Is Two Faced's Mascara Really 'Better Than Sex'?

I received a questionable look as my boyfriend caught sight of the metallic pink cylindrical tube with "BETTER THAN SEX" marked across it's body. This mascara definitely stands out amongst my collection in terms of packing but does it fair the same in terms of it's quality? 


I usually stay away from high-end mascaras because I think drug-store mascaras do an equally good job. Moreover, mascaras have a relatively short life-span as compared to other cosmetic items, as such splurging on a mascara that will only last a couple of months always seems illogical (not that splurging on make-up in general is awfully logical!). 

All that said, I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying what Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara is doing for my lashes. I love the look of long voluminous lashes and to be honest if I could deal with the maintenance, I would probably constantly have lash extensions or fake lashes on. But alas, I'm much to lazy for that and that's where this mascara comes in. It is amazing! I didn't want to believe the hype, I didn't want to cave and fall in love but it just happened. 

What you need to know...

The PROS

> It's build-able without being clumpy. This formula allows me to touch-up without getting spidery lashes. So if you're a little OCD like me or you just feel like a little pick-me-up through out the day, just give them lashes a quick curl and then add a fresh coat of this mascara on top!

> It's lusciously black 

> In two coats, my none existent lashes are not only longer and thicker, but they are curled! The magical shape of the brush lifts my limp Asian lashes into a curve and saves me from using an eyelash curler.
> If you do use a lash curler, it holds a curl beautifully despite my highly annoying mono-lids trying to force them back down! 
> It does not smudge or transfer.
> This is a non-waterproof formula so it is easy to take off at the end of the day with a basic cleaner or make up remover.

The CONS

> With a price tag of $31.95AUD it's a steep price to pay for a mascara.

> You do need to work with it. For me one coat isn't quiet enough to achieve the amazing affects this mascara has to offer, so you have to play around with it a little and build up the layers. 

>The brush is a little big for my eyes, meaning I do have to be a little bit more careful on application. 

> Again this is not a waterproof mascara, which make be a deal break for some of you out there. This is personally not a problem for me because I don't usually gravitate towards water resistant formulas anyways. 

Verdict 

Although this mascara is not without it's flaws, it's pros far outweigh its few cons. I can tell you for sure I will be repurchasing this mascara despite it's somewhat steep price point because I just cannot get over the amazing length, volume and curl this mascara gives me! It manages to hold a curl against my mono-lids without making my lashes stiff and 'crunchy'. 

I've always been a eye-liner daily kind of girl because my lashes have always looked limp and fairly non-existent even with mascara. The only way I felt I could actually define my eyes was with eyeliner. Since I've started using this mascara I have stopped wearing eyeliner on weekdays! If I can save a couple of minutes in the mornings when I'm frantically getting ready for work, then I'm all for that. The mascara alone manages to define and bring out my eyes without the help of any other eye make-up! The results speak for themselves (pictures below) and to me, it's 100% worth the investment. 

As to whether this mascara is really better than sex? I think I'll let you guys decide on that one on your own ;) 

Chanel

A Smoothie a Day Keeps The Doctor Away

This is such a simple smoothie but it packs a serious punch! Admittedly I don't have the best immune system and I'm prone to colds and flu most winters. So when the boyfriend came down with a bad cold, a rare occurrence, I was pretty sure I was bound to be shot down next. In what I thought would be a fruitless preemptive attack, I tried to boost our intake of vitamins by throwing together this smoothie. 

Amazingly, it worked! The early signs of contagion I have felt were literally, yes LITERALLY, diminished the day after I skulled a bullet full of this stuff. Now, that said, although I made my boyfriend drink his share, it, as expected, did not cure his cold. However, he reported that his symptoms did not worse AND he actually didn't mind the taste of the smoothie. (The boyfriend was not crazy about being pulled onto my smoothie bandwagon at the beginning)

So no, this smoothie would be the miracle cure to all your aches and pains, but it will help to keep you from contacting all the yucky bugs lurking around this winter. I drank this daily and remained sickness free whilst looking after him and whilst working in a badly ventilated office, a breeding ground for contagions. 

What you need:

- Half a sliced banana

- 3 tablespoons blueberries 

- 2 tablespoons raspberries

- 1 heaped tablespoon Greek yogurt 

- Handful of kale

- Handful of spinach

- Coconut water

I used a magic bullet, but really any blender will do.

What to do: 

1. Throw the banana, blueberries, raspberries, yogurt, spinach and kale into the blender. 

(TIP: preferably in that order as these heavier items will help push the kale and spinach into the blender blades, making for a smoother smoothie! Obviously if your blender is reversed, then reverse the process!)

2. Pour over the coconut water to just cover the ingredients. Depending on how you like the consistency of your smoothies, alter the amount of coconut water you include. (For a thicker smoothie, use less coconut water. For a thinner consistency, use more coconut water)

3. BLEND BLEND BLEND! 

4. Pour and serve!

TIP: I keep my blueberries, banana (pre-sliced) and raspberries in the freezer so that they double as ice cubes. This way my smoothies are perfectly cold and creamy!

Let me know if you give this recipe a go!

Chanel

Anzac Weekend Haul

It's the long weekend and with a well deserved break from work comes a small well deserved haul from Mecca Cosmetica. I think I showed relatively good restraint considering my usual visits with intentions to purchase one item almost always quickly escalates into a full blown spree.  This time I stuck to my guns and resisted my wondering desires to stray from my shopping list. 

1. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - Diffused Light 
I already have this powder in Dim Light and absolutely adore it. Diffused Light is apparently one of their best sellers in the line and I just had to give it a try! One first glance it looks pretty 'glowy' to be used as an all over setting powder, which was my intention, but I think it'll make a gorgeous highlight. 

2. NARS Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturiser - Alaska
The boyfriend and I are contemplating going on a short getaway in June/July to seek a warm climate. Although we haven't even decided on a location I'm already looking for a light weight base to use and what better than a tinted moisturiser!

3. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - Custard
This is my second tube of the stuff, which speaks for how much I love it!

4. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
I've heard so much amazing stuff about this mascara! The transformation pictures they have on the packaging are astonishing and if it really lives up to the hype I may not be able to live without this mascara!! 

Full reviews of each product will be up shortly after I use them enough to form an informative opinion! Leave a comment letting me know if you've used any of these products and what you thought!

Chanel

Working Girl: Professional Comfort

When you have to be at work five days a week, some eight hours a day, it's important that you not only look professional, but comfort is imperative. I'm not suggesting anyone show up in a corporate office in their track pants, but I think we can all happily agree if we can look the part, throw in some personal styling and still be comfortable, our work week would be much more bearable. 

I personally work in a fairly conservative corporate office environment, where Casual Fridays is not even an option within my department. Even so, I have managed to incorporate pieces here and there to amp up basic corporate attire. Obviously it is important that personal discretion is used, you should know what you will and won't get away with. 

 

Base
1. White collared shirt - ft. Cue Tucked Raglan Sleeve Shirt 
2. Black tailored high-waisted trousers - ft. Topshop 32" Stitch Cigarette Trousers 
3. Black cropped fluffy jumper - ft. Supre Kitty Cat Crop    
4. Black pointed heels - Nine West Eviee Wedges
Accessories
1. Structured black bag - Prada Saffiano Lux Tote
2. Thin black and gold belt - Portmans Metal Career Belt
3. Rose gold watch - Michael Kors Runway Watch
4. White nail polish - Sally Hansen White On

When trying to incorporate unconventional pieces into a professional outfit, I prefer to maintain a natural colour palette and a classic silhouette. The design of the shirt and trousers provides a neat and simple frame as your canvas. I particularly love the cut of this shirt from Cue because it provides structure and accents feminine definition.

The pièce de résistances, the center piece, is of course the cropped shaggy jumper. The insanely soft material will keep you warm on those early morning winter commutes to work. Ensure that you keep this piece at a fitted size and avoid sizing up too much. Whilst I'm all for cozying up with oversized fluffy jumpers, the slouchy look will take away from the professional silhouette.

Keeping the everything black and white, with peaking accents of varying shades of gold keeps the look edgy but keeps it from being tipping over to tacky.

If I'm being honest, this particular outfit has been revisited a couple of times but I say why not get the most out of a good thing!