ALONG COMES MARY

(Hey Guys! While I love that people are entering this giveaway, I am concerned that I am not seeing many comments, & that is one of the mandatory rules to enter this giveaway. So, please feel free to enter, but remember to also let me know what your go-to for make-up is 😉 Thanks)

While I’m a huge lover of cosmetics, & have way too much more than one little gal needs, I actually don’t wear quite a lot day in & day out. My one (or 2) go-to’s, though, especially when I just need an extra ‘oomph’ of confidence, is to play up my eyes with some black liquid eyeliner (currently using NYC brand in Jet Black) & a great mascara that lengthens & adds volume. During my recent week of Oscar fun at The Vanity Fair Social Club, I was treated to not only an Armani Black Ecstasy tube, but also L’oreal’s Manga Lash mascara AND a brow makeover from Nicole, one of L’oreal’s fab Glam Squad members.

Since I do wear mascara nearly everyday, I thought it might be fun to do a little mascara vs. mascara test off! I tried out the Manga first, since I had heard so many awesome things about this tube. When I first opened it up, I thought it was a bit clumpy, & I wasn’t a fan of the wand, which bends to help increase easier, smooth application. Guess what? All my un-sure-ness went out the window as soon as I put that baby on my lashes! They literally popped & instantly provided that boost of pretty I am often in search of to help me get out the door.

The second contender, Armani’s Black Ecstasy, I was extremely excited to try & I was certain would outshine how much I did like the L’oreal. My final say? It was just ok. It was actually less clumpy when I swirled it out of the tube, but, only provided medium coverage for me. It did not thicken & volume like I had hoped. It definitely is a deep black, so, if its color you’re most concerned about, you’d be happy with Armani. For me, I will put the $30 aside that would get me one tube of it, & get at-least 2 tubes of the Manga 😉

A feature I do admit to overlooking far too often, is, my eye brows. The late, great make up master, Kevyn Aucoin, was always quick to point out in his beautiful books & Allure Magazine columns how much your brows make your physical appearance; they give you your character & frame your entire face. While I get mine waxed every so often, I am lazy when it comes to tweezing & filling in. It was awesome to experience L’oreal’s Brow Bar at VFSC & learn about the exciting new venture for Los Angeles they now have; on your iPhone, you can download their new Glam Squad app & request a make-up artist come to your home or event to get you all glam & ready for whatever you might have happening; for me, I think this would be perfect for my friends up-coming wedding. Especially, since I use & love L’oreal products already. You can get more info all about it HERE.

And, how would you like to experience L’oreal’s great brow goodies for yourself?! I have a pencil filler & brow plumper to provide to one lucky reader! 😉 Fill out the Rafflecopter form below, one winner will be chosen at random March 13th. Open to USA residents 18 & over, please check out my ‘Sweepstakes’ tab for full info & good luck! 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(*Disclosure: I was provided with samples of all these products courtesy of Vanity Fair, Armani & L’oreal. All opinions are my own.)