ELF Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara -

This was super cheap. But felt like gel, not mascara. It was too goopy to get an even amount on the brush.

Black Signature Satin Dress Butter By Nadia +

I love this dress.

It is fabulous. And I found it on clearance for $99. It is a little bit bigger than I would like. A tad bit, in the waist area. And the satin is a bit heavy for my small frame.

But - It looks awesome. It really is flattering to any woman's body. I have work it twice out, and seriously quite frequently at home, just because I feel pretty in it. So even if I don't wear it that often, this dress is special occasion, and I'll forgive it. It's so classic I can keep it just about forever.

ELF brightening eye color: Luxe -

This quad has some hit or miss colors. The textures vary A LOT and I can't deal with that. There's a strange shimmery red color that I think is very difficult to use. The cream color is too powdery. Totally a miss. The red color also stings my sensitive eyes.

ELF brightening eye color: Drama -

This quad got great reviews and looked like a pretty safe bet color-wise.

It's pretty smooth - almost too smooth. It breaks up a little too much. Each color is a different consistency. Some are more powdery, some blend too easily (I always use primer). This makes using more than one color (which I think most people do) very difficult. Also, I sometimes have sensitive eyes, and I think that some of the colors (if not all) cause me eyes to burn slightly. Pro? Color payoff is excellent. Staying power varies with color. I can see why the reviewers like this quad. It's too inconsistent and I'm too sensitive for it.

I currently (9-09) plan to scrape out this quad to use for pressing my Pure Luxe loose powders.

Cosmedix Clarity Serum -

The third product from Angel.

This product has a horrible smell. It does not moisturize at all. It also did not seem to help clear up my acne. There is also a very small amount of product for your money. It does come in a convenient pump container.

Cosmedix defy Age Management Exfoliator

Again from Angel. I was directed to use this AM and PM as a moisturizer. I have to say it does not seem to effect my acne - that still comes in cycles.

This product does a mediocre job of moisturizing. It also comes in a jar, and I feel that I need to scoop with something for sanitary purposes. This makes it incredibly in convenient.

Cosmedix reflect spf 30

Spray on sunblock that my trusted esthetician, Angel, recommended. I'm sure it does it's job, and it lightweight. However, I DO NOT enjoy the extra step of sunblock application after moisturizing in the AM. For this very reason, I can't wait until I run out. Pros: it's very lightweight and I do not detect a fragrance. It does not seem to make me break out. This 4 oz. bottle has lasted a long time.

Mac Holiday Brush Set: Eye Set

I didn't get this while it was in the stores but picked it up at the Cosmetics Company for $35. Not cheap, but I figured I was getting some good use out of the other Mac set that I had gotten as a gift the year before.

At this current time, 9/09, I do not think that I am using any of the brushes in this set, except for the eyeliner occasionally, and I do not enjoy using it. (I don't like how hard it is, I think it maybe be made to work with liquid or gel products.) I think I was using more of them for awhile, before the Face and Beauty Convention.

I will write this off as part of the experience. I was of the mindset that I had to pay a little more for a quality make up brush. I know now that this is not the case for me.

COACH LILAC PIECED STRIPE LARGE TOTE 13076

I wanted to check out the Coach outlet for my birthday and I was hoping to find a purple purse. I had already made the mistake of buying too large a Coach tote - it was too heavy for me when full and didn't keep it's shape.

I decided to go for a tote in a medium size, and this one is super cute, with four different horizontal strips of materials, lavender suede (gets dirty so easily!) with silver grommets, purple leather with C imprint, light purple with dark purple fabric, and a thin silver belt. The tote handles are adjustable, but really made for hand held use, not as a shoulder bag. (That was annoying at first but my posture is suffering from heavy shoulder bags.

I am disappointed that the suede, so light in color, is so difficult to keep clean, and that this bag, thought smaller than the other, still does not manage to retain it's shape by itself. And since it has only one large compartment, it does feel like a bottomless pit when I use it. But it's good for lugging stuff around on the weekends, and despite it all I do love the colors.

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lipgloss: Fineapple -

One of my best friends loves this, so I thought I'd give it a try. Smells great. Looks fine, give some shine. Not very sophisticated presentation, but I'll forgive it. I understand that's the branding of this product. Smells very fruity, lightly flavored. I like the variety of flavors they have. My problem? Didn't last very long. It also didn't seem to moisturize. Also - most shades have glitter. I have this away.

Mac 213 Fluff Brush

I wanted a smaller brush for more precise application of shadow. At this point, this bursh is not in rotation (9/09) but that could change.

I'm still happy to have this in my collection. I love the way it feels - well built.

Mac Eyeshadow in Parfait Amour +

When I saw this color in my friend's make up bos, I knew I had to have it - it was the perfect color that I had been searching for. Vivid, true, blue-purple. Semi frosty finish.

I don't know if I will ever hit pan in this shadow - but I LOVE the color pay off and trueness of the color over the course of a day. Great buy, even at full price.

Gap Gold Leather Belt (thin)

I saw this and decided I had to have it. It's been in stores for 6 weeks now and still no sign of it going on sale, so I decided to snatch it before it's gone. Problem? too big for me - I need to punch more holes in it. But I still love it. Even though it's 9-09 and I have yet to use it because it is still too big. I adore it and think it's awesome. So I guess for it's happy factor, it was worth $25.

Old Navy cotton blend T Shirt Dress, fuschia

Fuschia is the hot color. And according to my Lucky Style Guide, I am a good part Arty Slick. One of the basics? A t shirt with a long tail on one side. They suggested cutting a long t shirt dress. I was doubtful. But I had faith.

I was scared for a long time, despite my mere $8 investment. I looked and it and was afraid to cut. I think it took about 3 months to get up the nerve. And I am so glad that I did! With the bottom at an angle, and one sleeve cut off, and the other cut into a cap sleeve with slits, it hangs so interestingly and is great for layering on the weekends. I can't wait to see what more I can do with it.

Nicole Miller Enhance Eye Liner in Forest -

On the hunt for interesting eyeliner colors, as they are all the rage. Gree shadows look great with my brown eyes, so I thought I'd give this a try.

For me? Not enough staying power. Color was lovely. Gave this one away to a friend. This brand of eyeliner fades too fast for me.