Spring Ulta Haul and Review

Hello, you beautiful people!

A little while ago I was feeling quite down about life. I was upset about school and work, and the fact that I spend most of my time doing things I hate in order to get somewhere in life that I'm not even sure exists. I was in your average, run-of-the-mill rut. I knew this feeling was temporary and that everything I'm doing now is in order to have a better future, but in order to get myself out of this rut a little faster, I decided to treat myself!

After revamping my wardrobe and getting a new backpack and seeing how happy those refreshments made me, I decided I needed to carry it on with other aspects of my life, including my makeup. I have been using the same, shitty makeup for years. Aside from a Too Faced mascara and a Clinique foundation that I bought myself for prom two years ago, I have never allowed myself a high-end piece of makeup or skincare. Those of you who are far more into makeup than I am will probably laugh at the items I bought, but this is a step up for a frugal, money-conscious person like me! 

Without further ado, here are some of the pick-me-up goodies I bought from Ulta!

The first and least exciting item that I picked up was this dual-ended NYX eyebrow brush. I haven't had a normal-sized angled brush for two years. I lost my last angled brush on the day of prom, funnily enough! This is the second time I've purchased this brush from NYX, and compared to its more expensive alternatives, this $10 version does a decent job! The bristles of the brush are softer and slightly longer than I prefer, meaning it's not as dense or precise as a shorter, sturdier brush. It's great if you prefer a more natural brow, but I'm a big, blocky brow girl and I love my precise lines. I'm sure if you were to season this brush and cake it with eyebrow gel, it would be stronger and more precise. It's all about the products you use and the look you're going for!

The second item I picked up was the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara by Tarte. This mascara and the Tarte brand itself are on the more attainable side of high-end makeup, but still quite expensive. I have no problem buying drugstore mascara, but I had to pick this mascara up that day due to the fact that is was only $10! For those of you who aren't familiar with this mascara, that's over 50% off. This mascara definitely gives you volume, which I need in order to match the density of my eyebrows. This mascara can be a bit clumpy, but I'd still repurchase it!

Another item I haven't bought in years is a new nail polish. All of the current nail polishes I have are dried up and very unpleasant to use, so seeing as it's finally spring, I thought I'd buy some springy colors! These are the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail colors, ringing up at $4.99 each. From lightest to darkest, the colors are Mauve It, Shakin' Sherbet, and Just In Wine. I believe I'll wear Mauve It predominantly in the spring, Shakin' Sherbet in the summer, and Just In Wine in the fall. Who knows, maybe I'll get a little crazy and mix it up a little! I picked these shades because I thought they would go with my yellowy skin tone and prevent my hands from looking dead.

After using the Mauve It nail polish, I have to say that I'm not very impressed. The colors are gorgeous, but my nails were chipped after 24 hours. They don't have the best staying power, but they're cheap! I feel like these polishes would be great for a photo shoot, or another situation where you'd have to rapidly change nail colors.

In the skincare department, I picked up a couple items from Clinique. For moisturizer, I bought the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream because it was advertised as a cult favorite. I was originally going to buy one of the Moisture Surge moisturizers, but their slightly varied names confused the hell out of me and the pressure of the influential Ulta employees was just too much! Also, this moisturizer was $12 cheaper at $27. This moisturizer is for dry combination skin, which sounds like it was made just for me!

This cream is an absolute dream to wear. It's the perfect consistency; not too heavy, but just rich enough so that you don't have to reapply it in ten minutes. My dry-skinned friends know the struggle! This moisturizer is also fragrance-free and allergy tested, making it a great option for those with sensitivities. Also, it didn't burn at all when I used the moisturizer around my eyes. Always a bonus! If you don't have dry skin but you still wanna try out this product, Clinique has two different formulations of the same moisturizer for normal and oily skin.

Although I didn't buy a Moisture Surge moisturizer, I did pick up the Moisture Surge Overnight Mask for $35. I just really wanted a Moisture Surge product, and this mask was $4 cheaper for almost two more ounces. There's that frugal side coming out! This mask is great for people of all skin types. It's thinner in consistency than the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream, and I could probably even wear this as a daily moisturizer in the warmer months. Just like the moisturizer, this product is fragrance-free and great for people with sensitivities, and it doesn't burn around the eyes.

This was my face the morning after using the mask. Normally in the morning I wake up with tight, dehydrated skin with visible dry patches. After using the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream and the Moisture Surge Overnight Mask on top of it, I was left with moisturized skin and not a single dry patch! I definitely feel like this product gave me a surge of moisture, and I am thoroughly happy with both of my Clinique purchases! Although my skin felt great at the time, I did put a thin layer of moisturizer on before going out for the day, as I knew that feeling wasn't going to last for another 24 hours. Overall, I am very impressed with this product!

The final product I got with this gorgeous eye palette from Smashbox. The whole reason I went to Ulta, besides to make myself feel better, was to pick up a warm-toned eyeshadow palette. This palette is called the Covershot: Ablaze Eye Palette, and boy is it on fire.

Look at the crazy packaging! Whoever thought of this concept is an actual genius.

This palette features three matte shades and five shimmery shades. The eyeshadows are all very warm, and most of them have a quite purpley undertone. The pigment is great when you first rub your finger on the shadow, but when you transfer the shadow onto another surface such as the back of your hand, it loses some of its intensity. When I used the shadows over an eyeshadow base, however, they were quite pigmented! I believe that using a base is the key to a vibrant eye look.

These are the names of the eyeshadows going from left to right and top to bottom.

These are the eyeshadows photographed using flash.

This is the look I created with six of the eyeshadows! To create this look, I applied Relaxed all over my eyelid as a base. I then applied Torch across my mobile eyelid as my main color. Next, I used Throwback in the crease as a transition color, as well as applying it to the lower lashline. In the crease, on top of Throwback, I used the color Nirvana. To finish off the eye look, I popped a bit of Moccasin in the inner corners to brighten them up. To fill in my eyebrows, I used the color Dark Horse. The two colors I didn't use in this look were Siesta and Delirious, as they were a bit too pinky and neutral for the look I wanted to create. They're gorgeous too though!

That's it for my spring Ulta haul! I hope you enjoyed seeing my picks, and that it gave you a little inspiration if you planned on doing a spring clear-out and shop!

I will see you next time for another spring-themed post.

Until then,

Jordan x

My New Backpack

Hey, everybody!

As part of revamping my style (see my last post), I decided that it was time for a new backpack. I decided to get a new backpack because the cross-body messenger bag I was using was killing my shoulders, and the cute bag just wasn't worth the pain. I thought that being a college student meant I would have less to carry around, but I was sorely mistaken. Literally. It was finally time that I ditch the cross-body and go for a body-friendly backpack!

Although I needed a new backpack, I didn't wanna go for just any backpack where the inner lining would rip under the weight of my books, or the magnetic snapper buttons would fall off (I usually have that problem with backpacks). I wanted a sturdy, timeless backpack with a shit ton of storage that would never fall apart on me.

While searching for backpacks I realized just how gorgeous, job-specific, and expensive they can actually get. I couldn't help but marvel at the various shapes, sizes, colorways, and storage possibilities that these modern backpacks offer! That day, I learned that backpacks aren't just receptacles to carry your junk from one place to another; they are actually the most useful and functional accessories and statement pieces that you could center your whole look around. Forget jewelry, shoes or sunglasses; bags are my accessory of choice! I'm a sucker for items that can hold other items. Plus, I love the security and comfort of having everything I could need throughout the day at the drop of a strap and the flip of a flap.

After extensive research, I finally found my backpack. I decided to go for the SwissGear 5753 Laptop Backpack in the colorway Dark Grey Heather/Black. I wasn't crazy about the backpack at first, but after reading about how much storage this sucker has, I was sold. The crazy part is, I didn't even realize how much storage it had until after I bought it. After a month of use, I think I've finally found all the secret pockets that this baby has to offer. For a while, it was like the gift that kept on giving!

The Outside

This backpack has a very unique look in my opinion. It's quite rectangular, giving it a clearly defined 'top' compared to the standard dome-shaped backpack where the sides and the top are one. Another unusual feature that the backpack has is its vertical zipper going straight up the middle. I've never seen a vertical zipper incorporated into the design of a backpack, but I'm a big fan! The final unusual feature that I dig about the appearance of this bag is the front flap cut-out, which you will see later on. The front flap covers the entire top of the backpack and takes up a decent portion of the front, allowing for a wider opening.

On the sides of the backpack, there are two decent-sized protruding pockets. On one side I keep my snacks, and on the other side, I keep my toiletries. My snack pocket currently stores five snack bars, an orange, and some cookies, and my toiletry pocket stores a hand cream, a nail file, a lip balm, a travel-sized deodorant, a hairbrush, and some tampons with loads of room to spare!

The backpack also has a 'multi-compartment organizer panel' in the front (the vertical zipper) to prevent your smaller items from getting lost in the actual backpack section of the backpack. In this panel, you could fit your phone, your pens, and even your passport if you decide to take the backpack traveling. I like to keep my headphones in the mesh sling to prevent tangling.

Right in front of the handle up top, there is a secret pocket (one of the three that I didn't know about for weeks) that is as wide and as deep as the opening flap. This pocket is so big that I feel like I need to put something in it because it'd be a waste not to. In this pocket, you could fit several CDs, more snacks, or your wires if you were actually using it as a laptop bag. The possibilities are overwhelmingly endless.

Even the straps have storage! There is a zipper pocket for your cards on one strap and a mesh sling to hold your phone on the other.

Hidden right behind the left side pocket is another pocket I didn't know about for weeks! This pocket is just big enough for your cards or a small notebook.

Also hidden on the back of the bag, there is a 'built-in add-a-bag panel' for you to easily slip the backpack over the handle of a suitcase. I guess it's useful if you don't wanna wear the backpack on your back for some reason!

The padded straps and back panel make this backpack extremely comfortable to wear. No shoulder, neck, or back pain whatsoever!

The Inside

credit

I had to steal this image from the SwissGear website because it's just better. This picture also better displays the wide front flap cut-out I was telling you about! On the inside of the backpack, there are two cushioned sleeves designed to hold a 15" laptop and a tablet. The 'belly' of the bag, as it's called on the SwissGear website, offers a decent amount of storage for your books and notebooks. If I had to guess, I'd say you could fit three textbooks of shmedium thickness in there. Also inside the belly of the bag, on the opposite side from the laptop sleeves, there is a big mesh pocket designated for adaptors if you plan to use this backpack for its actual use. I, however, use it as my Cheetos pocket. The inner lining of the backpack features a grey-and-white diagonally striped pattern, which I think is just lovely. The lining seems strong and durable, so hopefully there will be no tearing!

The backpack cost $55 on the SwissGear website, along with $5 for shipping. Although this is two times more than the usual $30 I'd spend on a bag, I feel that a quality item like this is worth the investment. I am confident that I will use this bag for years to come.

That's it for today's post! I hope this review has opened your eyes to the vast and wonderful world of backpacks. If your shoes, jewelry, and other accessories are supposed to make you happy, your backpack should too!

Until next time,
Jordan x

Business Casual Lookbook

Hey, people!

Not long ago, I got a job working as a marketing assistant for my aunt who works as a real estate agent. My job as her marketing assistant is to create flyers for open houses, make promotional videos for said houses, create congratulatory posts for accepted offers, increase her online presence, and keep in touch with past clients. This job also entails going to clients' houses and communicating with them face-to-face, which means I gotta dress a little fancy. I used this as an excuse to do some major shoppin'!

I'm considering this a collective haul because I've decided to include some bits that I bought a few months ago. The three shops I bought these clothes from include Target, Boohoo, and Romwe, but I did include one piece from H&M and one piece from Kohls.

Without further ado, here are some items I bought for my new, businessy wardrobe! Enjoy!

I'm starting with the most basic items so we can work our way to the fun stuff! I wanted to get a couple button-down shirts, as I feel they are the epitome of powerful woman apparel. From Target I got a basic, white, cotton button-down by the brand Universal Thread. I thought that the style of this piece was very professional, as most button-downs are, but the cotton material gave it a casual softness, making it more wearable for everyday life. The good thing about a white button-down is that it goes with almost any type of color or fabric you could wear on your lower half. This shirt would look just as great with jeans as it would with dress pants, if not better! Definitely a staple in everyone's wardrobe.

The second button-down I bought is this gorgeous grey and white blouse from the brand A New Day. This shirt is made of 100% rayon, making it incredibly light and flowy and the perfect long sleeve option for warmer months. This type of fabric is also a lot chicer than it's cotton alternative, in terms of both the look and the feel. I love how the stripes give the shirt a little pizazz, while the color and style maintain the sophisticated feel. The only thing I don't like about this top is the length. It'd look strange if you were to leave it untucked, but there is so much excess fabric that when you try to tuck it, it looks very bunchy. It's extremely comfortable to wear though. So soft!

Although I didn't plan on including this outfit because I got these two items a while ago, I thought I might as well for any of you who want the inspiration! This cropped, ribbed, black turtleneck is from H&M, and the trousers are from Kohls by the brand Candies. I believe both of these items were under $20 each. This is definitely a more of a casual business outfit, as most office buildings don't wanna see your belly button. However, if you're your own boss, why not?!

Onto Boohoo! I knew that I wanted to find some tapered black trousers, and Boohoo answered those very specific prayers. These are the Amira Belted Tailored Tie Ankle Slim Trousers, and I am absolutely in love with them. The quality of the fabric and the stitching is phenomenal, and I love the overall fit of the pants. I love the way they fit around the hips. I love the ties, I love the pockets, and I love the little creases/pleats incorporated into the design. These pants would go great with virtually any shirt or pair of shoes, and can instantly smarten up any outfit. This pair of trousers and the next three Boohoo items I bought, I got for 40% off. With the discount, these pants were $24.00.

Although I was told I needed black pants for my job as a marketing assistant, I decided that I was gonna break the rules and have a little fun with my wardrobe. For that reason, I decided to buy these navy-and-green Abigail Woven Tartan Slim Fit Ankle Grazer Trousers. These pants are baggier than I thought they were going to be, so I handled that curveball by pairing them with a tight camisole. I've never worn an outfit like this, but I love it! If you aren't allowed to wear thin-strapped tops at work, try a bodysuit or another tighter alternative to counteract the bagginess of the trousers. I got these pants for $22.80.

Also while searching the Boohoo website, I decided that I needed some dresses for the warmer months. The first dress I bought was the Diane Cold Shoulder Double Layer Dress in Mocha, because I loved the shape and I figured this color would go well with most pairs of shoes. I love the high neckline, the shoulder cut-outs, and the multiple layers of fabric. I feel that this dress is simple yet sophisticated, and perfectly professional! What's even greater about this dress is that I got it for $15.00!

The second dress I bought was this masterpiece, although I am not doing it justice! This is the Vi High Neck Kimono Sleeve Formal Mini Dress, and it is the epitome of business chic. I love the collar, the unique sleeve shape, and the tie around the waist. Although it might not be everyone's cup of tea, I love the chunkiness and bagginess of this dress; it feels very fashion-forward! This dress would look great with knee-high boots if you're going for a smart night out.

Finally from Boohoo, I bought this lovely coat! I've always wanted a big, structured coat because I feel like they are the materialization of class and sophistication. I hope I'm right! This is the Sarah Zip Pocket Tailored Coat, and I got it for 50% off for a total of $43.00. This coat has shoulder pads that give it a great structure, along with lovely piping around the edges of the collar and lapel. This coat looks great over dresses, business outfits, or a t-shirt and jeans. It's perfect!

After discovering the wonder that is Romwe, I went a little crazy. Since the site is so cheap, I decided to buy items that I wouldn't normally wear because if I didn't like them, I didn't waste too much money on them! The first item I bought from Romwe was this White Contrast Grid Print Knot Cuffed Blouse. I love how short this blouse is length-wise. I love the length and width of the sleeves, and I love the pinky orange stripes! I didn't realize until I was writing this post that the name of the shirt includes the word "knot". If I would've seen that earlier, I would've styled it as such! I got this shirt on sale for a total of $7.60. I will definitely be wearing this during spring and summer!

To go with the shirt above, I bought these wonderful trousers. These are the Ruffled Tie Waist Peg Leg Pants in coral. I LOVE the frills around the waist, and I love the tie! I like the look of the deep pockets, but you can't really put anything in them without the items noticeably protruding through the thin fabric. The stitching on these pants isn't the best, but I got them on sale for 12.80 so I can't complain! Overall, I am quite happy with my purchase!

The final businessy piece I bought from Romwe was this Band Collar Stripe Print Blouse. I was drawn to this shirt because of the collar, as it's not like anything I'd usually pick out for myself. I love this shade of blue and the double-stripe action. Once again, I'm a big fan of the sleeve style! I feel like this shirt would be perfect for a sunny vacation as well as being perfect for the conference room. I got this shirt on sale, also for $7.60. Sometimes stepping outside of your comfort zone really pays off!

That's it for my business casual clothing haul! I hope you've found an item you like, or that you at least found some inspiration! Tune in next week where I give you a tour of my new... backpack! I promise it's more exciting than it sounds, especially for any handbag lovers!

Until then,

Jordan x