Monday 4 November 2013

Warby Parker Designer Glasses Winter Collection!


"Winter’s best diversions—doubling up on thermals, watching your breath steam up the window, scribbling through a Sunday crossword puzzle—deserve a proper pair of glasses to bring them into focus.



Our new Winter Collection is rustic meets modern: six new shapes in five new colors, including two custom two-toned acetates, in addition to some of our most dependably stylish frames in cold-weather hues.  All frames are $95, including prescription lenses.



They make good companions for rooting around a bookcase, dashing through the snow, getting up to indoor mischief. The possibilities stretch on as shorter days give way to longer nights."

Wow. I mean just....Wow. Now, I don't need eyeglasses whatsoever because I am fortunate to have 20/20 vision, but when I first looked at the pictures of the new Winter Collection from Warby Parker, I immediately wished that I had terrible vision just so I could order a pair...Or two...Or three...I think the frames are so chic and stylish and perfect for winter! 

My favourites would definitely be the Edgeworth and Welty glasses, mostly because the frames flatter my square-shaped jaw. Please trust me when I say that there is a pair of Warby Parker glasses made for everyone. 
Edgeworth (Whiskey Tortoise)
Welty (Whiskey Tortoise)







Just a heads up, the frames are only $95 in the States, if you live in Canada like myself then they would be $120...Still a great price in my opinion, and definitely worth your money! And what I'm about to tell you next will [hopefully] convince you to buy a pair.
 
I am big on donating and helping out with charities, and what I think I love the most about Warby Parker is the fact that whenever someone purchases a pair of their glasses, they will donate another pair to someone who greatly needs them. This summer they managed to donate half a million pairs to people around the world! You can learn more by clicking on this link: http://www.warbyparker.com/do-good/500k
 
So I hope you guys check out this collection because I know you will love it!  And next time someone asks where they should buy a new pair of glasses from, your immediate response will be "Warby Parker".
 
xx Mandy



Find the collection online at warbyparker.com and at Warby Parker stores and showrooms.

Monday 28 October 2013

My Top 5 Favourite Nail Polishes: Fall

I wanted to make this a seperate post from my Fall Beauty Must-Haves post...not really for any particular, just because I felt like it. Sooo here it goes!

#5: mark Mini Nail Lacquer in Blue Bella
Such a great dark blue for the fall; most people tend to stick to browns and purples but every now and then I like to play with blues and even golds and reds. One coat is all it takes for a long lasting-life with this nail lacquer! 
Blue Bella (right)
#4. Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Glosstini in Sangria
Just like I said, I like to play around with reds in the fall. Sangria is such a great bright red that doesn't really scream "summer", but is still a fun colour. 
(photo from alllacqueredup.com)
#3. Cutex in Merlot
This purple nail polish has the perfect amount of shimmer to it; it's almost got like a silver undertone to it, as well.
I've had this nail polish for a while, and it's so old that I couldn't find a picture of it online (camera is not only having difficulties with the new computer, but is not even working anymore), so I had to resort to taking a picture of it with my webcam...Please excuse my face.


#2. Cutex in Chocolate
I don't own that many brown nail polishes because I don't think they look that good on my pasty skin, but just like the Merlot polish, Chocolate has a nice silvery-shimmery undertone to it.
Again with the webcam...I tried to look cute this time.

#1. Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Wine Stain
This is a great deep purple colour; it doesn't require a top coat because it has one built in, so there's one less step to having the perfect nails for fall!
xx Mandy

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Fall Must-Haves: Fashion

This is the second part to my Fall Must-Haves posts. Today's is all about Fashion: sweaters, boots, pants, accessories...you get it! So here it is!!
sheinside.com

Tops
oasap.com

We all know that it gets pretty chilly in the fall, so that means it's sweater weather! I don't even know how many sweaters I own, or if I could explain to you how excited I get when I can finally where them. I prefer chunky knits: they're warm, suuuuuper comfortable, and are always cute- no matter how ugly the print may be! My favourite place to hunt for the cheapest and best sweaters are at thrift/gently used clothing stores....if you can't find any good sweaters in the women's department, try looking in the men's, that's where I usually find the best ones!

Bottoms
Aeropostale
Ok so since I usually wear large sweaters in the fall, 5/7 days of the week I will wear leggings. They're a staple item for fall and you won't be pulling off the whole "leggings as pants" look if your sweater goes past your butt. A nice, simple pair of black leggins will do for those patterned sweaters, but if it's a solid colour sweater you're wearing, don't be afraid to try out an aztec print pair of leggings!

Shoes
Target

thestylespy.com
It's boots season!!!! Riding, combat, and ankle length boots are trending like craaazy right now! I think something that every girl should have in their closet is a pair of tan riding boots. They go with absolutely everything! I have a pair of bright red Doc Marten knock off boots in my room that I haven't gotten out yet, but I'm super excited to wear them again! That's about as bold and daring as I'll get in the fall and winter. Also, when wearing riding/tall boots, make sure you wear a pair of long socks that you can find in pretty much every shoe store. They complete the look!

Accessories

Back to chunky knits- scarves are the perfect accessory for fall! I have 290587304957 pairs of knit infinity scarves (yes, that's a lot, I know). Not only do they keep your neck warm, but they're one of those things that can effortlessly make your outfit look 1000 times better. Now, technically you can wear hats and mitts in the fall because some days can get really cold, but I'm going to save talking about them until my Winter Must-Haves post.

Hope you guys enjoyed this post! Oh and the reason why I'm not uploading any of my own pictures is because we just got a new computer and for some reason it won't pick up my camera when I plug it in. Guess I'll have to figure out what's going on with that.

xx Mandy

Thursday 10 October 2013

Fall Must- Haves: Beauty

Hey guys! IT'S FINALLY FALL!!! I am sooooo excited for all the fall things; drinking hot drinks to stay warm, wearing scarves, BOOTS SEASON...sorry but boots season is probably my favourite season. Alright, I think it's time to get into the must haves- enjoy!

Lips
I had to put the lips category first because in the fall I really like to play around with darker lip products, mostly reds.



Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Apple a Day
This lip balm is definitely my favourite product mentioned in this post- it's hydrating and it's the perfect colour for fall! I'm super impressed by these lip balms because they're hydrating, have a little bit of colour to them, and they aren't sticky. Can't wait to buy the other shades!

Avon Lipstick's in Pink Peach, Fiery Red, and Mauve Ice

Pink Peach, Fiery Red







Mauve Ice








I've already done reviews on these lipsticks, but I'd just like to quickly bring them up again because these colours really are perfect for fall! They also moisturize your lips and last all day!









L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in British Red

Such a pigmented lipstick and it's literally the perfect shade of red with just the right amount of sheen to it. Here's a tip though: make sure you look into a mirror while applying it or else it will smudge everywhere.



Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet
 You've heard me rave about my love for the Lip Butter's so I won't go on about this one too much. This colour is such a deep red/brown that sometimes I have to work up the nerve to wear it, but I always get great feedback on it!


Eyes

In the fall, I really like to keep my eye makeup simple since I want to focus on the lips more. I tend to stick to the basic winged out eye liner look, so my must-have is the Maybelline Master Precise Eye Liner Pen. It's a great thing to use if you're a beginner, and because it's a pen it's really easy to control.

Next post will be my fashion must- haves!

xx Mandy 

Thursday 12 September 2013

Long Time No See?!

Look who's back from her small hiatus! I'm so sorry I stopped for about a month, but I just felt like I was getting too overwhelmed with reviewing products and trying to find time to blog (what with a full time and part time job and all). So I wanted to say that I am back to blogging and I will be bringing you guys some amazing fashion and beauty posts! Hope you guys forgive me!

xx Mandy

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Huge Avon Haul + Reviews!

Hey guys! I've got some more reviews for you today! I received some of these products back in May and I kept putting off reviewing them for too long because I was trying to focus on writing other posts. But since I have a ton of stuff to talk about, I'm just going to give small and to the point reviews so this post won't end up too long. Hope you enjoy!

Coconut Treat Whipped Up Body Butter ($12) and Three's a Charm 3-in-1 Body Cleanser ($10)
*From the Mark Collection*
Clearly you can tell how much I have enjoyed using the body cleanser
  • Amazing!!!
  • Sweet, incredible coconut smell
  • Moisturizes skin so much, but body butter is a little too oily
  • Great for summer
Nail Art Design Strips ($10/18 strips)
  • Fun designs that make your nails look 10x better!
  • A little difficult to use at first, sort of hard to trim (at least for me)
  • Only last a couple days before they start peeling/ripping off 
  • TIP: Do NOT use clear/top coat over them after applying....will cause them to shrivel and create creases
My favourite design, Dozen Roses
Youth Movement Skin Protecting Serum ($20)
  • Created for youth to start being aware of how important it is to keep skin healthy
  • Goji berry/Pomegranate scent 
  • Hydrates and moisturizes skin 
  • Lightweight, doesn't cause breakouts
  • My acne scars weren't as noticeable after only a couple weeks of using this
  •  Great product!
Clearskin Professional Liquid Extraction Strip ($14)
  • Strips away pore-clogging dirt & oil instantly 
  • Goes on liquid, peels off dry
  • So much fun to use!
  • Doesn't breakout skin, minimizes size of pores
  • You don't need to apply a lot each time you use it
  • Use 1-2 times a week around nose, forehead, T-zone, and chin
 *I will write the descriptions of the following products, but only write one big review at the end*
Avon Elements Skin Revitalize
Night Radiance Cream ($15.99)
  • Tone appears more even
2-in-1 Brightening Eye Roller ($19.99)
  • Reduces the look of puffiness and under-eye darkness
  • Vibrating rollerball diffuses the look of dark circles- instantly wakes up tired eyes!
and 2-in-1 Brightening Eye Roller ($19.99)

Avon Elements Moisture Boost for Normal Skin
Night Cream ($12.99)
  • Instantly increases moisture by 264%
Night Gel Cream (Oil-Free) ($12.99)
  • Skin looks and feels smoother and rebalanced
Eye Cream for Normal and Combination Skin ($12.99)
  • Eye area feels hydrated and refreshed for hours 
Avon Elements Youth Restoring  
Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream ($19.99)
  • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller ($19.99)
  • Cooling ceramic rollerball smoothes the look of wrinkles
  • See the youthful spark to eyes restored
*For all of these products, clearly they are for people who are older than me. While I believe that they are hydrating and refreshing for your skin, it is too hard for me to really judge how much of an affect they have on skin.

Extra Lasting Liquid Foundation ($15)
  • Goes on smooth
  • Great coverage
  • Doesn't cause breakouts
  • Looks natural, stays fresh for hours
Extra Lasting Lipstick ($12 each) 
Pink Peach, and Fiery Red
  • Infused with vitamin E and wheat protein to keep lips from feeling dry
  • Long-lasting colour
  • Check out http://fashionablybroketeen.blogspot.ca/2013/07/summer-ready-with-avon.html to see my full review on this lipstick
Pink Peach, and Fiery Red
 Extra Lasting Eye Liner ($12 each)
Black, Dark Brown, Purple
  • Not satisfied
  • Found the formula to be too watery
  • Hard to removed
  • Only thing I liked was how easy it was to apply product
Black, Dark Brown, Purple
Wand
 Big Colour Eye Pencil Diamonds ($9.99 each)
Cocoa Gleam, Gold Rush
  •  Shadow and liner in one!
  • Fast, easy glide-on colour lasts for hours
  • Waterproof
  • Shimmery
  • Pigmented
  • Creamy
Cocoa Gleam, Gold Rush
 Avon Foundation Rose Zippered Case
  • Polyester and nylon mesh
  • Zip-closure with ribbon and charm accent
  • Fully lined
  • 100% of the net proceeds will go to breast cancer research, awareness, and support services 
I think I might start writing my Avon posts this way now....it's so much quicked and removes some of the stress I get from doing this. Hope you guys liked it! By the way, the Coconut Treat products also come in a body mist spray- guess who's probably going to buy it for herself?

xx Mandy 

Tuesday 6 August 2013

July 2013 Favourites!

*UPDATE: I WROTE THIS A FEW DAYS AGO BUT DIDN'T REALIZE I NEVER PUBLISHED IT*

...I'm not going to lie. I have been extremely lazy and exhausted lately and just never felt like blogging because all I want to do when I have time on my hands is sleep. But I'm writing now, which is good! So since I never wrote a June Favourites post...or even a May Favourites...I decided to write one for the month of July because I found some great products that I could not stop using!  

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eye Liner in Black
I've heard many fellow beauty bloggers rave about these eye liners from Rimmel, and I thought I should try out one. I'm so happy I did! These liners are super pigmented and creamy and go on super easy! They're also waterproof so their perfect for those hot summer days when you're out and about.

Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart
You guys already know how I feel about Revlon's Lip Butters, so I'm not going to write a lot. I could go on and on and on and on about these lipsticks but I wanna keep it short and simple. I think this shade is super pretty and looks really nice on any skin tone. It has a nice sheen finish to it and is super moisturizing!

EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint
This month I decided to jump on the bandwagon and buy my first ever EOS lip balm, and what an amazing decision it was. First of all, I am a fool for anything mint scented or flavoured. Second, it is really hydrating and moisturizing. Finally, it makes your lips feel really cool and tingly after applying it! Definitely going to try out all of the other EOS lip balms!

Neutregena's Oil Free Pink Grapefruit Face Wipes
My face tends to be a little bit more oily in the summer, so I wanted to try out some face wipes that wouldn't break me out. Rachel gave me a pack that she didn't want anymore and so I was excited to see how they were. At first I thought they were just makeup removing wipes, but when I was having some difficulty removing my makeup I looked closer at the package and realized they were for your face. Let me just say, these wipes smell amaaaazing! I haven't experienced any breakouts from them yet, so I'm quite pleased with them. 

Aveeno Daily Moisturizer  
I am a freak when it comes to moisturization and having healthy looking skin, so I wanted to try a nice lotion. I had heard so many good things about Aveeno's lotions so I picked up a smaller size of their Daily Moisturizer to test out. Here's a little secret of mine- I've always had dried elbows. So when I bought this lotion I applied it on my elbows everyday for a whole week. By the end of the week, my elbows were extremely soft and looked a lot better! 

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Mellow Yellow
So I was going through my nail polish collection and I realized that I didn't have any yellows in there at all. Shame. While I was at Pharma Plus one day I noticed that their Sally Hansen nail polishes were on sale and I obviously had to pick up Mellow Yellow. This colour is perfect for summer because it's so brighty and fun! The only thing that disappoints me a little bit is that it can be a tad bit streaky, but applying two coats should do the trick to making it opaque!

Hope you guys enjoyed the post!

xx Mandy

Thursday 18 July 2013

What's In My Beach Bag?! ☀

Summertime is my favourite time of the year (besides Christmas of course)- the heat, no school, tooooons of time to shop....it's just perfect in my opinion. And one of my favourite things to do during summer is visit the beach! Now, I'll be honest and tell you that I am not the world's greatest swimmer, or even close to being that. I tend to stick to tanning and shopping when I'm at the beach but in my opinion that's just as much fun as swimming. So today's post is all about what I pack in my beach bag, and hopefully you guys will be inspired to bring any of the following items I mention! Oh and the things that I list aren't in any particular order...

First of all, I'd just thought you guys should see my beach bag: it's this super cute bag that my older sister gave to me a few years ago (sorry, I have no idea where it's from!). Sadly, the zipper on it is broken so I am currently on the hunt for a new bag. If you guys have any suggestions don't be afraid to tweet me or comment below! 

1. Moisturizer
Since you're going to be swimming and in the sun all day, you're going to want to keep your skin hydrated and looking amazing. I always carry my Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lotion with me, it is like my saviour! I heard that having moisturized skin can also help keep a tan longer, but I haven't really proven that myself.

2. Sanitizer
I saw Stephanie Mota (macbarbie07)'s beach bag video and saw that she brought along her little hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works and thought that that was such a good idea! It's smart to just bring sanitizer wherever you go, I have some in my room, one in my backpack, one in my purse, and one in my beach bag. The reason for carrying it is pretty obvious, you're out in public and especially when you've been shopping you're going to want to have clean hands!

3. Towel 
This is an obvious must have- it's super smart to bring a towel along so you can dry yourself off after swimming, and also to lay on when you're tanning. I usually get my towels from Target because they're really cheap!

4. Sunglasses
Another one of my saviours- I have extremely sensitive eyes so I always bring a pair with me so I'm not blinded. But unfortunately I always end up sitting on my sunglasses at some point...Oops. My favourite ones are from Forever 21- they're cute and cheap, so they're easy to replace when I need another pair.

5. Sunscreen + Aloe Vera Gel
Being outside all day= protecting your skin. I am always so tempted to skip the sunscreen so I can tan, but then I think about how I want to be healthy on the inside and out, but I usually end up forgetting to reapply it after a little while, so that's where the Aloe Vera comes in. I have been loving the sunscreen and aloe vera gel that Avon sent me a couple months ago!

6. iPod
When I'm tanning, I love to listen to the waves. But when there are too many people around and all I can hear is their conversations, I like to stick in my headphones and listen to some music.

7. Bikini + Extra Clothes
Again, another obvious must have that I really don't need to explain. I like to pack a sundress for after swimming/tanning because that's when I usually go around shopping and I want to look really cute when I do!

Hope you guys liked this post! I'd love to know what you guys bring along to the beach!

xx Mandy   

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Summer Ready with Avon!

Hey there! I know the last post I made was also one of my Avon reviews, but I have been super busy with training for both of my jobs! I'm definitely going to start writing these posts prior to publishing them so that way there will always be something new for you guys to read without having to wait ages for it to come out. Anyways, I have some great products for you guys to check out for the summer!

Fiji Paradise Body Lotion ($12.00) and Scrub ($12.00)
If you're looking for a new summer breeze-y kind of lotion/body scrub, then definitely check out these ones! They are a "tropical escape of creamy coconut, sparkling lotus blossom, exotic tiare flower and sensual white musk". If that doesn't sound good to you, I don't know what will! Enjoy shower time with the body scrub that softens your skin, and apply the lotion after your shower for that extra step of moisturization!
Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40 ($12.99) and Cooling After Sun Aloe Vera Gel ($7.99)
I absolutely love having sunscreen that doesn't actually smell like sunscreen, and that is one of the reasons why I carry this one around with me now! Not only does it protect your skin from the sun, but it also moisturizes and is oil free! It reminds me of Neutrogena's sunscreen. But, for those of you who do end up getting burnt (me), try the Cooling Aloe Gel. When you apply it, it feels cold and tingly which is soooo cool! It too moisturizes your skin and is oil free, and it barely has a scent! These are must haves for the summer!

Speed Dry + Nail Enamel ($6.99 each)
Left to right: Cruisin' Coral, Bon Voyage Violet, Beachin' Bikini, Teal Appeal
You guys know how much I love Avon's nail polishes, so when I got these I flipped out! I especially love the ones from their Speed Dry Collection because...Well the name says it all...They dry super fast! The colours are amazing, and my favourite would be either Cruisin' Coral or Teal Appeal!
Cruisin' Coral, Bon Voyage Violet, Beachin' Bikini, Teal Appeal

True Colour Eyeshadow Duo ($7.99 each)
Luscious Orchid and Sunkissed
I've purchased some of these Eyeshadow Duos in the past, and I knew right away I wouldn't be disappointed with these ones! They are highly pigmented with a bit of shimmer to them and last for hours on end! I'm also in love with the packaging!

All-Over Face Powder ($15.00)
Ok so when I got this powder I start flipping out because I have been looking for something to contour my face with for ages! And then when I put it on my face for the first time I realized that this would be the perfect bronzer! It makes your skin look like it's tanned without looking cakey, and who likes cakey faces? No one. Well maybe some people, but I don't know why they would. Anways, this is for those people who just have a little trouble getting some colour to their face (me). It also has the perfect amount of shimmer to it so that you don't look sparkly, but rather like you are glowing. That sounds a little weird...but whatever.

Extra Lasting Concealer ($12.00)
I was a little scared to try out this concealer because of the last one that I had bought from Avon. It was too thick and creased a lot and didn't provide the best coverage, so I was sort of bummed by that. But this concealer is much more creamier and doesn't crease as much. It still isn't my favourite, but in terms of coverage it is great!

Lipstick ($12.00) and Lipglosses ($12.99 each)
Mauve Ice

Left to right: Continuous Copper, Constant Coral, Longtime Lilac, Always Apple
First of all, let me just say that the packaging for the lipstick is suuuper cute! That isn't the only good thing about it though- it is very pigemented with the perfect amount of sheen to it and I love love looooove the colour! It's something I would definitely wear in the fall time. And if you look closely at the lipstick, you'll notice this really cool swirl design on it. The lipglosses that I received are just as good! They don't dry out your lips and these colours are sooo nice! There's also another thing these products have in common...they smell nice...like really nice.

Well that's it for another Avon review post! I'll do my absolute hardest to get in other posts this week before my next set of reviews!

xx Mandy