Bat An Eyelash

Bat An Eyelash Celebrates 1000 Ausome Things #AutismPositivity2013

2013-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Help spread awarness about Autism! To learn more or to join this flash blog visit Autism Positivity Flash Blog.

This is my autistic nephew, Oz, learning the finer points of blending in cream blush. I believe it's NYX in Glow. He is very inquisitive and creative. :D

Here he is sporting his Neruodiversity shirt and being a goofball.

Apologies for My Absence.. Let's Dance!

2013-04-29T15:57:00.001-07:00

I am so sorry that have neglected my blog for so long. I have been incredibly busy with my belly dance schedule. We had a very important gig where we were the featured dancers for the evening. No pressure right? I always say to myself that I'm going to take pictures after I'm done putting my makeup on to share with you guys. Somehow I go from being ahead of schedule to "OMG I should have left five minutes ago!!" At the end of the night I think I'm still presentable to the general public but not beauty bloggers. I'll just have to redo my makeup on a non performance day and share with ya'll. I used Makeup Geek's Sexy Christmas Makeup as my inspiration for this performance. I did make it a little bit more sparkly and smokey. I also added full dramatic lashes but we're talking about performance here not drinks with the girls.

I've been working on this dance for a very long time. It's very complicated and this is my first performance playing zills! I wore my new costume which I didn't get any pictures of either. I just don't think of these things when I'm in the zone.

These look best if you can view them in HD. The lighting is not the easiest to work with. Dancing in a restaurant/lounge presents all sorts of challenges like the smoldering hookah just out of frame right next to where I'm doing veil . Fun!

This next one is a short and sassy drum solo with the girls.It's so much fun to dance with my ladies.

I don't have any performances in the immediate future so I'll try to get some makeup posts done soon.

Sample Society Cancelled. Sub Free!

2013-03-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Sample Society was consistently my favorite beauty sub until they started mixing it up with different box variations. Nothing really wowed me. So I had to invoke my three strikes and you're out rule. It was difficult because I've been subbed to Sample Society since they first started. I almost reneged but I am finally subscription box free! I've been subbed to just about every one at some point and oftentimes three or four at a time. Now my bathroom is overrun with samples and I have very few favorite new products to show for it.

I'm going to go ahead and post my last two boxes. I absolutely hate the March box.

March 2013 Sample Society

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 Shield and restore environmentally stressed skin with this powerful, antioxidant-rich daytime moisturizer, which contains SPF 30 to block the UVA/UVB rays that cause sun damage and free radical damage. This is probably the one product I'll use the most. Murad always puts out quality products and I still haven't found my HG daily moisturizer.
LashFood Nano-Peptide Natural Eyelash Conditioner This powerful breakthrough formula is clinically demonstrated to provide the appearance of longer, thicker, lashes and to transform frail and brittle lashes to become healthy and strong. Enjoy visibly different, stunning lashes in 3 to 6 weeks. I'm pretty happy with my natural lashes. I don't feel the need to treat them or get extensions I may or may not try this. I haven't decided yet.
Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner Ouidad's Moisture Lock seals in lightweight moisture and keeps the hair shaft hydrated. It creates a moisture foundation by infusing individual strands with conditioning proteins vital to healthy hair and great looking curls. Botanical extracts promote long-lasting hydration and help seal the cuticle layer to prevent frizz and encourage healthier hair and scalp. This sounds like a good conditioner for my naturally wavy hair. It doesn't say if it's safe for color treated hair though so I'm a bit hesitant. The matching shampoo would have been nice.
Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer in Cheeky Chops Butter London makes high quality polishes. But this color? Seriously!?
Hollywood Fashion Tape This is another WTF sample. I don't really need fashion tape. I have this to make sure my clothing fits properly and stays in place.

I could possibly use it to keep a costume in place but then again all of my costumes are custom made and fitted to stay in place.

While I didn't hate the February box, it didn't excite me either. There was really only one sample I got any use out of.

February Sample Society

Oscar Blandi Hair Lift Mousse Plump up. Hair Lift Mousse instantly gives any hair type a thicker, fuller, more youthful appearance. Considering I have naturally thick hair that I pay good money to have thinned out and still have more hair than the average person, I have no use for this product.
Diptyque February Fragrance Sample in Oyedo Oh look another Diptyque sample. I received samples of this brand in my September and November boxes. I've hated all three. When I contacted customer service about my frustration with the multiples and the new boxes in general, they gave me a very generous credit which I think I'll use to buy more L'Occitane products.
LaRocca Skincare Hibiscus Cream Cleanser with AHA This gentle cleanser helps melt away impurities without risking over drying. Delicate hibiscus flower, rich in AHA, Vitamin A and C, has been shown to help skin structure and sebum production, maintaining skins elasticity. This is one of the smallest samples I've ever received from Sample Society. I'd expect this from Birchbox but not Sample Society. I could barely get enough out to use.
Immunocologie VenoMax Immunocologie Treatment Crème VenoMax is formulated to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and is ideal for day and night use. Offering protection against chronic inflammation, this rich, luxurious treatment brightens the complexion as it evens skin tone and helps reverse past sun damage. Very generously sized. I've been using this for nearly a month. It doesn't knock my socks off though and has a weird smell. I'm meh about it.
Exude Lipstick Creme in Bronze The moisturizing formula of Exude's lip creme is enhanced with a light, minty scent. The creamy gel texture leaves a rich finish that's the result of a combination of vitamins C and E. Yep BRONZE. Ya know because bronze works so well for fair skinned cool toned ladies. It actually doesn't look as awful as I thought but it's more metallic than I like. What's up with companies putting mint in lip products. I just don't get that.

I used to rave about my Sample Society boxes. This has probably been the hardest break up for me. I currently have no plans to subscribe to any of the other boxes. I definitely need to clean some stuff out first. Have you broken up with any of your subs lately?

NYX Haul $60 for $30

2013-03-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

Total Beauty is running a deal for $60 worth of NYX products for $30. This deal is running for the next two days. So snatch it while you can. I thought about hanging on to mine for a little while but I couldn't resist. If you've been curious about NYX, now's your chance to try out at a discount. NYX cosmetics are cruelty free.

I chose two big ticket items (at least by NYX standards) and a few smaller items instead of just loading up the small stuff. I had a tough time getting right below $60. So the total for this order was $62.25 with free shipping. Out of pocket I paid $32.25 for all of these goodies.

The Curve $15 Felt tip eye liner with an ergonomic shape. I can't wait to try this out. I'm always looking for ways to get that perfect wing.
HD Studio Photogenic Foundation $15 Nude Is a lightweight foundation that smooths and brightens. It is supposed to be a dupe for the MUFE foundation.
Single Eyeshadow $4.50 Frosted Ocean I'm always on the look out for the perfect dark blue to use in my crease. I have a go to blue/gold look I use when I wear one of my costumes but I haven't found the perfect crease color yet. I hope this is it.
Nail Polish Salon Formula $4 I've never tried any of the NYX nail polishes and usually when I do a haul like this with a big discount, I try to cover all the categories. This is described as black with red flecks of glitter. I definitely don't have something like this in my collection already.
Rouge Cream Blush $6 Boho Chic This is hands down my favorite cream blush and definitely one of my favorite blushes overall. I've hit the pan on the one I have now. It won't be long before I crack into this one. This is also one of the prizes in My Giveaway.
Extra Creamy Round Lipstick $4 Tea Rose This formula is very creamy. I wanted to pick up something lighter for Spring.
Slide on Pencil $8 Pretty Violet These are one of the more expensive items in the NYX line. They are also widely considered a dupe for the UD 24/7 liners which retail for $19. I don't have a purple liner. I'm not sure when I'll use it this but it's pretty.
Wonder Pencil $4.50 Light This is a new product from NYX. It's supposed to coneal, brighten, and line. Works great on the waterline.

So I decided to throw together a look using a lot of these products and as many NYX products as I could. I'm about to go meet a friend for Sunday brunch. I didn't want anything too heavy. It's definitely Spring here in Las Vegas.

Face:

NYX HD Foundation Nude

Cover Girl Olay Concealer Balm Fair

MUA Matte Perfect Loose Powder Translucent

Cheeks:

NYX Cream Blush Boho Chic

Eyes:

NYX Wonder Pencil on the waterline.
NYX Loose Pearl Shadow Sky Pink Pearl

NYX Pin Up Tease Mascara Review

Lips:

NYX Creamy Lipstick Tea Rose

Tools:

Beauty Blender

Real Techniques Stippling Brush

e.l.f. Studio Contour Brush

MUA Haul from the 50% Off Sale

2013-02-20T06:47:00.000-08:00

I was so excited for the MUA 50% off sale. I know MUA caught a lot of flack for the whole thing though. After the site crashed during the 35% off sale sure they could have been a bit more prepared for the 50% off sale. It was really disgusting to see how upset people got over the whole thing. You're getting already cheap makeup for even less. We're buying makeup here not saving people's lives. Settle down. But enough of being on my soap box., you want to know what I got!

So the deal was 50% a minimum order of £30 to qualify and free shipping (including international shipping yay).

Blush Shade #1 Gives a nice peach glow
Lip Boom Bring It
Eyebrow Pencil Brunette
Intense Colour Eyeliner Royal Blue
Lashes Glam & Flair
Matte Perfect Loose Translucent Powder Finely milled. No caking.
Matte Perfect Shine Control Foundation Fair Sadly a little too dark and too yellow for me.
Hide & Conceal Coverup Stick Fair Light enough. yay.
Nail Varnish Fever Red
Lipstick Shade #1
Intense Lip Gloss Shimmer Kisses Stolen Kisses
Gel Eyeliner On the Move
Mega Volume Mascara
Extreme Curl Mascara Great curl but for some reason I ordered Black Brown. This would work well if you want a more subtle mascara. I layered it with NYX's Pin Up Tease Mascara for more drama.

So those are my first impressions on the few products I've used already. I also bought a Heaven & Earth palette for a friend of mine. I seem to compulsively put one of those in my cart whenever I order. Overall this was about £15 or $25 after the currency exchange. This was my third order with MUA and they've all arrived in a timely manner and everything survived the journey.

I'm already putting together my wishlist for my next order. I'm curious about their lip stains. Let me know if you've tried them. What are some of your favorites? Did you take advantage of this sale?

Brief Update & Giveaway

2013-02-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

I know I've been pretty silent so far this year. I've been working hard on my goals for this year. I was also hard at work rehearsing a dance that my troupe performed last week. Now that's out of the way. I might actually get some blogging done. I'm really getting into my Arabic studies though and I'm having a serious Mass Effect relapse. So after my normal bellydance schedule, studying Arabic, and saving the Universe, oh yah and working full time+ there isn't much time (or motivation) left.

Since the response was so positive to my post about How Belly Dance Changed My Life I decided to share a new video. This is just a fun dance we put together for this event.

January 18th marked the one year anniversary of Bat An Eyelash. To celebrate, I'd like to offer a giveaway of a few of my favorite products. Open internationally.

Pardon the phone picture. My camera decided to be a jerk.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment I love this stuff. My hair isn't very dry or damaged so this just adds a nice shine. It smells divine!
Maybelline Studio Gel Liner in Charcoal I use this mainly in my waterline.
Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie I'm a sucker for berry shades.
NYX Blush in Pinched One of my favorite blushes. It's considered a dupe for NARS Orgasm. I have both and I tend to reach for this more.
NYX Cream Blush in Boho Chic My favorite cream blush! I'm wearing it today actually.
MUA Heaven & Earth Palette Oh MUA please come to the USA! This palette is so fabulous. I keep buying them for other people when I make a MUA order.
EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint This is always in my purse.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath I tend to only wear neutral shades on my fingernails. This is the perfect neutral.
Tea Tree Oil Foot Repair Balm I keep this by my bed and try to remember to use it every night. It is really moisturizing and my feet don't look as awful.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kat Von D Star Kissed Lipstick Set

2013-01-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

This set retails from Sephora for $28.50. I received mine as a Christmas gift. I'm excited to try these out because these are my first lipsticks from this line. It contains six shades of lipstick weighing 0.042 oz. There are three shades from the Painted Love formula and three from the Foiled Love. The full size versions retail for $19 and contain .11 oz of product. That seems a tad bit pricey to me. So this set is definitely the economical route to go.

The exuberant, high-pigment formulas paint lips with brilliant color and finish with a matte or metallic effect. Natural moisturizers and anti-aging properties keep lips healthy and promise comfortable, long-lasting wear. “A shade for every occasion.” —Kat Von D

Looks like foam but it's black velour

L to R : Rosary, Lolita, Underage Red, Beranice, Forever & Never, and Valentine

Rosary & Lolita

Rosary is a dark berry/burgundy red. Lolita is a peachy/pink color. They describe it as "dusty rose."

Rosary & Lolita Swatched

Underage Love & Bernaice

Underage Red is a true red. It photographed very orange for some reason. It is pretty similar to MAC's Ruby Woo but is creamy. Beranice is a dark shimmery pink. They describe it as "metallic poppy red." It looks more pink to me. I'll have to see how it wears.

Underage Love & Beranice Swatched

Forever & Never and Valentine

Forever & Never is a shimmery nude. It's described as a metallic peach which seems pretty accurate to me. Valentine is a shimmery pink. These two are the most sheer out of the six. I had to swipe Valentine four times for the swatch below. Forever & Never I swiped twice. Everything else I swatched in one go.

Forever & Never and Valentine Swatched

Star Kissed Lipstick Set Swatched: Rosary, Lolita, Underage Red, Beranice, Forever & Never, and Valentine

I have to agree that there is a shade for every occasion! Have you tried any of the Kat Von D lipsticks? What's your favorite?

January Sample Society

2013-01-19T17:42:00.001-08:00

Normally I don't look at any spoilers for Sample Society but now that there are different box variations, I decided to peek this month. One of the things I used to love about Sample Society was that everyone got the same contents. This month I got Kit C. I was a little bummed about it. I was hoping for the box with the Snowberry Day & Night creams. So when I got my box I wasn't really all that jazzed about it.

Sue Devitt Lip Enhancing Gloss in Coral Sands Full Size .15 oz (Retail $22) Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out as collagen production picks up the pace. This gloss is formulated to leave lips hydrated, with a flattering shine and sheer wash of color. This gloss is definitely moisturizing and very glossy. It has a good texture and is fairly long lasting. The color is actually pretty flattering on me.
Nicole Richie Fragrance Eau de Parfum Perfume Vial (Full Size Retail 3.4 oz $69) Blackberry, Seville Orange, Moroccan Rose, Lily of the Valley, Golden Amber, Papyrus, Cashmere Woods, Australian Sandalwood, Sugared Patchouli, Vanilla Absolute. I don't hate this perfume but I don't love it either. I like it better than some of the other perfumes I've gotten in previous boxes but I don't think I'll be wearing it.
By Terry Clarte De Rose Firming Radiant-Lift Eye Serum Deluxe Sample 4 ml (Full Size Retail 15ml $81) Combat fine lines and puffiness with 46 potent ingredients, including black rose concentrate and extra-smooth rose bio-cells. Minimize and erase signs of fatigue. I don't mind eye creams because I'm still on the search for my HG eye cream. I also noticed I'm starting to get some very fine lines in the eye area. I haven't been using this long enough to see any improvement. I might be able to get a few more uses out of the tube.
StriVectin SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub Deluxe Sample 1 oz (Full Size Retail 5 fl oz. $49) This effective exfoliator removes dry skin cells, smooths rough areas and improves skin texture and tone to promote skin health and luminosity. Polishes and primes skin for optimal performance of treatment products. Free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals. I love StriVectin products but since I got my Clarisonic I don't really use scrubs and the like for exfoliation It works well enough though.
Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Eye Pencil in Black Full Size? (Retail Value $15) Just like the traditional Kohl, but with modern ease and control of a pencil. Giving a semi-matte finish that is also smudgeable, SILK KAJAL KOHL's soft tip is ophthalmologically-tested and gentle enough to be used on the inner eye. Suitable for the most sensitive eyes, extremely comfortable. I couldn't find a description of the full size version to know if this truly full size. If it's not, it's darn close. I'm actually excited about this even though it's another black eyeliner. I don't have a kohl liner. There's a look in Making Faces where Kevyn Aucion used kohl and I'd like to try to duplicate it.
Pantene AgeDefy Advanced Thickening Treatment bonus item 50ml Thickens existing hair, so it's as if you have up to 6.500 more hair strands. I believe this was an Allure beauty breakthrough for the year. I naturally have lots of thick hair (don't hate my nails don't grow well see everything has a balance) and spend a hefty chunk of change getting it layered so it doesn't weigh me down and cause headaches. So this is going straight to my trade pile. I appreciate the extra item though.

This box was a little hit and miss for me I like the gloss and eyeliner and two of the items I'll try to trade. I'm indifferent about the StriVectin. I still think that Sample Society is a great sub service though. You actually get samples large enough to test a product.

Second MUA Haul

2013-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

When MUA Cosmetics had their recent 35% off everything with free shipping sale, I jumped at the chance to get my hands a few products from my wishlist. Not quite as big as my last haul from MUA. Everything was still under $20. YAY

Blush Perfection Cream Blush in Bittersweet I love cream blushes so I had to snag one of the new ones from MUA. I haven't had a chance to try this out yet.
Shimmer Kiss Blusher in Pink Shimmer Kisses This gives a very sheer amount of color. This would work well for a highlight or layered a little bit more if you want just a bit of a pink glow to the cheeks.
Bronzed Perfection I don't attempt to contour much because it's so hard to find a good color for those of us that are pale and cool toned. Hannah over at Midnight Violets posted a review about this awhile ago. It looked like it might actually work for me. This thing is huge too.
Lip Liner in Red Drama I really don't like the red lip liner I have now. I like that this has a sharpener in the lid. I believe I read about this on Midnight Violets as well.
Brow Kit I've been slightly obsessed with brow kits and brow products lately. I was so excited when MUA released this. It was at the top of my wishlist. This has three colors and a brow gel. It also features a built in mirror and comes with a small pair of tweezers and a double ended angle brush.
Heaven and Earth Palette I already have one of these and I LOVE it! I bought this second one for my upcoming giveaway.

Unfortunately you can't get MUA products in the US. So like them on Facebook and look for sales. I got free shipping on this order but I've priced out orders before and they are still fairly reasonable. It just takes a little bit longer to get here but I haven't had any issues with either of my orders. Not sure what to order? I can't recommend Midnight Violets enough. She really is my go to for MUA reviews. Did you pick up anything from the last sale?

In 2013 I Want To....

2013-01-05T21:52:00.001-08:00

Well 2012 certainly went by fast and I can't really say I'm sad to see it go. I was really not healthy from late 2011 until late 2012. In 2012 I started my blog, had an organ removed, switched jobs, performed three different choreographies (one of which was a solo), and my closest friend moved to another state. So there was a lot going on and at times it felt out of control.

Now that I'm once again feeling well and like my old self it's time to get back on track. I hate to use the word resolution. I prefer making life changes. I don't plan to change my everything over night but I have a better vision of the path to get to where I want to be. I'm embracing the New Year with a positive outlook for sure. This year I want to:

Dance as much as possible. I'm already doing my best at this. I'm about to start another choreography workshop on Wednesday. Currently rehearsing two different dances and going to class as much as possible. So right now I'm pulling 3-5 hours of dance. I'd like to keep it around that level.
Get serious about cutting my spending and saving more. Doing pretty good at this as well. I've cut my beauty subs down to one (Sample Society and even that is on probation). I cancelled my DirecTV. When I looked at how much I was spending on TV yearly I was like "That's a trip home and a new costume!" I like TV but not that much. Besides it leaves me more time to take care of the other things on this list. My biggest problem right now is picking up take out.
Learn Arabic. Yep that's right. Learn Arabic. Just about everything I dance to is in Arabic. I'd like to be able to understand it. Granted I do my research and our teacher is great about explaining what the song is about and when it was written and all that but it's not the same. Besides learning is never a waste. My Mom sent me Your First 100 Words in Arabic from my Amazon wishlist last Christmas and I never got serious about studying. Now I'm devoting time every day to work on it. Right now I'm learning words for things from around the home so I have my flash cards taped up all over the house. Next week I think I'm going to advance to trying to remember what they are just based on the Arabic not the transliteration. Wish me luck! I'd also like to work in some tutoring.

Lose Weight. I'm sure this is on most lists. After my surgery I gained twenty pounds or so. That has to go! I need to start making a meal plan. I also plan on buying my own elliptical. If I spend money on something, I'll use it because I don't like to be wasteful. This will also remove the "but I don't wanna go to the gym" excuse. I'm thinking I might have to do something pretty drastic for me and that is get up earlier. I'm not a morning person but I have a day job. I still sleep as late as possible but I think I need to start working out in the morning. It's too easy for me to get stuck at the office or just be like "I'm too tired." in the evening. I adhere to my morning routine very strictly. So if I start slowly altering my morning routine to include working out, I believe I can be successful.

I know it's weird that "Blog More" isn't on my list.I never started this blog with the intention of gaining thousands of followers and quitting my day job. It's something I enjoy doing and I'm glad ya'll read it but if I'm going to be honest here, it's not one of my top priorities right now. I'd like to get more organized about what posts I want to make and try to get more reviews and things done. I do plan on working a new camera into the budget somewhere as well. Mine is seriously ready to put out to pasture. Oh and I'm putting together stuff for my blog's one year birthday which is coming up very soon.

What are your goals for 2013?

Christmas 2012 Haul

2013-01-01T12:38:00.000-08:00

I know people are already posting their New Year's Resolutions and I'm just now getting around to posting my Christmas gifts. I'm a busy girl :) Thanks to my family for these great gifts. I finally decided to try out BeautySets since my camera really is on its last leg and we keep having overcast days.

Christmas 2012 Haul
with Style Eyes, Benefit Cosmetics, Kat Von D

December Sample Society

2012-12-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

I know I know.. the month's almost over and I'm just now getting to reviewing my Sample Society box. I tend to get mine a week later and I like to give the products a good round before I write about them. Better late than never right?

December 2012 Sample Society

Philosophy Living Grace Gel Deluxe Sample 1 fl oz. (Full size Retail $22 16 oz) Living grace shampoo, bath & shower gel is a 3-in-1 formula that gently cleanses and conditions skin and hair, while inspiring you to live in the present moment. embrace the beauty of living in the present moment as you lather with living grace shampoo, bath & shower gel. this 3-in-1 multitasking formula gently cleanses, conditions and softens skin and hair, while providing a rich, foaming lather for a luxurious shower or bath experience. No Shampoo or shower gel has ever inspired me to live in the moment. Who writes this stuff? I couldn't even bring myself to post the full description it's so ridiculous. I've gotten this before in the QVC Test Tube. It's ok but is definitely not inspiring. With sodium laureate sulfate as the second ingredient this stuff isn't going anywhere near my hair.
Vapour Organic Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss in Sultry Full Size (Retail Value $20) A healthy high-performance lip gloss in sheer wearable colors. Enhance your natural lip color with five sheer shades. Never sticky or tacky, Elixir delivers superior body and shine. Your lips will instantly feel moisturized and refreshed. Elixir's pure plant ingredients are vacuum processed, without chemicals, to produce a superior lip gloss. Wear alone or layer over Vapour's Siren lipstick. Elixir is made with 70% Certified Organic ingredients and 30% natural mineral pigments & vitamins. Elixir contains Vapour's lip specific botanical infusion of hydrating Myrrh, healing Lemon Balm, antioxidant Green Tea and anti-microbial Iceland Moss. Gluten & Cruelty Free. Sultry is definitely close to my natural lip color but gives a little extra pigment and shine. The formula is smooth and hydrating. I really like the formula. It smells like Now & Laters but other than I really like this.
Hanskin Premium Perfect Super Magic BB Cream SPF30 PA++ Deluxe Sample .33 oz (Full Size Retail $33 1.5 oz) The Premium Perfect Super Magic BB Cream provides coverage, anti-aging protection, sun protection, and cell renewal, all in one tube. The ultimate must-have one-step makeup solution, espeically for those on the go. Contains vegetable extracts for healthy and long-lasting coverage. Evens skin tone by completely covering skin blemishes, freckles, pores, and fine lines. Promotes cell renewal from hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E. Moisturizes the skin while providing coverage. Protects against sun damage, SPF 30 PA++. Comes in one versatileshade that blends in with the skin and will fit most skin tones between light and fairly light. I tend to be a BB snob. If it's not Korean it's crap kinda snob. I'm a huge fan of Skin79 and Holika Holika. I use my Holika Holika almost every day. So I was interested in trying this out..and it's love. The formula is a little thicker than Holika but it provides slightly better coverage. I also like that it dries to a more matte finish. I usually set my Holika with powder because it's quite dewy. Not much in the way of shade range..light to fairly light. Luckily I fall into that category though. I wore this yesterday to dance rehearsal and one of the ladies commented on how great my skin looked. This sample is definitely large enough to last awhile. I might be tempted to buy the full size.
Delaney Wellness Rejuvenating Eye Cream Deluxe Sample .33 fl oz (Full Size Retail $135 1.3 fl oz) Delaney Wellness Beauty Reserve Rejuvenating Eye Creme helps to tighten, firm and brighten the skin around and under the eyes while minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles.Proprietary extract utilizing grape seeds, skins and stems derived directly from Delaney Vineyards is used as the base in all of Delaney Wellness Skin Care Products. Minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Not tested on animals. I don't have much in the way of lines or puffiness around my eyes, it's all about the dark circles. I think this relies more on the sparkly bits to lighten than to actually treat dark circles. I had to quit testing this because my skin broke out on both my eyes just at the corners. I've never had a weird reaction to an eye cream before.
Murad Age Reform Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles Deluxe Sample .1 fl oz (Full Size Retail $65 .5 fl oz) Murad's breakthrough Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles features a highly concentrated formula that resurfaces skin, minimizing the length and depth of wrinkles. The luxe multi-action formula also plumps skin to decrease wrinkle volume, while rebuilding damaged collagen to promote a smoother, more refined, younger-looking complexion. I only have some faint lines on my forehead that I'm trying to keep from getting any worse. The packaging on this says that you should see results in six weeks. I've only been using this for about a week. So I don't notice a difference yet. I really like how the applicator is flat so you can really get into your wrinkles. Jury is still out on this one.
Hanskin Super Plus Perfect BB Cream SPF37 PA++ Bright (30g) SS Foil Packet Extra. I haven't used this yet but if it's like the other Hanskin BB, I'll probably love it.

Sample Society is still my favorite subscription service. I would have preferred the Murad and a hair care product or the Delaney and something else just for a little variety though.

NOTD: China Glaze Ruby Pumps

2012-12-23T11:26:00.001-08:00

What Bat an Eyelash posting a NOTD?! Has she well...gone batty? Not quite just yet. I've said a few times that I'm not all that into nail polish or nail art. I may put something colorful and fun on my toes but my fingernails are usually a neutral color. Every now and then I might get crazy and try my hand at French tips.Typically, the only time there is color on my fingernails is when I'm going to perform. But it's the holidays so I wanted to jazz it up a bit. Enter China Glaze Ruby Pumps.

I think I saw this color first on Temptalia and I had to have it. It's been sitting in my collection for a few months but last night I decided I needed to paint my nails something new. I am in LOVE with this color. It's a cool toned red with sparkle.I kept staring at my nails after I was done because I love this color so much.

What's your favorite holiday nail polish?

Donations for the Sandy Hook Victims

2012-12-21T10:54:00.001-08:00

Last week I sat in stunned silence with the rest of the country. Now that the shock has worn off, I feel the need to act. I still feel pretty helpless but there are ways you can show your support to the families and victims.

United Way of Western Connecticut

This list provides charity and donation information for the individual victims and their families.

Newton Angels Bracelets

December Ipsy 2012 Bag

2012-12-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

This is my second month being resubscribed to Ipsy. Overall I liked this month but I wasn't amazed.

December 2012 Ipsy Bag

Mirabella Be a Bombshell Lip Gloss in Hot Mess This looks more orange in the tube than it actually applies. I haven' tried to wear it yet.
Mai Couture Highlighting Papers I just think these are weird. I can't ever see myself really using them.
NYX Loose Pearl Shadow in Sky Pink Pearl I love NYX products and I actually have a Loose Shadow already in a blue. I was hoping for silver. I wasn't really thrilled to see pink but this is definitely a workable pink for a neutral look. It's not like a bubblegum pink.
Mirabella Primer for Face and Eyes I'm always up to try out a new primer.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero I already have one of these from the set of mini eyeliners I bought on Hautelook a while back. So I was hoping we'd get different colors.

The bag itself is a good size and color. This would be great to put your brushes in for travel. I like that there is so much variety in the style of bag each month now. When I first subscribed they were all pretty similar. This bag was good but I wasn't blown away. I still haven't used anything from last month's bag either. I think I may finally be sampled out.

e.l.f. 50% Off Sale Haul

2012-12-16T18:54:00.000-08:00

Around Thanksgiving e.l.f had a 50% of sale. You had to spend $20 or $25 to qualify which is a pretty decent sized haul of e.l.f products. I needed a new bottle of the Mist & Set and the Lip Exfoliator was finally back in stock so I went in search of what else I could through in my cart. Admittedly, e.l.f. products are hit or miss but at half off their already low prices, I'm willing to take some risks.

Beauty Wedges Price ~~$1.00~~ $0.50 You can always use more sponges right?
HD Blush in Headliner Price ~~$3.00~~ $1.50 I'm a fan of cream blushes. I've never tried a straight up liquid blush before. I was intrigued.
Cuticle Pushers Price ~~$1.00~~ $0.50 I've been trying to pay more attention to how my cuticles look lately.
Brush Shampoo Price ~~$3.00~~ $1.50 I'm almost out of my MAC brush cleaner. I have the e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner which I kinda like so I figured I'd give this a try.
Maximum Coverage Concealer - Oil Free in Porcelain Price ~~$3.00~~ $1.50 I've been really interested in finding the perfect concealer lately.
Makeup Mist & Set Price ~~$3.00~~ $1.50 I've been using this for almost a year now and love it. I notice a difference when I don't use it.
Lip Exfoliator Price ~~$3.00~~ $1.50 I've been dying to try this but it was always out of stock. I was so excited when I got an email letting me know it was back in stock. I just gave this a test drive and I love it. Full review to come.
Moisturizing Lip Tint SPF 8 in Berry Price ~~$3.00~~ $1.50 I have this in Rose and I really like it. Good pigmentation. Long lasting. I hope this one follows suit.
Matte Lip Color in Rich Red Price ~~$3.00~~ $1.50 I'm forever on the search for the perfect matte red.

I also purchased a concealer palette ($1.50) for my Mom's box of holiday goodies. Overall, I got ten items for $13.00 plus shipping. That feels like a good days work of bargain shopping to me.

Collective Holiday Sephora & Ulta Hauls

2012-12-12T20:34:00.000-08:00

I took advantage of some holiday sales but didn't go too crazy. I also have upcoming MUA and e.l.f. hauls to post but first my latest Sephora and Ulta hauls. I fell in love with the L'Occitane hand cream from November's Sample Society Box so I wanted to try more. L'Occitane has a holiday set featuring 1 oz tubes of five of their hand creams. They are Lavande, Pivoine Flora, Classic Shea Butter, Fleur Cherie, and Cherry Blossom. Unfortunately it was sold out a BeautyBar.com. So I picked it up from Sephora (where it is also now sold out). These retail indiviually for $10. I picked up the set for $40 and I believe I got 8% cash back from Ebates.

L'Occitane Hand Cream Confections Set

I can't decide if I'm going to keep them all or send a couple to my mom and sister with the beauty goodie bags I'm putting together for them.

Sephora Freebies

I got a pile of free stuff with my order.First up are my picks for the usual three free samples. Benefit So Radiant which features samples of the Triple Performing Face Emulsion, Total Moisture Facial Cream, and It's Potent Eye Cream. I've try the eye cream in the past and liked it. I wasn't amazed by it but I did like it. Clinique High Impact Mascara was my second choice because I'm always up to try a new mascara. Third choice was Lady Gaga's Fame perfume. I have to admit I was curious. The scent reminds of Liz Taylor Poison from back in the day. Sephora was also offering mystery bags of samples. Mine included two cards of Sephora foundation in Light and Medium, a foil pack of Sephora Instant Moisturizer, Clarins High Definition Body Lift, DDF Amplifying Elixir, and a mini bottle of Versace perfume. I had a sample of the DDF before but it traded it. I may keep this one and actually try it out. I'm pretty sure I'm sending the Versace to my mom though. I'll definitely try the rest.

Ulta was still doing a buy one get one 50% on Real Techniques brushes so I took advantage of that. I picked up the Expert Face Brush and the Stippling brush. I also decided to try a new moisturizer and eye cream. I'm not really loyal to any particular moisturizer and I still haven't found my HG eye cream yet. I like the Eucerin so far but haven't been impressed with the Neutrogena eye cream.

Ulta Holiday 2012 Haul

My Ulta order also contained several items for my Mom but I won't post them on the off chance that she reads this. There was a mix of makeup and skincare products for her. I also scored cash back from Ebates for my Ulta purchase.

Overall, I managed to rein myself in a bit. I'm really trying not to go crazy with my spending lately. I managed to stay mostly on budget as far as gift buying is concerned and only bought a few things for myself. YAY.

What were some of your holiday hauls?

Bellydance Changed My Life

2012-11-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

About four years ago I was looking for a way to work out that wouldn't actually feel like work. I've always had a strong interest in dance but had never actually studied any dance forms. So I started looking at the different types of belly dance. You don't need to a certain age or body type to belly dance. Anyone can do it. Besides it works the abs and hips and what woman doesn't want to work on those areas?

It was my intention to eventually pick up tribal fusion which tends to have a dark and gothic aesthetic. Since I used to be super goth and started going out to goth clubs way back when I was 16 this style really appealed to me. I could still belly dance but do it to all my favorite club hits. Thanks to the strong art history training at VCU, I feel like you have to study the where an art form comes from before you can start altering it or bending it to your will.

I picked up Amira's Bellydance 101 and started my journey. Amira is a local Las Vegas belly dancer and instructor but is known throughout the world. It was quite a challenge to get parts of my body to move in ways they had never moved before. I used to dread the section of the DVD with the body wave! After about two years of doing this DVD at least once a week in my living room, I was finally brave enough to go to an actual class. I contacted Amira but she typically teaches during the day when I work. She suggested I contact Aradia another local dancer and teacher with a world class reputation.

So on June 1, 2010 I walked into my first belly dance class. I was so nervous! Aradia is a star in the belly dance world but I introduced myself and found her very approachable and reassuring. I don't remember exactly what we covered in class those first few weeks but I do know it was quite humbling! I realized I could not dance and travel at the same time nor was I as good as I thought I was. But I didn't give up. Later on that year Aradia offerred a fan veil/drum solo choreography series. I debated with myself on whether or not I was ready but eventually I decided I was up for the challenge. I'm so thankful that I did!

Mt. Charleston 2012 photo by Glenn Brogan

The more I studied classic Egyptian style and listened to Arabic music the more I found I really loved it! So that shift to tribal never happened. Apparently, there's a side of me that likes to wear color every now and then. I was already attracted to sparkly things and dramatic eye makeup.

I began studying consistently with Aradia and dancing in a troupe led by Aradia's teaching assistant, Leslie. The Death by Shimmy ladies are all so unique and amazing. It truly is an honor to dance with them. I've learned so much about myself over the last two and half years. I have achieved so much more than I ever thought I could and met so many amazing women and men!

I was so miserable when my gall bladder was misbehaving and I couldn't dance. Although I did push through it to perform a very beautiful veil piece with my troupe. The recovery period after my surgery seemed to take forever. It's difficult to get back up to speed between all m health issues over the last year and my new work schedule but I'm getting back up there. Belly dance truly is my passion in life and is somewhat responsible for my makeup addiction.

Death by Shimmy performing at the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive 2012

Bellydance is really a beautiful art form with so many varied styles and traditions that it really can offer something for everyone. However, it is just like any other form of dance in that it takes constant study and practice. There is always something to learn! I've been in workshops where Aradia (with her 30+ years experience) was right next to me taking the class. Of course I thought I would swoon when she introduced me to another professional dancer in the class as her student. It was definitely validation for me. I was at least good enough that she'd want people to know she was my teacher. LOL.

Anyhoo, if you've read this far let's see some dancing!

So here's a version of that original fan veil/drum solo. I've performed the fan veil portion of this a few times as a solo but never with the drum solo on the end. I really pushed myself to just do it. I was able to add all the layers that seemed impossible when I first started. This performance was so much fun.

This next piece is a nod to the Golden Era of bellydance which started in the 1940s. I love this dance. It could be my favorite so far.

And finally if you're worried that we're too serious all the time, here's a dance we did for Halloween 2011. Remember when I said anyone could bellydance? The "mermaid" in this video is 60. The very beginning of this got cut off. : (

So there you have it. I could go on and on about bellydance all day but I've probably bored you all enough. If you have any questions or want to see more videos please let me know!

November Rambling

2012-11-23T21:44:00.001-08:00

First I wanted to say thank you to all of my readers! I am grateful to each of you for reading my blog. Thank you to all the other amazing bloggers out there. I've learned so much from you all and I've been inspired.

I've been trying to do some things around the house over the holiday and there was all the baking and visiting to do. So I've been neglecting my blog. I was going to post about the November Ipsy bag but you're all probably tired of seeing it this late in the month. ;)

I was subscribed to MyGlam back in the earlier months of the year when it...well. when it sucked. So I cancelled my subscription. I've kept my eye on their progress though and they've really upped their game. This month I decided to resubscribe and I'm not disappointed. Except for the nail polish but I'm just not into glitter and gold. I love They're Real! mascara it might be my HG mascara. I'm really excited to try theBalm shadow. I've never tried any of their shadows although I've been tempted to buy Nude'Tude a few times. Love the color of the lip gloss. I'm not really into the actual bag this month but that's OK. I loved the October bag and actually traded over on MUT to get one.

I need to go through my collection and update my trade list. I'm also thinking of doing a blog sale. I have a few Inglot shadows and some other stuff I may want to part with.

I'm doing OK on my low buy for the month. I had to take advantage of the MUA 35% off sale. I'll probably hit up some Cyber Monday deals. My Mom wants some makeup/skincare items for Christmas and I still want to pick up a few of the Real Techniques brushes but I don't intend to go crazy buying palettes or holiday sets or even that bottle of Balenciaga perfume I've been wanting for ages.

Hope you're having a great holiday weekend!

Sample Society November

2012-11-18T21:07:00.005-08:00

Sample Society continues to be one of my favorite sub services. Last month was a little blah this month though I'm pretty happy. They have also started to slightly customize loosely based on complexion/hair color. So while everyone got the same lipstick sample, there were different colors sent out. I personally like that everyone gets the same samples with only color variations. That is also why I try to avoid spoilers. I really enjoy being surprised when I open my box. Anyhoo, on to November's box.

November Sample Society

Dermalogica Precleanse Deluxe Sample 1 fl oz (Full Size Retail 5.1 fl oz $35) A double cleansing regimen that begins with PreCleanse, is a plant-based cleanser that thoroughly melts layers of excess sebum, sunscreen, makeup, environmental pollutants and residual skin products that build up during the day. Then, when water is added, this hyrophilic formula transforms into a milky emulsion that easily rinses away oil-based debris from the skin's surface. This gentle blend can also be used around the eye area to remove even the most stubborn waterproof mascara. I haven't tried it on mascara yet but I do like this cleanser. It does well at cutting through a full face of makeup. I don't know that it's a product I'd reach for every day.. Most days I only wear some BB and blush so I think it would be a bit overkill. I do like it though. Of course, I have yet to meet a Dermalogica product I didn't like.
Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist Deluxe Sample 1 fl oz (Full Size Retail 4.2 fl oz $24) Use as both a Treatment & Style Primer. Infuses hair with nutrients & anti-oxidants. Strengthens hair. Protects Color with Color Hold® Technology. Prevents frizz and extends the life of your smooth blowout with built-in humidity resistance. Enhances shine. Good for you Beauty: Both highly sustainable ingredients are Fair-Trade compliant & Certified Organic. Their production & sale aids in supporting the development of local communities. All products contain ingredients grown responsibly & ethically traded; FREE OF sulfates, parabens, gluten, TEA phthalates. I actually wasn't excited about this product until I read it's blurb. I haven't used this yet but I will definitely try to work it in this week. I usually don't use much in the way of hair products because I rarely style or iron my hair. Give me a hair oil any day though and I'm happy girl.
Diptyque Volutes Eau de Toilette Deluxe Sample perfume vial .06 fl oz (Full Size Retail 3.4 fl oz $120) Blond, honeyed Egyptian tobacco transports you to mysterious horizons and far-off shore. Iris strengthens it, spices give it body, and styrax imposes a daring and distinguished leathery note. Based on the description, it sounds like I'd like it. However, on me, I just get too much of a powder smell. booo. This is the second Diptyque perfume Sample Society has sent out and I haven't like either one.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream Deluxe Sample .03 oz (Full Size Retail $28) Shea butter, honey and sweet almond extract are smoothing. Jasmine and ylang-ylang essences offer a delicate scent. Vitamin E helps nourish and protect. I've been wanting to try this for a long time so I was very excited to open my box and see the silver tube. This is a hugely popular hand cream. I have to admit that I probably neglect my hands as far as moisture and sun protection. I I like the feel of this hand cream however I'm not quite sold on the fragrance. Still undecided on this one.
diego dalla palma Classic Lipstick Deluxe Sample-29. Pink Satin (Full Size Retail $34) Wax coated pigments offer pure and true color while film-forming polymers provide immediate adherence and staying power. Ginseng extracts fight wrinkles and increase lips' firmness, and vitamins C and E put antioxidants and anti-aging properties to work. I liked the formula of this lipstick a lot. It is creamy and long lasting like they claim. Shade 29 is a light pink color that I normally wouldn't choose for myself. However, it looks alright. If I were going to buy one of these I'd definitely choose a different shade.

So overall I like this month's Sample Society box. I thought they were able to get these boxes out without too much delay from Super Storm Sandy.

MUA 35% Off Sale w/Free International Shipping!

2012-11-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

MUA Cosmetics is a beloved brand of UK beauty bloggers. They recently hit 35,000 likes on their Facebook page and are celebrating with 35% off and free shipping including international shipping! Just use code MUA35 at checkout.

This sale was so popular it crashed their site for a few days. Now it's back up and running great. I put my order in last night and picked up quite a few things. After making the currency exchange I spent less than $20. Woohoo. I'll post a haul when it gets here but I did order another Heaven & Earth palette to be used in a future giveaway.

Check out my haul from the MUA 25,000 likes sale here.

Ulta Mini Haul

2012-11-13T20:27:00.001-08:00

Even though I'm trying to do a Low Buy for the next few months, I braved a trip to Ulta. I had $5 off coupon on a purchase $10 or more and my quarterly reward to pick up (which I've never actually used before). Ulta had also mailed me a postcard announcing their new Clinique counters. To celebrate, they were giving away a free lipstick. So I made my plan of attack and went in. The only two items I was intending to buy were the Real Techniques Blush Brush and OPI Nail Polish in Bubble Bath. Ashley over at Blush Bug did a post not too long ago about her Favorite Nude Polishes and I fell in love with Bubble Bath.

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath Original price $8.50 after coupon $6.07. This polish is the perfect pale pink color. I did two coats and it's still pretty sheer but still gives a hint of color. Love!
Real Techniques Blush Brush Original price $8.99 after coupon $6.42 I don't have a blush brush that I love. Everyone raves about these brushes so I thought I'd give it a shot. It was a tough call between this brush and the Expert Face Brush. I'll definitely get the Expert Face Brush next time around.
Clinique Long Last Lipstick in All Heart Original price $15. FREE! I believe this is full size but I can't find the weight on the tube. The color All Heart is a deep mauve/berry color. It really suits me. I used to use a lot of Clinique skincare products but I haven't ever really used many of their makeup products.
Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil .35 oz Original price $6.50 FREE! I hardly ever cash in my quarterly points at Ulta. I always forget. When I saw this as one of the options, I was way more motivated than usual. I love this stuff! I'm still working through my 1 oz bottle from Beauty Army. I swear I'm actually going to buy it one day.

Even though I went to the NYX display twice and everything was buy one get on 50%, I managed to not walk away with anything. I'm so proud of myself for sticking to my plan of action. It definitely was not easy! My total spent before taxes was $12.49 that's like a record low for me.

Brush Battle: Coastal Scents v. e.l.f. Stipple Brushes

2012-11-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

I like to use a lot of cream blushes and I tend to apply them with a stipple brush. The first stipple brush I bought was the e.l.f brush a few months ago. I just got the Coastal Scents Stipple Brush in mystery box. Let's see how the stack up against each other.

Coastal Scents Stippling Brush and e.l.f Stipple Brush

Overall Design: The Coastal Scents brush is longer. I tend to hold it close to the ferrule anyway so that doesn't really make much of a difference to me. The handles are slightly rounded for grip. Winner: Tie

L to R: Coastal Scents, e.l.f.

Bristles: These are both made with synthetic bristles. The Coastal Scents brush has thinner bristles that are more densely packed. This definitely gives a more controlled application. The e.l.f bristles are a little bit stiffer and not as soft against the skin. Winner: Coastal Scents

Durability: I've had the e.l.f. brush for a few months and I use it fairly regularly. I haven't noticed any shedding and there has been minimal fraying of the bristles. Cleans easily.

e.l.f bristles

The Coastal Scents brush starting shedding immediately. I've washed it a few times and it still sheds. I find bristles stuck to my face or in my blush. There are also more bristles that are going off in their own direction. I also had a very difficult time getting this brush clean. I really had to work in the brush cleaner and let it sit to get this brush completely clean.

Coastal Scents bristles

This is only after a few weeks of off and on use. Winner: e.l.f

Price: These are both reasonably priced. Coastal Scents is $6.95 available on the Coastal Scents site. and e.l.f is $3 available on the e.l.f site Winner: e.l.f
Overall Winner: e.l.f. This is a great brush for the price and has held up nicely. I do wish the bristles were a little bit more densely packed but I will still reach for this over the Coastal Scents brush.

October Favorites

2012-11-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

I didn't get around to doing a September favorites so this is more of an September/October favorites post. I haven't been wearing a lot of different makeup the last few months. I did perform with my troupe a few times though. We danced a 1940s Golden Era Bellydance piece so I've been doing a retro look a lot which is where most of my favorite products come from.

If anyone is interested in a tutorial for this look let me know. It's pretty easy and always looks glamorous. Anyhoo, on to the October favorites!

Eyeko Skinny Liner, Ardell Wispies, Besame Crimson Rouge, e.l.f. Tinted Lip Moisturizer, & Benefit They're Real! Mascara

Eyeko Skinny Eyeliner in Black I got this back in my July Birchbox it was one of the few items I got from Birchbox that I absolutely loved and one of the very few full sized items I ever got. Anyhoo, this is a felt tipped liner that glides on smoothly and is long lasting. It makes it really easy to achieve that winged liner look. It comes in several different colors. There's a purple I keep talking myself out of buying. It's gorgeous but I don't know when I'd ever wear it. You can buy it at Sephora or Birchbox for $15.
Ardell Wispies Love love love these falsies. They're big and dramatic but still give that soft wide-eyed look. You can find Ardells in most drugstores and Target for around $4.
Besame Crimson Rouge I got this is as a sample in my August Beauty Army kit. Besame Cosmetics is all about the vintage retro look with their products and their packaging. This cream blush is much drier than other cream blushes I've tried. It works great though. Just dab a little bit on and blend it out and you have the perfect vintage looking flush. The full size of this is $22 and you can find it at Besame Cosmetics or Beauty Army.
e.l.f. Moisturizing Lip Tint SPF8 in Rose I usually carry around a ridiculous amount of lippies in my purse. So I've been trying to use up some products and cull the herd. I rediscovered this and have been wearing it a lot. Rose is a darker pink color. I find it much more pigmented than other tinted lip moisturizers/lip balms that I've tried. Fairly well moisturizing and the color is long lasting. These are $3 on the e.l.f. website and I think you can find these in Target.
Benefit They're Real! Mascara I got this sample in my September Little Black Bag. I really didn't want to love it because the full size is $23. I have a hard time finding a mascara that doesn't give me panada eyes even though I only wear mascara on my top lashes. This mascara delivers length and stays put all day. Love it! I have about $10 worth of Birchbox points to cash in so I'll probably buy this. You can also find it pretty much everywhere... Benefit, Sephora, and Ulta.

I don't normally talk about music but the eagerly awaited new album from The 69 Eyes is finally out! The 69 Eyes are a Finnish Goth rock/metal band. The new album is so good. I've been listening to it two or three times a day. Here's the video for the single "Red." My favorite track is actually "Black." You can buy this on Amazon as a CD or download. The Itunes version features a bonus track which is a duet with Kat Von D.

Coastal Scents Mystery Box

2012-11-03T12:49:00.000-07:00

Awhile back Coastal Scents was offering these mystery boxes. I believe they originally sold for $50. I picked mine up when they were on sale for $19.99. I had seen a few other people post about them and the contents looked decent and I love a good mystery box. This seems like a mixture of discontinued, slightly irregular factory faults, and sale items. Here's what was in my box.

Mini Contour Brush & Mini Lip Brush

I tried to use the Mini Contour Brush for cleaning up my cuticles after painting my nails but it didn't work very well. You could possibly use it for really targeted blending. The lip brush would be good for travelling or throwing in your purse for touch ups.

Classic Stippling Brush, Classic Shadow Large Natural & Medium Natural, Natural Fan Brush, and Classic Blender

I like that I received a mixture of synthetic and natural brushes. I always love trying new brushes. I've been using the Stippling Brush for apply cream blush. I'm going to do a comparison with the e.l.f Stipple brush soon. I haven't decided what to do with the Large Natural or the Natural Fan brush yet. I gave the other two to my sister who had no brushes.

Mineral Shadows: Balara, Ignite, Figi Twist, Lace Sparkle, Lagoon Mist, & Emerald Sapphire (sample)

Five full sized mineral shadows! I actually don't use a lot of mineral makeup though. These colors were all recently discontinued. Balara is a dark brown color unlike the orange tint it has in the photo. Ignite is a light brownish pink. Fiji Twist is a bright sunshine yellow. Lace Sparkle is a light mauve. Lagoon Mist is periwinkle. Emerald Sapphire is a cool toned sparkley green. These can be applied wet or dry. If you're interested in swatches let me know. I may just put most of these in my trade pile.

Mineral Bronzer

I was all set to send this straight to the trade pile but this seems light enough that it won't just make my complexion look muddy. I'm going to give it a shot.

Quad Eyeshadow Palette: ??, Peach, Deep Grape, New Penny

This quad was being sold as a dramatic look for green eyes. I'm a blue eyed girl and I don't think I can pulll off this combination. The mystery shade and Deep Grape are matte colors. The mystery shade is very sheer. Peach has a satin finish. New Penny has a more metallic finish. You could easily pop these out and put different colors in. I have a medium and small Z palette though. If I need to travel, I just put my selected colors in the smaller Z palette.

Whimsical Lashes

I love lashes. I don't have a pair with this crisscross pattern so I'm pretty excited about these. I usually only wear lashes for dance performances though. Not sure when I'll get around to trying these out.

I also received a bottle of facial cleanser with grapefruit and green tea extract. It foams up out of the bottle and has a very fresh and clean scent. I haven't tried the African Black Soap yet.

For what I paid, I definitely think I got my money's worth. There are some products I definitely wouldn't have picked up on my own. What are your favorite Coastal Scents products?