The last time the Beauty Bug fell in love with a Clinique mascara was 2008. Fast forward two years, and the brand has introduced a mascara that will make you look twice. The Beauty Bug will start by saying that this mascara is not for beginners, so be patient and take your time. It brings lashes alive for those that know how to use it, so practice daily and follow instructions! Using a new curved “willow” wand, the fine toothed comb  grabs each lash at its root, but it’s all about the hand to wand maneuvering. Begin at the base of the lash line with the brush laced through the lashes, gripping them. As you slowly comb upward and move the brush up, twisting it 90 degrees  so the wand creates a “u” or a smile.  Continue to  twist it until the wand has made its way completely through your lashes.  For added drama, reapply at the tips of the lashes. Understand?

Bottom line is, this brush makes sense and, it means business. Two plus coats yields the best results; The Beauty Bug prefers 3-4. What was most noticeable to Her was how instantly lush and densely packed Her lashes appeared.  The thin formula, made from a combination of soft waxes and a light-as-air thickener, goes on incredibly smooth with no clumping. Great for those who want to achieve that long, feathery look, High Lengths is precise, has supernatural lengthening abilities, and even adds a healthy curl to top things off!

File this under: don’t just a mascara by its first application – practice makes perfect.

Clinique’s High Length’s Mascara is available at Clinique counters everywhere and at clinique.com for $14.

Disclosure: A press sample was  provided to The Beauty Bug.

Bobbi Brown’s Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick - This beachy collection has The Beauty Bug dreaming of fruity drinks with umbrellas, sand between Her toes, and sunblock. Though this is as close as She’ll be getting to the beach for now, The Beauty Bug will take it. It’s no secret that the Shimmer Bricks are what BB does best, and this new one leaves faces as fresh as spring tulips . Many have tried to duplicate these hand-made Italian bars-o-shimmer, but no one has quite captured the glow that Bobbi has. Pink Quartz is a gorgeous, luxe shade for every skin tone, and a must-have even if you own other bricks. $38, bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Kelly Van Gogh’s Wonderlust Illuminating Hair Tonic – Hair color illuminator, check. Leave-in conditioner, check. Detangler, check. Thermal protector, check.  This vitamin cocktail is a multi-tasking champion.  The wonder spray’s secret lie in its  key ingredients which include caviar proteins, amino acids and strengthening keratins, and its mica shine technology. Bring yourself back to the sixth grade science lab. You’ll remember that Mica is a mineral, and the actual word (“mica”) is thought to be derived from the Latin word micare, meaning “to glitter”, in reference to the brilliant appearance of this mineral. These tiny, dazzling flecks  which reveal themselves when you shake the bottle, revitalize dry, dull hair and protect it from environmental factors including pollution, heat and water damage. Spray it on damp hair and style as normal. The particles aren’t too teenage or flashy and the smell is divinely clean and fresh. $30 (4 oz), kellyvangogh.com

LOGICS Polisheen Gloss Balm – Pesky baby hairs and fly-aways – meet your newest adversary. This new balm helps The Beauty Bug define Her part and reduce frizz. She works it throughout Her layers for a piecey, yet polished look. Vitamin B5 conditions for a silky, smooth finish and ceramides help to strengthen.  And not to fret -  it doesn’t have that over-powering canned salon product smell…it’s light, non-sticky, and the perfect finishing touch! $22, logicshair.com

Rimmel London’s Max Volume Flash Mascara -  Go ahead and just try to take your eyes off that hot pink tube! This sizzling little number is the newest drug store delight that proves you don’t have to spend the big bucks on mascara to get great results.  The new super-sized brush curls and separates without clumping or flaking. The formula is light and doesn’t cake up or dry immediately.  One coat lengthens, two coats thicken and three plus coats yields drama. Review are mostly positive across the board, and there are even murmurs on MakeupAlley that this is the drugstore version of DiorShow! The Beauty Bug had added this mascara into Her rotation, and Her lashes are lush, dark and full! $7.19, chain drug stores and mass retailers nationwide

Disclosure: Press samples of the above products were provided to The Beauty Bug.

The Beauty Bug has been testing this mascara for about a week now. Let’s just cut to the chase; She’s not completely writing it off, but She’s certainly not urging you to run to Sephora and spend $28 on it either.

Extase is the red-headed step child in the Dior mascara family. Its elder sister mascaras are more user-friendly, with better formulas and better wands.  Extase’s spiral-like tiered brush was inspired by the “tiered” couture dresses created by the House of Dior, but it’s this unique feature that is the product’s downfall. The wand picks up and deposits too much product, resulting in clumping. The formula is also somewhat thick and dries relatively fast, so if you’re a fan of multiple coats and layering, be sure to work quickly! To solve this problem, The Beauty Bug rolled the wand in some tissue before applying to rid it of any access product.

The mascara lengthens well, but doesn’t thicken or volumize adequately.

While some do like Extase and claim it’s done wonders for their lashes, the overall consensus is pretty universal. Comments from women that purchased the product include “not worth it”, that it “weighed down lashes”, and several ended up returning it.  Some are layering it with other Dior mascaras (which makes for one very expensive mascara, $55) and others are keeping tissues handy as The Beauty Bug suggested, but not many are loving it.

Dior Extase Mascara is available exclusively at Sephora for $28.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug.

Back at Her vanity, The Beauty Bug began to apply the mascara, attempting to familiarize Herself with the ‘ revolutionary double helix’ brush. After one stroke, She knew this mascara wasn’t for Her. What was supposed to be the selling point, (the applicator), was the downfall. The odd, bulky, block-ish, blunt-ended brush made for a very awkward and uneasy application. Almost immediately, a considerable amount of product landed on The Beauty Bug’s eyelid and on the bridge of Her nose. Finally, after multiple coats (each more uncomfortable and difficult than the next), the mascara delivered average/decent length, and no volume or thickness.

For the second trial the next day, The Beauty Bug had done a bit of research and discovered that there were a set of instructions hidden under a flap on the box that had gone unnoticed. She reached into Her trash to retrieve the box and lifted the flap. The first step advises to title your chin up and apply the mascara in a single stroke as you normally would, step two instructs to hold the brush vertically and comb through lashes, and step three completes the look by using the tip of the brush to fan out lashes at the corners of the eyes.

Even with the directions in hand, and step by step photos to go with them, this mascara doesn’t make the cut. While the formula is decent (no clumping or flaking), the brush is nearly impossible to use.

Bottom line -  if long lashes aren’t in your genes, unfortunately, Smashbox DNA mascara is not the answer.

Smashbox DNA mascara is available at Sephora for $9.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug.

There is such a thing as a mascara with too much staying power.

For all of those that asked for something even more powerful than tubular mascara, your demands have not fallen on deaf ears. Make Up For Ever has answered your call and next month will launch a mascara that’s in it to win it. A mascara fit for the Energizer Bunny….

Some people will love Make Up For Ever’s new Aqua Smoky Lash (the waterproof version of Smoky Lash), a new mascara that’s described as “extremely waterproof” , but The Beauty Bug can only recommend it for tearful brides that can’t turn off the faucet (or possibly anyone that wears makeup to the gym?). In short, it’s an event mascara that won’t budge for days.

The Beauty Bug tested this mascara just as She would any other mascara and wore it to work with no problems – no flaking, no smudging, etc.  She was impressed with the volume and length it provided, and would compare it to Dior Show with a smaller brush. However, when She went to wash it off at night, this is where the trouble began. The black pigment came off, but Her lashes still felt stiff – like they still had mascara on them -  so She reached for some eye makeup remover pads with a heavy hand.

Fast forward to the morning after and The Beauty Bug found Herself fresh out of the shower still scrubbing this mascara off. Make Up For Ever says it’s from the deep black micronized iron mineral pigments and the film-forming polymers.

Bottom line is ladies, this mascara is just too much work for this Bug, and will probably be for the average woman. After Her experience, The Beauty Bug will tuck it away until Her wedding day in August and be sure to pack extra remover makeup remover.

Aqua Smoky Lash will be available in May in Sephora stores and on www.sephora.com for $22.

This month Kiehl’s became the first prestige beauty brand to introduce a mineral mascara – Kiehl’s Marvelous Mineral Mascara. Developed in response to customer demand, the formula is enriched with pigments, for rich color, and Jojoba Oil and Aloe Vera for conditioning. It’s gentle, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free.

A solid everyday mascara, it won The Beauty Bug over with its ability to make Her lashes gloss, long, and voluminous (thanks to Acacia Senegal, a thickening agent that helps to make the formula smooth).  Effective, ultra-nourishing, and smudge, clump and flake-free, the mascara performed well throughout the long work day and into the evening until the Beauty Bug easily washed it off with warm water. Available in black and black brown, The Beauty Bug’s pick is black for its full-bodied, rich color.

In short, it’s simply marvelous.

Available at Kiehl’s stores and kiehl’s.com for $16.50.

Maybelline XXL Extensions – The Beauty Bug hadn’t intended on including this mascara in the showdown, until She stumbled into the bathroom at work one morning and saw one of Her co-workers applying it. The Beauty Bug was drawn to her beautifully long lashes that looked amazing. Of course, The Beauty Bug had to ask about her mascara. It was a mascara run-in that was meant to be.

Maybeline XXL Extensions is a 2-step microfiber mascara. It’s the only 2-step mascara that The Beauty Bug likes – the only one that’s worth that extra second step. After only a few coats of the black top coat, lashes are noticably longer, and separated with no clumping.

Maybelline Lash Stiletto – Never judge a mascara by its first application. The Beauty Bug learned that when testing Lash Stiletto. Just like heels sometimes need breaking in, this mascara did too.

Loaded with lash conditioning ingredients (pro-vitamin B5), the long-wearing formula is seperates and lengeths. While The Beauty Bug’s lashes didn’t quite look like they were coated with patent leather glossy mascara as the product promises, She did notice a slight shine to Her lashes and a slickness in the formula. The slightly angled/bent brush allowed for more control and made for an easier application. Lashes are elongated, seperated and defined. Just remember – when applying this mascara – do not let it dry in between coats – this could make or break your lashes.

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara - This is a mascara that refuses to be ignored. Between its shiny mylar purple tube and its triple plump wavy catepillar looking brush, The Beauty Bug dares any girl who is a regular CVS shopper to resist the temptation. The Beauty Bug couldn’t resist – She caved and purchased it. The thin formula is perfect for the girl that loves to roll the brush through her lashes as it rolls with ease and creates a nice curl after 3-4 coats. It created average length and decent separation. Overall, a solid choice for those who are after curls and curves!

CoverGirl Exact Eyelights – Were you sucked in by the Rihanna magazine ads? Unfortunately, The Beauty Bug was.  This is nothing but ColorGirl VolumeExact repackaged. No popping, no light reflecting, no brightening (r as they claim, eyes are 4x as bright).  Something to remember when buying a mascara  – it only effects your lashes, not your eyes, as this one says (unfortunately, The Beauty Bug didn’t remind Herself of this as She was checking out at Her local CVS).

The Beauty Bug tried Black Pearl, which is spefically recommended for brown eyes, and it’s nothing but plain black mascara with minor traces of metallics if you close enough at the bristles.  The formula and the rubber bristles perform, but skip this mascara because it’s exact-ly average.

CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe - The newest of the bunch, LashBlast Luxe is yet another disappointment from CoverGirl – it’s just another gimmick. The mascara promises a tinted formula with shimmer. The Beauty Bug tried Black Platinum and the supposed tint/shimmer is non-existent. It seems as though we’re seeing a trend among  Cover Girl mascaras, which leads The Beauty Bug to advise sticking to the basic mascaras which don’t over-promise.

L’Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous – Only true beauty junkies know the pure joy you experience after re-discovering a stellar product.  The Beauty Bug rediscovered this gem back in December when She forgot to pack a mascara when traveling for Christmas. The rich, deep black formula produces full, dramatic, long lashes with no flaking or clumping. Before The Beauty Bug would have relied on this marcara as a fall-back, but now She reaches for it as a first choice.

L’Oreal DoubleExtend Beauty Tubes -  The newest addition to “tubular” mascaras, Beauty Tubes coats each individual last with its own tube which stays in tact until it is washed off with warm water.  Yes, this product does fulfill its promise of being budge/smudge-proof, but it doesn’t provide that extra length (the “lash-extending beauty tubes” promise to lengthen up to 80%) or any volume. The Beauty Bug has been testing this mascara for quite a while now, and it’s nothing more than mediocre. The formula is thin, and the bush is a wire-y and flimsy. The major unavoidable drawback? It’s a  a 2-step mascara.

If you’re looking for a mascara that doesn’t budge for anything, spend the extra $5 or $6 and opt for Clinique’s Lash Power. This is the red-headed step child.

The Facts: Emits 7,000 Ôscillations per minute. Was created by a team led by Jean-Louis Guéret, the designer of all Lancôme mascara brushes who is the father of nearly 400 mascaras. Prior to the national launch, the waiting list reached a whopping 21,000 names.

The Application: Practice your thumb exercises ladies, because Ôscillation requires you to hold down a button to activate the vibrations. While it may be a bit uncomfortable and foreign, it definitely shouldn’t be a deterrent.

Patience is KEY. Watch The Beauty Bug’s instructional application video here. In short, apply in slow, straight, steady strokes. Resist the urge to zig-zag or wiggle. No need to coat the tops of lashes – in fact, the people at Lancome recommend that you don’t. Don’t over pump the wand – there’s plenty of product on there for multiple coats. Apply to lower lashes by holding the wand vertically. When done, take an extra second and go back and re-apply to the tips alone for added length. Another tip – put the wand right at the base of the lashes, activate the vibrating action and hold in place for a few seconds. Then, slowly sweep to the tips of the lashes.

The Vibrations: Controlled, and a bit more exaggerated, palpable and visible.

The Bristles: Rubber

Price: $34

Flaking: No

Clumping: No

Formula compared to Turboash: A bit slicker, shinier , smoother and just a lick thicker and heavier. Separates and lengthens well, similar to Definicils.

The Verdict: Delivers amazing results to those who are patient and take the time to practice. For beginners, break it out on special occasions when you have a lot of getting ready time to spare and then work it into your daily routine when you perfect the gesture.

Estee Lauder’s TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara

The Facts: In July, became the world’s first vibrating mascara. Delivers micropulsing effect that allows brush to penetrate deep in the lash bed. Features a rapid release gel formula.

The Application: One twist of the cap, and the vibrations are activated. No buttons or multi-tasking required. With this mascara, The Beauty Bug DOES apply one coat to the top of Her lashes, and then multiple coats to the underside. Just like Ôscillation, apply with slow even strokes. Watch Estee’s application video here.

The Vibrations: A bit more subtle and less exaggerated than the Ôscillation. What seems like vibrations are micro-pulses in the bristles that allow the brush to penetrate deeper into the lash bed. The first time The Beauty Bug used this mascara, She noted that it felt like the wand was vibrating, not the wand.

The Bristles: Micro-pulse

Price: $32

Flaking: No

Clumping: No

Formula Compared to Ôscillation: A bit lighter and fluffier. Lengthens, defines, separates well and adds volume.

The Verdict: May be a slightly better choice for an everyday mascara. There’s really no transition or learning curve – just slow even strokes starting as close to the lash bed as possible.