Jewelry: Forever 21 vs. Aldo

I've done a post like this before showing you how you can find similar pieces of jewelry at Forever 21. This time I want to show you that one of the pieces I found is literally the exact same.

I bought the pair of earrings shown below from Aldo a couple of months ago. They retailed for $12.

Yesterday as I was making an online order on Forever 21 I noticed the exact same pair of earrings (see picture below) for $7.80. The only difference is the colour of the stones. Other than that the EXACT same pair of peacock inspired earrings.

 http://canada.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=F21&Category=acc_earrings&ProductID=1015035680&VariantID=

I think this is a lesson for all of us that Forever 21 inherits the same styles that are in other stores like Aldo. You might have to wait a bit to get the same piece of jewelry, but you end up saving money.

got 2b Powder'ful Volumizing Styling Powder

Are you guilty of teasing your hair daily?

The fact of the matter is that teasing or 'backcombing' your hair can damage your hair.

If you want to give your hair a break and still have that volume I suggest you try out got 2b's Powder'ful.

The bottle contains a powder that you pour out through a sifter. The powder itself is white and a little sticky in texture allowing you to style your hair the way you want- similar to a hair spray. Of course, the powder turns transparent so that it is not visible and it does not leave any residue.

Directions
You can either pour the powder directly into your hair or pour it in your hands and then apply it. I like to section off my hair and pour a small amount in the sections. Then I basically rub my scalp and I instantly get a more volume from the roots of my hair. 

You will have a kind of tousled, bedhead look after you are done rubbing the product in, so I suggest you lightly brush your hair to tame the flyaways.


Overall, I would say this product is great if you love teasing your hair.

Let me know how if you have tried it!

Equate Facial Cleansing Towelettes

I'm sure we have all had those days when we get home so late that we contemplate going straight to sleep without taking off our makeup. 

I have learned how important it is to take off my makeup at night no matter how tired I am. Not only do you feel refreshed after doing so, but you allow your skin to breathe after the long day. After all, the first step to having your makeup look good is to start with a clean canvas which means good skin care. 

So after coming home from a long day I want to use a makeup remover that is quick and efficient. I have tried makeup removers that are liquid, cream, and even wipes. However, not only can these makeup removers be quite expensive, sometimes they just do not work the way I want. 

It is not until recently that I have found my staple makeup remover- Equate Facial Cleansing Wipes.

Like I mentioned, I have tried wipes before, but I have experienced some cons with them. For example they have been dry, not been able to effectively remove my makeup and some have even irritated my skin.

Pros
1. The first Pro about the Equate Facial Cleansing Towelettes is the price! You get two packages with 60 sheets each (120 total) for around $10! Your typical drugstore wipes usually come with 30 sheets and run for around $8.

2. The second thing I love about these wipes is how they are compact. The fact that they come in a resealable package makes them great for traveling. You do not have to worry about spillage like with liquid removers. 

3. These wipes are nicely moisturized. To make sure that the one I take out of the package is as moisturized as the other ones, I store the package upside down. This ensures that you will not have any dry wipes!

After using these wipes I finish my nightly skin care routine by using my cleanser to ensure that my skin is completely clean! :)
 
Overall, I really love these wipes and would highly recommend them!

5/5 stars

Styling Hair- Wavy Curls

I’ve always enjoyed the sleek look when it comes to hair. However, when I want a change I like to give my hair some more definition by curling it.

This blog post is going to be a mix of an Outfit of the Day, a mini product review and some tips about curling irons if you are looking to purchase a new one.

Tips

Now when it comes to a curling iron there are different types to use as well as various barrel sizes. I am going to distinguish between two types: regular curling iron with a clamp and clampless curling iron.

I recently purchased a Babyliss Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron from http://www.flatironexperts.com/. The barrel size I chose was 1 ½” in order to achieve large loose waves. If you are the type that wants tighter curls I would recommend a barrel that is less than 1 ½ “ (e.g. 1 ¼ “, 1”, etc.).

Mini Review

-Sleek Black Handle and Red Tourmaline Barrel

-Push To Lock Button for Heat Temperature Settings
-40 Heat Settings

-Swivel Cord allows you to move around with the iron so it does not get tangled or in your way

-Red indicator light

-1.5 inch barrel with clamp and comfort grip
-Stand to set on your counter

-Grip so you can hold on to the tool without burning yourself

This particular curling iron has a clamp which means the tool is intended to be used the old fashion way. However, with the new trend of clampless curling irons which are much more simple to use, you just have to wrap your hair around the barrel of the iron, hold it for a few seconds and let go.

Navy Blue One-Shoulder Dress- Forever 21
Nude Pumps- Steve Madden

In the picture above I styled by hair with the Babyliss Pro by sectioning off my hair, wrapping each section around the barrel and clamping it down so I did not have to hold it with my finger. 

This hairstyle literally takes about 10minutes to do. It is great if you want to look a bit more put together. 

Overall, I would say that you could invest in a clampless curling iron, but I prefer the versatility of a curling iron with a clamp. It allows you to wrap your hair around the barrel if you want waves like with a clampless iron, and you can still curl your hair the old-fashioned way as well.

Cargo Fresh Face Complexion Kit

I love value sets because they allow me to try out new products for a reasonable price.

I recently purchased the Cargo Fresh Face Complexion Kit from Apothica which is a website that sells various brands of high end make up and beauty products. 

The kit, valued at $72, is only $42 and includes 4 different products- 2 travel size and 2 full size).

The only con about this kit is that it is only available in two shades (Light and Medium). I chose the Medium kit for my complexion.

Here is a mini review on the four products:
 1) Cargo blu_ray High Definition Pressed Powder (Full-Size)

I was actually quite impressed when I first saw the shade of this powder because it has yellow undertones that are suitable for my skin tone. The technology of this powder claims to make your face look flawless even when filming with HD cameras. I actually really enjoy this Cargo powder because it does not look powdery on my face. The particles are so finely milled that it blends into my skin effortlessly. Overall, since this pressed powder retails for $32 on its own, it's a steal with the kit! A definite re-purchase.

2) Cargo OneBase (Full-Size)

The Cargo OneBase is marketed as a concealer and foundation in one. It comes in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. I like the concept of having a 2 in 1 product, but I do not think people who are looking for more of a full-coverage look, will like this product. Personally I do not like wearing foundation on a daily basis anyways, so I have been using the OneBase more as a spot-treatment. Retailing for $27, the OneBase is a little on the pricey side for a concealer. Since I do not find it to work any better than any other concealers I have tried, I probably will not be repurchasing.

3) Cargo Bronzer (Travel Size)

I always think travel size packing is so cute! This little Cargo bronzer travel tin is no exception! It is perfect for throwing in your bag. As for the actual product, the bronzer is really pigmented so you do not need a lot. The colour is really nice to give you that beautiful sun-kissed glow. Cargo's full size bronzer retails for $29. 

4)Cargo blu_ray Activating Face Primer

This tube of primer is pretty decent in size for traveling. Mostly because you need a little amount each time you apply it. I was never really into primers until recently because they actually do make a difference in your make-up application. The Cargo Activating Face Primer does what many other primers claim to do- refine pores, reduce shine, etc. However, I do enjoy the formula and results of this product. The full-size retails for $34.

Overall, I think this kit is a great deal for your money. The best part is that you have all your face products in one kit!

Urban Decay Primer Potion

I never really thought primer was that essential to be part of my make-up routine.

As far as I knew my eye shadow did not crease and my colors were pretty vibrant as they were.

However, as the weather started to get warmer, and my skin got more oily, I realized that my eye shadow did not look up to par. As a solution I decided to purchase the original Urban Decay Primer Potion.

This product has been raved about for ages. When a product has so much hype I sometimes remain skeptical because I feel as though everyone is just jumping on the bandwagon. However, with the UD Primer Potion, I can finally give my own opinion.

I think the UD Primer Potion is indeed a staple to keep in your collection. Even though I do not use it everyday, I think it will definitely help me out in the summer time. 

As many people have said, you just need a tiny bit. Just apply it over your eyelid, up to your brow bone and on your lower lash line to make your eye shadow colors pop!

Where: Sephora- $24 CAD 

MAC Carbon Eye Shadow

The Smokey Eye is one of the most classic looks. The key color to achieve that signature Smokey Eye is black eye shadow. My pick is MAC's Carbon Eye Shadow.

I love how versatile and pigmented Carbon is. You can change up your looks simply by focusing the eye shadow in your crease or outer V or even in the lower and top lashlines.

I also like using Carbon to matify and intensiy my black eyeliner whether I apply liquid, pencil or cream liner.

MAC's refill pans retail for $14 CAD. The benefit of the pans is that you can customize your own palettes.

For $18 you can get the same eye shadow in a small compact. If you don't use a lot of eye shadow you can get this one to simply throw in your kit.

Overall, even though it may get a little pricey to buy numerous refills, Carbon is definitly one that will become a staple in your collection.