I have been truly struggling with finding a great mascara lately. Over the past few months I have gone through a bunch of different kinds and not one of them is satisfying me. Either they aren't giving my lashes enough volume and body, they make me look like I have spiders on my eyes or they are giving me too much volume and body for an every day look.

I do have quite the collection of mascaras that are in my make-up bag and I alternate every day depending on what I'm looking for.

Here are the mascaras that I've been using:

1. Maybelline Great Lash-- Blackest Black

2. Elizabeth Mott-- Volumizing Mascara

3. Almay One Coat Thickening-- Blackest Black

4. Flower Beauty Extreme Measure Lengthening Mascara

5. Pixi Lash Booster Mascara

6. Maybelline One by One Volume Express

These are not ranked in any sort of order. These are all mascaras that I've used over the past few months and none of them are completely up to par. They all have their pros and they all have their cons.

My favorite out of the bunch are obviously the Maybelline ones. I raved about the classic pink and green Great Lash last week but my favorite is the One by One Volume Express. I only wear that one on the weekends because the way it elongates and volumizes my lashes. It's really intense and makes my eyes pop. If you want a mascara that is going to do that and give you a sexy, dark eye look--go with the red tube.  

My least favorite of the bunch is the Almay One Coat Thickening. It doesn't do much for my lashes and is very runny. It smudges easily and almost watery. I rarely use it and it just sits in my make up case unless I am completely out of mascara.

One of my favorites that I've used up is the Flower Beauty mascara. I received it in my Intern Queen Party goodie bag back in July and pretty much used the entire tube. It was perfect for an everyday, day time look. It gave me the perfect amount of color and length without being too voluminous. I hate nothing more than really out there lashes during the day. I reserve that for night time when I'm going out.

The other two mascaras are some I received in my beauty subscription services a while back. I rarely use them because they make my lashes look spidery and don't stay on very well, similar to the Almay mascara.

Even though I love my Maybelline mascaras, I need/want to try something else. What are your favorite mascaras? What do you recommend? Tell me in the comments!

My daily beauty routine has drastically changed over the past year. I've mentioned it before how having this blog has changed my beauty regime. I've discovered new products, tried out different things, and developed a much more appreciative attitude toward beauty products.

I'm a person who loves routines and all summer, I had the same routine: moisturizer, BB Cream, liquid blush, Erase Paste concealer, eyeliner and mascara. It was very simple, very to the point, and I was fine with it.

With the Fall quickly approaching, my make-up routine is changing, even from day to day, everything I do is different.

Here's my current, favorite make-up routine for a simple week day that consists of classes, meetings, and work!

Beauty Routine 2013 by royallypink featuring benefit makeup

I start with a nice cleanser; my favorite is the Clean and Clear Morning Burst because the tiny beads really do help wake you up. I also love the new gel moisturizer that Morning Burst released a few months back. The gel is so light on my face and doesn't make me feel greasy.

My under eye circles are the worst so I do everything I could to de-puff them; an under eye roller paired with Benefit's Oo La Lift is a great pre concealer regime.

I already raved about Maybelline's FIT Me Foundation so that's up next, and then my concealer. I've been taking a break from Erase Paste and have been sticking with the quick and simple Maybelline Age Rewind. It's too easy to not love.

A translucent powder has made it's way into my beauty box; I love setting my under eye concealer with Revlon's Photo Ready pressed translucent powder. It makes everything smooth and pretty.

Next up is my bronzer; I've gone back to my beloved Rimmel London matte bronzer; I'm going to need a new one soon since I could see the bottom of the pan on mine. It gives the perfect glow with no shimmer added. I've also been loving my NYX blush in Angel. It's not too powdery, it almost has a cream like base and it's not too pink--the perfect Fall transition color.

I keep my eyes simple during the day; just some Eyeko liquid liner with a felt tip pen (sometimes I use olive instead of black) and some Pixi mascara.

I've started filling in my brows (not shown here but I use Flower Beauty Eyebrow Pencil) and set them with the Anastasia Brow Gel which works like glue.

After all that, I'm good to go and my make-up usually lasts throughout the day with no primer. In between I will powder up with my Maybelline Dream Matte pressed powder to soak up the sweat and oil.

I'm sure once the weather gets a lot cooler and I find new products my routine will switch again!

Sorry for being MIA yesterday; it's been a tough first week of classes.

This is a very late post but my editorial calendar for the blog has been jam packed.

Earlier this month I received my last Ipsy Glam Bag; after some much needed cutting back on my spending habits, Ipsy and Birchbox both lost. If I do renew one of these subscription boxes down the line, it will be Birchbox--I just enjoy it better.

But, my last Ipsy bag was a great one! It was a "Glamour Academy" themed bag and I think this might've been by favorite little bag yet.

Purple and gold are one of my favorite color combinations and I love the little Ipsy insignia that this one displayed.

1. Michael Todd Charcoal Scrub

The first product I received was a Michael Todd Charcoal Scrub. I used it for the first time last week and it was strange. It wasn't a cleanser as I previously thought it was; you just rubbed the scrub into your skin AFTER you used your regular cleanser. It made my skin feel dirty but I did notice a slight difference in the morning when I woke up. I'll have to try it again. I was happy with the size of this; it wasn't a foil packet but a hearty sample size which is always nice.

2. Chella Eyebrow Pencil

I've received another Chella product a few months back, a Chella highlighter pencil. This month another Chella pencil made it's way into my Ipsy bag; the brown eyebrow pencil is a little thin for my liking and I'm just learning how to properly tame my eyebrows but it's a great quality pencil that has been working good! This was the only full size sample in my bag as these eye pencils usually are.

3. Mica Eyeshadow in Bronze

I have yet to use this bronze eyeshadow because with the hot weather, I haven't used much eyeshadow. Also these loose powders scare me and I never really use them too much because they sometimes are too pigmented and they are so messy. With the cooler weather approaching, I will definitely get back into the swing of things and use eyeshadow more regularly and this will be first on my list. This was a tiny sample but I definitely think it'll be enough to use and see if I like. 

4. Pixi Lash Booster Mascara

Another product in my bag that I haven't used yet; the brush is ultra thick and it seems like great formula so I'm excited to try this out. With unpacking and getting settled in my room, I keep forgetting I have these awesome beauty products! This was a typical sample size mascara, not too big but enough that it could give you a month or so use. 

5. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick

My goodness, I was so thrilled when I found that this would be in my Ipsy bag. I love Urban Decay and was so excited to try out this new lipstick collection. It was a very tiny, tiny sample but I didn't care! The shade I got was very pink and very pigmented, not sheer in the slightest. It may even be a little too pink for me but the formula is wonderful; it's smooth and moisturizing and not sticky. I will definitely be using this more, even if the color is a bit strong!

Ipsy will be missed but this was one heck of a way to go out!