Covergirl Eye Enhancer 3D Mascara Review

 Last post of the day. I've been meaning to do this review for am minute but I didn't feel like wearing and photographing it. So I just decided to go on and review it..no pics. I hate this mascara anyway...it really isn't worth a picture. 

Covergirl claims: 

Enhance your lashes with a 3-dimensional CURL + LIFT + FAN, for an up & out effect without a lash curler. The 50° curved fiber brush wraps every lash from root to tip, catching even the smallest & straightest lashes. Infused with haircare-inspired, plant-based keratin and lifting waxes to keep lashes lifted and fanned-out all day. Universal mascara for all lash types. Up to 24h wear, transfer-proof, smudge-proof, flake-free.
Available in 3 color-enhancing shades for brighter, enhanced eyes:

• Intense Black for bold, brighter eyes
• Dark Chocolate for natural, softer-looking eyes
• Berry Brown to make eyes pop

Based on a consumer study of 114 women after one week of use:

• 90% say lifts lashes88% say enhances the look of eyes
• 87% says defines lashes
• 86% says doesn't weigh down lashes
• 82% says fans out lashes
• 81% says pushes lashes up & out

Looking through my past reviews I have never liked Covergirl mascara. And yet I keep buying them. I think this one is the worst. Even Lash Blast was better than this. They just make the most unremarkable mascara that have been creeping up in price. I believe this was almost $10.00 

It's so bad I'm thinking about throwing it away. I've been using it a few week now hoping it would dry up and get better.

It's too wet. It doesn't build up. It clumps. It makes a huge mess on my lids. It provides the most dismal results. And it's hard to wash off.

And..the claims annoy me. Lashes area already 3d. We don't need a mascara to make them 3D. 

I bought the very black..or whichever is the darkest shade but I noticed it comes in some interesting shades- Berry Brown and Dark Chocolate. But I hate this so much I would never buy it again no matter what colors it comes in. 

Packaging is OK. It comes in a pretty (but skinny) tube. The brush is a curved traditional brush that just stays clumped up with product no matter how much I wipe off. 

Overall, hate it. It does have decent reviews...so it might work for you but based on my experience I don't recommend. 

Beekman 1802 Hershey Goat Milk Soap Review

 I love chocolate. I hate Hershey's chocolate. If you like it, you might want to skip this paragraph. Hershey's chocolate tastes like vomit (sour, tangy) due to butric acid which is also in actual vomit. Horrible. But I couldn't resist this soap. I'm always down for a chocolate scented soap and I've accepted that most of them won't really be that special.

Beekman claims: 

• ‌Gentle cleansing soap made with nourishing goat milk
• Creamy lather helps cleanse without stripping moisture
• Warm Hershey’s-inspired cocoa scent
• Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and comfortable
• Large 9 oz bar provides long-lasting use

Just like this one. Nothing special. 

There is barely any scent. But sometimes you might get whiffs of what smells like brownie batter. But there are two different underlying scents I really disliked and did not enjoy. It reminds me a little of the Nudy Rudy bars soaps which I really disliked. Not impressed.

Everything else about the soap was nice. Bubbles up nicely, cleans well, rinses clean. And leave my skin extra soft. 

It comes in two different sizes. The larger bar looks like a Hershey Chocolate bar rectangle. And the smaller size is shaped like a Hershey Kiss. So cute. Reminds me of something Lush would do. 

Ingredients: 

Water (Aqua, Eau), Glycerin, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Chloride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprae Lac (Goat Milk), Aleurites Moluccana Seed Extract (Kukui Nut Oil), CI 77499, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Pentasodium Pentetate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 17200 … and Kindness.

Overall, this is yet another Beekman soap that missed the mark for me. It's discontinued now so harder to get your hands on....not that I recommend doing so. If you are looking for a more authentic chocolate shower- I would recommend Lush Poshe Chocolate. 

Teena Marie

I'm excited about today's music post. I love Teena Marie and have been looking forward to posting and enjoying her music. 

 

Jumping right into it...we'll start with Portuguese Love. I really love this song...wish there was live clip. I like this song because it sounds do unique and different from anything else in my playlist. I think it also has those key changes I can never get enough of in a song. Feels like a journey or like I'm traveling through the song. Idk if that makes sense. 

And then we have Square Biz. The most popular sample comes in the way of Missy Elliot. Yes, Miss Teena was that girl and she rapped and sang on her song and knocked both out the park. 

Aladdin's Lamp is one that is newer to me. It takes me am minute to get into it...it's like I forget the song and it's like I'm listening for the first time. But it never falls, I love it all over again..also it has more of those key changes I adore. She did it in a lot of her songs actually.

Work it is a classic. This is my first time seeing the music video. Her hair looks gorgeous! 

Ooh La La La is my absolutely favorite Teena Marie song. I just wish they would upload the actual live vocals instead of dubbing the track over a live vid. The lyrics, the vocals, the sax...I can't get enough of this song. 

Any time Rick James and Teena Marie collab you will have fire. This song is so funky. I LOVE it. 

Robbery was a newer one to me as well...I'm so glad I listened to her entire discography. This was exactly the type of music I was looking for. 

Next up, Lovergirl. Another love at first listen. Words cannot even begin to describe how much I adore this performance.

And last..but not least. Out On a Limb.  This song is often on my lips. It's another one I just LOVE.  I listen to the entire 6:38 and then press play so I hear it all again. That's love.

We love Lady T over here. Can't even put into words how much I love her music. Extreme talent, I recommend her music highly!

Scotch Collops, Carrot Cake, and Cumin Lime Chick Peas

 It might be too soon for a food post but I have three things waiting...so figured I had better get posting.

Starting with a recipe from my Unofficial Harry Potter book. Another recipe I had never previously heard of and that doesn't seem particularly popular. But scotch collops basically means thinly sliced meat. I wanted other use better quality meat to so I did drag myself to the meat market. This was a very easy recipe and kinda bland. I did try to add a few things to make it better and they helped and it was good but I think I would still do more if I made this again. Which isn't likely because I like trying new things. But it's very easy...you just brown your meat...cook down your onion and mushroom and toss together I cooked my onions down in some leftover beer I needed to use up. I also added a dash of Worcestershire sauce- but coulda added more. And lotsa salt and pepper. This was my finished plate. I also made broccoli- not pictured. I warmed up some garlic bread and made some buttered noodles and dinner was served. 

Then I made cumin lime chick peas. I love my chick peas so I was excited for an easy basic recipe. I decided to serve mine on some salad. And I threw a quick dressing together. Healthy....and so good! There really is so much you can do with a recipe like this- serve it as a side dish, serve on rice or quinoa. 

Last up...carrot cake. Almost vegan. I used dairy milk so mine wasn't. I don't usually try vegan dessert recipes. But the cashew icing had me intrigued. I wanted to know if it would work...and if it would be as good as any other icing. And it is. It's super easy to make...and I think much healthier than butter/cream cheese icing. But I messed mine up...I added too much lemon zest. So mine was lemony. Good...but doesn't really go with a carrot cake. Would be bomb on a lemon cake..so I think I would make it for a lemon cake.  The carrot cake itself was also good...but I think it NEEDS a vanilla icing. Preferably actual cream cheese icing. While the cake was good and had a great texture...I can't say I like it more than any other carrot cake I have made.  So I wouldn't make it again- unless I was trying to make something for someone who is actually vegan. I very much prefer non vegan carrot cake recipes. 

And that's all for this week...

Granado Apotecario Candle Review

 I'm excited because tonight I am starting the last season of Outlander. I was debating whether I just wanted to binge watch it once it's done or watch as it goes...and I'm leaning to watching as it goes. I do need a refresh so I might just restart the show once it's finished so I can experience it all at once.

But anyway...back to candles. I have a few I need to burn before the weather gets too warm. Because once it's hot- I'm not burning anything. I might grab a room spray or make some DIY sprays out of some essential oils.

Granado claims:

Granado Apotecario Candle is a spicy candle. A fragrance journey that is in the authentic soul of the workshops of the late 19th century. century, with an intense and refined blend of spices, woods, leather and resins that fill the air with timeless elegance. Apotecario Candle is handcrafted from 90% natural ingredients and a high-quality blend of 100% natural coconut wax, sunflower wax and soy oil that ensures even and clean burning. The cotton winch provides a high and constant flame with low heat output, while the high fragrance concentration envelops the room with a long-lasting and refined fragrance. The Apotecario candle is ideal for creating an intimate and enveloping atmosphere. It is the ideal accessory to transform any room into an oasis of style and comfort.

Top notes: Bergamot, Cardamom, Black Pepper

Heart notes: Leather, Black Tea, Cypriol

Base notes: tonka, patchouli, myrrh

This is a new brand to me (but it has been around forever) and the second Brazilian brand I have managed to get my hands on. Nothing I love more than trying new (to me)  brands and especially those made in other countries. 

I bought this one sale for course. I think I paid less than $30. Not sure anymore. I usually burn it when I am working. Mostly because I don't love the scent...but I thought I would based on the description. It's supposed to be spicy and leathery. And I would have to disagree. It's very light and most of the time I barely notice it when lit. It kinda reminds me of Maison Louis Marie vanilla scent. This is very similar to that without the vanilla scent. I didn't love that scent...so I'm not surprised this doesn't do it for me like that. But it's not bad. I don't hate it. I'm just not particularly excited by it. 

It's hard to describe. It's just a pleasant everyday scent that is pretty forgettable. 

The packaging is very nice though. It comes in its own little brown and gold case. And the candle itself has very pretty glass with little golden decoration on it. Packaging is a 10 of 10.

Also the candle itself is quite large and will burn forever. It burns cleanly. But not evenly. Burning this candle down has been a hot mess. So much of the side were not burning...I figured I would need to melt down a lot of wax and make a DIY candle. It's gotten better as I have burned it but still largely uneven. If I had paid full price I would be mega disappointed. Luckily...I didn't. 

Overall, it wasn't my favorite. I don't really feel the need to try more candles from the brand. But I did buy a few soaps- so before the end of the year depending on how quickly I get through my ever growing soap stash.... I should have reviews for them. 

Blinc Eyeshadow Primer Review

Summer is on its way. Which means- I need an eyeshadow primer. My eyelids eat eyeshadow. Even in the winter. But especially in the heat. I don't even think my makeup would last two hours without one. Concealer can work in a pinch- but I prefer a dedicated primer. I lost my last primer. it has to be somewhere in my apartment but for the life of me, I cannot find it. 

So I ordered this. I haven't seen this brand much...but I think I remember they made a tubing mascara back in the day. I'm too lazy to look it up now...so  we will go with that. 

Blinc claims: 

A CLEAN, VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE, and ORGANIC translucent eyeshadow primer that creates a seamless, blurred canvas for all-day crease-free, smudge-proof, and fade-resistant wear while improving skin health and appearance.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT:

• Flawless Base: Fills surface imperfections for a smooth, blurred canvas that intensifies shadows and liners.
  
• Ultra-Longwearing: Keeps eyeshadow and liner in place all day without creasing, smudging, or fading.
  
• Pro-Age Skincare Benefits: Improves firmness, elasticity, and smoothness while brightening the delicate eye area.
  
• Lightweight Comfort: A breathable formula that feels weightless and comfortable for all-day wear.

KEY INGREDIENTS:

• Pro-Age Peptides: Enhance skin firmness, elasticity, and smoothness over time.
  
• Vitamin E: Provides antioxidant protection and hydration.
  
• Alaria Esculenta Extract: A natural marine ingredient that nourishes and revitalizes skin, promoting a youthful glow.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT:

• Clean Beauty Innovation: VEGAN, ORGANIC, GLUTEN-FREE, and formulated without harsh chemicals, delivering performance without compromise.
  
• Multi-Tasking Performance: Combines makeup primer benefits with skincare properties for healthier, younger-looking skin.
  
• Seamless, Skin-Friendly Wear: Perfect for those seeking minimalist, skin-conscious products that enhance both beauty and care.
  
• Made in USA

It comes in nice packaging. A nice box and is packaged kinda like a lip gloss. I like it. 

I don't ask a lot from my primers. I just want it to make my eyeshadow last all day. Maybe add a little vibrance to my colors. Make everything a little more pigmented. And be truly translucent.

I cannot stand a primer that claims to be translucent but dries looking a bit ashy and you can see it if I don't cover it completely. I think that is just a problem I have since my skin is a deeper color. But this does not do that. And I'm so happy it does not! 

I don't have any complaints with it. Except maybe it's a bit more on the pricier side. But overall, it's a solid product. 

Ingredients: 

Isododecane, Talc, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethylhexanoin, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride ,Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate,Alaria Esculenta Extract, Tribehenin, Ceramide NG, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, May Contain/Peut Contenir(+/-): Mica CI 77019, Bismuth Oxychloride CI 77163, Iron Oxides (CI 77492, CI 77491,CI 77499)

I would buy it again if I needed a primer and didn't always need to always try something new. If I ever made a ranking of primers, this would make the list- probably more towards to the top.