Guest post: What’s In My Bag?

Today I’m handing over my blog to my old co-worker and fantastic friend, Amy. Ever since I moved from Canada to California, I have missed hanging out with her and laughing until we cry. I miss our secret hand-shake (tweedle deedle dee), and I can’t wait to head back to Ontario one day to spend a weekend with her and her Mom (my old boss!). Amy started a beauty blog not too long after my move to California. I feel like she’s doing SO well with it, blogging regularly, and with awesome content. She has nail art skills, you guys. It’s crazy. I love it.

Her social media links are at the bottom of the post. Hope you enjoy! So here you go. Take it away Aimster buddy-oh!IMG_2917
Everyone has that one friend who is always super prepared and brings everything with them “just in case”. I have always been that friend. Even when I was little and played with Barbies, if there was ever an opportunity to pack a suitcase or buy supplies, you could bet I had something for every occasion. Since then, I have really applied that to my everyday life and even go a little overboard. My purse is no exception. Trust me, I have gotten much better. for example, I used to carry a tape measurer in my bag – you know, just in case I had to measure something. But recently, I have narrowed it down to things I use almost every day or would need in an emergency. Here is a look at my every day bag.
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This huge, beautiful, durable bag I got last year at Payless Shoe Store on sale for $20! I doubt it is available still but if it was, I would have bought a backup. I love this thing so much. Since buying it, I did modify it a little by taking off the material that used to wrap through the gold chains. Otherwise it is perfectly in tact. It is huge but not overbearing which always comes in handy. If you knew me 2 years ago, you would know I never used a purse.During and after high school, I simply used a backpack for all of my many “just in case” items. Like I said, overboard. But last year, when I saw this beauty on the sale shelf at Payless, I switched right away. Particularly, I love the quilted leathery look that this bag has and that gold chain in contrast.

Enough about the purse though, let’s look in the bag. At heart, I am a person that strives on organization. My purse, therefore, is split up into little pockets and bags each containing a specific theme of things. Right now, I have 2 bags which are both from Sephora and one pocket. Occasionally, I will switch out the bags since I have so many awesome ipsy pouches, but these two are the biggest so it is what I went with. Lets look at the make up pouch first!
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In here, I keep several brushes and then some products. This bag has probably decreased the most as I used to keep all of my mini products in here – “just in case”. For now, I have enough stuff to do a full face of make up with a few different options. It sounds excessive – and it is – but it is great if I didn’t have enough time in the morning. I can apply everything while on my way to work with ease.
Quo Travel Blush Brush / Eco Tools Buffing Brush / Eco Tools Eye shadow brushes / Estee Lauder Eye shadow Brushes / Quo Travel eyeliner brush / Elizabeth Arden Lip Brush / Bare Minerals mini (comparable to this) / Crown Brush duel ended / Revlon tweezers / Revlon nail clippers / Too Faced Primed & Poreless / Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer / Bare Minerals mini eye shadow duo in The Inspiration / Pacifica Eyeshadow duo / Jesses Girl liquid liner in Black / YSL Baby Doll mascara / Annabelle Skinny Brow Liner / Nars Blush in Deep Throat / Benefit Watts Up / Smashbox Lip Lacquer / Starlooks Lip Gloss / Bare Minerals Lipstick in Get Ready / Malin + Goetz Lip Balm / Kiss Lash Glue / Clean Skin rollerball / Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets
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Another bag I keep stocked up is my hygiene and hair stuff bag. In here, I keep some pony tails, clips, a headband and hair brush in order to pull my hair back when needed. My mini Tresemmé dry shampoo fits comfortably in here too in case I need a bit of a boost throughout the day. A mini tooth paste and tooth brush for after lunch or if I spend the night somewhere after work. This bag also has a mini Dove deodorant since I sometimes forget to slap some on in the mornings. A Sephora mirror that I received with my Christmas gift card. These amazing and portable scissors have been the most useful thing in this bag. They were at a Dollar Store forever ago and I snagged them up because I had to wrap a gift on-the-go. I keep some Advil in here too for other people, mostly and a Fruits and Passion Hand Cream which may seem weird, but I get very dry skin every time I wash my hands so I keep some lotion with me at all times.
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There is one zipper pouch in my beloved purse which holds my electronics and a few other things. I always have my personal (iPhone) and work (Blackberry) phones and chargers with me plus a portable charger from a case of Bud Light last summer. I don’t drink it, but my loving fiance knew I would put it to use. I don’t go anywhere without these. In here is also my iPod Nano and earphones but MIA is a mini speaker I usually carry so I can listen to music while I work. Yes, I am lucky enough that I can listen to music as I work. I also keep Tic Tacs and a reusable bag in here so they are easily accessible.
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Loosey goosey in my bag, I keep my glasses from DKNY, a pair of mitts, my work/home keys, change purse and of course…
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My Kate Spade Wallet (similar). I picked this beautiful magenta wallet up last year to replace a similar Fossil one that was getting a bit worn. I am not particular about brands when it comes to fashion, but something about Kate Spade speaks to me so I had to look. Since I frequently ditch my purse and just carry my wallet, I bought the smallest option they had so it easily will fit in my pockets. Inside, I mostly keep bank cards, a few reward cards and gift cards as well as a few bus tickets for when I need them. The rest of my cards were in my change purse!
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Last up, I keep my iPad mini in my bag when it isn’t in use so I can always have it with me. I am obsessed over this thing.

And that’s all folks! I hope you enjoyed a look into my bag. A big thank you to Nancy for giving me a spot on her amazing blog. It’s a big honour and I have missed working with her. <3

Til next time, ttfn x

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Cortex 4-In-1-Curler

Cortex-HeaderJust so you know, I’ll be wearing my hair like this more than a few times a week.

But before I jump into the review — I wanted to let my beauty readers know that the Sephora VIB 20% sale will be starting today and running for a few days. Is anyone picking up goodies for a discount? I have a few things I want to pick up and will be heading out around lunch time to take advantage of the sale on the products I have either wanted to try, or I know are staples in my beauty cabinet.

In reality, I’m probably going to only buy the philosophy hope in a jar moisturizer, Bobbi Brown shimmer brick and the Too Faced bronzer I’ve been dying to try. There’s plenty more on my wishlist but being on a strict budget helps me not splurge like mad when a sale comes around. But I have no moisturizer, I’m running low on my Jouer bronzer, and I want a little shimmer-shimmer on my cheeks because I love a good lookin’ glow to the cheekbones.

Onto hair!

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Luscious long thick locks is something I’ll never achieve without the help of  hair extensions. Prenatal vitamins with folic acid can only do so much for one’s hair and nail growth. It is what it is, and my hair will always be fine and limp.

The titanium curler heats up to the temperature you select in a matter of seconds, and you can achieve anything from a relaxed wave, to a tight curl using the Cortex 4 N One. It’s surprisingly quick to transform your entire look with a hot piece of burning metal to curl your hair. I love how bouncy, soft and fluffy my hair looks after curling it. Since I’ve had the curling wand since early September, I’ve been curling my hair multiple times per week using the 2″ and 1½” barrels for big bouncy curls though, I haven’t used the tapered [½ — 1″] nor the 1″ barrels yet). I’m instantly transformed into having mesmerizing full set of locks. My only suggestion for people who have no idea what they’re doing with their hair, like myself — is to section it off, and curl your hair the exact same way on your head. Wear the glove if you have to — thankfully only burned my fingers twice since using it. To prepare my hair, I use my tangle teezer hair brush (amazing by the way), section it into four using my too expensive yet so cute yellow Dry Bar hair clips and a heat protectant if you do so desire to keep your hair in pristine shape.

The only complaint I have with the curling iron is that it doesn’t have a mini kick stand for itself. I’d rather not put the hot iron directly on my counter, but there’s no other choice. It slides all around and I keep it in place holding the cord against my leg and the sink so it doesn’t fall off while I section my hair.

Disclaimer: Flat Iron Experts sent me the Cortex 4 N One  for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Inital thoughts on permanent hair removal

Back in July, our town house complex put on a pool party for the residents. That’s where I met our new friends — they’ve got an adorable chi-weenie pup named Penelope. We often walk our dogs nightly and finally, Alfie is starting to know little Nelly’s name.

Now, at first we sort of forced friendship with the two dogs. Nelly I’m sure loves any and all dogs she is around, she’s got that hyper personality that doesn’t understand when other dogs are angry with her. Thankfully she doesn’t mind alfie too much when he’s going at her viciously barking. Alfie on the other hand, hates anyone who even looks at him. 3 minutes into our regular walk routine, he settles down and trots along side his girlfriend while we chat about our days.

A few nights ago on our nightly walk we got to talking about hair removal. My friend was about to go to the salon to get her regular waxing done. I thought about it, and remembered when I used to do the hot waxing at home. Messy, terrifying and time consuming. So, when The Guy and I moved from Canada to California I got rid of my at-home-waxing kit, and kept the epilator to use on a regular basis. I’ve since slacked off with using the epilator under my arms (I wouldn’t dare use it anywhere else) and have resorted back to shaving.

Veet-Permanent-hair-reductiRecently, Veet reached out to me and wondered if I was interested in a more permanent hair removal product that you could use at home called Infini’Silk Pro by Veet.

Who wouldn’t want their hair permanently removed, especially from the underarms. I mean, we’re living in California now and for the love of Fall — the cooler weather still hasn’t hit us yet, and I’m still comfortably wearing tank tops all day long. I think it’s safe to say I need to groom a little more often than I’m used to.

I have to be honest with you guys I’m following the rules on this packaging here, since I don’t want to mess up my body at all. The instructions state that you cannot have a tan before using the product. So, I’ve listened to that — and haven’t been able to test it out yet, even though I’ve had it sitting next to my computer for the last number of weeks.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid to start using it. Though, there’s a part of me that is really excited to be underarm hair free. I’ve already read reviews of it online and it’s FDA cleared. However it will not work with every skin type.

InfiniSilk-by-VeetWhile I wait for my skin to go all pale, I did take it out of the box and have a peek at it. The laser is small, and will take a lot of pulses, zings or zaps (whatever the laser noise is) to get your full leg, and the handle is quite a big piece — but light weight, so when you’re doing your underarms it won’t get heavy or bulky feeling. A typical full hair growth cycle may take 18-24 months. So during that time it will most definitely take multiple sessions to achieve permanent results. There is a warning that is a little spooky that says “Warning: Do not treat the same area of skin more than once per hair removal session! Treating the same area of skin more than once per session increases the likelihood of adverse effects.” Um. What kind of adverse effects?

Veet-Infini'SilkThere’s different sizes and prices on Veet’s website of their laser hair removal machines. But keep in mind I’ll be going more in depth about this product at a later date when I scrub my tan off my skin and give it a few tries. It’s not going to be permanent hair removal in one easy zap, it takes time for your hair to grow back and get zapped off again. It’ll be a slow process, but good things come to those who wait.

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