MAC now offering teeny versions of pigments, lipglass, etc.

ruh roh.

I just got a promotional email from MAC announcing their "Sized to Go" collection. 30ml or less containers of select PIGMENTS (whaaaaaaaaat? yes!) mascaras, lipglass, and skincare. So pumped. Wish the teeny pigments came in more colors (namely, tan) but they do have Old Gold which is one of my favorite things to put underneath bottom lashes. It's kind of a green/gold but it looks so, so, so good on. Melon (gorgeous rose-gold) is also one of the colors in the small size and it is great on cheeks (highlighter/blush) and lips, it's a particularly good color for blue eyes because it is a bit orange-y. The pigments are $10, full-size they are $21.

Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara vs Benefit They're Real!

I have been using They're Real for several years now, trying other things in between but never really finding anything I liked as much. Poring over mascara reviews online I found several positive ones for the Revlon mascara. Having worked in a prestige/mass-market cosmetic store when the Revlon one was released, I had seen the brush (you know how they package them with the brush out and a disposable lid on the tube?) and noticed how much it looked like the Benefit mascara brush. Not wanting to drop $23 on mascara, the next time I was at CVS I picked up the Photoready 3D.

It is amazing.
It might have been about $8, so I saved at least $15. (more money for other makeups!!) ha.
It's a little tiny bit softer/more liquid than They're Real so it might be easier to smudge when it is wet but it works pretty much the same. It dried a bit softer than the Benefit mascara also, which is a plus for me. I had been using Maybelline Full n' Soft for a few weeks because I HATE crunchy lashes, but it does little to nothing as far as volume for me.

Winner: Revlon Photoready 3D Volume

pictured: no mascara on my left eye, Benefit They're Real on my right eye. 

(HUGE difference, this stuff is great.)

pictured: same as above, Benefit on my right, nothing on the left

pictured: Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara on both eyes. 

The Benefit might be glossier and a tiny bit blacker, but for me I think they are similar enough for me to get the cheaper one. 

*apologies,  the pics are only iphone-camera quality