Guerlain Le 2 Mascara

I am a definitely mascara-holic, as you can see from my reviews. I just raved about the Givenchy Phenomen'eyes, which I adore, but I am also very fickle and like to try new things. So, when I returned the Phenomen'Eyes Effet Extension, I actually picked up another tube of Guerlain Le 2.

This is actually my second time purchasing this mascara. The first time was about 1 1/2 years ago, when Saks had it in a Marc Jacobs beauty bag with some other items from YSL, Dior, and Giorgio Armani. I'd had no interest in this mascara, mostly because I am lazy and don't usually see the value in using 2 different steps, and also because of the prohibitive price of $35.

Packaging

This is in a gorgeous, undulating gold tube (yeah - I used undulating - LOL.) I forget who designed the tube, but I believe he won (or was nominated) for some design award. So if you're looking to spruce up your makeup bag, then this fits the bill. Unfortunately, it's also quite long -- significantly moreso than regular mascara and lipgloss tubes -- and does not fit in my Sephora train case.

Brush

The main brush is one of those flexible plastic cylindrical brushes. The bristles are quite dense, and longer than the ones in Chanel Inimitable (which I have also purchased a few times), so they can better separate each of the lashes. Also, the tip of the brush is tapered, so you can reach into the inner and outer corners and also use the tip to cover the bottom lashes comfortably (unlike, say, Cover Girl Lashblast or the YSL rubber bristle one.)

The small brush is a regular fiber brush, but it is teeny tiny, and is slightly bent at an angle. The brush actually reminds me a bit of Maybelline Lash Discovery (a mascara that I do like), except the angle makes it more conducive to getting those inner and outer corners more carefully.

Essentially, with these 2 brushes, you should be able to coat every single lash easily and without smudging on the lid or the skin around the eye.

Formula/Performance

The black is a deep, glossy black - doesn't look gray or faded. Additionally, it volumizes quite well, and it also lengthens decently. It also curls a bit (though for perfect, fanned out lashes, I still have to use a lash curler) and holds the curl while keeping the lashes soft all day. I hate crunchy lashes, and you will not have them with this mascara. Also, it is not waterproof, but I do think it's water resistant, as it does stay on all day without flaking until you use makeup remover to take it off.

Verdict

Overall, this is one of my favorite mascaras. While I wouldn't purchase it every time I need a new mascara, I do think it is a great one, and appreciate it quite a bit. Available at Sephora and Guerlain counters.

THE "Little Black Dress" to Have...

Every so often, a girl just needs a new fragrance. And how often is it that the house of Guerlain comes out with something new?

The latest Guerlain offering is La Petite Robe Noire (which, in English, translates to "Little Black Dress" in case you didn't know.) This fragrance is in limited supply Stateside, but I did manage to get my grubby little hands on it about a month ago from the Guerlain boutique within Bergdorf Goodman in NYC.

It retails for $150USD, and is a decent size of 1.7 ounces. The bottle comes inside a huge box (which is misleading, since the perfume is just a regular size) -- is in the same shape as the Guerlain classic fragrances. One side of the bottle is tinted a gradient black to gray, and there is a little drawing of a black dress with cute cap-sleeves and the name of the fragrance scrawled across in white.

Ah, now... for the juice... it is described on the Bergdorf website as:
"Sexy, and light as a champagne bubble, the scent features melt-in-your-mouth macaroon, the tang of the Sicilian lemon, a tender almond kiss, and a touch of licorice.

An armful of roses adds elegance, while smoked tea and patchouli give it character. And for a soft velvety touch, a caress of Musk and Vanilla."

Now, to my nose, in the initial spray, I detect the lemon and licorice, tempered with some floral (no doubt the rose.) However, the drydown is much smoother and warmer, and I detect a strong hint of vanilla and almond, and the musk and patchouli come out to play. Overall, I would describe the fragrance as a sexy spicy-fruity-floral, if that makes sense!

If you have ever smelled Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb (a fragrance which I once adored), there is something about LPRN that is very similar to it, except -- dare I say -- the Guerlain is much more sophisticated and a little less cloying.

As for the name, well, when I first heard about this perfume, I thought it was a bit lame, but now that I have experienced the fragrance, I do think it is quite befitting. La Petite Robe Noire, like the eponymous item of clothing, is eternally elegant, always poised, and entirely appropriate. And, like the perfect little black dress, it simply envelops you in glamour and beauty. A must-repurchase for me!