Mavala Double Lash and Lancome Hypnose Drama

Today is all about eyelashes! Apart from being a psycho for eyebrows, I'm also obsessed with lashes and mascaras so today's post is a 2-for-1 deal.

First up is Mavala Double Lash. A friend of mine recommended this to me. I've been wanting to try Latisse and Revitalash, but couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on it and with Christmas just around the river bend corner, I wasn't trying to spend that much money on cosmetics... for the time being at least ;)

Here is what it claims to do:

MAVALA Eye-Lite Double-lash Protein treatment helps lashes grow longer and thicker! From Switzerland, a nutritive treatment that lengthens and strengthens lashes, helps stimulate faster growth and protects them. Finally, you no longer have to thicken your thinning lashes with multiple coats of mascara! Switzerland's Double-Lash is the only night treatment specifically formulated for lengthening, thickening and protecting eyelashes. Contains a special multi-protein that works overnight to immediately bond splitting and restore thickness. Meanwhile the exclusive moisturizing ingredients condition dry, brittle hairs to make them softer and more luxuriant. Just brush it on at bedtime, and within a few days you'll notice a fuller appearance and less flyaways. In just three to four weeks, the rich nutrients begin to promote healthy, consistent growth. You'll show off naturally long lashes instead of slathering on the mascara. Use nightly for best results. Safe, sterile and non-toxic, it won't irritate sensitive eyes. Also works to thicken sparse eyebrows. Comes in a convenient brush-on applicator.

And below are the ingredients:

Aqua, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Xanthan Gum, Lactococcus Ferment, Glycosaminoglycans, Pronline, Riboflavin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hexamidine Diisethionate, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1, 3-Diol 

Honestly, the only words I recognize are aqua, aluminum, alcohol and -paraben. I'm not a cosmetologist, so I really don't know how all of these help lengthen and thicken your lashes. I've been using this on and off for two weeks now and below is what my lashes currently look like:

I haven't noticed a difference in length or thickness, but one thing I did notice was that my lashes were much much softer. I'm not expecting to see any big differences for at least a couple of more weeks. I haven't noticed any negative side-effects either. I've gotten a little bit in my eye, but it didn't sting. It also doesn't darken my lashlines, unlike other products tend to do. Also, I haven't used it on my eyebrows because I'm scared I might break out or something.

Mavala is dirt cheap compared to all the big named brand treatments (got mine for $15 on Amazon). I think if I didn't know someone who's already used this, I would be extremely weary of it just because it is so inexpensive. It's still too early for me to really give this a proper review, but I'll keep track of my progress and share it with you beautiful people :)

Now onto the mascara! I've been in love with Lancome's Hypnose Drama mascara ALL year. Speaking of year, I think at the end of this year, I'll be making a list of my Top 5 Favorite products of 2011 and you can bet that this puppy will make an appearance! ANYWAY, below is what it looks like in case you've never seen/tried/bought it:

The curved brush is amazing. You can forget about using your eyelash curler if you use this because it will do the curling for you. The formula is awesome; it's not too dry that it flakes so you don't end up with black specks all over your face and it's not too wet either that it transfers to your bottom lash line. Before I ran out of my sample tube of the Cils Booster XL, I used to use that and the mascara together and it always looked like I had falsies on. But even without the primer, it still works wonders. Here's what my lashes look like with it on:

My only complaint is the smell, but it's tolerable and definitely not as bad the L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara. A minor "con" would be that if not applied properly, it can get a bit clumpy. But a bit of wiggling from the lash line to the very tips of your lashes will usually get those clumps out.

Man, that was a lot all in one post eh? I'm always worried that my posts get too wordy. Who wants to see words these days?! J/K. I think I said I'd post about my mini Dorothy Perkins dress haul so that'll be my next thing to do since I finally received the last two dresses today. I probably will not update again until after this long weekend so to my American readers, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the long weekend! And to my non-American ones, have an equally amazing week and weekend!

Besos x x
Nicole