Toxin-Free Products

I recently came across this website that lets you type in the name of your beauty product and then it rates the product based on how good/bad the ingredients are. Check it out for yourself and see how your favorite products score.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Super Volume Mascara - By The Body Shop

In general, I've always liked The Body Shop products. One day I was going out to dinner and I was in a rush so I did my makeup in the car while my husband drove. I noticed I forgot my mascara. Mascara is the one thing I wear the most so I had to get some. :) Luckily there were shops close by and we had a long wait for our table. Since I didn't have mascara and I was running low anyway, I went to see what I could find. The Body Shop was the only place nearby that sold makeup. The sales rep led me to their Super Volume Mascara. He told me it was their #1 selling mascara and that they're usually out of it. The brush is very unique, it's spiraled and the bristles are medium-short in length. The formula is good because it didn't clump like some volumizing formulas do, however I've gotten more volume out of other brands. Also, it doesn't smudge much either. I was glad I forgot my mascara that day because I never would've tried it otherwise.

Bad Gal Lash - By Benefit

BAD gal Lash by Benefit is a great mascara. I love the over-sized brush. The volumizing formula is nice and it thickens lashes very well. It comes in small and large sizes.

205 Brush - By MAC Cosmetics

One of the girls at the MAC counter talked me into trying this brush. You can use it for applying your mascara by putting the mascara directly on the brush or you can use it to separate your eyelashes after applying mascara. I prefer to use it for separation. The bristles are softer at the tip and get more coarse toward the base of the brush. As long as you keep the brush clean, it works great.

MAC Cosmetics - Artists In Action

MAC Cosmetics have a lot of excellent products. They also have some great make-up artists who work with them. On their website you can find a few "how-to" videos where they show their "Artists In Action". So go check it out, learn some new techniques, and enjoy!
http://www.maccosmetics.com/makeup_artistry/8858/Video/index.tmpl

Shadow Insurance by Too Faced

I tried this eye-shadow primer because of a suggestion from a Sephora employee. I usually like my primer to have a little color/shimmer to help bring out whatever color I wear over it, but since my favorite one was discontinued by Lancome I decided to give this one a try even though it is matte and has really no color. I'm glad I tried it because it works really well. You can apply it with your finger but I prefer to use a concealer brush. This primer does a good job of keeping your eyeshadow from creasing. I also like the fact that it's in a tube instead of having a wand or being in a little jar like some primers because it dispenses really well. The only negative about this product is the fact that there's no color to it, but that's just personal preference. So it gets 4 and 1/2 Beaut Scoops. Good work Too Faced.
*Product update, this product has lasted me almost a year!  After getting used to this product, I now prefer having a primer with no color. :)  I still like using primers with color on occasion, and the great thing is that Too Faced has come out with a few different color options in this same formula since I first posted this review.