Daiso High Curling Mascara

I went from saying I don't really do mascara reviews to doing 2 mascara reviews in 1 week. What a hypocrite. Does the fact that it only cost $2 and is quite awesome make up for it?

Damage:
$2 from Daiso
They sez:
I don't know, I can't read Japanese -____- and I already threw away the package.
Nunu sez:
I'd heard whispers of an awesome mascara lurking within the hallowed halls of Daiso, so I made sure to drop by when I was in Richmond visiting the parental units.
There are actually several varieties of the High Curling Mascara and they come in different colour packaging. For the life of me I can't figure out what the difference between the one that I have (green packaging) and the one in the orange packaging, they both say "High Curling Mascara". Yes, I am a wealth of useful information. I can't find brand name either but it's made in Korea.
Like most Asian mascaras, the formula is a bit on the drier side, however, I was able to get 2 to 3 coats without any major clumping. It's not waterproof but I didn't notice any flaking or smudging when I wore it.
I don't curl my lashes but this mascara managed to lift to my lashes and added quite a bit of volume and length.
Where else are you going to get a $2 mascara that gives you results like this?? Gooo buy naooooo!

The switch from Summer to Autumn has been absolutely awful for my eyes! They're so sensitive and red T.T

Bonus blurry self portrait of my fotd taken 2 weeks ago when we went to a wedding.

Kate Art Dial Mascara review

I don't often review mascara, but I have a rather bizzarro one for you guys today! This is the Art Dial mascara from Japanese cosmetics brand Kate, an off shoot of the Kanebo brand, and it was released during their Spring 2012 collection. Fellow crazy cat lady Liz gifted me with this when she came back from her trip to Japan, thanks Liz!

Damage:
Around $24 in Japan
Kate sez: 
"A highly functional mascara that allows you to do fine mascara work that cannot be accomplished with conventional mascara bottles. Easily work with groups of lashes to create the lash type of your choice."
Nunu sez:
I'm not very fussy with mascara, they're all more or less the same for me. I have favourites (MaxFactor 2000 Calorie) and some are truly awful (The Body Shop) but most give me the same results.
The Art Dial mascara is unique in that it has a slanted comb dispenser instead of the traditional brush applicator. You twist a dial (I guess that's why it's called "Art Dial"?) at the bottom of the tube to load the comb up with mascara. The dial turns with a satisfying click and by paying attention to the clicks I've so far managed to avoid over loading the comb.
The formula is "wetter" than traditional mascaras because you're essentially getting it "fresh" every time. There is no clumping, not even with multiple coats! Unfortunately this isn't the type of mascara that gives amazing volume or length, it just leaves lashes defined, separated and glossy. It's also not waterproof and it doesn't really hold a curl.
The thing that makes me neglect this mascara is how tricky the application is, the applicator is awkward and takes getting used to, especially on the lower lashes, so I always end up with mascara smeared all over my eyelid. I end up having to tug my eyelid up so that the lashes are easier to get to with the comb.
Conclusion: Too expensive, too difficult to use and mediocre results. Skip.

See how smeariffic it is?

Bonus pics: Ahjumma hair (as D would call it) with my new Rowenta Curl Active curling iron that I'll be reviewing soon!