2015 is no in the past, but that doesn't stop me from looking back at a truly life changing year for me. It wasn't what I hoped it would be, but was more what I knew it would be. I am glad I am closing this chapter in my life and have been moving forward with lots of hope and new goals.

All that being said, I wanted to thank you all for being there with me along the ride, supporting me when my father died, when I took a hiatus to be there for him and for my own recovery. I hope that in this new year I can move forward and get back to a routine that allows me to blog more regularly and better than ever.

Thank you all.

Now, on to my favourites of 2015 and some much hated items of 2015.
I'm going to list a few favourites here, but if you want a fuller list, check out the video bellow.
Annabelle Lipsies:
Oh how I love these babies. They are an adorable stick of scented and flavoured lip balms that deliver a bit of tint. They feel silky smooth and hydrate really well. I love the Lychee's smell and taste, it is just like a Lychee! I am shocked every time I apply it that it is so exactly like a real lychee. It also delivers a hint of brown to my lips which looks great. I also love Cherry. It is a very Cherry Lifesaver kind of smell and flavour, which is fun and great. But it also is red, so over a lip stain it can actually replace my lipstick. Which to be honest, if fantastic when your lips are dry.

L'oreal Infalible Pro-Lash Lip Colour:
I have two of these long lasting lipsticks and really want to get more. I love them. The colour part is applied with a doe-foot applicator, followed by a balm in a stick format. I can say that while the colour dries it feels awful, tacky and just so dry. But here is the kicker, once it dries and you apply the balm, your lips feel fantastic, and stay that way all day, even after the balm wears off. So just wait that 60 seconds for the colour to dry and you'll feel better after the balm. Why I am really loving it? It lasts and lasts all day. It also feels great on my lips while I wear it all day. It also doesn't come off on my cups or husband, so it really is a great long lasting lip product.

ELF Lash Tint Mascara:
I love this brush. That is really the draw for me. I sometime think I love an Elf mascara only to have it quickly dry up on me, lucky this baby didn't. But the real thing I love is the tiny brush for tightening. Oh it is fantastic. If you use it on its own it is a very natural effect mascara, but I like it for the roots and tightlining my lashes before a more fuller formula mascara. Regardless I love it.

CoverFX Custom Cover Drops:
I got these because everyone wouldn't shut up about them this summer. To be honest, everyone was right, they are everything you've heard and more. I run neutral with a slight pink undertone, so most foundations run either pink or yellow, leaving me to buy two foundations and mix to make my own town. These babies fix that forever. I just buy the closest one to my tone and can adjust to my perfect skin tone. I got P20 and N10 so that I can mix and make my own tone in any lotion or primer but also adjust foundations, BB, CC creams. AS well I can now boost a BB to a full coverage, I can take a medium or light coverage foundation and boost it to full if I need it to The options are endless.

Guerlain Meteorites:
Earlier this year I attended an event at the Bloor street Guerlain store, where I learned all about the iconic Meteorites. I quickly ran out and bought one, followed by the holiday collections Flacons Enchantes. These are a big splurge for me, but well worth it. I learned at the event that these adorable spheres of scented shimmer are hand made and packaged which only a handful of people in the world know the formulation for. A luxury I have been loving this past year.

Now for what I hated in 2015:
Hard Candy Lash Ink:
Years ago I feel in love with Revlon Lash Tint, a 3 day lash tinting product that wasn't really a mascara, but it made my lashes dark and never smeared, flaked or ran at work, so I loved it. It was discontinued years ago and I never found anything quite like it. Then I saw Hard Candy's Lash Ink and thought it might be the same.It is a stain that last for up to 4 days. It is so wet that applying it is almost impossible because the brush just has short stubs on it. If it had a regular brush it might be ok, but it doesn't. In addition to this you end up with really one big clump of lashes that you then have to spend forever separating. So if you can get it to look half decent, it never really sets, it just stays wet, so it smears, and clumps up again. Plus if a mascara never sets and smears, then it stays tacky, and it moves, so hair at my work sticks to it, leading me to be unhappy. And if it smears, it really kind of runs, because heck if I rub my eye and it ends up on my face, thats not good.  Ok rant over...sorry.
Just go get Estee Lauder's Little Black Primer, its better.

Younique Mascara:
Ok, I know I'll get yelled at for this one. I got this in a swag bag, I know it costs $35, I know people love it (or sales reps I should say), but no, no, no, no! It is bad. I have tried fibre mascaras before, I like them ok, but I am not in love with them. Taking that concept and amping it up to a level that is insane isn't going to make the concept any better. The amount of fibres on the wand isn't even reasonable, it is just too much (for me at least). You end up with spider lashes not long full lashes. Even if you try to use it in moderation, it just looks silly, and really isn't worth the hassle. If you want a nice looking fibre lash kit look at Too Faced's Better Than False Lashes Extreme! It is a better choice.

Ok there you go some favs and dislike for the year, anything you loved or hated this past year?

Once again thanks for sticking 2015 out with me, lots of love.

L'oreal Total Repair Extreme Shampoo and Conditioner I used these both up at the same time, sort of shocking, that never happens. The shampoo is just as creamy as the conditioner and they both work very well to help restore damaged hair. If you like the Total Repair 5 line you will like this too. Would I buy it again? YES! I really really liked this and the shampoo helped convert me back to a shampoo user at 4.5 years of being co-washing my hair
Avon Naturals Kids Amazing Apple Detangling Spray I used up one of these and then bought this one right away. I really liked it. Sadly this bottles pump never wanted to work. So I bought a new spray bottle and used it right up Would I buy it again? No, the pump thing pissed me off, it just was strange how it would spray but not well and suck the bottle inward. I plan on trying another brand of detangling spray next time.
Bath and Bodyworks Shea Cashmere Dry Shampoo I love the smell of this, so does my husband. After one use it went haywire, squirted straight out and ruined my hair. Here read these reviews READ! See I am not the only one who hated it. Plus it was crazy empty after that two uses, like empty. I am going to take it back at some point for a refund or swap, that is one good thing about BBW, they have a guarantee on all their products. Would I buy it again? No, this product is pure crap.
L'oreal Preference Conditioner  I have tons of these hanging around, so I finally used it up.  
Boscia Recharge Night Moisturizer I got this in a glossybox, and I finally used it all up Would I buy it again?  No, I didn't like it very much.
Marcelle Soothing Cleansing Water I got this bonus size a while back and finally used it up. By far one of my favourite cleansing waters. Would I buy it again?  Yes, in fact I got another one at the Lisa's sale this spring.
Marcelle Hydra C Gel  This was a staple for me for a long long time. I've maybe gone throughout 3 of them over time. I love that it is a gel that keeps my skin very hydrated Would I buy it again?  Yes, definitely, but for now I want to use up some of the skin care I have hanging around.
Ponds Wipes I used these up quick. I got them on sale and they did their job quite well. Would I buy it again? Maybe, if they are on sale, other wise I'm buying generic wipes.
Nivea Lip Balm I got this also in a glossy box. I don't like it, it is soft and smooshes too easily. Not that hydrating ....mehhh Would I buy it again?  No.
B. Kamis Lip Balm Also a  glossybox item....meehhh. It was ok, nothing special. Would I buy it again? I don't think they make it anymore, but $21 for a lip balm is too much. 
Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Gel Lotion L-Bifidus & Grape I got a bunch of these a long time ago when they were on sale and I had a coupon. I think they cost me $2 each. Now they are sold in a larger size with a pump. I am the worst for moisturizing and yet I have the driest skin ever. This helped because it was a gel that got absorbed fast. Would I buy it again?  Yes, I have another in  Peach Oil (think like apricot seed oil) and I am quickly using it up.
The Body Shop Honeymania Bath Melt I used this up fast. It does create a wonderful bath filled with lots of bubbles. Would I buy it again? No, I am trying not to use Honey/Sugar in any of my bath items from now on.
The Body Shop Honeymania Body Scrub I think this scrub is great for its creamy factor but sucky for its far to fine crystals. I can't scrub anything with crystals this fine. Would I buy it again? No, sticking with the Satsuma scrub or others.
The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter I like this butter because it is Satsuma scented, but really wish it was a bit thicker. Would I buy it again?  I don't know, I have a massive stockpile to work through before I can buy any more body products, butters included.
Bath and Body Works Fresh Picked Body Wash in Tangerines I got this for xmas from a client, I really liked it. I mainly used it for baths and not as a shower gel. It smells very fresh and fruity. Would I buy it again? I don't think it is still sold by bath and body works, but if I ever use up my stock pile I would consider it.
The Body Shop Almond Hand and Cuticle Cream  I finally used this tube up.  It is a very light and fast absorbing hand lotion. Would I buy it again? I would consider it, right now I am using the rose version.
L'oreal Youth Code Serum Corrector I finally used up this great serum. I love the regular version this one seemed to work a bit at diminishing my barley there skin pigmentation. Would I buy it again? Yes.
Hard Candy Lash Call Mascaras  I cannot believe I still had these. They were hidden away somewhere and I thought I had tossed them years ago. These were fun bright mascaras I never wore too much Would I buy it again? No, I don't need bright coloured mascaras but they were good for what they were.
Masque Bar by Look Beauty I got this handed to me on the street during TIFF this year. It appears to be a new brand at Shoppers Drug Mart.  Would I buy it again? I don't know yet. I wonder how much they cost. I have a second one that I want to try out before making any choices.
Pari Beauty Precious Glow I never ever use this shimmery eye primer Would I buy it again? No, it just isn't for me
Elf Mineral Eye Brightener I love this. I hated the studio version, it was just all big sparkles, but this is fantastic for setting the skin under your eyes. Would I buy it again? Yes, already on my next jar of it.
Elf Studio Eye Primer & Liner Sealer I had this a while, and I just decided it was too old and should be tossed. I never used the liner side much but more the primer. I feel the primer is comparable if not better than Mac Painterly. Would I buy it again? Yes, I already have a new one on the go.
Wet N Wild Fergie Liner  This was dried out when I opened it and I just failed to toss it until now. Would I buy it again? I would try it again if I saw it, but I don't think it is sold in Canada.
Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation I bought this in the exact same shade I have the liquid in and they pother a perfect match. I completely empties this and even scooped the innards out. I absolutely adore this foundation! Would I buy it again? Yes, I want another one right now, but I am determined to use up a few foundations first.
Delon Nail Polish Remover  This was a dollar store purchase. I got it because I really needed a nail polish remover and it is made in Canada. It worked quite well. Would I buy it again? Maybe, I didn't mind it
Bath and Body Works Candle in Apple Crumble I used this tiny candle up. Not my favourite scent. Would I buy it again? Nope.

How time fliies, it feels like not too long ago I wrote my first blgo post on the Mac Style Black collection. The reality is that 5 years have past and now my little 'ole blog is going to be celebrating quite the milestone.
In celebration of 5 years of Batting a Lash (jillojello.com) I am giving away 3 packages of goodies. Please enter below and help me celebrate by giving to you.

Prize #1:

• Stila Garden Palette ($50.00 Canadian Value)
• Chinois - matte creamy white
• Breeze - shimmery beige
• Bark - shimmery taupe
• Freesia - shimmery violet blue
• Rosette - metallic pink violet
• Nectar - matte creamy beige
• Honey - metallic bronze gold
• Sage - shimmery translucent green
• Moss - dark olive green with shimmer
• Juniper - deep shimmery forest green
• Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Starfish (black with gold and green pearl)

Prize #2:

• $45.00 Canadian Prize Pack made up of Elf products
• e.l.f. Studio 96-Piece Geometric Eyeshadow Palette $20.00 Value
• e.l.f. Mineral Mineral Pearls $8.00 Value
• e.l.f. Studio Eye Primer & Liner Sealer $3.00 Value
• e.l.f. Mineral Eye Brightener $3.00 Value
• e.l.f. Studio Exact Lash Mascara $3.00 Value
• e.l.f. Studio 3-in-1 Mascara $3.00 Value

 Prize #3:

• $18.00 Canadian Prize Pack made up of Elf products
• e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in St. Lucia $3.00 Value
• e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream $3.00 Value
• e.l.f. Studio Tone Correcting Powder in Cool $3.00 Value
• e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer in Sheer $3.00 Value
• e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator $3.00 Value
• e.l.f. Studio Matte Lip Color in Tea Rose $3.00 Value

 Studio Foundation in Porcelain, Studio HD Lifting Concealer in Fair, Studio Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain, and Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer in Porcelain.