As a matter of fact I AM batting my eyelashes at you.

I am on a quest for the perfect mascara.  And the perfect mascara would leave my lashes looking something like this:

For the record, those are the full, thick, sweeping lashes of my 6-year-old daughter.  Her 3-year-old sister wouldn't pose for me, but her lashes are, of course, gorgeous as well.  The Husband's too. 

It just ain't fair.

So when BzzAgent had a campaign for L'Oreal's Lash Boosting Serum and Mascara, I jumped (or clicked) at the chance to join. 

I bet some of you are unfamiliar with BzzAgent.  Read more about why you might want to be a BzzAgent here.  I'll give you Reason #1 -- it's free.  I heard about it from my sister, so I signed up (for free).  I filled out some info about myself, did a few short surveys, and the next thing you know I was getting samples of products, tons of coupons, and often samples to share (did I mention it was all free?).  I still use the Pledge Multi-Surface I got.  (I'm not sure how long ago that campaign was... I think I need to dust more often...)  The whole point is to spread word-of-mouth on products, and for BzzAgent to be able give feedback to the companies that make the products.  So that's why I'm doing this.  Well, and this time in particular, as part of my quest for the perfect mascara.

Anyway, I signed up for this L'Oreal campaign, and I received the Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum and the Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara.  (Full-size.)  The mascara has a "nourishing basecoat with serum" on one side that you put on beneath the "ultra-lengthening" topcoat.  Then you put the serum on by itself at bedtime.    The serum is supposed to improve lash health.  (I didn't know I needed to be worried about the health of my lashes, but apparently this is an issue.)  The serum is meant to make your lashes appear fortified, nourished and strengthened.  The mascara suggests that it "visibly lengthens natural lashes up to 80%.  With daily use, lashes appear longer, thicker, fuller."

BzzAgent and L'Oreal both suggested using this routine for 4 weeks to see a difference.

So for 4 weeks, I have only used these products on my lashes, as instructed.  I won't go outside to get the mail without makeup, so putting on my face every day wasn't a huge issue.  Remembering to use the serum at night was more of a challenge, but I was dedicated.

My main concern as I began was whether or not the serum in particular was going to irritate my eyes and/or my contacts.  I knew the products were "opthamologist and allergy tested," but I was still a little hesitant.  I'm happy to report that my eyeballs and my lenses are in the same condition as they were when I started. 

Here are some stats from L'Oreal's site regarding what their test results were, and these women were discussing how their bare lashes looked:

• 
  
  71% said, "It seems I have more lashes."
  
• 
  
  75% said, "My lashes seem thicker."
  
• 
  
  78% said, "I have less lash loss during makeup removal."
  
• 
  
  81% said, "My lashes seem to be in better condition."
  

I fall into the last category there -- I do think my lashes are in better condition.  But.  Can you see a difference?  You tell me:

BEFORE (bare lashes): 

AFTER (bare lashes):

I keep scrolling back and forth... I think they are a teensy weensy bit longer, but I don't know that I notice anything else.  If I were just glancing, except for the earrings in the first image, I'd say they could be the same picture.

As for how the mascara worked, here are my lashes with the mascara on them, at the beginning and end of the 4 weeks.  Are they longer? fuller? thicker?

DAY ONE (with mascara):

END OF 4 WEEKS (with mascara):

I notice a little bit more sweep in the second picture.  I think they do look nice in general, though!

While I didn't get the effect I was personally going for, I liked how the mascara worked -- I just didn't think that it went beyond anything I've already tried.  I will probably continue to use the serum until it's gone because I do notice a difference in my lashes and I'm curious to see if there will be any further improvements.  Especially using my other mascaras, to see if the "new and improved" bare lashes make a difference with them. 

Will I buy this product again after they run out?  Hmmmm... Depends on what kind of coupon I have.  The suggested retail price for the serum is $14.95.  For the mascara, $12.95.  It looks like they'll also offer a starter kit that includes both products for $24.95.

So what do you think?

And do you have a mascara that you love?  Don't hold out on me!