Reviews: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer and Magnum Big Shot Mascara

I try so hard to get enough sleep every night but between all the books I want to read, all the TV shows and movies I want to see, and all the other things I want to do, time is never enough.

Dark eyes never used to be a problem for me no matter how late in the night (or early in the morning) I stay up, until about two months ago. I looked in the mirror and there they were: two dark bags staring back at me. @_@ How could this have happened? They manifested themselves more clearly last week, after indulging in a Starbucks Grande Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew resulted to myself finally drifting off to la la land at 3 AM.

Maybelline's Brighter Days Ahead gift couldn't have come at a better time.

This kit contained an Instant Age Rewind Concealer, a Magnum Big Shot Mascara, and a sassy eye mask perfect for slumber parties, attracting sweet dreams, or when I just want to be fancy.

Here's a quick review of the Instant Age Rewind Concealer and Magnum Big Shot Mascara. ♥

I never bother with concealer and mascara on ordinary days, TBH, because (a.) despite going to makeup school I never got the hang of applying concealer and I feel like I can make do without it and (b.) I tend to scratch my eyes. In hindsight, I think it's better to apply mascara to prevent myself from scratching my eyes. Hmm. At the same time, I'm at a point in my life where I'm trying to look as polished as I can so maybe I should really start getting the hang of it.

Anyway, here's my face devoid of any makeup product so I can show you a BEFORE photo:

Yep, I've started growing my hair.

Maybelline promises these two new products can instantly brighten up one's eyes in just a few easy steps and that's what we're trying to prove.

De-puff, brighten, treat and conceal ALL IN ONE! the Instant Age Rewind Concealer promises to do all these in just two easy steps. All you have to do is twist and swipe to cover up those under eye dark circles with a special cushion tip that was customized, especially for the delicate under eye area. This 2-in-1 CONCEAL + TREAT concealer has Active Formula Haloxyl, which is the main ingredient in reducing dark circles and Goji Berry to hydrate the skin, so it does more than just conceal - it treats the skin as well.

Aaand here's the customized special cushion tip after I used it:

I kinda freaked out a bit because I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing when I was twisting the cap. I was sitting there twisting and wondering why no product was coming out, twisting and wondering why no product was coming out, twisting and OH there it was! I was scared I did something wrong LOL. You'll notice immediately when the product has come out already so you don't have to worry about spillage. A little goes a long way!

After getting the product on the cushion tip all you have to do is swipe and blend, swipe and blend. You can use either a concealer brush or your ring finger. In my case I used my ring finger. Whatever you use, just make sure it's clean!

Here I must have gotten a lot more product on my left under-eye but that's fine, nothing that an adept hand and good blending skills can't handle. ;)

So, yes, it's so easy to use even for concealer noobs like me. Plus points for the conceal + treat properties! The Instant Age Rewind Concealer comes in three shades and costs P399.

Now take that bright eye to the next level and take your big shot while flaunting your fullest lash look with the NEW Magnum Big Shot Mascara! The maker of the world’s most iconic mascaras brings you the most volumizing mascara that captures the biggest shot of volume in just one stroke! Go powerful with this waterproof mascara that’s equipped with a unique Big Shot brush that features wavy bristles to fully coat each lash to deliver fuller and bolder lashes!

Some say the mascara's power lies not necessarily on the formula but on the brush. Here's what the brush looks like for those who are interested:

Here's the thing... I am genuinely curious as to why cosmetics companies feel the need to release a new mascara every other month or so. I mean, I'm not even done with the tube I'm currently using and here come new ones to try. Maybe they're trying to cater to everyone's needs [in a mascara, anyway] and some people's needs are too specific? I don't know. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Or in this case, different mascaras for different mascara-users.

As for this specific mascara we're talking about here, it did what it was supposed to do: add volume and stay put. I have no complaints. but the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara is still my favorite. The Magnum Big Shot Mascara costs P349 and is fortified with collagen but I'm not sure what that was supposed to do in this case.

Here are the AFTER photos:

My eye bags did not magically disappear to oblivion but at least they weren't dark anymore. I look much more decent and alive, especially with color on my cheeks and lips.

Aside from the Instant Age Rewind Concealer and Magnum Big Shot Mascara, all the products I used for the rest of my face are from Maybelline: Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Powder in 220, Maybelline Fashion Brow 3D Cream Pencil in Dark Brown, Maybelline V-Face Blush Contour in Wine, and Maybelline Color Sensational Powder Matte Lipstick in Almond Pink. This is my PERFECT MLBB lippie and I'll share more swatches of this and the entire Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick collection on my next post!

Products are available in Maybelline counters nationwide and online over at Lazada. For more information about Maybelline, please visit their Facebook Page. In the meantime, I think I'm sticking to using the Instant Age Rewind Concealer every day so I never look tired and harried even when I am. Of course nothing still beats getting enough sleep but I'll take what I can get.