Mascara Review: L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara

Alright folks...

Today I will be reviewing the L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara in 970 Deep Violet.

Sans Mascara:

With Mascara:

Availability: This retails anywhere from about $9 - $12 and is generally available at drugstores that carry L'Oreal as well as their respective websites. I cannot guarantee availability so you may want to call your local store ahead of time.

Would I buy this again?: I'm not sure, though I would like to try the other colors also!

Notes: This mascara comes in three shades of black, a black-brown, a cobalt blue, and deep shades of burgundy, green, and violet.

Let's go over what the mascara is supposed to do and what it actually does. According to lorealparisusa.com: ’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara is uniquely formulated to resist clumping, keep lashes soft, and build lashes up to 5x their natural thickness. Volume Maximizing Brush quickly thickens and builds lashes evenly for a full and bold look. Contains Panthenol and Ceramide-R and helps protect and condition lashes. Resists clumping and flaking, and leaves lashes supple and soft to the touch.

I decided to take a chance on this mascara since it's been a while since I've used a tinted mascara. I know, I know, I wear falsies anyway, so it doesn't make any giant difference but I thought this might add a fun little boost to my brown eyes. As you can see from the photos, this gives me some length and volume. Personally, I feel like, despite me really liking the color of the mascara - I feel like the violet tone is more vibrant in person that it is too clumpy for my tastes. I really wish they'd just make the L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Panorama Mascara come in all the fun shades that this does, because I want to try the other colors but the formula and brush are not my favorites. I also didn't have any issues with it smudging, flaking, or leaving residue behind when I wash it off. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Nail Product Review: CVS Calcium & Wheat Protein Ultra-Strength Nail Strengthener

Hello folks. Today's review will be for the CVS Calcium & Wheat Protein Ultra-Strength Nail Strengthener.

Availability: This is exclusive to CVS where it goes for $5.29. 

Would I buy this again?: I'm not sure yet.

Notes: I've had a lot of issues with some of my nails peeling and being weak/fragile since using gel so I decided to give this a try since it claims to "strengthen" nails. I haven't used this long enough to say how it'll work long term, but thus far it applies easily and works great as a base coat for nail polish. It doesn't alter the color of the nail polish applied over it in any way. As you can see, this is somewhat of a sheer, milky nude tone on its own. I suppose it can be worn alone and would give the nails a healthy appearance or would at least mask minor imperfections. I'm crossing my fingers that this helps with my peeling issues. 

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

January 2026 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm back to replenishing on things that I'm running out of and buying mostly just necessities.

1. esfolio Hyaluronic Acid with Peach Cleansing Foam: I feel like I'm starting to run low on my current cleanser so just in case I decided to pick this up while I was at Marshall's given that it was at a good price point.

2. CALA 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Noir 35151 x4: These are a pretty fluffy, sort of spiky lash that I think generally works well for my eye shape so I decided I'd give them a try.

3. Duo Brush On Striplash Adhesive: My lash glue was getting all crusty so it was time to replace it.

4. Maybelline Tattoo Studio Ink Pen in 880 Jet Black: It was time to replace my eyeliner as well and since this was the only pen style liner available at the store, I decided to give it a try. 

5. L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara in Deep Violet: There was another plum colored mascara I meant to purchase instead of this one but since they were out of stock and I was kind of craving a tinted mascara that was plum-colored I decided to pick up this one. 

6. Green Pharmacy Damask Rose Ceramides Revitalization Eye Cream: I'm running low on my current eye cream and I feel like it isn't as hydrating as I wish it would be so I decided to pick this one up to try it out. 

Disclaimer: I purchased all the items listed above myself with the exception of the samples and Christmas gifts I've been given. All opinions are my own. 

January 2026 Favorites

Hey folksickles,

Alright, all the goodies I've been enjoying in January :) 

1. Violet Voss Sakura Blossom Palette: Although I decided to  set this palette aside for later use, it was truly a joy to play with this month. The pigmentation on these shades is beautiful, they blend together so well, the shades themselves are really pretty. Truly, the palette is a pleasure to use. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer:  I paid for everything mentioned above. All opinions are my own. 

January 2026 Empties

 All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Ardell Wispies in 113 Black x2: These lashes are pretty and provide some nice length. That said, I find that they're delicate and bend easily so if you cry with these on or take a nap or something, it will bend the lashes funny and impact their longevity. You have to be careful with them! Otherwise they're easy to work with, have thin bands that bend to the eye nicely and wear well.

2. Dr. Jart Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask: This mask truly did give my skin a nice boost of hydration wherein it felt juicy. It also gave my skin a pretty glow. 

3. Dove deep moisture body wash: I love using this particular body wash during this time of year because, due to it being hydrating, it helps counteract dry winter skin. These provide a really nice glide for my razor and leave my skin feeling soft and smooth without any irratation. 

4. Trader Joe's Oatmeal & Honey Soap: This soap is an absolute holy grail for me and one I highly dislike being without! It's fantastic for anyone who struggles with eczema because it's gentle, soothing, and hydrating. It leaves my skin feeling clean and soft. 

5. innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask EX in Aloe: This mask gave my skin a nice boost of hydration. It left my skin feeling really soft and smooth.

6. LuLuLun Precious Mask White WF3: Like the other sheet masks I described, this mask gave me a boost of hydration and it did sort of even out my skin-tone. My cheeks were a bit red after using this but overall I feel like my skin had a glowy sort of clarity to it.

7. Biore UV Aqua Rich Water Essence SPF 50+ PA++++: As you know, this is something a of holy grail sunscreen product for me so I'm sad to run out. It's just so lightweight and has this great hydrating formula to it. It makes my skin look smooth and glowy.

8.  patchology Soothe 5 Minute Flashmasque: Despite it being a 5 minute mask I do like to leave these on for longer - about 15 min to get the max benefit from it (although, unsure if that does much more) and find that this mask helped to boost the hydration of my skin.

9. papa recipe Bombee Whitening Honey Mask Pack: I'm genuinely unsure if this mask has just dried out or it wasn't meant to be very wet, but either way it was a bit dry. Despite that, it has a delicious honey scent and left my skin feeling soft and smooth.

10.  Brushes that are falling apart: Unfortunately the following brushes are starting to break so I'm letting them go:

bubbi Powder Brush

misc Memebox brush

11. Random lip products: The following all have developed an off scent so I'm discarding them from my collection:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Paint Liquid Lipstick

Christian Dior Rouge Dior Brilliant in 775 Darling

wet n wild MegaLast Lip Color in Pinkerbell

wet n wild MegaLast Lip Color in Purty Persimmon

wet n wild MegaLast Lip Color in On the Ave

12. Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner: As always, I'm so sad that it's time to replace this eyeliner because I love it so much! That said, it did start drying out so it was time for a new one. 

13.  DUO Brush-On Adhesive with Vitamins: This has also started drying out and getting gunky so it was time for a new one.

14. equate Ocean Breeze Shea Sugar Scrub:  I love how gritty this scrub is. Out of the ones I've tried, I'd say this has a masculine scent to it. Like that kind of ocean breeze scent that has a hint of something musky or spicy that gives "men's scent" vibes. This leaves my skin feeling very soft, smooth, and is great for shave prep. 

15. equate Tropical Mango Shea Sugar Scrub:  I love how gritty this scrub is and how delicious it smells; it has a sweet, juicy mango scent. This leaves my skin feeling very soft, smooth, and is great for shave prep. 

16. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation in Rose Ivory: As you might know, this has been something of a holy grail foundation for me for years. It looks very natural and wears well while giving my skin a healthy glow. I am a bit sad to have run out. 

17. now essential oils 100% pure grapefruit: During the winter time I like to use these essential oil in my oils diffuser to humidify my room and make it smell nice. I like a citrus scent so I just went with grapefruit this time around. This has a yummy, sweet, juicy interior of a grapefruit scent to it. 

18. BROWFOOD Chamomile Makeup Eraser Pen: This is a handy little makeup remover that was fantastic to clean up any eyeliner or eyeshadow booboos. Unfortunately it is beyond dried out so it's time to discard it. 

19. L'Oreal Telescopic Intense Lash Length Original Mascara: Honestly it was time to replace this mascara because it's starting to dry out and sort of clumps my lashes together in a funny way. I don't really love the effect it gives - I wish it gave more length and volume than it actually does.

20. Green Pharmacy Rose Water and Almond Oil Facial Toner: This toner has a hydrating, refreshing effect and a nice, sweet rose scent to it. I really enjoyed using it.

21. Christophe Robin No Frizz Care x Style Anti-Frizz Rescue Milk with Shea Butter: I liked this in the sense that it's a lightweight, hydrating hair cream that helped give my curls a boost of shine and hydration. That said though, I didn't find that it was hydrating enough for when my ends got really dry or needed a little extra TLC. 

18. LASplash Jelly Eye Pads x15: I found these eye patches alright. They did a nice job of adding a boost of hydration on my under-eye area. However, they did tend to slide down unless I was very conscious of keeping my head back or when I wore a sheet mask along with them. They're also meant to be depuffing, which they sort of are, but the issue I have not just with these but any undereye patch is that, they don't fit directly on my undereye area. Meaning, they go more into the hollow beneath the eye, whereas the puffiness on my eyes is right below the lash-line and that area is left bare by undereye patches so that puffiness is left unaddressed. 

19. CALA 3D Faux Mink 35151 Multi-Dimensional Lashes: These are a pretty fluffy-looking lash that I feel help to open up my eyes and make them look larger. That said, I find that they have the tendency to want to pop up at the inner and outer corners. 

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the sheet masks and under eye patches which were a Christmas gift.

Eye Cream Review: Green Pharmacy Damask Rose Ceramides Revitalization Eye Cream

Hello folksickles. Today's review will be for the Green Pharmacy Damask Rose Ceramides Revitalization Eye Cream.

Availability:  I can't seem to find a retailer online for this, but I bought it at my local Russian-speaking pharmacy for $5.69 for 15 ml (0.51 fl oz).

Would I buy this again?: No.

What is this product designed to address?

According to the packaging this is what the product is and what it does:

Green Pharmacy takes inspiration from both herbal traditions and more modern, innovative ingredients, including those used in pharmaceuticals. Using the products of this series helps to nourish and moisturize the skin, gives a feeling of rejuvenation. The eye cream contains ingredients which help to maintain optimal moisture level, preventing dryness and flaking, return smoothness and elasticity of the skin around eyes.

Properties:

• revitalization
• increasing the elasticity and firmness of the skin around eyes
• intensive moisturizing and nourishing
• ensuring beautiful and well-groomed skin around the eyes
• reducing the signs of aging
• soothing and restoration
• removing dark circles under the eyes

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

These are the highlighted ingredients according to the packaging:

Damask rose extract: protects the skin from the negative effects of stress and restores its firmness and elasticity. Ideal for mature, dry, and delicate skin. 

A blend of ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP): stimulate skin regeneration processes, strengthens its [the skin's] hydrolipid mantle, and provides intense nourishment and radiance. 

What is the texture like?

I'd describe the texture as a lightweight yet hydrating cream. 

Is it scented?

It has a flowery, almost slightly powdery rose scent.

My overall experience/comments on the product:
I've been using this eye cream for a few days and I feel like it's hydrating and doesn't interfere with my makeup. It's not hydrating enough for me, especially in the wintertime when my skin tends to be on the dryer side because I notice that my concealer looks a bit cakey and dry under my eyes when I use this. It also absorbs very quickly which would normally be a good thing but I feel like in this case my skin just sucks it up. In addition, maybe I need to give it more time, but there is no noticeable depuffing or brightening. It works in a pinch but realistically, my eyes need something more nourishing - ideally something that can also brighten and depuff. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio Jet Black Ink Pen Liquid Eyeliner

Today's eyeliner review is going to be on the Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio Ink Pen Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black.

I have this on the upper lash-line

Availability: This ranges from around $5 - $18 and can be purchased at drugstores that carry Maybelline New York and Ulta along with their respective websites. 

Would I buy this again? Probably not. 

Notes: I'd say that this is a true matte black. It's waterproof and stays put nicely (about 8-12+ hours). It glides on very easily. I would say it's not too difficult to use if you're someone who's used to these calligraphy pen style eyeliners. That said, I personally prefer a more lacquer-like finish to my eyeliner versus it being completely flat matte - which I think is a bit of a hot take, many people seem to prefer theirs flat. In any case, that's the only reason I wouldn't get this again. I think otherwise it works well and if it's available and my beloved Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner isn't, I'd definitely pick this one up. 

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.