan on picking up a few sets this week for Christmas and New Years. Have you tried them? Were you "imPRESSed"? :) Let me know your thoughts on them.
Disclaimer: I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster as part of the #MapleVoxBox.

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