Armani vs. L’oreal & Giveaway Ends 3-13!

(Hey Guys! While I love that people are entering this giveaway, I am concerned that I am not seeing many comments, & that is one of the mandatory rules to enter this giveaway. So, please feel free to enter, but remember to also let me know what your go-to for make-up is 😉 Thanks)

 

While I’m a huge lover of cosmetics, & have way too much more than one little gal needs, I actually don’t wear quite a lot day in & day out. My one (or 2) go-to’s, though, especially when I just need an extra ‘oomph’ of confidence, is to play up my eyes with some black liquid eyeliner (currently using NYC brand in Jet Black) & a great mascara that lengthens & adds volume. During my recent week of Oscar fun at The Vanity Fair Social Club, I was treated to not only an Armani Black Ecstasy tube, but also L’oreal’s Manga Lash mascara AND a brow makeover from Nicole, one of L’oreal’s fab Glam Squad members.

L'Oreal Manga Mascara
L’Oreal Manga Mascara

Since I do wear mascara nearly everyday, I thought it might be fun to do a little mascara vs. mascara test off! I tried out the Manga first, since I had heard so many awesome things about this tube. When I first opened it up, I thought it was a bit clumpy, & I wasn’t a fan of the wand, which bends to help increase easier, smooth application. Guess what? All my un-sure-ness went out the window as soon as I put that baby on my lashes! They literally popped & instantly provided that boost of pretty I am often in search of to help me get out the door.

I love how my lashes are popping from the Manga mascara!
I love how my lashes are popping from the Manga mascara!

 

The second contender, Armani’s Black Ecstasy, I was extremely excited to try & I was certain would outshine how much I did like the L’oreal. My final say? It was just ok. It was actually less clumpy when I swirled it out of the tube, but, only provided medium coverage for me. It did not thicken & volume like I had hoped. It definitely is a deep black, so, if its color you’re most concerned about, you’d be happy with Armani. For me, I will put the $30 aside that would get me one tube of it, & get at-least 2 tubes of the Manga 😉

Armani Black Ecstasy
Armani Black Ecstasy

A feature I do admit to overlooking far too often, is, my eye brows. The late, great make up master, Kevyn Aucoin, was always quick to point out in his beautiful books & Allure Magazine columns how much your brows make your physical appearance; they give you your character & frame your entire face. While I get mine waxed every so often, I am lazy when it comes to tweezing & filling in. It was awesome to experience L’oreal’s Brow Bar at VFSC & learn about the exciting new venture for Los Angeles they now have; on your iPhone, you can download their new Glam Squad app & request a make-up artist come to your home or event to get you all glam & ready for whatever you might have happening; for me, I think this would be perfect for my friends up-coming wedding. Especially, since I use & love L’oreal products already. You can get more info all about it HERE.

My brows after The Glam Squad touched 'em up!
My brows after The Glam Squad touched ’em up!

And, how would you like to experience L’oreal’s great brow goodies for yourself?! I have a pencil filler & brow plumper to provide to one lucky reader! 😉 Fill out the Rafflecopter form below, one winner will be chosen at random March 13th. Open to USA residents 18 & over, please check out my ‘Sweepstakes’ tab for full info & good luck! 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

(*Disclosure: I was provided with samples of all these products courtesy of Vanity Fair, Armani & L’oreal. All opinions are my own.)

16 Comments

  1. Michelle Garrity

    March 2, 2015 at 1:06 pm

    mascara

  2. marie yoon

    March 2, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    probley would be eyeshadow

  3. Barbara Fox

    March 3, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    My number 1 go-to is mascara!

  4. Dana

    March 7, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    Has to be foundation

  5. Lauren

    March 8, 2015 at 7:25 am

    I like Cover Girl eyeliner.

  6. Carol G

    March 8, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    I use foundation all the time. Love your eyes.

  7. Becky Moore

    March 8, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    Hmm I really do not have a go to…maybe lip gloss.

  8. Jamie@MakeupLifeLove

    March 9, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    Pooh what a great giveaway. I love L’Oreal Miss Manga mascara for sure. I haven’t tried Armani Black Ectasy but I think I need to. Great post

    1. AlongComesMary

      March 10, 2015 at 12:52 pm

      Thank you so much!!

  9. Claire

    March 9, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    Awesome giveaway I love this!

  10. Rebekah

    March 10, 2015 at 6:37 am

    That glam squad app sounds fantastic! My go to’s are definitely mascara, brow gel, and lipgloss…

  11. Tara Woods

    March 12, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    My number 1 go-to is my Maybelline eyebrow pencil.

  12. Amy @ So There by Amy

    March 12, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    My new thing is eyebrows! Haha, I told my sister I am “growing out my eyebrows” LOL! Seeing how that goes. Getting familiar with brow powders and pencils.
    My fave mascara, I just posted about today, is Covergirl LastBlast! it is the best!

  13. Valerie

    March 12, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    Tinted brow gel – it’s a must for my blonde brows

  14. Gracie

    March 12, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    I couldnt live without black eyeliner, but a defined brow is something I’ve been working on all year!

  15. Lisa Garner

    March 12, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    My go to is Revlon Photo Finish powder. Love how it makes my pores less visable.

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