i am generic

individualize

2012-09-08T18:04:00.001-04:00

Hello lovelies! It's actually been a while since my last [mascara] review. Between the last one and this one, I reverted to the Diorshow mascara which worked quite well until the brush started to clump. I knew then that it was time for a new one! As I was just about to buy one of my HG Japanese mascaras, I decided it wouldn't hurt to try a drugstore brand (since I wouldn't have to wait for shipping). I've read positive reviews about the L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes so I picked one up... waterproof of course.

After giving standard wands a second chance to my great disappointment, I'm forever sticking to plastic/rubber wands such as this:

On the right, we have my bare lashes (curled and bottom inner rim brightened) compared to the left with one coat of the mascara.

As you can see, it does a wonderful job separating the lashes but the impact is minimal on my upper lashes. It is especially unnoticeable if you're already wearing eyeliner. But it absolutely excels when it comes to my bottom lashes!

And, as always, here is a comparison with a second coat on.

Here is the completed look, with both eyes done with two coats and additional eyeliner on the upper rim.

Pros:

Separates very well even with two coats
Holds curl, as most waterproof mascaras will
Easy application - no accidental smudges all over your lids
GREAT for lower lashes
Incredibly waterproof*

Cons:

Too resistant! - even with oil-based removers, my lashes are still stiff afterwards
Not volumizing
Not dramatically lengthening

Rating: 3.8/5 - I was really disappointed in this mascara at first because it didn't live up to my expectations. However, I'm rather pleased with the results two coats can achieve, although I'd prefer that it could accomplish it in one. How many coats would I need if I had to glam up? Five?? But what officially won me over (and rightfully earned the .8) was its effects on my lower lashes, which really defined them with its separating quality. So if you're quite minimal on make-up, this would be the perfect mascara (but maybe pick up the non-waterproof formula). Or if you have a tough time with your lower lashes, I'd definitely recommend this.

petite bow

2012-08-17T22:04:00.001-04:00

Hello lovelies! So I recently made my first ever purchase from Etsy. I've been eyeing this bow ring for a while now and finally decided to take the plunge. I was torn back and forth between the "colours" and whether to get the plain, smooth one or the twisted one. Failing to pick only one colour, I decided to get the triple (silver, gold, and rose gold) twisted bow ring. I like the delicacy of the twist and since I have both silver and gold rings (that I permanently wear), this was the perfect piece to tie them all together.

Unfortunately, the ring is a little too big for any of my fingers (minus the thumbs, of course). I do not blame the seller, but now I'm just confused how one ring measures this size but another ring in the same supposed size is too big. Girl problems?

Disclaimer: This post is not an advertisement for this seller, therefore I have not linked her account here. However, I have not tried to conceal her logo/company name from the photos so use your own detective skills.

falling head first

2012-08-12T17:45:00.000-04:00

Hello lovelies! It's been a while since I've had a legit [outfit] post. After missing the opportunity last year, I finally picked up a pair of burgundy pants. I'm very excited to be shopping for Fall/Winter! While the cooler weather as of late has allowed me to bring out my new purchases, it's also a reminder that summer is coming to an end. With the Canadian National Exhibition fast approaching, I know I'm going to enjoy the last few weeks of August.

Zara sheer blouse, Talula bustier, House of Harlow leather station necklace, U.P. pants, Zara snakeskin clutch, Sam Edelman spiked booties (later swapped out for H&M crystal-studded flats)

instantaneous

2012-08-10T01:22:00.000-04:00

I pretty much live my life on Instagram now. It's super convenient not to have to edit and compose all the shots (as in with a tripod, fiddling with settings, transferring, editing, uploading). Follow me on Instagram @bbonnieee for more frequent OOTD or just to see what I'm up to!

eBay necklace, Zara t-shirt & pants & sandals

House of Harlow leather station necklace, Zara sheer top & belt, Talula bustier, Wilfred silk shorts

Ralph Lauren button-up shirt, U.P. high-waisted shorts

Zara low-back shirt, Forever 21 button-front skirt, Louis Vuitton pouchette

Forever 21 embellished shirt, U.P. shorts

Talula lace shirt, H&M belt, U.P. snake print shorts, Zara sandals

Talula lace crop shirt, Forever 21 bandeau & studded purse, U.P. maxi skirt

H&M denim shirt, Zara crochet shorts, Aldo purse

go ape

2012-07-31T19:54:00.001-04:00

Hello lovelies! Sorry for the unexpected hiatus. I've recently gained more responsibilities at work that require me to have a much more open availability (meaning I'm pretty much obligated to call-ins). I haven't had much plans so I've been regurgitating old outfits for time's sake. As for reviews, I've started settling into some HG products, thus explaining the lack of experimentation.

While I plan to go through some pictures to rustle up some posts, I do have something to share! I've been eyeing the Kipling x StyleScrapbook DSLR camera bag since her first post about it. Finding nothing remotely similar, I knew I had to have it at (almost) any cost. It was a difficult process (selling out and only shipping within the UK) but I have it now in my hands.

In terms of actual usage, be prepared to carry only a small wallet or money clip, lip balm/stick, and a mirror. Oh, if you use a wallet instead of a money clip, don't expect to put your phone in there.

With a Canon T3i, the largest lens that I have and will likely fit is the 18-55mm (which typically comes with the extended kit). With this attached, I can still manage to stuff my wallet on top.

Personally, I would use the bag on day trips only if I will be driving/driven (so I can stash things in the car). Otherwise, it'd be ideal for travelling to minimize bulk, encourage carrying light, and I would also be able to leave things in the hotel.

blush

2012-06-24T02:01:00.001-04:00

Hello lovelies! So I have another review that I've been putting off for a while now. I don't usually review these types of products so bear with me here...

I actually have two items to discuss today: Smashbox blush in Aperature
and soft lights in Tint which, for those who are unfamiliar, is a highlight.

The blush is a gorgeous apricot colour. I love how natural it looks on my skin although I still like to use a light hand (as you can see in the picture below, the difference is quite minimal but that's how I personally wear it).

The highlight shade is a rosy pearlized shimmer. Although typically worn with blush, the rosiness can give a little flush to the face when worn without blush as well. Again, this is a very natural, subtle colour. For the most part, it is unnoticeable (to me, anyway) but it gives a glowy, possibly dewey, look when the light hits just the right places.

Pros:

Fairly pigmented
Long-lasting
Smooth formulation
Not drying [of the skin (i.e. does not absorb oil)]
Build-able

Cons:

Can be pricey

Rating: 5/5 - I actually bought these impulsively at a warehouse sale but had no regrets after using them. Although I love both these items, they are not part of my usual plain-Jane routine so I would not repurchase these at regular price. But until I hit pan, they are 5 for 5!

TIP #1: Try dabbing a bit of the highlight on your cupid's bow and on the middle parts of your lips to give the appearance of fuller, more pouty lips!

TIP #2: Don't know how to match blushes and lipsticks? Try dabbing the same blush onto your lips (adheres better with a base of lipbalm or lipstick) OR use the lipstick of choice as a cream blush to tie the tones together. But remember to use one or the other in moderation as not to overwhelm the look!

pink petals

2012-06-09T00:38:00.000-04:00

Hello lovelies! So it's been a while since I've done a review but I have been trying out some new products! I actually picked up another lipstick recently and absolutely fell in love with it! It's from somewhere unexpected, although I have had a pleasant experience with their lipliners before - Victoria's Secret!

The packaging is rather simple but I find elegance and ease in it. You can see in the picture that it has already been used a couple of times. This has been sort of my go-to colour as of late.

This lipstick is the Victoria's Secret lipstick in Wish - it is a gorgeous baby pink! Sometimes it's hard to find the perfect baby pink because it can lean towards looking too light/pale. But this lipstick proves that it's possible!

Bare lips for comparison.
One coat of Wish l/s.
Pros:

Very pigmented
Long-lasting
Smooth application
Does not fall into little creases
Somewhat moisturizing
Slight built-in gloss

Cons:

NONE!

Rating: 5/5 - I was a bit surprised by the price ($13 USD) as I leaned VS towards the drugstore category, but I justified it by convincing myself it is a lot cheaper than luxury brands! After trying it out, I could care less about the price. I absolutely LOVE this lipstick! ...but I do mean Wish specifically as I haven't tried the other colours. Although the selection isn't that great (less than ten actually), I will make an effort to try other colours but, in the meantime, I recommend Wish! As I've said, it has been my go-to colour this Summer!

vintage

2012-05-26T22:33:00.000-04:00

Took this through the phone with flash. Kind of like the vintage look to the photo so I decided to leave it that way - red eye and all.

After a couple of days with shorter dresses and skirts, I decided to give my hair follicles a break from plucking and shaving by covering up my legs with yet another maxi skirt. Maxi things have become an obsession. I'm eyeing another one but it's $80 and, no matter how much I've fallen in love with it, I just can't bring myself to justify the cost.

Hi, my name is Bonnie and I'm a shopaholic.

Talula lace blouse, H&M belt, U.P. skirt, Zara clutch

in good company

2012-05-21T17:39:00.001-04:00

H&M t-shirt, Zara crochet shorts, Aldo purse, BCBG sandals

It doesn't matter where you are as long as you're in good company. But it doesn't hurt being under gorgeous weather, in a majestic vineyard, surrounded by good food and wine.

show stopper

2012-05-19T23:38:00.002-04:00

I apologize for the lack of clarity in the pictures. I really wanted to show the back detail and the camera had difficulty focussing so I ended up a little out of frame. Although the front was not as interesting, I did throw on a sparsely beaded pink necklace. Finding it difficult to pair a clutch with both pink and forest green, I opted for a white and pale grey snakeskin clutch, which is out of frame.

Costa Blanca dress, Zara clutch, Sam Edelman heels

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous (but that's usually followed by thunderstorms and whatnot) although most of my time is spent inside due to work.

For this Saturday start to a long weekend, I was able to leave work early to join in celebrating a friend's birthday. I took this opportunity to throw on a brand new pair of Sam Edelman shoes. I also picked up a pair of his booties which, unfortunately, is missing one stud and one crystal. I am incredibly saddened but not defeated as I plan on searching high and low on eBay for similar looking ones to Super Glue on. If anyone has any suggestions for repair (other than requesting from Sam Edelman, which I can't because I bought them at a sample sale), please leave a message below!

delicate

2012-05-18T13:30:00.001-04:00

Talula blouse, Zara belt, skirt & sandals

The weather has been incredibly beautiful these past few days (and the days to come as well!) so I've been bringing out my summer wear. Sadly, my ghostly legs aren't as prepared so I have to fake it with maxi skirts, or at least until the self-tanner kicks in ;)

country road

2012-05-15T23:46:00.001-04:00

Trying to get experimental with these photos. Unfortunately, that means 99% of them gets scrapped.

U.P. blouse, H&M bodysuit & necklace, U.P. skirt

burnt

2012-05-10T19:21:00.000-04:00

Garage denim jacket, H&M necklace, UP. top & skirt, random heels

dolly wink

2012-04-30T21:11:00.000-04:00

Hello lovelies! It's been a while but I have another mascara review! This is a HG mascara for a lot of girls, much like the Kiss Me Heroine Long&Curl (herein referred to as KMH).

Packaging with the ever-so-beautiful Tsubasa Masuwaka

The information on the back tells you the formula coats your lashes with fibres

A very cute and girly tubing (totally not my style)

A pretty standard wand

My lashes were not curled in these photos.

One coat comparison.

Two coats comparison.

Not curled vs. Curled

Pros:

Separates quite well with one coat
Great length, even at one coat
Decent thickening effect at one coat, even better at two
Holds curl
Holds up against cold water but comes off easily with warm/hot water

Cons:

Flakes with eyedrops
Easier to remove with warm water than oil-based remover, which is at times inconvenient
Formula is ~~goopy~~ wet (In light of a comment, I felt the need to rephrase this. This might be a little more accurate)
Large wand is difficult to reach into the corners of the eye

Rating: 4.8/5 - Despite the cons, I absolutely love the results I get with this mascara, more so than the KMH. I would definitely repurchase but not any time soon as it is pricier than the KMH (~$20 vs. ~$11). I do recommend this for people with short lashes but be careful not to get it all over your skin!

summer bright

2012-04-24T21:39:00.001-04:00

Garage denim jacket, H&M top, U.P. pants, Zara flats, Ted Baker watch, assorted bracelets

mint

2012-04-21T21:43:00.000-04:00

Garage denim jacket, F21 @ Rory Becca top, Zara pants, Steve Madden flats, Marc Jacobs bag

snakes on a plane

2012-04-20T12:31:00.000-04:00

Zara blazer, Club Monaco top, U.P. shorts

Clearly not too good at this - awkward hands and awkward foot... I swear I'm a size 6.5 in shoes, although they look like a 9 in the photo T_T"

&& some fun books I bought (:

#4 is my favourite rule - I love using the katana in L4D.

jolis matins

2012-04-18T22:20:00.000-04:00

Hello lovelies! I have another review for you guys - and it's a lipstick! I was wandering around Sephora and saw Lancome's new (?) lipstick collection. I've never tried their products, and I'm very weary about trying new lipsticks because I've had very polar experiences, but I was drawn to the pretty pink colour the model in the ad had on. I ended up swatching almost every colour! Knowing well what my shopping habits are, especially when it comes to lipstick, I limited myself to one...

Lancome's Rouge in Love, 106M Jolis Matins

It claims: "High potency colour, 6-hour wear, and featherlight" but let's see how it does in the real world

The casing is nice and simple. I quite like the feel of the matte metal, and I love the little red stitching detail on the side. It is small and compact, probably the height of an average pinky (compared to the height of an average index finger for other lipsticks).

It undoubtedly has nice pigmentation, although not as opaque as the YSL lipsticks

Bare lips for comparison

In direct sunlight

In indirect sunlight/shade

I have a really hard time defining this colour. It looks pure coral in the tube, swatches a litte orangey, and applies reddish. Or is that just me?

Pros:

Quite pigmented
Long-lasting
Smooth application
Does not fall into little creases
Moisturizing - at first!

Cons:

Dries in a few minutes*

Rating: 4/5 - If you follow my reviews, you'd know that I have no problem buying "designer" makeup (and skincare). This is because I've had horrible experiences with drugstore [lipstick], although I find the Revlon Lip Butters to be quite enjoyable. So at $30 a pop, this lipstick isn't for the faint of heart. But I think this collection has a nice selection of colours and I definitely love the results. I would repurchase and even recommend the Lancome Rouge in Love lipsticks.

* TIP: When it starts to dry out on my lips, instead of reapplying, glossing (icky), or lipbalming (and transfer the colour all over your lipbalm!), I swipe on my YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in No.2 Dewy Papaya for added colour and moisture. This tip can be used for any opaque lipstick with any other brands of sheer, tinted balms in a similar shade to top. Or, if you want to get adventurous, try mixing colours! Like dabbing a sheer hot pink balm on top of a nude lipstick to bring it into spring/summer!

painterly pastels

2012-04-17T18:17:00.000-04:00

Garage denim jacket, H&M bodysuit, F21 @ Rory Becca skirt, Zara wedges

Enjoying the lovely weather with some pastels and a distressed denim jacket.

Finally able to flaunt rings now that I'm a recovering nail biter. Absolutely love this double ring!

&& bothering the boy in the car :P

by the beach

2012-04-12T22:42:00.001-04:00

Hello lovelies! I'm still in the midst of exams but I had a little free time so I thought I'd do this post.

I purchased this matte lip pencil, not lip liner, from ELF a while ago and I wasn't too sure how I'd like it. Their items are a hit or miss for me and I don't really trust their makeup as much as I trust their tools. I was especially hesitant knowing it's a matte shade, which in both eyeshadows and lipsticks tend to run a little dry. But for a couple of bucks, I figured you can't really go wrong.

I fell in love.

But it's not perfect. Let me tell you more about it...

In direct sunlight

In indirect sunlight/Shade

Pros:

Surprisingly pigmented
Long-lasting
Gorgeous colour
Inexpensive!

Cons:

Tug-and-pull application
Can be a little drying

Rating: 3/5 - If it weren't for the colour and price, this would be a fail for me. But this looks even better under lipgloss or just glossy balm (like the YSL Volupte Sheer Candy collection, especially with No.2 Dewy Papaya). If I can't find a substitute for this, I'd definitely repurchase because of the price.

hiatus

2012-04-04T15:17:00.003-04:00

Hello lovelies! Let me apologize for my recent hiatus due to multiple assignments and exams during this period. I'm really excited to be finishing off my final year of university but, unfortunately, life is a little uncertain for me at this point. However, as long as I'm willing to work for it, there will always be opportunities for me (and that goes for everyone else too!).

Anyway, I have several reviews lined up for you all so thanks for your patience with me.

I haven't really done anything exciting in the meantime, other than celebrating a dear friend's birthday...

And for those who are interested, I've been selling off some of my gently used clothing, shoes, and makeup. I prefer local transactions but am willing to ship (at buyer's expense) if need be.

celebration

2012-02-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

Hello lovelies! There's not modest way to say this so I'm just going to go right out and say it: It's my birthday! Well, it was my birthday. I was finally able to get together with the girls for a belated celebration. I didn't bring my massive DSLR as I thought it would be inconvenient, and boy was I glad because the restaurant was a little cramped!

These girls are the world to me. The thought they put into my gifts and cards meant more than they probably realized; I'm not the type to wear emotions on my sleeve and I generally don't know how to react to positivity towards me [side story: I never used to say "thank you" to compliments. I was firm believer that thanking them meant I agreed. It wasn't until this one moment when a girl in my art class said my piece was "really pretty" and I remained silent. She then said, "you're supposed to say thank you" with some attitude. Knowing she only meant well, I conceded and thanked her]. They raised the bar high with these gifts and I'm very, very impressed with how well they know me and how much they've been paying attention to things I liked.

Makes me feel like a douchey gift-giver.

You girls keep me sane.

r/d

wide eyed

2012-02-12T14:41:00.000-05:00

Hello lovelies!

There has been a trick/trend going around lately that requires a nude eyeliner along the bottom (and/or top) waterline to open up the eyes. If you remember way in the past, this was accomplished by a white eyeliner. Many, like myself, found the white liner to be too harsh. On that note, today I'm going to review the Tarte EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener.

The packaging is quite simple, especially on the liner itself. It's a retractable liner in a plastic casing, which makes it look and feel cheaper (but certainly did not cost less!).

Pros:

Very smooth application
Stays on all day
Pigmented
Retractable design

Cons:

Pricey at $23 CAD

Rating: 4.5/5

one sided

2012-02-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

H&M blouse, Rock & Republic denim, Zara heels, clutch, Forever 21 earrings, necklace

February is the month of birthdays in my family. My dad, my sister, and myself.

I'm excited ^^

kiss me, heroine

2012-02-05T17:48:00.000-05:00

Hello lovelies! My, my, it's been a while hasn't it? But that just means I've been preparing pictures and content, so you'll be seeing a couple more posts in the next few days!

First up, I'm going to review Kiss Me Heroine, Long & Curl mascara¹. I've been hearing so many good things that I just had to try it for myself!

The most prominent thing on the packaging is the signature anime 'spokesperson'. The back, as with the other Japanese mascaras I've tried, shows you a drawing of the brush and how it should be used. The tube itself is rather plain. It's a deep burgundy with some gold details and writing. The brush is curved, which aims to improve curling. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a fibre mascara but I have noticed a few random fibres. Now... on to performance!

Pros:

Separates very well - no clumping
First coat does a decent job of lengthening and thickening
Waterproof formula ²
Holds curl

Cons:

Maybe TOO waterproof - finding residue even with dual phase, oil-based removers
For those who curl after application: a little sticky

Rating: 5/5 - This mascara lived up to the hype! I didn't really find any faults with it besides being a bit difficult to remove. But I prefer this to an easy-to-remove mascara that doesn't do the job. I was able to get this one on eBay for around $20 CAD but I've seen them retail for about $25 CAD. I definitely recommend this to anyone (but make sure you have a good remover!) and I would definitely repurchase for myself!

Notes:
1. Kiss Me Heroine also makes another mascara: Volume & Curl. The name is a dead giveaway as to the difference between the two. I haven't tried it but I've heard it isn't as good. Regardless, I'd rather have long lashes than thick lashes... but that's just my preference.
2. I believe this is the waterproof one as that's what was said in the eBay description - although that's always a little iffy, especially from sellers whose first language isn't English. My package has a blue sticker (with some Japanese writing) and I've seen pictures of packages without it so I'm assuming that's an indicator of whether or not it's waterproof.