The Ravings of an Insomniac: Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara | Review

1:40 PM

Hello! Today's post is a review on a mascara that I haven't heard much about, but those who talk about praise it highly.

What: Mascara

Where: Macy's and online

Price: $20

BTW: Elizabeth Arden products are tested on animals.

Oh, Elizabeth Arden. This brand is mostly known for their infamous multitasking Eight Hour Cream. I had a little twist up tube of that at one point, and I thought it smelled so weird. Other than that and a mask, I haven't tried much from this high-end brand. I mean, can you blame me? At prices like $20 a mascara, a broke student can't really afford the products.

This mascara claims to be a lash extending treatment. Basically, the more you wear it, the longer your eyelashes will grow. I've not really used any eyelash growth products aside from an eyeliner with lash boosting claims, but it didn't do much for my stick-straight, short, sparse eyelashes. This mascara is infused with "ceramide triple complex (Ceramides 1, 3 & 6) plus vitamins to help reinforce and restore lashes' natural protective barrier. Protein-based complex Keravis helps fortify, lengthen, define & revitalize lashes." It claims to lashes longer and fuller, contain vitamins A, C, and E, and also boasts that it won't smudge, flake, or clump. It's available in two shades, black and brown, and in two formulas, waterproof and regular.. I'm reviewing the regular black.

The packaging for this is really plain. It shiny gold tube (I believe it's been repackaged to a matte gold) holds a disappointingly plain wand; the classic bristled wand that is slightly tapered towards the end. Sometimes the sifter won't remove enough mascara and I'm forced to wipe off some mascara, thus wasting product. Packaging is plain and functioning, but could be better for the price of this little guy.

So, as you can see, my lashes before curling and applying mascara are pretty pathetic. The bottoms are quite sparse and I'm not a fan of applying mascara on them, so I didn't apply any for this review. This mascara darkens and defines them, you can see they're a lot more noticeable but still nothing amazing. This mascara is a tad bit lengthening and gives barely any volume. It hardly ever clumps and doesn't flake. It's definitely more of a natural look. The natural I don't mind, but it's the smudging that I do. This mascara is super smudgy. However, that might be my own fault. My eyes are quite sensitive and water up a lot. This mascara isn't suitable for sensitive eye types like mine; it doesn't bother my eyes or make them itchy, but smudges a lot when they tear up. There is a waterproof formula available, btw! It removes surprisingly easily with an oil-based remover. I have yet to see any lash growing properties in this mascara.

Overall? Not impressed, not disappointed. Worth it? No, not for $20 bucks. Will I repurchase? Maybe, probably not. If I do, I will make it a point to get the waterproof version.

Elizabeth Arden

Skincare Products I've Been Using Recently | Mask Edition

8:55 AM

I enjoyed writing the last skincare post so much I thought I'd bring you a version about masks. I normally don't write skincare reviews on my blog because what works for me might be a disaster for you, but I do enjoy sharing products and giving my opinion, so these mini-reviews are perfect! Today is a face mask edition. I used to use masks quite frequently, and then got a bit lazy with the process because I found it too slow and tedious. Recently I've been using them again and really enjoying the process I used to find boring.

Starting from left to right, this Petal Fresh Botanics Aloe & Cucumber Facial Peel Off Masque is something I found in Taiwan and I cannot find and proof of this brand anywhere other than Ebay. But basically, it's a gel that you apply to your face, and it forms a film that you can peel off about ten minutes later. It's cool and satisfying, but alcohol denat is the second ingredient in this product and I'm trying to back off from products with high alcohol content.

The Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Mask is something that I actually wrote a review on. I don't feel as if it actually hydrates my skin, but I like the scent and it's tingly and cooling on the face. The consistency is very nice too, it feels almost clay based but it doesn't harden.

This third mask I got recently, and I've been really enjoying it. The Giovanni D-Tox System Purifying Facial Mask is quickly becoming one of my skincare staples. The mask isn't very opaque, which is nice because I don't look like a serial killer, it smells quite fresh and natural, and really helps my skin feel cleansed from the inside. It doesn't dry out my skin, nor does it bring blemishes to a head (although I know that's good I cannot stand it).

Probably my favorite mask of the bunch, one that I always use is the Origins Drink Up Intensive. I'm sure you've heard of it, it's exploded over the blogosphere. I've had this sample size since February, and it's still going strong! This is a hydrating mask that you leave on overnight. But don't worry, it absorbs into your skin so it doesn't end up on your pillowcase and sheets. It smells like apricots, feels luxurious, and in the morning the skin just looks and feels beautiful.

This Yes To Cucumbers Calming Facial Mask is something I'm pretty partial to. It smells too strongly of cucumbers, but otherwise I can't find any faults. It works fairly quickly, the clay drying within ten minutes, so if you're in a hurry and you need a quick detox mask than this will do the job. I don't think it's anything amazing, but I don't dislike it.

Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Mask | Review

11:08 AM

Hi, everybody! Today's post is another review, on the Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Mask. Read on to see my thoughts on it!

What it is: a face mask
Where it is: I purchased mine at Marshalls (it always seems to be in stock there) but Elizabeth Arden products are available in department stores and online.
How much: around $13
Anything else: Elizabeth Arden products are tested on animals

This is basically a mask that you put on your face. It's no longer available on the website, so I can't find any claims for you... Apologies, apologies! You're supposed to leave this mask on your face for five to ten minutes and then rinse off.

Click on the image to enlarge if you want to read the info!

The packaging is fairly simple. It's a pale pink squeeze tube with directions in and ingredients on the back.

The product itself is a semi-opaque light pink color. The texture of this mask feels almost clay based, it's very solid and takes a bit of work to evenly spread around on the face. It has a bit of a strange but not unpleasant smell, the best way I can describe it is herbally. The mask feels very refreshing and tingly on the face, however some have said that the tingling turned to burning after just a few minutes. I have not had this issue with the mask, but if you have sensitive skin this mask could be a bit of an issue. Although the directions say to rinse this mask off after five to ten minutes, I leave it on as long as I want. This is because this mask doesn't really do anything for my skin. It feels nice and tingly, that's it.

I'm partial to this product. It's not hydrating, but it does feel really nice on the skin.

Thanks for reading! Have you tried this? What do you think?