Before I get into the post today I’d like to take the time to wish my grandmother a very Happy 88th Birthday!! I’m blessed that at 27 years old both of my grandmother’s are tenacious, boisterous and wonderful women. My grandma, Baba Lilya, who we are celebrating today – is one of the strongest women that I know!! Before I was old enough to go to school, I’d spend my days with my grandma and grandpa. I learned Russian first and everyone in their building was so worried I’d never speak English!! Much to their dismay, my grandmother would say – she’ll speak English when she wants to speak English (in Russian mind you)! And now – well let’s just say I have to fake that Russian accent – we like to call her “Svetlana”!!!
I often think what it was like for her back when she was a young girl and the world was going through a war. I wonder about the things she saw and how she had enough strength to leave a country that she had known for her entire life (at that time she was 62 years old) and move to the United States so that not only her grown children, but her grandchildren were guaranteed a better life. She is hysterical and has us all in stitches when she goes into her stories!!
I am so proud this fierce woman is my grandmother and I’m beyond excited to wrap my arms around her next month!!
An obvious transition from fabulous grandmother is fabulous lashes…just go with it!
{via}
Earlier this month Sephora launched the Buxom Mascara Bar – you have your choice of 7 different wands and then the Buxom mascara. What I find so interesting about this, is that you can mix and match the wands. For me personally, I find that I love the long lasting power of certain mascaras, but very rarely do I love the wand applicator. This “bar” concept is like a customized lash for every occasion!
With almost the same width the entire length of the applicator – one swoop and you’re sure to have big, full lashes!
This one will take the shape of your natural lashes and enhance them not overwhelm them allowing for a more fanned look.
Similar to “Big & Bushy” the major difference are the bristle ends that “ball tip” – what does the tip do, well I have no clue, but I imagine its the same as a hair brush that has those ball tips at the end – there must be a name for them! The tapered wand also allows for your inner lashes to be coated creating a more wide eye look!
The itty bitty would make sure your bottom lashes don’t miss out on the fun – this could be used for your top lashes as well. Also perfect for those stubborn lashes near your inner eye!
You’ll notice there is one side that has the full brush effect and the other has regular bristles to “comb” out any clumps making the entire look more defined.
The biggest difference between this and the Big & Bushy applicator are the bristles. These have little ones mixed in with the longer ones making sure each lash is coated evenly and fully! Not to mention the length it will give your lashes.
Very rarely can you actually have thick full lashes and have each lash defined…this is the wand for that!
The other cool thing about the Mascara Bar concept is that if you purchase a wand and the mascara – the wand is free – as it usually is when you buy a full mascara! But you can purchase them separately for $11…yes it is a little pricey. I’m hopeful that the wand will be able to fit in with any tube of mascara, but I’m going to test that out. For example my favorite drug store mascara of all time is Maybelline Great Lash – but I loathe the wand and for that reason I don’t buy it…with a customizable wand I wouldn’t even bat an eyelash (too cheesy?!) at buying the less than $4 mascara!!
So if you’re wondering which one I would buy…well Lush & Lifted is currently making it’s way to me!! I think the different bristles on the two sides sold me!!
Since all wands are not created equal I’m excited to see if the wand actually does fit into my other mascaras!
Would you mix and match? Do you ever question the wand that comes with your mascara?
xo,
soooo confession (since it is wednesday) – i don't wear or even own mascara. i did have a tube a long time ago but i have no idea where that went.
and happy birthday to your grams!
-kathy
Vodka and Soda
Basically Kathy sucks for not needing mascara!!! 😛
Tanti Auguri alla tua nonna! and that lash bar concept is brilliant! i agree…I have to like the formula and the brush!
Happy Birthday to your Grandma. I totally buy my mascara based on the wand. I love Maybelline but it has to have a curved wand.
Happy Birthday to your grandmother! I'm currently using Benefit's They're Real but all those wants look great! Love that you can choose what works best! xo
Happy Birthday to your Grandma!! I may have to try out these wands! I really like the big bushy ones the best. And it wouldbe fun to try out all the different kinds.
This is a genius idea – I had no idea about the Mascara Bar. I am looking forward to how you like your wand! oh, and Happy Birthday to your grandma!
Happy, Happy birthday to your grandma! My grandpa is 88 too, what a fabulous age, right?!?! Hope she has a fabulous day!
Sigh, I love mascara, it's so fun1
Awww happy birthday to your grandma!! What an awesome lady!! Can you still speak Russian?? I am weird about my mascara brushes just because I have had bad luck with the funky ones, I like to stick to the basics!
<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
Happy 88th bday to your grandmother! Where have I been and how haven’t I heard about the mascara bar?? Such a cool concept!
you can always buy spooleys from sally's beauty or frendsbeauty.com to use with other formulas–a pack is very, very cheap. but i love this idea from buxom. how fun!!!!
Happy birthday to your grandmother!!!!
Aww happy birthday to your grandmother! You guys are too cute! 🙂 I've never tried Buxom lashes before but that last one has me intrigued. My lashes always stick together when using mascara so a brush that might separate them is definitely a plus for me!
<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
Aww your grandma! So cute. 🙂 I'm sure that she has some amazing stories about her experiences when she was young. I was just talking to my mom about her parents, and how I wished they could have met Chris and my brother- in-laws. I miss them very much. Anyways!! I think that I saw that mascara bar when I was at Sephora on Monday. I like the sound of the thick and defined. I tried that Great Lash mascara and it made my eyes burn. :-/
happy birthday to your grandma!!! 🙂 xo jillian – cornflake dreams
You were the cutest! I love the story of you speaking Russian with your grandparents– so sweet, and a very happy birthday to your grandma! I've not heard of the different wands, but it seems like a good idea! The lush & lifted one looks interesting and I'd love to see how it worked on my lashes because they tend to grow down/straight out. I can't wait to hear what you think of it once you try it!
Happy Birthday to your grandma! That mascara wand concept is neat. I don't know that I'd pay that much just for a wand though! I'm more picky about the actual formula of mascara.
this is such a great idea! my mum always bought mascaras with good wands, would clean them out and use them with the mascara she actually liked. she has like a shoebox sized bag full of mascara, no wonder i am a mascara junkie.
oh i love that maybelline mascara but yeah that brush sucks! you'll have to let us know how the wand goes, i would definitely check it out if you like it!
happy birthday to Baba Lilya!
Crazy that there are so many different mascara wands! I like the first one the best 🙂 And happy birthday to your sweet grandmother!!!
awww she's adorable! happy birthday to her! those mascara tubes are pretttttty.
For me, mascara is pretty much all about the wand and less about the actual mascara. If the wand sucks then I immediately judge the mascara. That's why I love loreal butterfly, its that wand. And happy birthday to your adorable grandma. I miss both of mine so much. You are so lucky to have yours 🙂
a ..your Grandma is so cute!!! She must have fantastic stories to share. I hope she has a wonderful birthday!! It's truly a blessing to have her in your life.
Totally, need to check that mascara out. Love a good mascara.
Happy, happy birthday to your grandma!! XO And I am definitely going to have to try the mascara!
I love the wand for They're Real! mascara so I honestly think I'll just dip it in another mascara's formula so I can keep using it, instead of pay $20+ for a new one! ha!
Happy Birthday to your sweet grandmother! What a fantastic tribute! And I love that mascara concept! xo
Awww happy happy birthday to your grandma! She seems like a super strong lady.. I can't imagine leaving my home at 62 years old! And how have I not heard about this mascara bar?! It sounds amazing!
Happy Birthday to your Grandma! What a lovely post! xo
i didn't even know about those buxom mascaras! thanks for the rundown!
Happy Birthday to your grandmother!!!!
I love the idea of choosing a wand! I usually hate the wands with most mascaras as well and if I don't like the wand then I won't purchase it again regardless of the formula. I would have a hard time knowing which one I want?!
A very happy birthday to your grandmother. What sweet memories you have with her! This mascara bar is the best news I've heard all week! I love some mascara formulas but hate the wands so this is perfect! Can't wait to hear your review.
a very happy birthday to your precious grandma! i grew up with mine too, so i know how that bond is. and wow. what will they come up with next? my favorite beauty product is mascara so this is freakin awesome. so glad i follow awesome bloggers like you who can fill me in 🙂
Happy Birthday to your Grandmother! I love the pictures of you together, and I love that you learned Russian before English! So awesome! 🙂
aww so sweet! happy bday to your grandma!!
happy birthday to your wonderful grandma!! she sounds like such a strong woman and pillar of strength in your life
B this makes my heart so happy!! I miss my grandmas every day so wish her a happy birthday from the blogging world from me!! I can't say enough how much I love the buxom mascara so this post= win for me!
Happy birthday to your sweet grandma!! Love the concept of this, can't wait to try it out sometime 😉
Happy birthday to that saucy minx 😉 Let us know if the wand fits in other tubes of mascara!
aw happy birthday to your grammy! i miss mine so much and wish she was still around for me to celebrate with. this mascara is such a cool idea with all the different brushes on the wands!
Buxom is my all time favorite mascara – I've tried others and just dont get the same result. Loved this post 🙂
madeintheshadeblog.com
Smooth transition 😉
Happy Birthday to your grandmother! You are Blessed to have her 🙂
Happy birthday to your sweet grandmother! She is cute. The mascara wands are an interesting concept. I'm currently using MACs haute and naughty with tarte's lights camera splashes layered over top and it looks amazing…but it is annoying buy two mascaras! I did get a deal on ebay though.
Happy birthday to your Gma!! That is so wonderful that you have her in your life 🙂 And I love this mascara – not only is the bottle pretty, but it seems like it works wonders!! I'll shell out a little extra for the good stuff!
Maggie
PolishedClosets.com
Awwww I love this post so much!!!! I miss my Grandmother she was such a sassy pants woman as well! I have not heard about that wand bar but I am definitely intrigued!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your Grandma!!!!!! 😀 (You were such a little cutie!!!!)
I didn't know this mascara existed!!! That double sided wand is the SHIT! I NEED IT IN MY LIFE. I might treat myself for your grandma's birthday. She would want me to have it.
Aww, happy birthday to your grandma!
AWESOME! Had no idea and I go to Sephora about once a month or more! 🙂
Awww! What sweet comments about your Grandma! She sounds like a fun Grandma! 🙂 Cracks me up how you transitioned from Grandma's to Mascara! Lol 🙂
Bebe, you are so sweet. This brought tears to my eyes- Love you, Julia