Morning lovelies!
Now, here in Australia, we've always had some 'party plan' (for lack of a better term) cosmetics companies. Avon, Nutrimetics and Mary Kay are well known, household names. But in the last few years there have been some new players to the market. Younique is one of those.
Younique is an American company which was started by a brother and sister team in Sept 2012, and was launched here in April 2014. If you're a part of your local Buy, Swap, Sell group, I'm sure you've heard of them before. If you're like me, though, you've always been slightly skeptical about the products. The only time you ever see or hear anything about them it's from a Younique presenter, and if you're selling a product you're going to talk it up.
So when Kelly, a Younique presenter, asked if a blogger would be interested in trying the new, improved 3D fiber lash mascara, i put my hand up. Not only was it a chance to try out a product that I've heard quite a bit about, it was a chance to put up a no-holds-barred review, from someone who has absolutely nothing to do with the company.
Lets first and foremost talk about this packaging! This is just the box the mascara came in. It's one of the nicest boxes I've ever come across. You could easily give this as a gift, but it also makes the perfect present to yourself. It comes with basic instructions, which are easy to follow, and a full list of ingredients on the back of the box.
Once you open the box, the 2 tubes are housed in a little black bag. They fit snugly, the bag snaps so they're contained, and the inside is nice and soft, so your products are protected inside a bigger makeup bag.
The tubes are a rubberised black tubes, with an awesome embossed top (embossed with the younique logo). They could end up slightly grubby with regular use (as every other makeup case I've ever used that feels like this does), but that's easily cleaned. Both tubes have a window (not sure why, although it might come in handy when you get further in to the product), and the name of each on the side (handy note, though, the fibre tube is smaller than the transplant gel tube. If you're like me and need to do your makeup without your glasses, this comes in handy).
The Transplant gel brush is very much a traditional type brush. It works well and picks up smaller lashes. The fiber brush is smaller, thinner, which is what you want. The smaller brush makes controlling where you place the fibres easy.
Now, on to my ugly mug :D
My lashes, with nothing on them. I have half decent lashes, they just aren't very dark. Add the fact i wear glasses every waking moment and my eyes disappear in to nothingness. I tend to like mascaras that really make my lashes pop.
Step 1:These are my lashes with a coat of the transplant gel on them. The good thing I've found is the transplant gel works like a normal mascara. So the kit offers the best of both worlds, a decent black mascara for those days you want a subdued look, then adding the fibre in when you want something more.
Step 2:The addition of the fibres. These probably aren't the best examples, as you need to apply the fibres straight after the transplant gel (and i took photos in between), however you can see the instant extension of my lashes. You do need to be careful are this stage, if you're going to get the fibre in you eyes, now is the time.
Step 3:Another coat of transplant gel. This seals in the fibres. If anything this is the hardest stage. It takes a little bit of practice to make sure you don't end up with spidery, clumpy lashes, although an eyelash/brow comb helps sort any issues you may have happen. You can see the difference that the process makes to my lashes, and you can repeat the process as many times as you like (although that clumpy, spidery lash thing does get worse the more layers you use. Not a major problem, it's just something to be aware of and have the correct tools on hand).
Me outside! I've repeated the process twice here, just to give you an idea how the multiple process looks. On a side note, look how beautiful the weather is, and my raspberries are coming back to life. Spring in Canberra is amazing!
Me, again. This is how i look. Hi! As you can see with my glasses my eyes disappear slightly, but they're definitely more noticeable with this.
Let's get down to the nitty gritty though. Fibre lash mascaras are either something you love, or something you hate. I'm sure the majority of people have tried a mascara that has fibres in the mascara itself, and i know I've tried the Modelco version, which is the same idea as the Younique ones. In my experience I've always ended up with either irritated eyes from the fibres, or I've ended up with little fibres all over my face by the end of the day.
I haven't experienced either with this. Actually, i haven't really experienced any negatives with this product. Once it's on, it's on. I don't find fibres on my face during the day, it doesn't irritate my eyes any more than any other mascara (and they've been super sensitive the last week). I haven't experienced panda eyes at all with it, even if i accidentally rub my eyes, and even after sleeping with it on, nothing (i know, we're not supposed to sleep with makeup on. Sue me). In saying all that it washes off easily in the shower with water (I've been using my Dr Hauschka cleansing sponge).
The hardest things I've found are getting used to applying it. It takes a little bit of practice to get used to getting a nice, even application (thus avoiding those clumps), and working out how to hold everything so you can apply the fibres in quick succession after the transplant gel (I've found i can hold both tubes in 1 hand, partial open, so i can quickly swap between both). Of course these problems are both easily fixed, the clumps can be combed out if they occur, and you do have a window of time to apply the fibres.
The Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes+ is on the pricier end for a mascara, at $38, however it's on par with Benefit's Roller Lash ($40), and the Fiber Lash does a double duty (and gives spectacular results). Honestly, i prefer this over Roller Lash, and if I'm forking out that kind of sum on a mascara, i want it to be amazing.
If you have any more questions, or would like to purchase Fiber Lashes+ for yourself, please contact Kelly Chippendale via her website
Love Affair Lashes or on Facebook
Love Affair Lashes. She's an absolute gem, lovely to talk to, and would be happy to answer any questions that you might have about this, or any other product Younique produces (there are some amazing looking products).
Thank you so much Kelly for the opportunity to review this product!
