Audrey Dao » High End Brand

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara Review and Photos

Audrey Dao — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:14:23 +0000

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara ($19) A reparative and volumizing mascara containing Tarte’s biggest beauty breakthrough, Amazonian clay. This amazing mascara delivers a 406% increase in lash volume and long-term reparative, rebuilding, and strengthening benefits with each swipe giving you instant results and better lash health. Just as it intuitively restores hydration and texture in skin, Amazonian clay intuitively hydrates and replenishes dry and brittle lashes to prevent fallout. High performance natural™Amazonian clay performs all day by absorbing oil to balance mascara and keep product in place for flake-free longer wear. It lends itself to deepen pure color pigments creating a volume-boosting formula with higher intensity and truer pure color. The result is healthier and more voluminous lashes that won’t ever flake or transfer, naturally. After daily wear, lashes are intact, healthier and stronger. This mascara prevents lash loss and promotes lash health.

My Thoughts:

I really like Tarte’s Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart mascara. It’s a really good mascara for natural looking lashes. The mascara gives enough volume and length to your lashes to make them more noticeable but not overly dramatic. Also, the mascara doesn’t clump, smudge, or flake! It stays on all day and comes off easily when you remove it. I love that it didn’t dry out my lashes. Instead, my lashes felt soft. Overall, even though I liked the mascara, I feel you can find cheaper costing mascaras that work just as well. I couldn’t find a feature of the Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart mascara that stood out to justify the price tag.

Check out more photos of Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara!

Smith’s Rosebud Salve in a Tube Review

Audrey Dao — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:57:43 +0000

Rosebud Salve in a Tube ($6) A cult-favorite, multitasking miracle balm in a convenient tube format. This beloved multi-purpose essential not only moisturizes and soothes dry lips; it also calms and heals irritation, soothes the sting of minor burns, helps heal cuts, tames mangled cuticles, helps fix ashy elbows and knees, and minimizes diaper rash.

My Thoughts:

I know Smith’s Rosebud Salve is a cult favorite and almost everybody raves about it, but I might be one of the few people who didn’t find it all that great and just an average balm. I think I ended up disappointed because (1) the cost of the balm and (2) so many people raved and hyped it up. The Rosebud Salve reminded me of Vaseline, except tinted. I didn’t notice a very strong rose smell (which is good for me!) nor was it sticky or overly glossy. To me, this balm wasn’t all that moisturizing. I kept having to reapply more often than I would have liked. I think it lasted about a couple of hours before I had to reapply. I also didn’t notice an improvement in the conditions of my lips. It could be though that my lips weren’t in bad condition to start off with. Overall, Smith’s Rosebud Salve was a disappointment to me. I felt like it was overpriced Vaseline. There are definitely a lot of cheaper and better options available.

Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara Review and Photos

Audrey Dao — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:31:13 +0000

Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara ($20) A sculpting, curling, long-wearing mascara. In addition to holding curl all day, this mascara boasts incredible conditioning ingredients in its formula. Packed with glycoprotein for lash thickening, Moringa seeds to help with curl definition, and Meadowfoam seed oil and Shea Butter for moisturizing and smoothing, lashes get an extra nourishing boost with just one swipe.

My Thoughts:

Urban Decay’s Supercurl Curling Mascara is a very wet mascara. I’m not a big fan of it. The mascara didn’t curl my lashes like the name claimed it would do. Instead, it uncurled my curl. I’m guessing since it’s such a wet formula, it weighed down the lashes. Even with a curved mascara wand, my lashes still didn’t curl. However, it did lengthen my lashes. But still, length isn’t a good enough reason to like it if it doesn’t hold a curl like it’s suppose to. I have a feeling if your lashes are naturally curled, the mascara will work for you. It’s people with lashes that don’t curl naturally that are not going to like the mascara.

Check out more photos of Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara!

FAIRYDROPS Scandal Queen Mascara Review and Photos

Audrey Dao — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:03:46 +0000

FAIRYDROPS Scandal Queen Mascara ($24) A volumizing, water- and sweat-resistant mascara with a brush so unique it is patented in Japan. This do-it-all mascara is blended with fiber to give you lush, doll-like lashes. The unique brush catches even the tiniest lashes, defines, lengthens, and provides all-day curl. FAIRYDROPS mascara was created by Japanese TV personality Aya Yasuda. Realizing that the eyes are the secret to making a great impression, she was inspired to create a new mascara wand that is now patented in Japan. The Scandal Queen formula is available exclusively in the U.S.

My Thoughts:

Fairydrops Scandal Queen mascara is better at lengthening than adding volume. Even though it did add some volume to my lashes, I didn’t notice it as much as I noticed the extra length it added. What lengthens your lashes and adds volume are the fibers/tubes in the mascara. I found it worked best if only 1 or 2 coats was used. Layer on more than that and you’ll get clumps. The formula is just too wet to layer. Because the mascara has a wet formula, it couldn’t hold a curl. The wand is very interesting. I’ve never seen a mascara wand that curved and have 3 bumps before. The design did not help combat the problem of clumping. I think it made it worse. The mascara wand would collect too much mascara. The one major thing I didn’t like about the Fairydrops Scandal Queen mascara is that the fibers/tubes flake off your lashes. By the end of the day I had tiny flakes all over my under eye and some even in my eye! Overall, I don’t think this mascara is all that great. I can find drugstore mascaras that have the fiber/tube formula that work better.

Check out more photos of FAIRYDROPS Scandal Queen Mascara!

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover Review

Audrey Dao — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:39:43 +0000

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover ($18) Totally tugless, two-way makeup remover speeds the departure of hard-to-remove eye and lip makeups. Dissolves and “lifts away” long-wearing makeup, even waterproof mascara. Non-irritating, non-stinging. Ophthalmologist Tested. Appropriate for contact lens wearers.

My Thoughts:

Okay. Wow. Absolutely amazing! Clinique’s Take the Day Off Makeup Remover is a gentle makeup remover that removes even the most stubborn waterproof makeup effortlessly. It doesn’t irritate or sting your eyes if you accidentally get it into your eyes. Take the Day Off Makeup Remover is moisturizing and doesn’t dry out your skin. Even though the makeup remover leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean, it does leave back an oily film. Of course this shouldn’t matter, because you end up washing it away when you wash your face. Is it my all time favorite makeup remover? No, not quite because of the oily residue. It does rank as one of the best I’ve ever used though.

Essie in Luxedo Review, Photos, and Swatch

Audrey Dao — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:35:50 +0000

Essie in Luxedo ($8) suit up in this deepest plum and boldly go where no man has gone before

My Thoughts:

Essie’s Luxedo is a gorgeous dark and deep burgundy plum shade. It’s so deep it almost appears black. I did have a problem applying the nail polish. I felt the consistency was too thin so it made applying difficult. I had to work slowly and carefully to make sure the polish would go on evenly and no streaky. If the consistency was creamy instead of thin, it would look exceptionally amazing! Other than the small complaint, I feel Luxedo would be the perfect shade for Fall and Winter.

Check out the swatch for Essie in Luxedo and more photos!

This post contains a sample sent by PR. My priority is to remain truthful and honest to my readers. For more details, please read my disclaimer/disclosure.

Essie in Limo-Scene Review, Photos, and Swatch

Audrey Dao — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:13:40 +0000

Essie in Limo-Scene ($8) a sheer pastel pink, perfect for french manicures

My Thoughts:

Essie’s Limo-Scene is a light whitish pink shade. I like that it’s not too white or too pink. The shade is perfect! The consistency is sheer but a bit milky. Because of this, you have to apply at least a couple of layers or it will appear streaky. Also if you want the color to be opaque, you have to apply about 3 coats (that’s what I did for the swatch photo below). I would definitely recommend Essie’s Limo-Scene to anybody who wants a natural, clean looking manicure. I also think Limo-Scene would be a great alternative to the usual white tips for french manicures.

Check out more photos and swatches of Essie in Limo-Scene!

This post contains a sample sent by PR. My priority is to remain truthful and honest to my readers. For more details, please read my disclaimer/disclosure.

Essie in Hi-Maintenance Review, Photos, and Swatch

Audrey Dao — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:39:08 +0000

Essie Hi-Maintenance ($8) an innocent, sheer pale pink

My Thoughts:

I love Essie’s Hi-Maintenance! It’s the perfect natural shade with a hint of pink. The consistency is on the sheer side. So if you really want the pink color to show, you are going to have to really layer it on. Surprisingly, the nail polish was not streaky or milky. It went on very smoothly and cleanly.I like to use it when I just want a natural look. It’s a the type of shade that is perfect for every occasion whether it be school, work, or even a night out. It is quite versatile.

Check out more photos and swatch for Essie in Hi-Maintenance!

This post contains a sample sent by PR. My priority is to remain truthful and honest to my readers. For more details, please read my disclaimer/disclosure.

Stila Smudge Pot in Black Review, Photos, and Swatch

Audrey Dao — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:14:40 +0000

Stila Smudge Pot in Black ($20) This unique gel eyeliner and shadow is an innovative alternative to traditional powder and liquid formulas. This clever little gel has an inky intensity that leaves powder shadows in the dust. A favorite for the sultry, smoky eye.

My Thoughts:

Stila’s Smudge Pot is awesome. It’s so creamy and goes on so smooth. The gel eyeliner is also super pigmented. I like that I can smudge it before it sets for a smoky look. The color lasts all day and doesn’t fade. It’s jet black from the moment you apply it until you remove it. The one major problem I have with the Stila Smudge Pot is the price tag. I don’t know about you, but $20 is a bit much don’t you think? I mean it’s even pricier than MAC’s Fluidline! You also get about the same amount too. I wouldn’t get this again only because I know I can get a cheaper version.

Check out more photos and swatches of Stila Smudge Pot in Black!

Arcona Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner Update

Audrey Dao — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:06:13 +0000

This is an update for my review on I wrote for the Arcona Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner. Many of you wanted to know how long the tan lasts.

For me, I noticed the tan had disappeared by the end of the 2nd week. The change was very slow and gradual. The only reason I noticed the tan had disappeared was because I compared it to my real tan. I think it was able to last that long because I made a conscious effort not to use a scrub or to exfoliate.

I would still recommend the Arcona Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner. It’s the only self tanner I have used that provides a natural tan color and doesn’t reek of chemicals.