Maybelline Volum' Express One by One Mascara.

I'll be honest. I have not had the best of luck when it comes to Maybelline and their mascaras. While I tend to gravitate toward more luxury mascara, I also cannot deny my love for the drugstore likes of L'Oreal Voluminous or COVERGIRL LashBlast. I was anxious to give this new Volum' Express One by One Mascara a good 'ole try.

At first glance, the brush is similar, but different. It is made of a variety of lengths of rubber bristles, that taper on each end. What does this do? It actually helps to make application easier when defining each lash. It does define each lash, while plumping them up a bit, individually. I normally go for full on volume long lashes, so it is for those with either very full lashes to being with, or those wanting a defined, more natural look. For this I understand the One by One in the name, but not the Volum' Express, as I don't get what I normally expect in a volume formula.

The mascara does apply with ease and stays pliable, but almost too pliable. If I wore my glasses or touched my lashes while wearing, I did get a bit of flakes falling under my eyes.

All in all, this mascara is not bad, but it is not what I would call good for me either. I really wish I could have a better opinion of the Maybelline line of mascaras, but they just have not worked for me overall.

Volum' Express One by One Mascara is available in drugstores and mass retailers now for a suggested retail price of $8.15.

Beauty Blog Love: 1/23/2011.

Argan Oil seems to be the "it" ingredient of the moment and it is turning up in everything. So much so that this entire hair care line is based on it. {A Girl's Gotta Spa}

Rescue Beauty Lounge Iconic/Ironic Collection is here. Michelle has all the pictures! {All Lacquered Up}

A quality set of makeup brushes is the best way to put your best face forward. {A Mom in Red High Heels}

Lauren Conrad is sporting a new hair color. Do you like? {Beauty Girl Musings}

NRAS has a large assortment of spring sets that they just unveiled. I can't decide which one(s) I want. {Product Girl}

These skin care cloths (used on the set of Glee) sound like something I want to try! {Beauty Blogging Junkie}

OOh - CHANEL is about to premier a new lipstick formula. Look at the gorgeous colors! {Karla Sugar}

MAKE UP FOR EVER Lab Shine Lip Gloss.

It goes without saying that I am a lip gloss addict, so when I hear news of a new launch, I am more than excited! Excited I am for this new gloss from MAKE UP FOR EVER called Lab Shine.

Lab Shine is a brilliant new range of lip gloss that delivers mega-watt shine with a gorgeous pop of color. Lab Shine is available in three unique finishes and 35 vibrant, eye-catching hues, making it the perfect finishing touch for a sparkling smile.

All three finishes boast pearl pigments that reflect and refract light for exceptional shine. A combination of hyaluronic acid and Camelina oil add moisture to the lips and improve elasticity, while beeswax and tetraester create a non-sticky texture that effortlessly glides onto the lips.

Pictured from top to bottom:

D16 (Shimmering Beige) Lab Shine from the Diamond Collection

S0 (Pearly Nude) Lab Shine from the Star Collection

M4 (Chrome Tobacco) Lab Shine from the Metal Collection

The finishes:

Diamond - includes 12 new shades and is formulated with MAKE UP FOR EVER Diamond Powder to provide transparent, natural looking color with shimmering, glittery shine.

Star - boasts 14 shades and is blended with MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Powder, to add glamorous shine to the lips with an iridescent mother-of-pearl finish. 

Metal - features 9 shades and contains MAKE UP FOR EVER Metal Powder for an intense chrome, mirror finish.

I like all three finishes in the neutral colors that I chose. I most often wear and I would probably select more shades from the Star Collection for the subtle shimmer or the Metal shades for high gloss shine. While I do like the Diamond shades, I would save those for dressier affairs, as this forty-something Mom doesn't need that much glitter for the day. My teenager daughter though, picked the Diamond shades for herself right away.

MUFE Lab Shine Lip gloss is available now at Sephora and on Sephora.com, in all shades, for $18.00 each.