Fashion 21 Double Up Mascara

There are very few brands that earn my nod when it comes to mascaras. The price is not an assurance that it's a good one. The usual problem with mascaras is that they weigh down lashes that have been painstakingly curled, straightening them back. On the premise that I have super straight stubborn lashes,  the only brands that work for me are Maybelline and Cover Girl. Will Fashion 21 Double Up Mascara make the cut? Let's see.

Fashion 21 Double Up Mascara promises up to 2x longer and stronger lashes in an instant. It comes with the following directions:

1. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, if desired, before using a mascara.
2. Apply mascara starting at the base of your upper eyelashes.
3. Draw the wand gently outward up to the tips.
4. Hold the mascara wand vertically to color your lower lashes.

So how did it go? Let me put it this way, I'm glad that it was given to me for free. Fashion 21 has great and inexpensive products that I love, such as the 2 way cake and blush, but this Double Up mascara is a big disappointment, at least in my opinion.



After curling my lashes, I gently applied the mascara as directed. It yielded longer and thicker lashes but it was too heavy that it instantly straightened out the lashes I previously curled. I blinked, and the next thing I knew, it was all over my eye area. The consistency is too damp that it stains the skin, unless you prevent yourself from blinking for a few minutes or face the fan to dry it off. In the end, I noticed my lashes to be thicker and longer, but straighter than usual and pointed downwards.

I hardly use this because I don't have the patience to wait for it to dry. On a positive note, I think it can double as an eyeliner because of its rich formula. Still, it will take some time to dry.

Rating: 3/10

Pros:

• sturdy packaging


• no clumps


• thick formula


• makes the lashes longer and thicker


• affordable at Php 225

Cons:

• heavy, weighs the lashes down


• straightens curled lashes


• too damp


• takes time to dry


• stains skin when you blink

Although it didn't work for me, note that I have stubborn, straight lashes requiring special needs for mascaras. What might not work for me may perform well for you. If you want to try it out for yourself, it is available online at Weemall, The Philippine Online Shopping Mall. Get 5% discount when you apply the discount code: DOCTORISVAIN.

Fanny Serrano Night Light Lipstick

I've been asked on my recommendations for lipsticks. Mostly, ladies are asking for brands that have long staying power. I can name a few but the hunt for affordable long-lasting lipsticks ends here with the introduction of the Fanny Serrano Night Light Lipstick.

What I initially noticed about this product is its gorgeous packaging: sleek black lipstick case that comes with a mirror on the side of the cap and LED light on both sides of the tube, which turns on by pressing the button below. The Fanny Serrano Night Light Lipstick comes handy even when it's dark. Whether you're inside the movie house, in the car, or out clubbing, the lipstick is like a secret weapon you can launch anytime as the need arises. Doctors can also transform this into a pen light when examining patients during emergencies.If you're the creepy type, you can likewise use it to scare off people during brownouts at night.

I was sent the shade in Pink Vodka. It is bright and strong enough to perk up your look but not as tacky as red. It's perfect when you're on the go and hardly have any makeup on except powder and lipstick. This perky shade makes up for the lack of color on the rest of your face. What's interesting about this is when it's applied to the skin for swatching, it' appears faint, but when put on the lips, it transforms the puckers into a bold, seductive arsenal that speaks power. Go easy with the application as the color can be very strong if too much is applied.

I go for lipsticks that don't have an annoying scent. I'm glad that the Fanny Serrano Night Light doesn't have this problem. But what I love most about this product is that it lasts long! I can put it in the morning and come home in the afternoon still with it on, albeit lighter after some meals and snacks. This is a lipstick you can trust that you won't be looking drab by mid-day just because your lipstick wore off after a few hours. This is best for weddings as the makeup artist won't have to worry about the color fading after the bride has eaten lechon from the banquet.

For a smooth application, put on lip moisturizer prior to the lipstick. Otherwise, I noticed it to stick to outer areas of the lips and I have to apply another layer to ensure its even distribution.

As to the dilemma of long last lipsticks that tend to be more drying on the lips by nature, I can't really conclude that this has a drying affect as I have dry lips to begin with. For all its worth, at least I didn't find my lips to be cracking or more dry than ever.

Rating: 8/10

Pros:

• Long-lasting


• Comes with LED lights


• Can double as a pen light


• Mirror on the side


• Sleek packaging


• 12 colors to choose from


• No annoying scent


• Affordable at Php 299

Cons:

• Needs lip moisturizer for a more even application

I'll post the swatches soon in a separate post.

The Fanny Serrano Night Light Lipstick is available online through Weemall, The Philippine Online Shopping Mall. Great news for readers of vanityclinic.com, as you can avail of 5% discount for products appearing on "The Doctor is vaIN" page at Weemall. Just enter this discount code upon checking out: DOCTORISVAIN. Happy Shopping!

 

Mary Grace Cafe Review

It took me almost a month to post this review on Cafe Mary Grace. I had to give it time for a more objective recount of my sad experience in one of their branches, in Trinoma Mall. Had I written about it minutes after it happened, I might have blurted out words that will only compromise the integrity of this blog.

I was in Manila for an intensive 4-day seminar. The schedule was so hectic that I didn't even have the time to check out the latest cosmetics in the nearby malls.

On September 9, 2011 (Friday),  my friend and I decided to pass by Cafe Mary Grace on our way back to where we were staying.  I've heard a lot of great things about it, especially its cheese rolls.



Since it was already 8:00 PM, I opted for a take-out of pasta Amatriciana and a cheese roll.  I was considering on bringing a box of cheese rolls home to CDO so I had to try it out first. The cashier told me it would take around 10-15 mins to prepare the pasta. We were already tired but I thought the wait should be worth it.

We got ourselves seated while waiting for my order. Fifteen minutes have passed and my friend was already getting impatient. I followed up the order with one of the waitresses who told me it wasn't ready yet.  After a few more minutes, I noticed some pasta being served to people who came much later than us. My friend noticed the waitresses glancing at our table. Finally, someone came to us and checked my receipt. She hurriedly went to the kitchen and came back with my order packed for take-out. More than 30 minutes of waiting for a pasta and cheese roll is a little too much, don't you think?  I could have ordered for a pizza delivery at the dorm and it would have been much quicker. Although it was a Friday, it wasn't that busy for Mary Grace Cafe as a lot of their employees had their hands free.

I asked the waitress why it took them so long, she was apologetic about it but did not offer further explanation. When we got to the the place where we were staying, the bread that I believed to be the cheese roll seemed flatter that I thought.  It turns out it was the garlic bread that came free with the Pasta Amatriciana. The cheese roll, although only Php35, was something that I so long wanted to try wasn't in the bag!

Partly, it was my fault because I didn't check the bag before leaving. The receipt was not even there. Perhaps with the rave reviews about Cafe Mary Grace, I trusted that there staff is trained to be efficient in what they do, such as delivering the order on time,  putting them with the receipt in the bag and checking if they are complete. Apparently, I was wrong. After all, the good reviews have much to do with the taste of the food than the quality of service they offer.

I think they're pretty good with the dine-in clients.  As I have  mentioned, people who came later than us were being served on time, and it looked like they were enjoying their meals. For some reason, they lacked the training in handling to-go orders. Yes, the staff is generally friendly, but  it doesn't necessarily translate to efficiency.

The Pasta Amatriciana was a flavorful blend of thick tomato sauce with bacon and chili, plus the Italian meatballs. But with the disappointment I was feeling at that time, I couldn't really appreciate the taste. It was pretty decent for its price of Php 210 , but not something I would crave for.  The imaginary cheese rolls must have been good,  if only they came with my order.

As to the Cafe Mary Grace customer support online,  they don't fare well either. I tried sending a complaint about the incident, which was written as courteously as possible, to no avail. Probably the person assigned to check the emails isn't doing the job, or they have read my message but they don't welcome negative feedback.  Well, they can bask in the positive comments from customers that they proudly display on their tables, but I hope they are aware of the other side of their business that they should do something about. As Jack Canfield puts it, " you cannot improve your life, your relationships, your game or your performance without feedback." I hope Mary Grace Cafe will take this review constructively.

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