Essence Double Trouble Mascara Review

July 26, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude!

Long time, no write! You all know that Essence is one of my go-to brands for mascara, so when it came time to replace my mascara, I decided to purchase a new to me mascara from Essence – the Double Trouble Mascara [info in italics taken from the Essence Cosmetics website]

Double the volume, double the trouble! essence DOUBLE TROUBLE MASCARA is bold, daring, and has a double-sided brush for a lash look that’s got it all. The applicator has two sides, an elastomer brush and a fiber brush for extreme definition, curl, and length! Also available in waterproof!

This sounds like a great mascara for me since I prefer VOLUME and CURL for my lashes. If you’ve been reading abrashattitude.com for awhile, you will know that I am super picky about mascara. I have long, stick-straight lashes that are quite light in colour considering my natural hair colour is dark brown. I use a lash curler and I need a mascara will hold a curl. My eyes are sensitive, and water easily so any mascara that I use must be smudge proof, and water resistant.

I have seven requirements for a mascara, and I’ll comment on each requirement and score each point. So how did the Double Trouble Mascara score?

1. waterproof / water resistant +0 Not water resistant, did not hold up well if my eyes watered at all.

2. smudge-proof +0 – it smudged easily on me

3. non-flaking / non-clumping +1 – no flake or clump for me

4. must be DARK black (not blackish, not brown black, and definitely not grey black) +1 Dark black!

5. volumizing +1/4 The volume was minimal. Even with multiple coats.

6. must hold a curl +1/4 Held a curl briefly, then my lashes drooped.

7. non-irritating to my sensitive eyes +1 no itchy eyes!

Overall I would give this mascara a 2.5 out of 7 – which is really not good! I had high hopes for this one, but was so disappointed. This might be the lowest I’ve ever scored a mascara!

Have you tried this mascara?

Thanks for reading,

Disclosure: I purchased this.

Burt’s Bees The Luminizer Nourishing Highlighter Review

June 20, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude!

Today I have a little review of Burt’s Bees The Luminizer Nourishing Highlighters. These were a part of the swag bag that I received from their Sensitive Solutions Virtual Event. [info in italics taken from the Burt’s Bees Canada website]

Burt's Bees The Luminizer - Star Light and Golden Hour

Burt’s Bees® The Luminizer Nourishing Highlighter provides a healthy glow that instantly illuminates the skin upon application. Made with green tea extract packed with vitamins and antioxidants to support healthy, glowing skin, this Burt’s Bees highlighter hydrates skin and helps improve skin’s overall appearance. Our patented Green Tea Complex is working while you wear it to improve the appearance of your natural skin and to fight uneven skin tone. For an easy, everyday makeup look, this lightweight face highlighter blends effortlessly into the skin to define your best features, or try combining it with moisturizer or foundation for an allover, healthy glow. The non-sticky formula is fragrance free and provides a dewy finish for all skin tones. Formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS or petrolatum. Keep a tube in your purse or makeup bag for whenever you need a glowing touch.

The Luminzer is available in two shades: Star Light and Golden Hour. Star Light is a silvery pink toned highlighter, and Golden Hour is a peachy golden toned highlighter. These are very easy to apply either with fingers or a brush. They also work great mixed into foundation. Both shades are beautiful and wearable – shimmery without being glittery – I find myself reaching for them whenever I wear makeup.

Have you tried these highlighters?

Thanks for reading

Disclosure: In case you missed it at the beginning, these were a part of a swag bag from a Virtual Event that I attended. My opinion is always my own!

Danessa Myricks Beauty – Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Review

Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder

May 25, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude!

I purchased myself a little treat from Sephora a few weeks ago, and I am finally ready to share my review of the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder. [info in italics taken from the Sephora Canada website]

What it is: A texture reducing, coverage boosting, blurring balm, that balances oils throughout the day while maintaining hydration.

Highlighted Ingredients:
– Upsalite: Supports and absorbs excess sebum and sweat while maintaining skin‘s hydration.
– Olive-Derived Squalane: Known to support oil production and diminish visible signs of aging.
– Hyaluronic Acid: Promotes skin‘s hydration.

The Blurring Balm Powder is available in 11 shades, ranging from universal (translucent) to 10 (deep with golden undertones). I chose the shade 2 (light with golden undertones) – the second lightest shade – which when blended out this shade works great to minimize any redness on my skin.

This is a cream to powder formula, with sheer to light coverage. I prefer to apply it with my fingers or with a sponge. The coverage is very nice and natural. But I will say that if you need to prep your skin with moisturizer or primer, as it can cling to dry patches, especially if you apply in a little too heavily. Overall I like it a lot!

Have you tried this one?

Thanks for reading

Disclosure: I purchased this!

Merit Signature Lip Reviews – Baby and L’Avenue

May 4, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude.

If you follow me on InstaGram, you will have seen that I did a very small order during the Sephora annual sale. Today I’m reviewing and swatching two of the Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipsticks [info in italics taken from the Sephora website].

What it is: A sheer lipstick with a satin finish and the benefits of a lip balm—without the heaviness of a traditional lipstick.

Formulation Type: Lipstick Benefits: Hydrating

Highlighted Ingredients: Squalane and Sunflower Seed Oil: Lock in long-lasting moisture. Papaya Fruit Extract: Soothes lips. Raspberry Oil: Moisturizes and adds a soft aroma.

There are eight shades listed on the Sephora website, and I purchased the shades Baby (neutral pink) and L’Avenue (berry brown). Baby is the perfect pink toned nude on me, and L’avenue pulls more berry than brown on me. I love them both!

Merit Signature Lip Baby and L'avenue Swatches

These lipsticks are so hydrating! The colour applies sheer, but is slightly buildable. SO comfortable on the lips. It really does feel lightweight. Probably the most comfortable lipstick I’ve ever worn. It isn’t super long wearing, but I don’t mind re-applying as I would with a lip balm.

I’d like to pick up a few more shades at some point – most likely Tiger (brick red) and Fashion (soft berry).

Have you tried these lipsticks?

Thanks for reading

Disclosure: In case you missed it at the beginning, I purchased these things. And I might do it again!

Sephora Birthday Gift 2022 – Ilia Set

April 26, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude. April is my birthday month, so I got my annual Beauty Insider gift. There was a choice of four different gifts, and I chose the Ilia set, as this was a brand that I’d never tried before. [info in italics taken from the Sephora Canada website]

Ilia Sephora Beauty Insider Birthday Gift 2022

Ilia Birthday Gift Set featuring Fullest Volumizing Mascara mini, Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil in Shade Only You mini, and Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment sample.

– Fullest Volumizing Mascara – A clean, volumizing mascara that wraps each lash in weightless, buildable volume without flaking, smudging, or irritating even the most sensitive eyes.

When I first applied the mascara, it made my lashes look long, and dark, but didn’t give much volume as I’d hoped, even with two coats. It was smudge proof and water resistant, but sadly does not hold a curl for me. I’d score this mascara a 5 out 7 – taking off points for volume and curl holding.

– Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil in Shade Only You – A cushiony, tinted lip oil in a universal neutral nude shade that’s packed with plumping hyaluronic acid and major moisturizing properties to leave lips soft, smooth, and anything but sticky.

The Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil is really nice. It is hydrating and not at all sticky. The shade is a really nice nude. I really like it a lot.

– Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment – An overnight lip treatment with clean ingredients that helps reveal your smoothest, softest lips.

The Lip Wrap sample is so tiny! Not enough to review, but enough for a first impression. It reminds me of the Bite Beauty Lip Mask. I think I’d like to buy myself a full size!

Have you tried any of these from Ilia? Which Sephora Beauty Insiders gift did you chose this year?

Thanks for reading

Disclosure: Annual freebie gift for Sephora Beauty Insiders.

Nyx Thick It. Stick It! Brow Mascara Review

March 29, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude!

Today I have a review of the Nyx Thick It. Stick It! Thickening Brow Mascara. I purchased it a few weeks ago when my e.l.f. Cosmetics Wow Brow Tinted Brow Gel started to run out.

New vegan brow mascara in 8 high-impact shades to tint, tame, and thicken all brow types with a natural finish that lasts 16 hours. Ultra-buildable, tinted plant-origin fibers take brows to the next level with each layer. Upgrade your brows from thick to thicker to thickest!

Brush brows upwards and in the direction of hair growth to tame and define your brow shape. Easily customize your look with the tapered brush to blend and build tint and fullness. Add more coats to take your brows from thick to thicker to thickest! For extra full dimension, begin by brushing backward from the tail end of your brows inward, then brush through brows like usual.

This brow mascara comes in 8 shades: Taupe, Cool Blonde, Auburn, Rich Auburn, Cool Ash Brown, Brunette, Espresso, and Black. I chose the Espresso shade to try because I like my brows to be a super dark brown. This brow gel really does work to fatten up my sparse brows. Majorly buildable, but you have to be careful applying to not over-do it. Two coats is plenty for my brows, three coats is too much. It is also super long wearing and transfer resistant!

Have you tried this tinted brow gel?

Thanks for reading

Disclosure: I purchased this!

Cumulative Empties Sep 2021 to Feb 2022

March 15, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude!

Today I have my empties that I’ve accumulated over the past six months. There actually should be more, but I think that a few things got misplaced or recycled.

Skincare:

Made for Me Hydrating Moisturizer and Brightening C Serum (*PR Gifted) – Both the moisturizer and serum are amazing, and I’d would highly recommend both of them. I have a bunch of serums and moisturizers to use up in my stash, but I would purchase these. Reviews are here.

Haircare:

Garnier Fructis Hydrating Treat Conditioner (Aloe Extract) – This is a great budget friendly conditioner. I would re-purchase this eventually – but right now I’m committed to using the Keratinworks line to maintain my hair post salon treatment. Review is here.

EVOLVh Smart Start Leave-In Conditioner (*PR Gifted) and Ultrashine Moisture Shampoo – Both are amazing, and I could see myself purchasing eventually. Reviews are here and here.

Kristin Ess Beach Wave Spray – This is a great product for enhancing my wavy hair and giving it that beachy wave effect. I would re-purchase eventually. Review is here.

Noughty To The Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment – An awesome budget friendly hair mask – I loved this, and would likely repurchase. Review is here.

Bath and Body:

Haus of Gloi Lily Cake Bubbling Scrub (*This was birthday gift) – I love the bubbling scrubs from Haus of Gloi. I’ve purchased them many times over the years in different scents, and will do so again eventually.

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Body Cream – I’ve purchased this several times, and will do so again eventually. It is such an amazing body cream. Review is here.

Naturewell Hydrolyzed Collagen Moisture Cream (*PR gifted) – Another amazing body cream. Great for winter dryness. I would purchase this one as it is super effective and budget friendly. Review is here.

Lowen’s Natural Skincare Salt of the Earth Sea Salt Scrub – I would definitely re-purchase this body scrub. It smells amazing, its super hydrating, and exfoliates really well. Review is here.

Makeup:

Flower Beauty Warrior Princess Mascara – I liked this mascara, scored it a 6.25 out of 7. It was good, but not holy grail for me. Review is here.

Essence Cosmetics Bye Bye Panda Eyes! and #Lashes of the Day Mascaras – Bye Bye Panda Eyes I scored 6.25 out of 7, but I found that this mascara got better over time. I would buy this one again, because it improved, so I’d increase the score to 6.75 out of 7. Lashes of the day scored higher at 6.5 out of 7, but it didn’t get any better over time, so I don’t think I would repurchase. Reviews are here and here.

Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara – This mascara scored a 6 out of 7. It was good, but not great for me. I’ve tried and liked other Covergirl mascaras better. Review is here.

So did you finish up many products over the past couple of months?

Thanks for reading

Disclosure: All products disclosed above, and in the original blog post reviews. My opinion is my own regardless of if I purchased it, or if it was gifted.

CertClean Clean Beauty Awards 2022 – I’m a Judge!

CertClean Clean Beauty Awards 2022 Judge

March 14, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude!

If you follow me on Instagram, you will already know this, but I’m on the judging panel for the 2022 CertClean Clean Beauty Awards (along with 125 others). This will be my third year on the judging panel. CertClean is North America’s leading certification organization for safer skincare.

This year, there are 455 Clean Beauty products entered in 24 categories! I will be judging THREE categories this year – Face cream, Body Wash, and Eyeliners!

I’ll post more on this once as the products arrive.

Thanks for reading

elf Cosmetics Lash It Loud Mascara Review

February 2, 2022 | jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello – welcome to / welcome back to A Brash Attitude!

Today I have a review of the elf Cosmetics Lash It Loud Mascara – I purchased it in early January and have been testing it out. [info in italics taken from the elf Cosmetics website]

What is it? A mega volume mascara that helps your lashes look fuller, bolder and longer than ever.

Why we love?

Achieve mega volume lashes instantly
Volumizing mascara is formulated with intensely rich pigments for bolder than ever lashes
Flexible, silicone brush grips lashes from root to tip for insane volume

Volume that hits all the high notes! This formula’s intensely rich pigments easily coat lashes for a bigger and bolder look. The sleek flexible wand hugs every single lash with both vertical and horizontal bristles to amplify, define & add dimension.

This sounds like a perfect mascara for me since I prefer lots of VOLUME for my lashes. If you’ve been reading abrashattitude.com for awhile, you will know that I am super picky about mascara. I have long, stick-straight lashes that are quite light in colour considering my natural hair colour is dark brown. I use a lash curler and I need a mascara will hold a curl. My eyes are sensitive, and water easily so any mascara that I use must be smudge proof, and water resistant.

I have seven requirements for a mascara, and I’ll comment on each requirement and score each point. So how did the Lash It Loud Mascara score?

1. waterproof / water resistant +1 Not waterproof mascara, but held up well during cold weather eye watering for me!

2. smudge-proof +1

3. non-flaking / non-clumping +1

4. must be DARK black (not blackish, not brown black, and definitely not grey black) +1 Dark black!

5. volumizing +1/2 Ok volume, great length. I was hoping for mega volume.

6. must hold a curl +3/4 It holds a curl pretty well, wish it had better hold

7. non-irritating to my sensitive eyes +1 no itchy eyes!

Overall I would give this mascara a 6.25 out of 7 – which is pretty good! The brush shape works great for my inner and outer lashes. I prefer the volume that the Big Mood Waterproof Mascara gives my lashes, so I’m probably going to try the non-waterproof formula to see how it compares.

I love that elf Cosmetics is cruelty free, and vegan, and affordable!

Have you tried this mascara?

Thanks for reading,