See what I mean?

Yana is a geranium pink and for someone who has never been thrilled by pink nail polishes, I just beyond in love with this one. It’s pink, yes, but there’s something special about this one. Who knows. Maybe I love it this much because I have an awesome gal pal named Yana. *shrugs*

Thandie is a citrus orange. I’ll never get sick of orange nail polishes. Especially ones that remind me of orange sherbet. Yumzzzzz.

Rocky is a serene blue. I think Zoya has done quite a bit of these so Rocky is pretty but she isn’t anything spectacular.

Micky is a gorgeous coral and I’m finally 100% really into corals these days. So I LOVE Micky. I really think corals like amazing on everyone.

Josie is a grassy green cream. She’s a pretty mint green. Not insanely unique but how can you really dislike a dusty green?

Darcy is a sunny yellow and really has more of a richer and butter-y yellow hue to her. If that makes any sense. Like all yellows, she was tough to apply but stunning nonetheless.

The Beauty Basics

Price: $8/bottle or $48 for the collection

Availability: At Zoya.com.

Limited Edition?: No

Favorites in collection: Yana, Thandie, Micky 

 

 

I love this collection. But of course! I’m a lover of creme nail polishes. I found that 3 coats worked for these as 2 coats made them a bit streaky. They are stunning nonetheless and perfect for summer.

A true beauty lover doesn’t just play in makeup and beauty products. She reads about them too, darlings. And not just in magazines either. The oh so popular Kimberly Synder (celebrity nutritionist and author) is back with another book to follow up her The Beauty Detox Solution book. Check it out…

I received a copy of this book to check out and while I thought it would be a bit gimmicky and full of obvious stuff, I am so happy to see practical suggestions and recipes in this book. No, seriously. The recommendations are totally up my alley.

The overwhelming theme behind the book is simple: eat better foods and your skin and body will thank you. Bam. That’s it. And while that seems obvious when you think about it, Kimberly points out what the good foods do for you and why adding them to your diet is beneficial.

She also talks about the not so good additions in our diets – mostly meats, dairy and wheat. To each his or her own and while not everyone wants to lead a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free life, Kimberly has recipes that omit meat, dairy and wheat and incorporating those once in one’s diet from time to time doesn’t seem too bad.

Although, I am totally down with the dairy-free thing. I’ve been dairy-free for almost 5 months now and while I soooo miss cheese, my tummy and I both now I am better without it.

My favorite part of the book? Reading about Kim’s love of green smoothies.

I’ve been talking about green smoothies for years now. I had the biggest aversion to them while pregnant but I am so making up for lost time. Between the recipes and insight on how helpful different fruits and veggies can be on your skin and overall heath, I’ve been lovin’ Kimberly’s newest book. It has a nice spot in my beauty resources section.

Have you folx checked out this book? Whatcha think?

This is a giveaway sponsored by Beauty Stat. Woo hoo!! Bigger IS better when it comes to Laura Geller Beauty!

The Signature Superstars SUPERSIZED collection features the best in Baked, plus the award-winning Spackle Under Make-Up Primer—all enclosed in a beautiful, limited edition gift box. You’ll love the skin-pampering ingredients of these Signature Superstars that deliver big, beautiful results.

Laura Geller Beauty truly is the Baked Authority. Made by Italian artisans, their Baked Collection starts as a cream baked for 24 hours on terracotta tiles and is then hand finished into silky domes of powder. The result: makeup that flatters all skin types, with unparalleled coverage, blendability and superior color-correcting benefits.

• Bronze-n-Brighten Supersized Baked Color Correcting Bronzer is the very first product that launched Laura Geller Beauty’s celebrated Baked collection! Bronze-n-Brighten features swirls of color-correcting pigments that combine to deliver even, sun-kissed color. It is infused with skin-loving antioxidants Centella Asiatica and White Tea Extracts.

• Baked Highlighter in Duo Supersized in French Vanilla/NEW Golden Rose features two luminous highlighter shades to put the spotlight on your best features, giving you a gorgeous, lit-from-within glow.

• Spackle Supersized Under Make-Up Primer is formulated with botanicals and powerful antioxidants. Centella Asiatica and White Tea Extracts to enhance skin texture. Prime your skin to a soft, smooth canvas so make-up glides on with truer color and stays on for extended wear. 

With this collection, you’ll be able to bronze and highlight—creating the perfect, light summer look that is so on-trend right now!

Signature Superstars Collection includes:

• Spackle Supersized Under Make-Up Primer –. 4 oz./113 g/118 ml
• Bronze-n-Brighten Supersized Baked Color Correcting Bronzer (Fair or Medium) – 0.85
oz./24 g
• Baked Highlighter Duo Supersized in French Vanilla/Golden Rose – 0.26 oz./7.5 g
• Large Kabuki Retractable Brush in Black
• Double-Ended Highlighter Brush in Black

Can’t wait to try this SUPERSIZED collection from Laura Geller? Well, you’re in luck! I’m giving away 1 complete set of Laura Geller’s New Signature Superstar Collection to 1 lucky winner!

To be eligible to win leave a comment down below letting me know why you need this cosmetic collection for summer. Also, make sure to let me know which Bronze-n-Brighten Supersized Baked Color Correcting Bronzer shade you prefer: Fair or Medium.

Also, to qualify, make sure to use hashtag #SupersizedStars on Twitter [@ClumpsOfMascara], letting me know you’ve commented below! (US only, ages 18+, no product or cash substitutes, one total entry per person)

Good luck to all those who enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yeeeeep, I’m lumping all of the winners of the past few giveaways in one post. There’s so many of y’all. Congrats to the following ladies!

Revlon Lash Potion mascara winners

Kiomi of Pennsylvania
Shawnta of Ohio
Emily of Arkansas
Carolyn of Texas
Angela of California
Renee of Virginia
Shirley of Pennsylvania
Jennifer of New York
Bevin of North Carolina
Krystal of California
Victoria of Rhode Island
Jennifer of West Virginia
Amatullah of Pennsylvania
Krystal of Wisconsin
Lauren of Georgia
Liz of Michigan
Tabitha of Utah
Carolyn of California

Eucerin In-Home Spa winner

Angelica of California

 PHAMExpo winner

Jennifer of California

Yay for another post from the The Lipstick League! We are a group of beauty bloggers, bound together by the desire to save the world with beauty, one post at a time!

We’d also like to take a moment to congratulate our very own Phyrra for five years of beauty blogging! To commemorate the event, she’s hosting a mega-givewaway here that you don’t want to miss.

My Beauty Bunny – has a fabulous guest post from the Lipstick League’s Clumps of Mascara sharing the 5 Best Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands for Women of Color. Trust us, ladies of every complexion will love these colorful choices!

Nouveau Cheap – the best multi-tasker to come out this year is also limited edition. Here’s why you need the new Milani Shadow Eyez in Almond Cream (but hurry before it’s gone).

Prime Beauty – takes a look at the Lancôme Summer 2013 Color Design Eye Show Palette. The colors are so summery you’ll want to dive right in, PLUS she has a Lancôme giveaway to give your skin a luminous summer glow!

Phyrra – shows off the new Makeup Geek Pigments! Which shade will you fall for?

we heart this – presents a drugstore eyelid primer that’s WAY better than pulling a rabbit out of hat! It’s L’Oreal Magic De-Crease.

Beauty Junkies Unite – Take off for your summer vacation early with the review & swatches for the brand new Essie Resort Collection for 2013. These new nail hues are bright & fun!

Clumps of Mascara – adores the brand Simple and their awesome skincare products. Got sensitive skin? You HAVE to try this drugstore brand out.

EauMG – Here’s a video review of one of Victoria’s favorite classic perfumes for spring/summer, Chanel Cristalle.

Gouldylox Reviews – Did a temporary color stain your hair? If you aren’t up for the pastel trend, here’s how to remove the unwanted color.

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by My Beauty Bunny – Did your spring cleaning include a thorough washing of your makeup tools? If not, Kristie of Blushing Basics has the details on tackling this important task: How To Clean & Sanitize your Makeup & Makeup Brushes.

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Lipglossiping – The lovely Meg from Lips So Facto shares her top tips on how to DIY your own relaxing bath soak, a must-read for stressed-out sisters everywhere!

Question of the Week:

Tell us about a funny makeup/beauty mistake
you have made…or care to admit to?

B says, “I once put a lip pencil in my bra (to put on later)…forgot about it and ended up with hot pink lipstick all over my shirt and chest. Sexy, uh?”

Can you top that? Go for it!!

They are just so wooooonderful and soft and just…I mean, whoa! What’s to review? Why can’t I just say: “These are awesome. Buy them.”? And leave it at that?

I guess I COULD do that. But y’all would hate me for it, uh? Welp. Okay then…let’s do a quick review of each brush. And let’s start with that Good Karma Blush Brush.

Cost: $32 from Urban Decay.com.
Intended uses: To be used for applying blush, powders, bronzers and highlighters.
Is it effective?: Absolutely! What a wonderful brush to use daily. It feels incredibly soft and allows for great distribution right up under or on those cheekbones. And did I mention that she feels realllllly soft?

Good Karma Shading Brush

Cost: $26 at UrbanDecay.com.
Intended Uses: To assist with contouring and applying eyeshadow on the crease.
Is it effective?: This is the perfect brush to use for really blending out that crease. Even if you don’t have much of a crease or have to fake one. Ahem, like I do. I love that the brush is stiff enough to really GET in the crease but it’s soft enough to eyeshadow a nice airbrushed look.

Good Karma Shadow Brush

Cost: $26 at UrbanDecay.com
Intended Uses: To apply eyeshadow of course, silly!
Is it effective?: Yep! But I like this more for applying powder/loose eyeshadows. This brush dipped in whatever you use to make your loose shadows creamy and then applied to the lid is glorious. It’s a stiffer brush so I didn’t find it as useful when applying pan eyeshadows.

Reasons #493, #494 and #495 to love Urban Decay. That is all.

Have you tried any UD brushes?

Here we goooo…

Astro-Hot is a soft baby pink. Softer holographic nail polishes never really seem to do it for me but I surprisingly liked this one. And I loved that the pink still shows well even though it’s pretty…soft.

Take A Trek is a cool denim blue. Ugh, blue holographic polishes are the best and this one isn’t any exception. This one applied beautifully and really does look like denim.

Galatic Gray is a stunning silver metal and I really didn’t expect for the holo bits to be as apparent in this one. But they definitely are!

Not In This Galaxy is a bright warm coral and it’s the perfect holo for those who want to take baby steps into wearing holographic polishes. And she’s totally work appropriate too!

OMG A UFO is a warm moss green. It’s everything I could ever want in a green holo. Well, a light green holo. I much prefer darker ones but this one isn’t too bad.

Sci-Fly By is a silver blue. This one didn’t look so holographic to me. Not too much of a loss because it is a gorgeous blue by itself.

Get Outta My Space is a powdered violet. She’s sweet and dainty.

Strap On Your Moonboots is a midnight sky blue has a subtle holographic effect but it is still so gorgeous.

When Stars Collide is a warm maroon. I didn’t think I’d like this one as much but it’s surprisingly interesting.

Cosmic Dust is a silver metal that has a nice amount of holographic shimmer but I’ve seen better silver holographics.

Infa-Red is my favorite of the bunch. This warm magenta pink has the most holographic shimmer. It is perfect!

Don’t Be a Luna-tic is a turquoise aqua. She isn’t as gorgeous as the other blues though.

The Beauty Basics

Price: $14/bottle – pricer b/c of the holographic particles.

Availability: At e-tailers and Sally Beauty Supply. Maybe Ulta? 

Limited Edition?: No

Favorites in collection: Galatic Gray, Strap On Your Moonboots, When Stars Collide,  Infa-Red

 

 

I didn’t expect to love this collection as much as I did. I mean, of course I knew I’d love them because they ARE holographic polishes but they really aren’t as holographic as I would have liked. Still… they are super easy to apply (after you make sure to shake the bottle a bit), wear for quite some time and look stunning on the nails. If you have polishes with more of a holographic shimmer these may not excite you too much. But if you are looking to spruce up your holographic nail polish collection, these may work. But are they as awesome at the OMG collection? Not really.

Are you a fan of holographic polishes. What do you think about these?

First things first…you can grab these products and more at practically all drugstores and at places like Target and Walmart. This brand is SO up my alley because for one thing, it’s practically fragrance-free. Aaaanad, all of their products omit parabens, sulfates and phthalates. This hypoallergenic line has products for those of all skin types – normal,oily, dry and combination. The line carries everything from cleaners, moisturizers (with and without SPF), facial scrubs, toners make-up removers and eye creams. I’m going to do mini reviews of the products that I used…

Foaming Facial Cleanser ($6.99)

This cleanser promises to not only refresh and moisturize the skin, but it also promises to get rid of remaining traces of make-up. It has such a nice fresh scent and I think that’s due to the chamomile. The glycerin in it helps with hydration and I love how my skin didn’t feel streaky clean when I used it. It does a darn good job at thoroughly cleansing the skin and yep, I felt like it removed my excess traces of makeup. The price point is a great too and I love that even though it’s a foam, it will last well over a month. Maybe even two months.

Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF ($11.99)

It’s been forever since I’ve tried a new moisturizer. I looooove this one. It’s just so…simple. No frills, no outrageous promises, it’s just a lightweight facial moisturizer. It’s perfect for this hot and humid areas and I appreciate not smelling the SPF that’s dumped in it. It isn’t greasy and is a great follow-u to the facial cleanser.

Radiance Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.49 for 25 wipes)

Too lazy to splash some water on your face each night? Um yeah…me too. Which is why I LOVE facial wipes. They aren’t exactly eco-friendly but they work beautifully in a pinch. I currently have these stashed in my travel bag because I’m finding it great for cleaning my face and neck while on the go. I think these are best suited for those with extremely dry skin because they left a bit of a film behind. It wasn’t unpleasant but it may drive those with oiler skin crazy. I didn’t try ‘em long enough to see if they brightened and evened my skin tone but with those claims, if I wasn’t a beauty blogger, I would definitely be into using this long term.

 Oil Balancing Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.49 for 30 wipes)

Similar to the Radiance wipes, these can be used in place of a traditional cleanser. It has promises to refresh skin and help control shine. It feels just as good as the Radiance wipes but I’d rather use those because of their promises to help even skin tone. Both wipes are alcohol-free. Yesssss!

Eye Make-Up Remover Pads ($5.49 for 30 wipes)

This are cute, uh? They promise to remove waterproof mascara but nope, my waterproof mascara was holding on tightly and wasn’t easily removed by the pad. *le sigh* I’d rather stick with my regular eye makeup remover and use the facial wipes for all over cleanup.

OVERALL: I’m a huge fan of this brand. There is a definite need for a line like this on the drugstore level. I have only worn preservative-free skincare products for years (due to my sensitive skin) so I am loving me some Simple.

Have you tried any of their products?

I am so in love with Josie Maran’s cosmetics. She rules. In fact, she rules so much I can’t even watch QVC because if she’s on I WILL buy something. There is no “if” about it. So yeah. I run far away from the TV if I know that she’s going to be on. I’ve finally gotten around to trying out her mascara. I got this one for review so let’s see if it was as good as everything else she’s got…

Price: $22 from Sephora and Sephora.com.
Packaging (brush wand): 3 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5

What It Claims: “This mascara’s patented Triple V Brush delivery system coats lashes one luxurious layer at a time for full, long-wearing, clump-free, water-resistant definition. The rich, hydrating formula evenly builds thickness and smoothness, delivering a full fringe of blacker-than-black lashes with dewy shine. This natural and exclusive formula dries quickly without smearing, smudging, clumping, or flaking. An infusion of nourishing, protein-rich Argan Oil conditions and supports hair growth for lush, supple, healthy lashes.” (source)

The Truth: I liked it! I really liked it!

What I Loved About It: I got a nice amount of volume.

What I Didn’t Like: It was just a bit flaky. Pretty common for natural mascaras though.

Overall: I truly stan for Josie Maran products. And I’ve been doing so since I tried my first oil from her. It’s a stellar brand. Especially for my fellow natural lovin’ guys and girls out there. Natural mascaras are tough to love, though. Sure they omit the nasties but they aren’t so hot on the longevity tip. And let’s face it, I don’t care what your mascara preferences are, you definitely want it to last on the eyes for as long as possible. Natural mascaras aren’t so good in that department.

But first things first, the wand…

It’s a typical wand that is great for volumizing. It is large and plush and may be a bit intimidating to those who aren’t so used to larger wands. There wasn’t much of a stopper in the tube so when I pulled out the wand each time I endured a ton of mascara on the wand.

Yes, I hate when this happens. It isn’t much to remove it but it’s still an extra step that I don’t always like to take. However, this mascara is kinda worth the trouble. I really like the volumizing action I got from this baby. Using only 2 coats I got a really nice set of lashes. With very little effort. My lashes were lush, dark and fabulous, darling. The downfall of course is the flakiness I ended up getting hours after application. And by hours I mean, only a good 4-5 hours of wear. This isn’t the kind of mascara you can rock through out the night. Nope, she just won’t last on you. And it’s sad because it really is a great mascara. Like I mentioned, it’s a common issue with natural mascaras. But regardless, I love the effect that this mascara gave me. It’s definitely a mascara I’d hold on to for short term dramatic wear.

Bare Lashes

Lashes after 2 coats

Do I recommend it?: Sure! Especially if you’re a Josie Maran fan who doesn’t need a mascara to last hours at a time.

Where are my JM guys and girls at? Have you tried this mascara? Am I the only one that notices that natural mascaras don’t last as long throughout the day?

People think that Mother’s Day is a day just for women who are are Mothers in the traditional sense of the word. I’ve never felt that way. I’ve grown up in a culture that truly believes in the “It takes a village” philosophy. Mamas can’t be everywhere all the time so that’s when other mama-figures step in. Who said you have to physically give birth to a child to help mother them? No. Motherhood is far more than conception and birth. Motherhood is being that safe place, having that nurturing spirit, the tear and boo boo wiper, the comic relief, the support system, the stickler, the teacher and the friend when needed. Motherhood is truly a verb.

It’a commercial holiday, yes, but this is one that I’ve always felt was okay. Why shouldn’t we shower our Mothers with love and affection? Shouldn’t we do so everyday? Absolutely. But we don’t. So if it takes one day to truly pamper, love on Moms and let them know how invaluable they are, well then…I’m all for it.

Mother’s Day is also a day for mourning. Some mourn the loss of their mothers, either in the physical sense or because a relationship wasn’t or isn’t in place. Some mourn the loss of their children on Mother’s Day. Or they feel inadequate because they aren’t Mothers in the traditional sense. Take solace in knowing that motherhood does not determine womanhood or a woman’s value. And if a mother touched our lives for even a short second or a short lifetime, she should be celebrated, even if she has gone on to glory.

So yes, I have always celebrated Mother’s Day by gifting my mothers and friends who are mothers with cards and treats. Being a mother is hard. The constant worrying, the wondering if you’re doing everything right, the sleepless nights, the critics who question your parenting choices but ooooh, motherhood is also a blessing. One of the biggest one’s in my life.

I thank God everyday for Elle. Yes, Alex and I did the work to bring her in this world (too much info? Ha!) but I truly believe she chose me. I could have never crafted such an amazing being on my own. I’ve babysat and been a nanny to dozens of children so I’ve always had an adoration for children but it skyrocketed when I gave birth to Elle in that small room at the birthing center 4 months ago. Elle is special. I’m sure all parents say that about their children but there is truly something dynamic about this 4-month old who has mastered smiling and stealing hearts. She has been a joy to our family during some tough times. She has given me more purpose and more of a reason to work hard each day. On my first Mother’s Day, I thank my daughter Elle. I thank her for choosing me.

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms. To all mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, mother-in-laws, stepmothers, older sisters, aunts, friends, teachers, caretakers and pet mommies.  Bless you all!