The Top 3 Budget Mascaras

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Mascara is one beauty product that I can't live without.  Honestly, I've tried.

About 7 years ago I had laser eye surgery and part of the healing process was no eye makeup for 6 months.  Waking up everyday and not wearing eye makeup was the hardest thing, ever, because I felt naked.  After those 6 long months passed, I got back on the mascara horse and have never looked back.

I don't know about you but there are quite a few things I require from a potential mascara and if it doesn't deliver, I move on to a different type/brand very quickly.  I need my lashes to be volumized, the mascara formula needs to be non-clumpy, a brush that separates the lashes AND lengthens them all the while not breaking the bank.  Here are my top three budget-friendly picks that meet my extensive must-have list...

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1. Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara (Curved Brush)

I wrote a REVIEW about this mascara before and, since then, have incorporated it into my daily beauty routine.  This mascara separates lashes, lengthens, volumizes AND doesn't clump.  Such a bargain at only $7.

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2. Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Mascara in Extreme Black

I also reviewed this mascara HERE quite sometime ago and nothing's changed since then... I still adore it.  I use this product every morning as my first two coats.  I love this mascara because it lengthens my lashes extremely well and doesn't leave any added build-up.  The only issue I have with this mascara is that it doesn't fully coat the lashes in one stroke.  (You have to double-dip the wand in the container.)  Aside from that, every couple months I have no problem paying $8.99 for this mascara.

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3. Avon SuperSHOCK Mascara in Black 

This mascara has surprised me the most.  First, I never usually like abnormally large brushes (and this brush is HUGE) but for some reason it works extremely well.  Also, it's one of the most volumizing mascaras I've used in quite some time.  The only downfall is that it can be a bit clumpy if you're using more than two coats.  Either way, it's a steal for $4.99

Have any of you ladies tried these mascaras before?  What are your thoughts?

Definitely Diggin Rimmel's Mascara

It's official. I'm completely biased.

The fact that Rimmel London has signed on Zooey Deschanel as their "new face" is making me want to purchase Rimmel a bit more frequently. She is literally my female actress crush! Oh, and plus she's married to the lead singer of one of my all-time favorite bands SO you can see why this bias thing is occurring.

On one of my shopping endeavors, about a month ago, I picked up Rimmel London's NEW Lash Accelerator Mascara but never thought to try it until after I'd completed the RapidLash. Reason being was this mascara is also designed to stimulate and promote natural lash growth. The product's advertisements say that "overtime, the unique Grow-Lash Complex

strengthens, nourishes and renews lashes to promote natural lash growth for up to 117% longer looking lashes after 30 days".

I have been using the product for about a week now and am genuinely impressed. Not because my lashes are so long they touch my forehead BUT because the mascara is quite good. It goes on smooth, dark and definitely does extend lashes to make the appear full and long. My one comment is you have to "double-dip". (I despise a mascara wand that doesn't fully coat one eye. You have to dip the wand in to coat the upper lashes and then dip again to coat the bottom.....yes, I'm EXTREMELY nit-picky.)

Because it's only been a week, I'm not noticing a change, whatsoever, to my lash length. Now, having said this, I just completed the RapidLash Serum and because of this I honestly think another lash growth product won't work for me at this time. I still love the product though because for under $10 you can have a product that actually works.

NOTE: If someone has tried it for the full month, I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Despicable Kate but Lovely Rimmel

For the first time in about five plus years I purchased a drug store bronzer.

I can hear you all yelling SNOB but honestly, I just happened to find something I preferred more than the poor colored, yellow-tinged, pimple causing drug store products. ( I am now eating my words...)

It all happened when I was in Prince George. Now, as everyone can attest to, forgetting to pack something when going on vacation happens, so I wasn't surprised when my blush brush wasn't in my bag. (Yes, I know it was only one brush BUT when you're used to including it as part of your morning ritual, you're whole morning can be thrown off....ha.) Needless to say, my best friend, Renate, kindly offered me hers since we were staying with her. So, in the morning, I pulled out her brush and was about to swirl it around my loose Youngblood bronzer when I decided to be nosy.

So, I was digging through her make-up bag and found a GINORMOUS bronzer palette. Instead of using my bronzer, I, of course, used this one instead. And I am super glad I did. The brand was Rimmel London and inside this huge compact was shimmery goodness. I used it the entire time I stayed with her and even went to London Drugs while in PG and purchased my own. The one I bought was SunShimmer Bronzing Compact in Sun Queen and have been using it faithfully since my return home.

Oh and another thing, I also thought I'd try their lipstick. (It was on sale for $4.99 and I needed a new fall color.) I purchased the Moisture Renew Lipstick in Berry Queen (#400) and can absolutely not live without it. Since berry and wine colors are making a comeback this fall, I thought it time to put away the fire engine red colors and try something more classic. It's vibrant, but not too flashy, and virtually goes with every color. Remember, wine and burgandy colors are big on the runways for fall so I highly suggest checking out the Rimmel London's lipsticks and adding some to your wardrobe. YAY for cheap cosmetics!!!....

If only Kate Moss wasn't their model....well, here's to wishful thinking...