Me, Charlie & the Fox

I was recently browsing on etsy when I came across this seller while looking for a floral makeup bag. How cute are the prints on these bags?! Each bag is hand printed and sewn with love. :)

I would also like to add  that I used my own money to buy this and it was my own decision to do this post cause I absolutely love my new makeup bag and felt like it deserved it's own post.

It came wrapped in black tissue paper, held together with a little cat sticker that, I am assuming, she drew herself and two business cards that I am also assuming she drew herself. Attentions to details like this is one of the reasons why I love supporting small business owners.

The bag itself is very sturdy and well made, but most importantly it's is hands down the most beautiful bag I've ever seen. The bag I got is the owl illustration floral makeup bag in the size large. Every girl needs a bit of floral print in their lives and paired with an owl, how much better can it get? Surprisingly it holds a ton of makeup, more than one would expect. Will be doing a what's in my makeup bag post in the future.

P.S. Did I mention I love this bag? I think I did. 

NOTD: Sinful Colors Island Coral

Walgreens is currently having a deal on their Sinful Color nail polishes, instead of being the usual $2, they are now $1. Island Coral is one of the three that I picked up. It isn't actually what I would describe as a coral it is a lot more on the pink side, more of a warm bright pink actually. The formula of this one is a bit thin and needs a good three coats for full opacity. A beautiful color for spring and summer.

Review: One 'N Only Argan Oil Treatment

 

I've been using this product for about 2 and half weeks now and I thought I would share my thoughts on it. It is available at Ulta and at Sally's Beauty Supply for $11.99 for 100ml of product. What it claims:

"Argan Oil Treatment is a non-greasy, alcohol-free formula that is absorbed instantly into the hair, creating brilliant shine without leaving any oily residue. Smoothes the cuticle for silky, conditioned and healthy-looking hair. Helps protect again against damage cause by chemicals, excessive heat from styling and environmental factors. Eliminates frizz."

This has been an absolute miracle product for me. I don't know how I went so long without a bottle of this stuff. People have been raving about the wonders of Argan Oil for a while now, but it was a bit out of my price range so when I saw this product on the Ulta website I thought it would be a good cheaper alternative.  Here's a little background on my hair, it's waist-length and dyed, neither too thick nor too thin with damaged ends. I use about a quarter-sized amount on my hair, concentrating most of it on the bottom-half of my hair and the ends, then applying the little that's left on my hands onto the top-half of my hair. If you have shorter hair then you would need even less, using too much can make your hair look greasy. The first day I used this I kept feeling the ends of my hair cause I was amazed at how soft they felt. One of my friends even told me that my hair looked better and had more shine. My ends feel genuinely healthier and more conditioned ever since I've been using it. Before I was using the Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream, which was okay but I needed something even more conditioning. 

The product actually isn't 100% pure Argan oil there's also a few silicones in there, otherwise it would cost about a zillion dollars. That doesn't take away from the amazing effects that it has done for my hair. The scent of this is also amazing, it's kind of nutty and a bit floraly, but it fades after a few minutes. I would completely 100% recommend this product to anyone and everyone that is looking for a conditioning product without wanting to spend too much money on it. 

Favorites: Cream Eyeshadow

As you guys may or may not already know I'm a huge fan of cream eyeshadow. They're great for a quick wash of color on the lid or applying on the go since you don't need a brush to apply them. You can also use a darker color for the outer corners as well or as a base for your eyeshadow. What I look for in a cream eyeshadow is one that is creamy and easy to apply without too much tugging on the lids, pigmented, so it doesn't require too much layering and long-lasting without creasing. I also have fairly oily lids.

First up are the Essence Stay All Day Long Lasting Eyeshadow. I've been using these for the past 2 weeks now and I find the formula to be pretty similar to the Maybelline Color Tattoos. They're creamy and pigmented and last about 8-9 hours on me, without primer, before it starts to look a bit creased and faded. It usually isn't a problem since I carry my cream eyeshadow with me. The best thing about these is the price, they're only 3 dollars for 5.5g of product. These are available at Ulta in the U.S., now I only wish they carried the whole range of colors since they're all beautfiul.

The Maybelline Color Tattoos ($6-7 for 4g of product) have been raved about ever since they've come out to drugstores. Like the Essence cream eyeshadows, they're also creamy and pigmented, lasts 8-9 hours on me, without any primer. I find Bad to the Bronze is similar to Essence Coppy Right in color, Coppy Right is slightly lighter and warmer though. I think Maybelline should come out with more wearable colors as I'm not a very big fan of brights.

My first ever cream eyeshadaw is the MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study that I got 4 and a half years ago and is still creamy. These are the most expensive of the bunch at $17.50 for 5g of product, but they're worth every penny. Of the three, MAC's Paint Pots have the widest range of colors. These are also creamy and pigmented and last about 7-8 hours on me, without primer.

With a good eyeshadow primer I'm sure all of these will last even longer than they already do. I'd also like to add that I've also tried the NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils, which are okay I find that they do crease on me so I have to use a primer and set with shadow and I just don't always have time to do that in the morning. 

All Cosmetics Wholesale Haul

Someone please stop me. I can't seem to stop buying lip products, well it's not necessarily a bad thing is it? Recently ordered from the All Cosmetics Wholesale website and got a great deal on some gorgeous products.

Picked up 4 of the Korres Mango Butter Lipsticks that were reduced from $18 to $7.99. The Mango Butter Lipsticks are lipsticks that are very moisturizing while giving sheer color and high shine while giving protecting lips with a spf of 10.The shades I got are Coral, Peach (which isn't peach at all), Natural Pink and Rose.

 -Coral is a more of a true coral color that isn't too pink or red.

-Peach is actually more of a pink-fuchsia color with tiny gold shimmer.

-Natural Pink is a warm light pink.

-Rose is the sheerest of the four, it's a warm light pink with gold shimmer. Definitely a my lips but better shade.

I also got the Korres Love Your Lips Collection. I don't know the original price of this set but it cost me $10.99, which I thought was a steal for 3 full sized products. Haven't used any of the products yet, will share my thoughts later. The set comes with:

-Rasberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipstick (retails for $22) in the shade Berry #28. 

-Jasmine Lip Butter Glaze (retails for  $14)

-Jasmine Lip Butter (retails for $12)

Also picked up 2 of the Korres Lip Butters, not including the one I got in the set. I really like these lip butters they're extremely moisturizing while giving a hint of color. They were $5.99 instead of the usual retail price of $12.

-Pomegranate is a sheer coral.

-Quince is a sheer cool pink

I got 2 of the Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipsticks in Coral Kiss ($9.99) and Cherry Kiss ($12.99), they originally retail for $22.50. They both come in a beautiful gold metal packaging that has a bit of weight to them. They look so fancy and vintage looking. I'm guessing these were part of some limited edition collection cause of the LOVE stamping on them. The formula of these are creamy, moisturizing and feels comfortable on the lips while providing full-coverage color.

-Coral Kiss is a coral with a slight frosty finish, nothing too frosty though.

-Cherry Kiss is a cherry pink-red.

Last but not least I got a Tarte Cheek Stain in Full Blossom which I got for $9.99 reduced from $30. I've always wanted to try one but they are a bit on the expensive side. I believe that this color was limited edition. I've only used it once and I like it so far. It's a flushed pink color with gold shimmer. 

Be expecting a few posts over the weekend since I'll be having some free time. :)

The Zara Shopper Basket

Came home from school to see this little beauty sitting on my porch waiting for me, it's the Zara Shopper Basket. I've been scouring my local Zara shops in search of this bag with no luck, so I had to order it online. It came delivered in a huge box with some beautiful turquoise tissue paper. The bag comes in the three colors, tan/brown (the one I got), black and a beige one with an orange bottom and raspberry colored strap and handles called "colour two-tone," according to the website. It retails for $79.90, which is way more money than I am used to spending on a purse but I think it's a pretty reasonable price for a Zara bag of such high quality. The bag itself is not made out of leather but out of 100% polyurethane and the lining is made of 50% jute and 50% cotton. It feels and looks very high quality, like it should be more expensive than it actually was. Fans of big bags will also like this one as it is huge and you can pretty much fit whatever your heart desires. Also comes with a removable non-adjustable strap.

The inside has a pouch that can be zipped to one side to turn into a protective cover for your valuables.

This is what it looks like unzipped if you choose to use it as a pouch.

Comes with a little metal plate it "zarabasic" stamped on it.

Inside of the pouch is pretty big and can hold a lot of things but is not zippered.

On the opposite side are two pockets that can hold your phone etc.

I think this will be my go to spring/summer bag since I think the tan/brown color will go well with a lot of outfits. I really love this bag and I recommend everyone go give it a look. Thinking about ordering it in black as well, I love it that much.

Project 10 Pan

After going through my things I came to the realization that I have waaayyy too many beauty products just lying around going untouched and taking up space, so I've decided to put myself on a not so strict project 10 pan. Meaning that I'll still be buying beauty products but only if they're on sale or have just released but I will not be opening them till I am done. Probably wouldn't repurchase most of these products as they're just okay or I prefer something else to it.

1. The Gap GapBody SugarSnap Body Lotion 
2. Hearty Lab Happy Seven Soy Bean Facial Moisturizer
3. bareVitamins Prime Time Foundation Primer
4. E.L.F. Soothing Lip Balm in Strawberry Creme 
5. Clean&Clear Dual Action Facial Moisturizer
6. Sun Labs Exfoliant Body Gel
7. Aveeno Daily Brightening Scrub
8. L'oreal Beauty Tubes Mascara
9. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer
10. i.d. bareMinerals Mineral Veil

Review: Dior Amber Diamond

I thought I would do a review on one of my favorite makeup products that I've ever discovered and that's Dior Amber Diamond Shimmer Powder. It retails at a pricey $44.00 but I assure you that it's worth every penny. I'm sure most of you have heard about or even own this product. Ever since I got this for my birthday in November there hasn't been a day that I haven't used this on my face and I've completely forgotten about the other highlighters I own. It imparts the most lovely glow on the skin that isn't shimmery or glittery but more of a sheen-like finish that has a way of catching the light. It's pretty hard to over-do this and you don't need a lot of product to get the effect you want so it'll last you a long time. It lasts pretty much all day on my skin. I've heard some people calling it a highlighter/bronzer, uh I don't think anyone would want to apply this like they would with a bronzer. As you might see my Amber Diamond has had a little accident and is not in brand spankin condition but that's due to my own negligence. It comes in a stunning blue compact with Dior embossed in silver and CD underneath it. It also came with a velvet pouch which, unfortunately my friend has lost, why a guy was looking through my makeup bag I will never know. 

Yet Another Ulta Haul

Hello everyone! Sorry for the lack of posts over the past week, it's just that school has started up again but expect a few posts this weekend. 

Nothing makes me more excited than affordable, high quality products, so be expecting reviews on most I have gotten, if not all of them. After this I will *attempt* to put myself on a no-spend, but I'm not making any promises.  

From what I know Essence is a brand available at German drugstores, whose products are extremely affordable. Price wise they're about the same as Wet N' Wild or NYC. As you guys may already know I love a good cream eyeshadow and these are great. The Essence Stay All Day Long Lasting Eyeshadow are $2.99 each, making them one of the cheapest I own. They're very creamy and pigmented. On Ulta's website they only have these 3 colors available unfortunately, cause all of the colors are lovely and I would buy them all up. Cream eyeshadow overview coming up soon.

The Essence Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is a felt tip liquid eyeliner. Priced at an affordable $2.79, I'm excited to try this cause I've heard nothing but good things. Liquid eyeliner overview coming up.

Also got the Essence Eyebrow Designer in 02 Brown ($1.49). Haven't given this a try yet so I have no thoughts on it so far but it looks like a good match for my dyed brown hair.

Even though I love my Imju Fiberwig mascara I always like trying out new products to see how they compare and with Essence's affordable prices it doesn't hurt your wallet too bad. From left to right, Maximum Definition Volume Mascara ($3.99), Multi Action False Lashes Mascara ($3.49), Get BIG! Lashes Volume Boost Mascara ($2.99), I Love Extreme Volume Mascara ($3.99), All Eyes On Me Mascara ($1.99)

The Essence Stay With Me Longlasting Lipgloss ($2.29) are lipglosses that have a sweet candy scent. I actually really like these lipglosses and I'm a lipstick person. They're not very sticky and provide a decent amount of color. You can't beat the price either. Review coming soon.

Also picked up the EOS lip balm set ($5.99) that comes with the passion fruit and strawberry sorbet ones. Like everyone else in the world, I love everything about these lip balms, from their scents to their shapes. And how could I not resist in getting them in these cute, limited edition, pastel colored packaging? Although I've seen the pink one sold seperately so maybe it's just the purple passion fruit one that is limited edition?

I've promised myself that I would try and take better care of my skin from now on so I got the Formula 10.0.6 So Totally Clean Deep Pore Cleanser ($5.99) in the original formula. It's not actually a cleanser but a toner. I havn't tried it yet but I've heard good things. Will share my thoughts once I've given it a good try. 

From the same brand I got the Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask and the Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask (both $5.99). I love trying facial masks, they're a good pick me up when I feel like my skin is looking a bit dull. Everything from this brand is affordable and I absoulutely love the packaging of these products, it's simple, clean and eye-catching.

Along with the 2 other masks, I got these two from the Freeman Brand. They have a lot of choices to choose from for all different skin types and are all priced at a affordable $3.99. Most of the ones I was interested in were sold out already but I still managed to pick up the Cucumber Peel-Off Mask and the Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask. 

I will admit that I am a very nice person to my hair. I don't always condition it and sometimes I don't use a heat protectant. I have long waist length hair with fairly damaged ends. I bought the One 'N Only Argan Oil Treatment in an attempt to not completely destroy my hair. I didn't want to spend the ridiculous $50 price tag on other brands, so I got this one for $11.99. I've heard many good things about this product as well, will review once I've used it for a while. 

If you have any questions, please leave it in the comment section and I'll make sure to get to them as soon as I can. Goodbye everyone!