Review-Shiseido The Makeup Mascara Base

 This is what the product looks like, as we all know it.

 I've been using this for quite a long time and never wrote a review (not even on Makeupalley!). I guess now's the time.

Price & Packaging: as you can see from the pic, it is a mascara-tube, wand, cap. I like the sleekness of the tube, the black lacquer, and the rounded cap. It's quite elegant and it looks 'expensive' to me. 

The price is quite high- €28- but not necessarily, if you compare it with other mascaras or high-end lash primers. It comes in a cute plastic box with Shiseido written on it, and all the info and ingredients are described on the back. The tube contains 7 ml of product (.25 fl. oz.).

What it claims: quote from the packaging-'A clear base coat for eyelashes that improves mascara application and wear, and boosts volume and curl. Adds dramatic definition to the eyes'. Contains, amongst others, macadamia nut extract and 'a Multi-Nutrient Factor, an advanced moisturizer'.

What it does (i'll be as concise as possible):

-it's a semi-opaque gray-ish waxy cream, not white, not black, not full of crappy 'lengthening particles', i.e. that lint some products contain. 

-it has a cute, volumizing brush with tightly packed bristles that are also quite hard so pay attention not to poke yourself in the eye with it

-the wand doesn't pick up too much product although you can see a sort of buildup at the base of the brush. Don't worry, that's what it's supposed to look like.

-easy to apply

-dries moderately fast, about 30 seconds for completely dry lashes

-doesn't look gray on the lashes and will not alter the color of the mascara

Pros:

-it does improve mascara application- you only need a little mascara afterwards and not tons.

-it will hold the curl (or even curl the lashes by itself) like cement. I ended up with overly curved lashes once. Really amazing in this aspect.

-it will make your lashes look ten times thicker (i'm not exaggerating) but no shocking length. It does lengthen, but not as much as it thickens. However, you do get more noticeable lashes length-wise so no worries in this department.

-it makes even the crappiest mascara look great, and i mean it. I tried it with Maybelline's Great Lash (the neon pink&electric green tube i abhor seeing, let alone using), and my lashes looked spectacular. This is not a gimmick, this product does work as a perfect base. 

-It will prevent your mascara from flaking&smudging even after 24 h of clubbing, frolicking with your boyfriend or sleeping with your makeup on on white sheets. The mascara just doesn't move.

-doesn't smell funky, doesn't irritate the eyes or make the lashes brittle afterwards. Not aggressive at all, therefore.

Cons:

-hard to take off. They recommend their eye makeup remover (what a surprise, right), but however, you can use whatever you have, preferably a non-oil based eye makeup remover. It is hard to remove meaning that it doesn't come off in tiny tubes or larger particles but works like the most stubborn waterproof mascara. Needs to be carefully massaged with the eye makeup remover and gently removed with the mildest moves possible so you won't rip off your own lashes. I never had any problem with lash loss or irritation, but it's a bit annoying to spend 15 minutes removing it when all you want is to go to sleep.

-going through a tube is relatively easy. It doesn't seem to dry out, you just don't get the same quantity on the wand. The consistency, color, scent, effect etc. don't change during the time you go through the tube, not even a month or two from opening it up, so that's great. No flakes, no crunchiness, nada. However, i personally expected a 'waxy' base to last more than a regular mascara. I've had mascaras that have lasted more than that, actually. My estimate for this base's lifespan would be 2 months tops, daily use. If you don't put it on every day then it's gonna last longer (i.e. duh duh duh).

These are my opinions on this base. It is pricy and has its own shortcomings but so far it's the only mascara base i purchased twice...because it works best with anything you decide to apply on top. If you're looking for a dramatic change and are willing to shell the $, then this is my strongest recommendation.

Yesterday's Loot

There are some products i will always come back to...and two of them i repurchased yesterday (+a new addition).

H&M Angled Brush

I use it with face powder, blush and bronzer, 3-in-1. It's a very good brush considering the price and other alternatives available (do you remember the first Sephora brushes, the scratchy ones that cost an arm and a leg? I think they're still selling those..*gulp*!!)

I was never a brush snob and if i found something i liked, i bought it without thinking about the brand; what i am interested in is a) soft bristles, b) thickness (or whatever decent 'volume' there is to it) and c) handler- i've had problems with too short/long/thin/thick, etc, ultra non-ergonomic brushes. I already own several H&M brushes and i've had them for about 2 years; some of them (the old line with silver handlers) have gone a little bit too harsh for my taste but none has ever shed a hair. I remember getting a quite expensive (15€) brush from the pharmacy line, especially designed for i don't remember what kind of bronzer, for sensitive skin, natural bristles, sanitized hairs, etc etc. Pure crap- it started shedding a week after (from the 1st bath i gave the poor thing). This H&M little thing is gorgeous.

First, it's soft (did i already mention this?), second, the hairs aren't cut, so it gives a more natural effect, third, it's CHEAP! Yay!

The hairs look a bit messy but it doesn't feel like the typical synthetic brush that scratches your face and streaks or spreads powder everywhere and would better work as a duster than a makeup tool.

 One final thing about all H&M brushes, eye, lips, face, etc, would be that they NEVER shed. Never. Not a single hair. Which is wow for me. Some may go a bit harsh, some may need extra care (shampoo+conditioner), some may lose their initial shine but they never shed on me.

Elizabeth Arden Mineral Powder Foundation Brush

I know, i know...just as i was praising some cheap drugstore brush i had to get this one, too...well, it's worth it, if you ask me. It's the uber-soft, densely packed brush that comes with the Pure Mineral Powder Fooundation (and the mineral makeup line) from Elizabeth Arden. The collection is this one:

The big brush comes in a beautiful, travel-friendly plastic case that mimics the 'Red Door' design, and is completed by a mini-kabuki brush addition that splits in half (yes you have it in the pic above) to perfectly fit any powder/bronzer case and be used with blushes, powders, but also for contouring and buffing in (when it's packed together).
The mini brush is as soft as the full-size one plus the funky-ness and the adorable element ('ooooh!'-s and 'aaaaaa!'-s)- i didn't know it was going to be sold with its big sister altogether. I haven't yet unpacked mine (am trying to figure out a way to save the brush guard it comes with-read protective foil-and manage to put it back on after every use). It is, after all, quite (VERY) expensive (€25) and i absolutely love it. So far it's my favorite brush (because of the accentuated slant-it's very angled) and i'm planning on taking good care of it.

Pretty travel case, huh?

Shiseido The Makeup Mascara Base

This is one of my cult products and an absolute must-have. Expensive,hard to remove, doesn't last that long in the tube, hard to work with (to a certain extent), but it's worth every penny.
Will transform the crappiest mascara into a dreamlike product and give figure and length even to the shortest, baldest lashes out there. This is my second tube (1st one almost finished) and i just had to have it. I was actually looking for a mascara when i remembered this (it sometimes happens that i go totally oblivious of products i have and absolutely love and start looking for other stuff. Bleh), how wonderful it is and that i actually own this little fellow. A bit of nervousness because they're always sold out (i felt this need to have it right there and then the same instant i thought of it), but when i met the pretty case, my heart melted :)

(upcoming review)

 The stash:

Mini-kabuki, Elizabeth Arden brush, Shiseido Mascara Base and H&M angled brush

Courtesy of one of the kindest SAs ever, i also got three foundation samples:

Clinique Even Better & Superfit and Lancome Teint Idole

Never used any of these so trying them on is quite interesting, although my current shopping mood is set on getting THE perfect match of Estee Lauder Double Wear (i'm wearing something a tad darker..sigh). I just love that foundation too much to betray it *blink*. It's so fantastic i keep thinking about stashing up...what if they discontinue it??? But i'll probably try Teint Idole (i'm not THAT curious, but well...) and who knows.