Eyeko Black Magic Mascara

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara has been getting rave reviews for months, so I was quite excited to receive a sample.  According to their web site, www.eyeko.com, this product was created by two veteran make-up artists.  The site lists many celebrities that "favor" this particular brand.  I did not really find a lot of information on the web site such as ingredients, detailed information about the product itself and it only sells mascara, eye liner and a brow serum.

The product claims to be long lasting, volumizing, and water resistant (note: not water proof).
It does come with a small, curved brush.

My personal experience wasn't great.  I found the product to be clumpy, flakey, and it did not curl my lashes.  As someone who has allergies and contact lenses, finding a well rounded mascara is a bit of a task and this one does not qualify.  Upon the first application I was not sure it was going to work for me.  After removing the brush, there is a large, goopy glob of mascara at the end which you either ignore and risk it attaching to your lashes or it must be blotted off with a tissue.  During the application, my lashes began to feel heavy and the overall look was messy, lumpy, and awful.  It only got worse after the 2nd and 3rd application.  When I finished applying the rest of my make-up a few flakes had fallen into my eyes.  Luckily I was able to easily remove the mascara by using warm water and my fingers.

A few days later I tried the product again.  This time I washed the mascara brush prior to application so that it was clean and goop free.  However, the experience was the same.  As soon as I pulled out the brush (or the wand as some like to call it) there was the goop at the end and I blotted it with a tissue.  The mascara was uneven and clumpy.  I removed it and went about my day.

I went online to several beauty boards to see if I was the only one experiencing this and I was not alone.  It seems Eyeko Black Magic Mascara is either a love it or hate it product.  Those who love it really liked the way it thickened their lashes and was very long lasting.  Those that hated it complained of the clumping, smudging, and lack of curl.  This product did not work for me, but it might work for you.  Have you tried it?  What are your thoughts?

GK Hair Serum with Juvexin

I am a huge fan of hair oils and GK Hair Taming System Serum has been a staple of mine for months. Hair oils/serums are a great way to tame frizz, add shine, and keep hair under control especially on those humid months of summer. This bottle has an orange tint to the serum but becomes invisible once you rub it in between your hands. The serum is dispensed by a pump which really helps to control the amount needed and always start with a small amount. I have used this product with both wet and dry hair and have been very happy with the results. I do use a flat iron to straighten out my naturally wavy hair and the GK Serum is a great as the last step for added shine and frizz control.

This product contains Juvexin which per the web site at http://www.gkhair.com is a "special blend of proteins and peptides optimized specially for hair".   (Juvexin is similar to the Brazilian hair straightening treatment.) GK has a huge variety of hair products and their web site contains a lot of information ranging from shampoo/conditioners, deep conditioning treatments, including color treated and curly hair.

I have been impressed by the hair taming serum and will purchase this product again.

Are you a fan of hair serums and if so, what are your favorite products?  And if you are not a fan of hair serums I invite you to please share you experience.

Nature's Gate Tone Back the Clock

This is the last of a three part report on cosmetic toners.



Nature's Gate Tone Back the Block is an alcohol free toner and it is one that can be sprayed directly to the skin or onto a cotton ball (my preferred method).  It is an extremely gentle toner that is effective at removing oil and dirt without over drying the skin.  Actually, this toner did a great job of keeping my skin moisturized so that I did not need to always apply moisturizer afterwards.  I have been using this for about 2 weeks and did not experience any irritation.  I loved the barely there scent and how my skin felt refreshed.

This would be a great toner for all skin types especially those with sensitive skin.

The company website http://natures-gate.com has a lot of good information about their wide variety of products that are cruelty free and vegan.