Those who don’t partake in birthday freebies at stores and restaurants are either nutty or lying. And those of us who admittedly bask in the shower of gifts feel like royalty - there’s the celebratory burrito or an extra 2 percent discount at the unaffordable designer store that somehow managed to find your home address and birthday.
My birthday occurred this month, and I thought I had already soaked up all the freebies I could around town, but I was ecstatic during a trip to Sephora last weekend when I indulged in a purchase and received the July birthday gift in return. The small gift box featured the Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara in black. A very merry unbirthday to me!
After the first use of the dependable label’s lash potion, I was hooked.
The wand resembles a large teardrop and gets to the roots of the lashes. With perfectly placed bristles, the wand volumizes, curls and lengthens, as promised, yet leaving lashes light and clump-free throughout the day.
For evening, the mascara can easily be applied in layers to create a sultry, dark and smoky look that maintains its promised perks without the pain and embarrassment of crumbling that other brands cannot achieve.
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But with every bit of hope in a world of underwhelming brands and devastating formulas that leave you looking like a raccoon by the end of the day, there is a price to pay for the golden child of mascara. Because it cannot be found at the local drugstore, the price is steep for such an outstanding project, though I believe a purchase could still be justified for its outstanding performance.
I just might be able to get over that hiccup and treat myself. After all, it is still my birthday month, and I saved nearly the price of a tube of mascara by taking advantage of the free burrito.
Grade: A-
Price: $24 at Sephora
