miss maggie recs

 EYES

Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara -- it promises a "wide-eyed false lash look", and that's pretty much what it delivers. I have the kinds of long eyelashes that bump against my glasses and piss off other people when I complain about it (it's a trade off, goddammit, for all the hair removal I have to do in other areas) so lengthening is not a concern, but my eyes are a little deep-set and this mascara does give me more of a blinky startled mod look. Like the perma Zooey Deschanel ohmigosh eyes, like the next words out of my mouth will be, "Oh no! I got to the baker's market at the community centre late and they sold out of bacon mojito macarons already! I shouldn't have stopped to adjust my infinity scarf and pet that labradoodle who was wearing bee antennae." 

The hourglass brush lengthens your middle lashes, which is more noticeable on the bottom for that swingy glam effect; I only apply to the outer half of my eye, and it does the trick perfectly. I will never be mistaken for Twiggy but at least in the eye department, I also convey that general aura of amazement and hyper attentiveness. The mascara stays on well without being heavy or obtrusive and cleans off easily. Although I find that it can be a wee bit clumpy when you apply it, I still think it's one of the better mascaras I've ever tried, especially for its $5 price tag.

Physicians' Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Lash -- I picked this up on sale and I was glad I didn't pay full price for it. Not that it was a bad mascara, but it had nothing special to recommend it apart from the smug satisfaction of knowing that you just paid double but you got something totally! organic! and therefore morally superior to all the other tawdry mascaras on the rack.

Truth was, this mascara was really middle of the road. It ran easily as compared to other mascaras, but at least it didn't burn like bleach fumes if you got teary and it went in your eyes. Brushed on smoothly and evenly, but sometimes I felt like I had to put a lot of it on to make any impact because the brush is somewhat anemic and the tiny little wispy anemone bristles couldn't pick up enough product .  You also have to use it up fairly quickly; I'd bought it on a two-for-one deal, and two-thirds through the second tube it started to smell kind of musty and I threw it away.

And lastly, a nitpick just shallow enough to belie any cred I achieved for purchasing organic: the shape of the tube is aggravating and clunky, and the shiny green looks gaudy and cheap. At least have the common decency to have an overly twee 'natural' looking design, mascara, jeez.

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. winter cold | bleach -- unfamiliar with the fandom, but I really enjoy the soft smokey greys and candy-cane reds in this; it reads as so Christmassy to me. {no notes}

. "...and she rules the skies with lunar goodness." | avatar: the last airbender -- grown-up Sokka and oral traditions! Adorable. {no notes}

. last night at the warehouse | inception -- you know what I like best about this? That Eames is the slightly unsure almost demure one, and Arthur's all up in there. Whoot! {smoking}

. with an x on the floor | my chemical romance -- this has that really cute, slightly oldskool, character-design-driven feel to it, like a cartoon by Filmation or Dic. Remember those? I DO. {spider}

. catch me if you can | merlin/bon cop bad cop -- I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEBODY CROSSED THESE TWO SOURCES!! And in such an adorable way -- I can't stop squeeing! {non-graphic tentacles}

. victor paper dolls™ presents kiss me katniss: the girl on fire | the hunger games -- dear heavens, I LOVE when people use Yuletart time to do stuff like this! So, so innovative, from the concept to the execution. {girl in underwear}

. filling in for the big guy | young justice (comic) -- everything you could want from Tim-Kon-Bart holiday shenanigans; what's not to love? {mild violence, physical restraint}

. the island | slings and arrows -- wow, this reads and looks and tastes like an indie comic -- but one of the entertaining, engaging kind, not the kind that thinks it's better than you! {language}