I'm trying to refrain from creating a list of beauty resolutions that I know that I won't be able to keep. In 2009, out of my 40 most pressing goals, I've only fully completed about 5. So much for "a different me."

That was before I  spotted an early campaign invite for the L'Oreal Paris Lash Boosting BzzCampaign in my inbox. I haven't been too impressed with the products that L'Oreal put out lately (peep my "L'Oreal Lost" series, as in "L'Oreal is falling from grace." Catch the reference?)

In my Lash Boosting BzzKit, I obtained three items: a BzzGuide, the L'Oreal Paris Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum, and the L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara. This all arrived December 24th. I saw it as an early Christmas present.

The Lash Serum has a patented Soft-Touch Applicator, which blows. It's a plastic scythe that enables you to coat the the entire length of the lashes, from the lash line to the tip. I wish that L'Oreal chose to implement a comb applicator because sometimes it's difficult to work it around my lashes. I love that the serum is clear. It takes some practice to make sure that you get just the right amount of serum on the applicator so that it will apply evenly.

Rest your eyes on the royal version of L'Oreal's Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara. This one is called the Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara. Step 1 is a serum-enriched primer. The serum contains two ingredients that  I've never heard before - arginine and centella - and is designed to fortify and nourish your lashes so that they will rival voluminous falsies in appearance.

Let me tell you why I'm not too fond of the primer.

I wish L'Oreal considered making the primer clear instead of white. As I'm sure you know if you use Double Extend Beauty Tubes, fully coating each lash covered in primer proves to be a challenge. When the primer dries, the lashes are stiff.  Not only that, but applying Step 2 (the mascara) ruins the look by transforming the lashes into clumpy, spider legs! Skip Step1 and just apply the mascara. The mascara is mostly great by itself but it does flake during the day. I have a couple of flakes that have settled in the bags underneath my eyes.

Don't mistake this as an inexpensive and more accessible alternative to Latisse or Jan Marini Eyelash Conditioner (which I actually need to remember to use and review) though. It is only meant to improve the lashes that you already have, not encourage new eyelash growth unfortunately. But wouldn't it be amazing if this product could transform your lashes into glossy, semi-permanent, feathered fringes? I'm almost giddy just thinking about the possibility.

I have 46 days left. I officially started on December 25th so I've been using the serum and 2-step mascara for ten days. It's too early to tell whether my lashes are longer or not but I have hope. I've noticed that when I remove the mascara, I do lose 1 to 2 lashes each session. It could be worse, right?