NEW Covergirl Peacock Flare Mascara Review (+Life Update)

So how did that extra hour of sleep work out for you? I kept thinking it was time to go to bed...and it was only 8! This weekend was a low-key one for me--a good dinner out, a successful trip to the mall (speaking of, do you want a list of VIB Sale recommendations?), and I got some blog work done. I'm still having some issues staying asleep, still having occasional restless legs, but I'm the happiest I've been in a long time. I swear it's something about the fall.

I've also been reviewing beauty products, OF COURSE! Y'all know my weakness is mascara, right? I saw the new Covergirl Peacock Flare mascara at Target maybe a month ago, and I'm here to share what I think! Have you seen it around?

via Ulta

Let's talk packaging--can you see the shape of the tube? It's not a traditional round one--it's pinched. And the top is sort of rubberized--think kind of like NARS packaging. The shape and feel make this easy to hold. It advertises it as a "revolutionary" soft grip handle. I wouldn't go that far, but it's an easy hold.

Next, let's check out the wand: Feather-fan brush catches, coats, and separates each lash of this plastic wand.

Here's another view of the wand. Nothing really new here, but it's a pretty good one.

Here it is on your left. The formula is mousse-like and applies easily. It does give some length and volume. It says it's clump-free, but it was still a little clumpy. It didn't flake or smudge. I would say it's right in the middle of being too wet or too dry.

Here it is on your left again. I always say mascara really does make a difference. Don't you agree?

Here it is on both eyes. Overall, I liked this mascara and would give it 3.5 out of 5 mascara wands!

Covergirl peacock Flare Mascara comes in 5 shades and waterproof. It's around $8.

What did you think? 

Would you buy this mascara?

Dupe? Tarte Exposed Blush Vs. Milani Romantic Rose

Y'all--I feel like it's been AGES since we've talked. I missed this space so much! Always do. I've been busy and I've not been busy. First up, lots of interviews happened--should be hearing answers this week! Crossing my fingers for my top pick. I had a fabulous time at Skyline Park at Ponce City Market, here in Atlanta. It's like a mini old-school carnival games space on the roof. I snapped (ellesees) it over the weekend. Amazing views and lots of fun. How have you been?

Now that we've gotten reacquainted, let's get into another fave subject of mine: DUPES! This is one of my most popular, and longest, series. I'm into dispelling dupe myths and save you some money, if possible! Today I'm comparing two blushes: Tarte Exposed and Milani Romantic Rose.

Tarte in Exposed is one of those blushes that looks good on so many people. It's a great natural-looking every day blush. I have talked about it on here numerous times as a must-have. But at $29, it might turn into a must NOT have for some of us! I decided to check the collection and that's where the gorgeous Milani blush in Romantic Rose comes in. Isn't it gorgeous? And it's only $7!

Tarte $29         Ulta, Sephora, online  

                                       
Milani $7 drugstores, Target, Walmart, Kmart, etc, online

Swatch time! Milani is on top and Tarte is on the bottom. I had to really work for the Milani swatch, as it was a little chalkier and a bit patchy.

Tarte is on your left, Milani on your right. Tarte is more pigmented and lasted longer. I'm wearing a BB cream, blush, lip cream, and I'd just awakened from a nap. Naps on Sundays are the best, am I right?

The breakdown:

Appearance in containers: not a dupe (Tarte looks darker)
Ingredients: not a dupe (Milani has synthetic wax, carmine, et al)

Finger swatches: not a dupe (Tarte looks darker)

Quality: not a dupe (Milani is a little chalky/patchy)

Pigmentation: not a dupe

Staying power: not a dupe (Tarte wins this easily)

Arm swatch: really close

Face application: not a dupe application-wise, but color wise, a dupe!

Do you own either of these blushes?

Do you think we have a dupe here?

So Berry Good! Masks For Every Need

Dear The World--I'm obsessed with facial masks. Are you? I think they are one of the easiest ways to do self-care. You can see and feel instant results, plus there's the whole affordable aspect.

I am so obsessed with masks that I have a whole shelf devoted to them. One brand that has been in heavy rotation around Casa Sees is Formula 10.0.6. Literally the second I saw the bright colors of the packaging in ULTA, I was drawn to them and ended up loving everything I bought. And they are VERY AFFORDABLE. $6.99!! Consider me SOLD.

Well, recently I was able to try masks from their berry line and I LOVE them. This post took a while to do because somehow, mysteriously these masks disappear when my friends come over, and I had to get them all back. So if they are loved by me and my friends, y'all know they are good. And I've got one for Check 'em out:

FORMULA 10.0.6 

Be Berry Awake Energizing Peel Mask

• Berry boosted, antioxidant-rich peel mask
• Yumberry boosts circulation while pomegranate awakens and energizes skin
• USE FOR: Monday mornings, or any time you need that extra something to wake you up!

Be Berry Bright Exfoliating Mud Mask

• This 3-in-1 formula is antioxidant-rich with goji berry partnered with green coffee beans to gently exfoliate
• Wash, scrub and mask away impurities to reveal a bright and beautiful complexion
• USE FOR: When you're on limited time and need to multi-task. 3-in-1, y'all

Be Berry Clear Illuminating Peel Mask

• skin-brightening peel mask
• Raspberry and acai deliver powerful antioxidants to help minimize pores, calm flare-ups and smooth skin
• USE FOR: You need to put your best face forward, whether it's for a first date, job interview, or just because

Be Berry Sassy Exfoliating Face Scrub

• This deep-cleansing face scrub
• Packed with cranberries and bamboo to repair and restore, gives you a vibrant and sassy glow

Be Berry Ready Daily Foaming Cleanser

• daily-use foaming cleanser 
• moisturizes while washing away impurities
• Blackberry detoxifies while coconut milk soothes and nourishes leaving you clean, soft and ready for the day

Be Berry Fresh Balancing Mud Mask

• packed with bilberry and neroli to balance, calm and detox the most stubborn pores
• Skin will be noticeably rejuvenated and feel refreshed!
• USE FOR: Undoing the damage of the weekend

Be Berry Smooth Moisturizing Peel Mask

• antioxidant richness of blueberries along with the invigorating power of pineapple
• Peel and reveal super-soft berry smooth skin
• USE FOR: When you're super stressed and you need clarity (and a vacation...and maybe a smoothie or something stronger!)

Which masks would you try?

Extra Elle:

I don't watch tv very often, but found the revamped Love Connection with Andy Cohen so good! I loved it and I guessed wrong on who the person would pick every time. Have you seen it?

I was really surprised at yesterday's post when majority of the comments were about the eye cream. Should I share more eye care products or was it because it was the last pic of the post before you commented? Let me know! I want to share more of what you like!

Giving away the new L'Oreal mascara! Enter here.

DUPE? It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara Vs. Essence Princess

Back again with another DUPE? post! And this one is about my favorite beauty product: mascara! But not just any mascara--two of my faves from drugstore and high end. In fact, one is $5 and the other is $24. Now I had originally done this post a few months ago, but didn't like the pics, so the ones you're seeing today are when I was about to throw these mascaras out, so if they seem a little clumpier than usual, that's why. Enough of that--is the Essence Lash Princess mascara a dupe for It Cosmetics Superhero mascara?

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

Target, ULTA, online

$4.99

The conic shape fiber brush provides lashes with dramatic volume and sculpted length. Opthalmologically tested.

It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara

ULTA, online

$24

The Elastic Stretch Technology stretches the look of your lashes wider and longer, and wraps each individual lash in a volume-boosting, lengthening, ultra-conditioning black cape of power and color for your strongest, thickest, most defined results.

Now that we have the basics, let's compare:

Here are the wands, with Essence on your left. They both are traditional brush wands and are tapered. It is more evident in the Essence mascara. Both give a lot of product and after a few months, they can get clumpy.

Now let's look at them on the lashes. This is after 10 hours of wear. I did reapply lipgloss for the shot. On your left, It Cosmetics. On your right, Essence.

Closeup--this is after a 10 hour work day. Lipgloss was reapplied for the shot. The Essence mascara can get clumpy since it is so wet, and when dealing with a wand like this, as opposed to a plastic wand. I do feel like I get a little more length out of it. Both are easy to remove, but the IT Cosmetics is a little easier to remove for me. I'd say they are fairly close and you can't go wrong with either.

Have you tried either of these mascaras?

Do you think there's a dupe?

Extra Elle:
I had a quick weekend. I spent most of Saturday shopping with a friend. I didn't buy a thing, believe it or not, even after a walk through Sephora. There was a brief dip in the weather, which I loved. Give me all the sweaters! 

BEST ULTA Gift Sets + Ideas

Officially finishing up my holiday gift guide today with a huge list of gift ideas from ULTA! 

I went through almost 1000 of these--my mind was practically swirling after doing research in stores and online these past two months. And the testing! 

BUT! I found only the best stuff for you to give as a gift (or purchase with your Christmas money perhaps). 

I can't wait to hear your faves!

NEW in Makeup PLUS Gift Ideas (Video)

I'm back! The fire alarm went off around 3 am Monday morning, and once I finally fell back asleep (it was a prank, so all is well), I ended up sleeping in too late to post, but I'm back with a post today! Here's a pic of Charlie to make up for it:

He's so cute! That was an outtake from my latest video, link below, that I'm really hoping you'll check out. Anyway, I wanted to share some NEW in beauty products that could possibly be gift ideas to give/receive. I was sent these and I loved them and thought you might, too! A two-in-one combo for a post! I tried to feature things you might not have heard of before. Don't worry, I'll have more gift ideas on Friday too for all budgets. But let's get into what's new:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBJK8KgPhGQ&t=0s

The Braid Book

• Smaller braids, city chic with an urban flair
• Over 20 braids
• $16.99

It Cosmetics Brush Set in All That Glitters:

• $58
• luxurious gift to ask for
• you GLITTERALLY need this since it has glitter handles and a cute clutch
• At ULTA

It Cosmetics Brush Set in City Chic

• $68 (you were good this year)
• Super soft face brushes with a clutch
• Only at ULTA

It  Cosmetics 

Your Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Face Palette

• $42
• four must-have, talc-free powder formulas that instantly enhance and brighten your features: new Sunshine in a Compact™ Matte Bronzer, new Perfect Lighting™ Luminizer, new Bye Bye Pores Blush™, and award-winning Bye Bye Pores Pressed™ Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder

Makeup Revolution Precision Contour Set and Makeup Revolution Precision Eye Set

• $30, $23
• Gorgeous, soft brushes that provide excellent blending, sculpting, and more
• These are my current faves. And they're in rose gold! SWOON!

 Pixi by Petra Pixi By Petra Ultimate Beauty Kit 3rd Edition 

• $34
• Makeup kit with eye shadows, blushes, contour, highlights and more in holiday packaging
• excellent travel kit

Pixi by Petra Fairy Dust Pigments

• Stackable pigments for intense glow
• $12

Also pictured: red lipstick and eye silk liners (still looking for link but they are at Target)

Pur Cosmetics Royalty 5-Piece Eye Polish Collection

• $42
• eye-popping liquid eye shadows--these are INCREDIBLE
• developed by makeup artist/Insta star Angel Merino

Pur Cosmetics Royalty 4-Piece Luxe Lip Collection

• $42
• four matte and glossy liquid lipsticks--the third shade is SO pretty and is my fave
• excellent staying power--as in all through Thanksgiving

swatches with the flash on so you can see the glow!

Want more? There are a few more items that are just in the video below. PLEASE watch and let me know what you think. It's around 7.5 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBJK8KgPhGQ&t=0s

Which of these caught your eye?

PS: My blog hit 9 million all-time views! And it's all because of you, so THANK YOU!

Sephora & ULTA Black Friday Deals & Steals: The Ultimate Guide (PLUS $1000 Nordstrom Giveaway)

Well, hey y'all! I hope you had a good weekend!  I drove to my hometown for my nephew's 8th birthday party and then drove back yesterday to begin a quick work week. And somehow in the middle of it all, I searched high and low for beauty deals for Black Friday. I've decided to blog about Sephora & ULTA and share others on my blog's Facebook. Be sure to "like" my page so you won't miss a deal.

Since there's so much, I'll share pics for you to check out and then share my picks under each pic. There's something for all budgets, so go ahead and make your lists! Let's start with Sephora--I have their app, so that's how I was able to get the info on the deals early:

S e p h o r a

Elle's Picks

Josie Maran Enlightenment Duo

Clinique Take It All Off Duo

Origins Cult Faves

Tarte Pretty Little Lippies

Elle's Picks:

Sephora Essential Rose Trio 

Urban Decay Makeup Lockdown Travel Duo

Elle's Picks:

Tarte Intro to Tarte

Milk Makeup

MUFE Artist Palette Vol 2

Elle's Picks:

Murad

Devacurl Sampler kit

First Aid beauty

Philosophy

Jack Black (for men)

U L T A

Elle's Picks:

NYX Advent Calendar

Sexy Hair

ULTA Lip Glossary

Elle's Picks:

Body Shop

Bed Head Curlipops

Mario Badescu

Elle's Picks:

Too Faced

Tarte

Stila

Bare Minerals

Hot Tools

Are you doing any Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping?

Now…it’s time for a fabulous giveaway! I’ve teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to give YOU a chance to win: a $1000 Nordstrom Gift Card, just in time for the holidays!

Simply enter below by completing the rafflecopter. You’ll receive one entry per completion. This giveaway is open internationally and runs until 12/5. Winner will be announced here. Good Luck!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway