What Came in the Mail This Week?

As much as I claim to be super busy with uni, life and everything else in betwee, I seemed to have found time to shop online. This week, the postman brought me, a bag, a bottle of perfume and a hair product.

I've been lusting after this bag on THICONIC for some time now. And with all the complications in my life lately, I thought I'd buy it to cheer myself up a little. I was really excited when I saw the package at my front door when I came home from uni. I left it by my desk and went off to prepare and have dinner with my housemate. It was already night time when I ripped the packaging open and took a photo of it.

The next morning, I picked up the bag to admire it. In better lighting, I noticed all of its faults. It nearly broke my heart because I am quite fussy about things that I buy. I want them to be as perfect as possible. After all, I paid money for it. Then again, I couldn't really blame them. This bag only cost me $40 and it's made in China. Chances are the working environment for the factory workers are poor and stressful. I know I am making a generalisation here but I've just seen too many crappy China made products. I don't think I ever want to buy clothes/bags online again.

Big ball of thread

Speckled with brown/black marks

Manufacturing fault!

When I returned home that evening, two more packages popped up on my doorstep. It was the perfume that I bought from THEICONIC. I've been eyeing Viva La Juicy for a long time now and they were on sale on the website. You can say it was an impulse buy but it was such a good deal! I couldn't resist.

The other package was from the PR agent for Moroccanoil. I will be road-testing the Glimmer Shine spray. Keep your peepers out for the review.

My good friend/housemate/coursemate noticed that I was taking photos of the perfume and hair spray. "Let's have a photo taken together!" she exclaimed. "In our jammies?" I asked, with an eyebrow raised. She went to our whiteboard (yes, we have a whiteboard) and drew/wrote a monogram. It got me really happy and amused at the same time.

She unknowingly cheered me up. The faulty bag was no longer on my mind and I wasn't so bothered by it anymore. It just shows how material can never really satisfy you in life. Friends (and family) will always be the ones making life more vibrant and wonderful.

"Cheese! We're in our jammies!"

Have you ever experienced any online shopping "disasters"?

Chinese New Year Nails Tutorial

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! Did you know that CNY is celebrated for 15 days? It's Day 8 and I thought it is high time I show you what I did for my nails.

Before we begin, there are three main items that you need to gather: 
- a red nail polish
- a gold glitter polish
- a triangular sponge

The following items are optional:
- top/base coat
- nail polish remover
- cotton buds or a small brush

Step 1. Paint on your base coat if desired. Wait for it to dry. Paint on a layer of red nail polish. Apply a second coat if the first coat is not opaque enough. Leave your nails to completely dry (at least 15 minutes)

Step 2. Choose an edge from the triangular sponge and apply the gold glitter polish to that edge. 

Step 3. Press the sponge edge down onto the tips of your nail. Move your sponge up and down in a dabbing motion, pressing the glitter onto your nail.

Step 4. Dip your cotton bud or small brush into nail polish remover and clean up any mistakes around the edges of your nails.

Step 5. Apply a top coat if you want the glitter to stay on for longer.

There you have it! My CNY nails. It's not too late to start celebrating Chinese New Year. Get into the groove by sporting this nail design!

P.S. This nail design works for Christmas too!

What are you wearing on your nails this CNY?

Stila Convertible Color in Lilium Swatches + Review

A lot has happened this week. I've been in med school for only a couple of weeks now and already I feel like I am drowning. I've thrown a house-warming tea party and also finally secured a fourth housemate for the place I am living. I only just got the chance to sit down and write a hopefully lovely review for you. Well, no one ever said life was or is easy. So here it goes.

Stila Convertible Color in Lilium  
Claims: A 2-in-1 compact with a sheer tint that adds an inherent glow to cheeks, and a fresh, radiant colour to lips.
RRP: USD$25 + tax
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Review: As you may recall from my USA haul post, I purchased the long-lusted Stila Convertible Color. I went with Lilium based on my mother's advice. Also, peachey pink was a colour that my makeup drawer had lacked. Although the packaging says that this product is for the lip and cheeks, I have been dabbing some onto my lids. It works as I base for my pink eyeshadows. Sometimes, I wear this product as my eyeshadow. In terms, of multi-tasking, this product receives two thumbs up from me.

The convertible color has a very smooth creamy texture that does not feel sticky. You can easily adjust the degree of pigmentation by applying/blending more or less of the product. Although you may choose to use a brush to apply this product, it is not essential. I have achieved great results with just the tips of my finger. My number one tip for this product is to blend, blend, blend! when using it on the cheeks for a more natural/subtle finish (also to avoid looking like a clown). 

The packaging is very light and sturdy. I also liked that it comes with a compact mirror. It makes this product the perfect travel companion. Its lasting power is not incredible but given my track record of rubbing my face with my hands, it may have contributed to its short life. I find that this product normally only lasts 3 to 5 hours on my cheeks. However, having said that, I have observed that it lasts a lot longer on my eyelids. So, remember, no rubbing!

  
Here's a swatch. 
  

Here's a photo of me without any makeup on. 

Here are photos of me with nothing but Stila Convertible Color in Lilium on. I've applied some lightly on my eyelids, cheeks and lips. 

 

I hope this review has been helpful. It is not necessarily a must-have product but I am very happy with it. So if you're after a multi-tasking cream product, feel free to consider one of Stila's Convertible Color.

Have you tried this product before and which colour was it? What do you think of it?