I am part of an online community BuzzAgent, it's a word of mouth marketing site. I fill out surveys and get to sample new products, let people know what I think and create buzz.I received a tube of Cover Girl's new Lash Blast Fusion mascara in black about a month ago. I love makeup, especially eye makeup. I wear makeup practically everyday. Even if I am not wearing my full face I have on concealer and mascara.

So, here is what I think about Cover Girl's newest. It claims that it both lengthens and thickens. It definitely make them look longer, but, I don't really feel that it gives me the fullness I want from a mascara. HOWEVER, the brush it great. It reminds me of a mascara I purchased from Avon a couple of years ago that I loved but never saw in the catalog again. It's thick and has short bristles, so multiple coats without clumps is a cinch. Doing several coats helps with the fullness issue. And on my "natural" days just one or two coats looks very soft. The tube itself is a soft finish plastic so sometimes I feel like I don't have a very good grip on it and it might slip from my fingers. It hasn't happened but I would prefer a smoother, shiny plastic like most other tubes.

I'm happy with it and will probably buy it when I need more. It retails for about 8 bucks, so it's a pretty good deal. And I love that it doesn't clump which I usually have problems with since I like to wear so much mascara at once. What can I say, I love dark dramatic lashes.

I've done a comparison of the mascaras that I have been using recently; the Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion in Very Black, Maybelline XXL Curl Power in Very Black, and Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof in Very Black (the classic that make-up artists swear by). The eye on the left has a few of mascara, the eye on the right has no mascara.


The Lash Blast Fusion



XXL Curl Power



Great Lash



I really love the XXL but it does clump easily, the great lash I'm not in love with and only bought because my Rite Aid was running low on waterproof mascara that day and this was it for black. Although, the brush is great for my lower lashes.

Looking at the pictures there doesn't seem to be a huge difference. I don't know, what's your favorite mascara?

Do you hate yourself more than your body hair?

If you answered yes then get an epilator. I purchased this little beauty:



it has the epilator on one side and a shaver on the other. It's genius because once you can't take this little thing plucking your hairs out you can flip it over and just shave them off. Either way you win.

I've waxed various parts of my body before, I've plucked my eyebrows for over 15 years, I have 4 tattoos. I am no wimp when it comes to pain. But I really had a hard time with this. I'm sure over time it will become less painful and the hair will grow in finer also making it easier.

You basically just hold this against your skin, making sure you don't use pressure or you'll get pinched and move it in a circular motion along whatever you are trying to de-fuzz. I did my thighs and arms. Neither part was thickly covered, just light fuzz. However, on my arms it was longer than I was comfortable with and trimming with scissors has resulted in a few painful gashes and scary close calls. I did have to go over the same area several times before all the hairs were removed and part of why it was so bad was that it kept giving me goosebumps. This made it noticeable more painful. It kinda feels like when a hair get caught in a bracelet or watch only its lots of hairs at once and it happens over and over again very quickly.

I started to do my lower legs then decided I had tortured myself enough for one night. Once all the red blotches went away I was left with silky smooth arms and thighs. Its pretty cool considering I picked this little bastard up for $25 and some of these contraptions go for $100. Waxing would definitely be faster and less painful, but, messing with the wax is a pain in the ass and going to a salon is way too expensive. I'm curious about using it on my armpits, I hate having to shave them everyday to keep them smooth and 5 o'clock shadow free. Its easier and less painful if the skin is pulled tight, so, maybe my guy will help me with the pits. I've been begging him to let me use it on him, but, so far it's a no go. I'll try getting him drunk and then ask again.

That's really all for now. The boyfriend and I have been making some lifestyle changes; eating healthier, smaller portions and exercising. We have both gained a few inches around our waists the last 3 years and decided that if didn't do something about it now we might regret it with health problems and unhappiness about how we feel about ourselves. So, we set goals for ourselves each week (usually 2 lbs) and have also taken measurements of our waists. Now we are tracking our progress. Its been two weeks and I really do feel better already. I'm hopeful that I can reach my goal and permantly change my bad habits (french fries, potato chips, too many video games and naps). I'll write about it here from time to time and if I discover any helpful hints I'll post them.