H&M Beauty Haul

I'm probably one of the last people in the world to talk about the new (well, not anymore) H&M beauty launch, but I still felt like I needed to post about it. I also apologize for being MIA - It's been a crazy couple of months.

I visited the Herald Square store the week everything came out, and was blown away by pretty much what everyone else was - the PACKAGING. For a low-priced, fast fashion cosmetic range, they had really spent time on the packaging. A few drugstore brands can certainly take a leaf out of their book.

I browsed around and wanted to try pretty much everything, but I narrowed it down to two lipsticks and an eyeshadow palette. And threw in a body splash cause I think I was rushing to an interview and forgot to spritz on perfume. Pigmentation and color pay off are probably the best quality parameters for any cosmetic, so this seemed like a decently representative sample.

Their shade range for eyeshadows and lipsticks are insane. There are so many colors, and a crazy amount of variety. Even while having a good ol' swatch, I realized that the color payoff was looking pretty freaking decent for the price. I took everything home, had a play, and wrote this up.

1. H&M Matte Lipstick in Lenox Lounge and Route 66 ($9.99 each)

Right off the bat, these blew me away. The formulation reminds me of a higher end lipstick and it is very forgiving through the day - it stains out instead of disappearing in chunks and sticking to the little cracks in your lips. I have been on this fruitless hunt for a day time red that isn't Ruby Woo, also was kinda pink-ish and was matte. When I put this in my basket I had 0 hopes for it. I thought it would disappoint me like all the other reds I've bought that are sitting in the bottom of my makeup bag and are now used for color correction. Lenox Lounge is pretty much the most amazing red for any skin tone.  Route 66 is a perfect no-makeup-makeup-MLBB nude. I'll be honest, it's a tad bit too pink but I make it work cause i put the tiniest hint of gloss over the top. 10/10 for both.

2. H&M Eyeshadow Palette in Aubergine Dream ($9.99)

Well, if you take a look at the photos, you can probably already tell what my take on this is. It's a 9-shade palette with some pretty beautiful colors - mattes, glitters and satin finishes - something for everyone. And a 10 Dollar price tag for 9 shades. When I swatched it in store, it gave me bad payoff (for some reason, the single eye shadows swatch BEAUTIFULLY), but I thought maybe the palette had been exposed to air for too long, or had dried up and that a new one would swatch like their single pans would. Sigh. They didn't. They're sheer washes of color at best. I use a primer or a cream eye shadow base when I use this palette which I know, isn't that big a deal, but I expected to be able to throw this in my bag as an on-the-go product. The brown and reddish brown shades stay on a little better and don't really need a primer, but aren't high on the pigmentation scale. So unless you can take the trouble to use a primer or a base for this, I wouldn't recommend it. Check out the singles instead.

3. H&M Buttercream Dream Body Mist ($4.99)

This was definitely an afterthought product, but I was so pleasantly surprised. If you like sweet scents, this is something you need. I throw it in my bag and reapply when needed, but surprisingly, the silage is pretty darn decent. I can smell it on my clothes for at least a couple days afterwards, and on my skin the whole day. And the price. Come on.

I definitely want to try out the blushes in the line, and I heard they're releasing a Conscious Beauty line - packaging looks amazing for that too!

Post Break Detox: How to fix your life

Now that break is over I finally have to face reality. I have two more semesters left till I graduate. Therefore, I have to make some lifestyle changes.

Like waking up.
And going outdoors.
And interacting with humans.

Although all that sounds very, very difficult, I know I need to start somewhere. And I decided to make some skincare and other updates to my jet-set, riveting life.

The weather is now colder. It literally happened over night. One day it was 15C and the next day, it was 0. I guess it's officially winter when you can't open your window to let fresh air in because you're scared you'll die of pneumonia. My skin freaks out every time the seasons transition, be it back home or when I'm away. When it gets colder, my skin gets drier, therefore (bless it) it overcompensates with producing oil which gives me zits. It's a lovely cycle. There isn't much I can do when it starts, but I've gotten better at making sure it doesn't happen after the first couple times.

The first thing I'd like to talk about is the Vernal Spot Corrector. I don't know what N-E means but whatevs. It's a serum that is meant to erase acne scarring of which I have a bit thanks to my lovely zits. It's a slow working product but after three weeks of use, I saw results. I use this at night, under my moisturizer to even out my skintone.

I'm sure you've all heard of the whole stigma attached to how you shouldn't use oils on oily skin. Boo. It's all a lie. I find that when I use my deep pore cleanser, my skin dries out. And I need to put some oil in to kind of balance it out. I jumped on the Rosehip oil bandwagon months ago and I haven't looked back. It's a light, barely scented oil that absorbs really quickly and is brilliant for multipurpose use. I put it on my skin, my face, my hair and my nails. I got mine off Amazon (woot for Prime) but you can find it almost anywhere these days. I highly recommend it. It also dulls scarring so if you can't get your hands on a spot - correcting product as such, use this. I dislike the fact that a lot of the anti-scarring products have bleach - so thing is a nice, natural alternative. I don't know enough science to tell you what in Rosehip oil removes scars. Google it. And PM me.

I've been using charcoal and mud masks/products from the time I was a teenager and they've always, always worked for me. I jump between oily and combination skin, and charcoal is good for both. One thing I will say is that, never overuse charcoal. It's something that sucks all the crap out of your pores and dries you out. While that all sounds satisfying, using a charcoal based product every day will leave your skin feeling like a piece of paper. There are two products I've been using in particular, but of course, there are tonnes of alternatives. This Liora Organic Dead Sea Mud Mask Treatment is one of my favorite masks. It's almost like a mud-serum (trust me, it isn't as gross as it sounds) that goes on super light and dries, giving you a nice, light mask instead of those cementy ones where you feel like you'll crack your face off if you smile. It always leaves my skin feeling smooth and bouncy. I commit to using this around once a week and it works really well. This again, is off Amazon but you can find so many dead sea/charcoal masks on the market that work just as well.

Now, to the thing that my mother called a dish sponge. The Konjac Sponge is a natural exfoliator made from the Konjac root. Fun fact: another name for the Konjac flower is Voodoo Lily (I LOVE THAT). It's one of those Japanese beauty trends that has gone global. I have two - a white one and this black charcoal activated one. The white one is for every day use and this one is meant for a couple times a week. I first thought it'd be gimmicky as hell but NO. I cannot tell you how amazing my skin feels. I wet it, put my cleanser in the center of it and gently buff it into my skin. It removes EVERYTHING. Definitely on my holy grail list of Shit That I Put On My Face.

Lastly, it should come as no surprise to anyone that the number one rule to save your skin and fix your life is water. Hydration is basically the best thing that you can do to your skin. No amount of fancy cleansers, masks or serums can even level with the things that flushing out your system with those 6 or 8 or whatever the number of approved glasses is. I drink tea a lot too, which is a great anti-oxidant. I'm hooked to this fancy artisan tea that I treated myself to which is Ginger-peach. No milk, no sugar.

Also, being a dog person that lives in NYC, I know that it's going to be a while before I ever get a dog. So I bought a plant instead. Meet Cindy. She's a succulent and she can basically never die. Also, having plants around me keeps me calm and happy. Placebo? We'll never know.

Have a Very Harry Christmas a.k.a Winter Favorites

To anyone who got that reference - please be my friend if you aren't already.

I've been doing a little decorating in these parts, and I thought I'd share. I love anything festive and sparkly, so this time of year is my time. The streets are lit up, Fifth Ave has all the christmas windows, there are sales EVERYWHERE and caramel lattes are a thing.
I ordered my tree off Amazon, and got these dinky little decorations from Jacks, which is like the dollar store, I guess. I'm surprised by the quality of some of the decor they have, for 99 freaking cents. One day, I will be able to afford Kurt Adler, but until then...

I've discovered so many new products this year, especially since I've moved (woot woot for consumerism and capitalism in the U-S-A) and some of them, I've been reaching for a lot.

You'll probably wonder why I have so many hair products. Well, the thing is, my hair gets very temperamental when it gets cold. It loses the frizz that humidity gives it, but sometimes it feels so dry that I wish I could put some body butter on it.

I've tried a lot (and I mean A LOT) of combinations but the one thing that has been working is anything that is sulphate and paraben free. I can see that my scalp is healthier, hair is shinier and my hairfall has reduced (it's still there, but at least it's less). And hair masks. They have been miracle workers for those days where my hair feels like hay. Now that the heating has turned on, and there is practically 0 humidity, oil massages and hair masks are the way to go.

The Hask Macadamia Oil Shampoo and Conditioner (around $4.99 each depending on where you get them) has been making all the difference in the world. It has a sweet, almost vanilla-esque scent that lingers. The shampoo does it's job but the conditioner is the star of the show. Even in the shower, after I rinse it off, I can feel the difference. Super manageable, smooth hair. I usually let my hair air dry, but now that it's getting colder, I finish up with a hair dryer so I don't catch a cold. They're the worst. I highly recommend both.

Bath and Body Works need to stop having flash sales. It's one street away from school and I have to pass it when I go to the station. I picked up some hand sanitizers (5 for $6) because Purell makes me sneeze, and I need to put sanitizer on every day cause like 99% of NYC, I use the subway. There are nasty germs on the subway. Ones that flu shots can't take care of. The Be Joyful PocketBac is my favorite - I much prefer this to the old packaging cause it's just SO DAMN CUTE.

My cuticles have been looking pretty shabby lately, and I feel like that's something that everyone forgets to take care of. No matter how much lotion or hand cream you put on, those suckers always seem to flake and look pretty gross. This Ella and Mia cuticle oil is amazing. It applies like nailpolish, which is pretty innovative. Reduces mess and fuss. And it works. It's a thick, clear oil that you can paint on and rub in (I recommend doing it post shower so it absorbs better) and makes your nails look like you actually give a shit.

Milani Matte lipsticks are life. I went to Duane Reade with a few friends and convinced one of them to buy Sangria. You can check out the post about that here. The forumlation is amazing. And when it fades through the day, it leaves a forgiving stain, instead of being patchy. I will say that it takes some getting used to at the beginning because the lipstick takes time to set and really get matte. I bought the Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Black Cherry. It is an AMAZING vampy maroon, with some deep brown undertones. I was looking for a vampy maroon that didn't have purple undertones forever, and I've been after Black Cherry for almost 2 months now. But it's ALWAYS been sold out in stores. So when I saw it restocked, I just had to. I'm one of those people that buys makeup with the intention of using it up - and I'm already almost done with Sangria, so I'm pretty proud of myself.

I've spoken about the Wet'nWild nailpolish in Disturbia too in this post, but it is an amazing, opaque color that is perfect for the holidays. Super vampy with a hint of shimmer (not glitter) which looks very put together. Also totally hides ugly cuticles.

And last but not least. I went out and bit the bullet. And bought a Bath and Body Works candle. Okay look. I've never understood why a drugstore brand needs to charge $22.50 for a candle. How good could it be? When they were on sale, I decided to get one as an end-of-semester present. And the verdict? I totally understand why they're pricey. Okay, I would never buy one full price. But. It burns so slowly, the scent fills the room in under a minute AND, it lingers. It lingers like you've used a freaking diffuser! This candle, Winter, is a beautiful blend of icy mandarin and pine - both sweet and woody at the same time, which I enjoy.

So that wraps up my post. I've left links if you want to buy anything too! I hope you like my tiny little tree as much as I do. I doubt I'll take it down till February...
Happy Holidays!

The Inappropriate Fall Color

Anyone that knows me knows that I think a good, strong berry lip is life. And during the fall, even more so. But I've discovered a color that although has nothing to do with the festive season, has been sneakily finding its way onto my face.

Lilac. I've been obsessed with two products in particular, one of them which got me started on this bandwagon. I know that purple works with my coloring well, and I was wondering, what if I went lighter? Would it still work?

And I'm happy to report that it did! The nailpolish pictured above, NYC's Lexington Lilac (how apropos seeing that I go to school off Lex) has been on my nails for the past week. I've bought NYC's nailpolishes before and I've been absolutely stunned at the quality, for the price. It's a whopping 99c and it DOES NOT BUDGE. I put a Wet'N'Wild top coat over it and it has not chipped or faded in any way. It's a nice alternative to the reds, maroons and berries that are on everyone's fingers this season. I do recommend checking out their polishes, they're amazing!

Then I quickly decided I needed to lilac myself out. I went to the Wet'N'Wild section and I've always been a fan of their matte lipsticks. Again, I'm amazed how they can deliver such quality lipsticks at that price point. I picked up the shade Ravin' Raisin and I adore it. It's the perfect everyday neutral, with a hint of lilac thrown in. The formulation is insanely creamy and although I do have to reapply it during the day, I don't mind it.

Although I will always remain loyal to my vampy berry shades, I know I'll be wearing a sneaky bit of lilac this fall too. And these two drugstore brands never fail to disappoint!

Fall Scent Additions - The Body Shop

 When the seasons change, I feel like the kinds of perfume and bodywash I use also tend to change along with it. I love my fruity florals, but in the fall I prefer something a little more fresh, spicy and light. If that makes any sense.

I feel like The Body Shop nails scents in some areas. They don't smell essence-y and are really natural and 'unedited'. There aren't impossible mixes like sweater-weather-marshmallow-pumkin-latte-cinnamon-dreams *cough-splutter-bathandbody*.

Here are some recent additions to my 'scent wardrobe' if you will.
Also, I just learned that L'oreal owns TBS and that's why they have French translations.

1. Body Shop Shower Gel in Smoky Poppy
    When this line came out, I was curious as to whether the scent would be manly, womanly or both. I'd definitely say both. It's got spicy undertones but a subtle sweetness that makes it just right. The gel is actually black which makes lil old me VERY happy. I live with guys so I will be sure to keep this in my room so that I don't wake it to it completely over one day.

2. Body Shop Shower Gel in Blueberry
    This is one of those 'good enough to eat' scents. Loads of brands do berry inspired scents (Bath and Body, Victoria's Secret) but they come off as synthetic to me. This literally smells like the fruit. You can even smell the tartness, you know? It's brilliant and definitely not an overpowering or clawing scent.

3. Fragrance mist in Fijian Water Lotus
    This rave could be long so grab yourself a cup of tea.
 Back when I was home, a couple of years ago, I bought (okay, my Mom bought) this perfume from them called Aqua Lily. It was one of the nicest, freshest scent's I'd ever had the pleasure of smelling so of course, I stole it.
It got discontinued so I decided to move on. And I thought I'd never find a scent like that again.
Until now.
I was at the store here in Manhattan and I showed the lady at the counter my empty perfume bottle and asked her if they had anything similar. She herded me towards the Body Mists and told me to check out the Fijian Water Lotus one. I didn't have high expectations but I thought I'd give it a shot. And oh my god. It is amazing. If you're into fresh, ocean-like, sweet but sharp scents, this is the one for you. The price point is insane for the amount of silage is has. It stays on ALL DAY. I've always thought The Body Shop fragrance mists are underrated as they fare just as well as an eau de parfum in terms of staying power. And they're also 1/4th the price. This is going to be my go-to scent this fall and winter till I can find afford to supplement it with another one.


What are your favorite scents from TBS?