Mansa Fashion

Author: Viktoria Arnold

  • a little grey hair is a small price to pay for wisdom.

    a little grey hair is a small price to pay for wisdom.

    I remember the first time I noticed a grey hair. That shining piece of silver stood out against a sea of brown. At the time, I was more confused than anything else. It couldn’t be…could it? I was in my early 20s back then and grey hair had not occurred to me. After all, I was busy trying to figure out who I was, what I wanted, and how I envisioned my life. It was too soon for grey! Only it wasn’t. Since then, the grey hairs have multiplied. I am now watching them take over. One day, in the not-so-distant future, I will make the decision to start dying my hair. To cover the greys. To hold onto the brown in some way. However, I haven’t been able to take that leap yet. I am trying to hold onto my natural colour for as long as I can. For as long as I have it.

    Unfortunately, I feel like I am running out of time. Every day, it seems more of those little grey strands make an appearance. I’ve tried plucking them out of my head (a nice temporary solution, but there are too many to pluck out now) and I’ve tried dry shampoos with a little bit of color. I’ve also tried accepting the grey, but that approach hasn’t been very successful. Truthfully, I didn’t expect to spend my 30s feeling nostalgic about my brown hair. I didn’t expect to mourn. Especially since so much of my youth was spent wishing that I was blonde or a red head. I guess it’s true that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.

    If you couldn’t tell, I’ve been thinking about my hair a lot lately. I’ve been trying to cherish the time I have left as a brunette…the last moments without dye and root touch ups and all the rest. A little while back, I wrote a short poem about all of this, and am finally brave enough to share it here. So, without further ado, here is a little poem about my hair…

    As I pluck long, silver strands from my scalp,

    I think back

    To all the years spent hating my hair.

    My brown hair.

    My plain hair.

    My frizzy hair with haphazard waves.

    I think back

    To all the years I longed for a rich auburn or sunshine blonde.

    Something

    Anything

    That would make me feel special.

    As I watch my brown hair slowly turn silver,

    I realize how much I will miss

    My brown hair.

    My plain hair.

    My frizzy hair with haphazard waves.

    I pause now

    To appreciate the colour that is so uniquely me.

    I wish we had more time together.

  • testing out the bebe born to glow 10 color glow palette

    testing out the bebe born to glow 10 color glow palette

    Did I need another face palette? No. Not at all. Not one bit. Despite that…the Bebe Born to Glow 10 Color Glow Palette was a little too tempting for my makeup obsessed self to resist. The palette above was another shopping trip find at one of the discount stores we stopped in. For just $7.99 USD all ten of those tempting cheek products were mine. Curious about this warm and wearable palette? Here is everything you need to know about the Bebe Born to Glow 10 Color Glow Palette.

    It is always hard to know how a cheek palette will perform. I’ve tried some blush palettes that were not all that impressive and some that knocked my socks off. The Bebe Born to Glow palette is closer to the latter. This affordable release has an assortment of highlights, bronzers, and blushes to put to good use. According to the brand, these are “smooth and blendable colors that are ideal for a radiant and defined complexion.” There are certainly some pros and cons to consider with this palette. Let’s start with the cons: the packaging and the glitter overspray. The packaging is an ultra flimsy plastic. It is not sturdy whatsoever. Then there is the glitter overspray. The gold and white highlighters have a glitter overspray, which means that the top layer is ultra glittery and gorgeous, but the product underneath that is not. This was so disappointing, because the product underneath is not useful. Thankfully, there are only two products in the palette that have the glitter overspray, but it is definitely a letdown. As you can see from the swatches above, there is a lot of gorgeous shimmer and glow in this palette. It is just frustrating that two of the products in the Bebe Born to Glow 10 Color Glow Palette cannot be used fully. Now for the pros. The blushes and bronzers in this palette are excellent. They are warm, easy to wear, and work well with a lot of makeup looks.

    As you can see from the look above, this is a really fantastic palette for the eyes and the cheeks. I used a variety of the Bebe products in the palette on the eyes to create a warm and shimmery makeup look. Then there was a warm glowy blush on the cheeks. I absolutely love the way most of the products perform in this palette. If the glitter overspray situation hadn’t happened, this would be a near perfect palette in terms of the actual product. (The packaging could definitely be improved.) Ahh well, at least there is still a lot to love here. It has been fun to add some warm and wearable colours to my collection.

    What are your favourite cheek products? Be sure to share your recommendations in the comment section below!

  • does it work?? testing peanuts x wet n wild multi-stick set

    does it work?? testing peanuts x wet n wild multi-stick set

    Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer. Fun for all that children call their favourite time of year. Peanuts and the holiday season have long gone hand in hand, thanks to the iconic Christmas special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” So, it is no surprise that makeup brands would want to release Peanuts themed products during the holiday season. Last year, Wet n Wild did just that, with a collection that included blush palettes, beauty blenders, and all sorts of other themed items. At that time, I was able to find the Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown Eyeshadow Palette. (That eyeshadow palette has been in heavy rotation for the past year.) When I was in the United States recently on a shopping trip, I came across another Peanuts x Wet n Wild product. This time, it was the What Christmas Is All About 3-Piece Multi-Stick Set. Does it work?? It is time to find out.

    The What Christmas Is All About 3-Piece Multi-Stick Set from the Peanuts x Wet n Wild collection was found at a discount store during my short getaway to the US. It was available for just $2.99 USD…a bargain that was too tempting to resist. According to the brand, it is possible to “spread holiday cheer with this 3-Piece Multi-Stick Set. Formulated with Vitamin E, these multi-functional makeup sticks feature a velvety cream to powder formula that applies seamlessly to eyes, cheeks, and lips. Mix and match to create different holiday looks.” Right off the bat, I like the fact that these sticks can be used in a few different ways. It is always nice to have a versatile product on hand! I also really love the packaging. The outer packaging shows Charlie Brown and Snoopy underneath the Christmas tree (so cute) and the actual sticks show Snoopy and Woodstock with lots of Christmas lights and different holiday decorations. In terms of the packaging and dedication to the theme, this set is a winner.
    Now for the actual performance of the Multi-Stick Set. There are three different colours: I Wish (glittery white), Warm & Cozy (shimmery brown), and Jingle Bell (glittery gold). The three colours are perfect for the holiday season. However, these feel somewhat sticky when applied on the eyelids. Though the brand claims reference a cream to powder formula, these did not dry down fully and creased not too long after application. The only way that I would use these on the eyes would be on the inner corner or underneath the brow. (I Wish works well that way.) Both I Wish and Jingle Bell are nice on the cheeks and add a fun dose of shimmer. I’ve tried the products on the lips as well, and though they look quite nice, it isn’t the most comfortable product to wear that way. There are certainly some pros and cons to consider when it comes to these stick products.

    For the makeup look, shown above, all three of the Wet n Wild products were used on the eyes. I Wish was applied all over the lid, Jingle Bells on the very center, and then Warm & Cozy on the outer corner. It looked decent enough and I do enjoy all of the glitter…but it didn’t dry down completely and it creased a lot. Warm & Cozy was also applied on the lips, which creates a really fabulous finish, but it is not the most comfortable. So…does it work?? Sort of. The What Christmas Is All About 3-Piece Multi-Stick Set from the Peanuts x Wet n Wild collection is neither a complete winner or a complete failure. I love the packaging and the theme. I love the colours chosen. I love the gorgeous finishes. That being said, the products do not work well on the eyelids and aren’t comfortable on the lips. It is possible to make use of these sticks, but not necessarily in all the ways that the brand claims. It was wonderful to find these cute holiday themed products for a ridiculously low price. I only wish these dried down and did not crease on the eyelids. Though it wasn’t a completely successful venture, it was an awful lot of fun to use these.

    Were you able to try anything from the Peanuts x Wet n Wild holiday collection? Are you looking forward to the holidays?

  • disney villains eyeshadow palette (#fotd and review part three)

    disney villains eyeshadow palette (#fotd and review part three)

    It is time for the third and final post related to the Disney Villain Swivel Shadow Palette from Townley. This themed eyeshadow palette is dedicated to different Disney characters (Maleficent, Ursula, and The Evil Queen) and features a wide variety of colours and finishes. Now? It is time to take a look at The Evil Queen section. Like most Disney Villains, she scared me as a child, especially on the Snow White ride that used to be at Walt Disney World. (A version of the ride is still in Disneyland, for the record.) Her intensity, her jealousy, and her desire to be first no matter what was more than a little terrifying. If nothing else, The Evil Queen taught me that being beautiful on the inside is more important than being beautiful on the outside. Ready to take a look at the final section of the Disney Villain Swivel Shadow Palette? Keep reading for swatches and a #FOTD….

    Unlike the other Disney Villain sections in this swivel palette, The Evil Queen section is easily the most wearable for everyday looks. There are lots of warm metallics to choose from – and a few pops of colour as well. Though it would have been nice to see a red colour included in here as well (to represent the apple or her red lips) the shimmery metallics are stunning and really represent her crown well. These shimmers are richly pigmented, apply well, and look absolutely gorgeous worn alone or in combination with some of the others. I have been using these shades a lot lately for quick one-shadow looks. The glitter included in this section is a beautiful gold, but like the other glitters, it requires a glitter glue in order to work well. The colour payoff for the green is not as impressive, but the blue shadow absolutely wows. There is a lot to love about this section.

    For the #FOTD shown above (which was created before my husband and I left to stay in a spaceship themed room for a few nights)…it was all about those warm metallic colours. As you can see, these shadows are ultra shimmery and have a lot of colour payoff. The middle colour in the top row was applied all over the lid and a bit of the middle colour in the second row was added to the center. Then some of the darkest metallic colour was added to the crease for some extra definition. The lightest shimmery shade was applied to the inner corner and under the brow bone. The darkest metallic shade was applied along the lower lash line for extra drama. Though the Maleficent section was my favourite overall (those purple shades are hard to resist) this particular section was a close second. I love how warm the shadows are and I just adore the shimmers.

    What do you think of this #FOTD? Are you a fan of the colours in this section of the Disney Villain palette?

  • theme week: 2000s (iconic 00s music, movies, and television shows)

    theme week: 2000s (iconic 00s music, movies, and television shows)

    There was a lot to love about the 2000s when it came to media. Looking back, there was some seriously incredible music that came out at that time, not to mention movies and television shows. No wonder many of my favourites seem to be from that era. For the last 2000s theme week post here on the creation of beauty is art. it only seemed right to honour some of those releases. Keep reading for some of my personal favourites as well as some other iconic highlights from the decade.

    Iconic 2000s Music. Music in the 2000s was certainly varied, though my preferences were largely focused on pop music with a bit of R&B thrown in. (I also had a serious obsession with emo music in the 00s. I still do!) Artists like Britney Spears, O-Town, NSYNC, Lady Gaga, Destiny’s Child, Lifehouse, Hanson, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Goo Goo Dolls, Nelly Furtado, Hilary Duff, Avril Lavigne, and many others ruled the charts. There was a lot of fabulous music to choose from at that time, whether you were into singer-songwriters, soft rock, dance pop, R&B, rock, or anything else for that matter. I loved that the 2000s had a lot of variety. There really was something for everyone. To this day, many of the albums in heavy rotation in my collection come from that decade. It was certainly a formative time for me, since music became my obsession and my escape. I was also in love with a lot of British pop music in the 00s (and still am) so a lot of those bands and solo artists are high on my list of loves as well. I’m talking S Club 7, Busted, McFly, Blue, Robbie Williams, Daniel Bedingfield, and Atomic Kitten.

    Must Watch 2000s Movies. How often do I watch movies from the 2000s? Regularly. There is something so special about a lot of the movies from this time. Though what appeals to me might not appeal to everyone, the teen movies and rom-coms were definitely the standouts in my opinion. I’m talking about beloved movies like Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, Bring It On, The Princess Diaries, 13 Going on 30, What a Girl Wants (my obsession with Oliver James was real), The House Bunny, Juno, She’s The Man, and many, many others. The movies at that time were a lot of fun. Many of them continue to be my comfort movies and I reach for them over and over again. Need a pick me up? No one is better than Elle Woods. Need to laugh? An Amanda Bynes movie is a must. Looking for a little romance? Something with Julia Roberts will check off all the boxes.

    Memorable 2000s TV Shows. There are a ton of television shows from the 2000s that I love. Many of them are on my DVD shelf. Some I am rewatching on streaming. And some, I am able to rewatch on YouTube and other such websites. Though there was a lot of excellent TV during that time, some of my favourites include American Dreams, The OC, Gossip Girl, Smallville, 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, Everwood, Young Americans, Hidden Palms, Lizzie McGuire, Veronica Mars, and Malcolm In the Middle. I’m positive there are lots of shows that I am missing, but those are some of the ones that immediately came to mind. Television, much like music and movies, was an escape for me when I was a bit younger. I didn’t necessarily have an easy time being social…so it was nice to have media as a way to feel safe, happy, and inspired. To be honest, it still is.

    I hope you enjoyed all of the 2000s themed posts here on the creation of beauty is art. this past week. It has been a lot of fun to reminisce, share some of my favourites, and review some themed makeup items. It is nice to look back every now and then.

    What did you like to listen to and watch during the 2000s? Is there anything listed here that you enjoy now?

  • brown lipstick mini reviews (kvd, smashbox, and morphe)

    brown lipstick mini reviews (kvd, smashbox, and morphe)

    What is it about brown lipstick? It seems that I cannot get enough. It is no secret that I am obsessed with a lot of 90s trends and all things nostalgic…so perhaps that is one of the reasons that brown lipstick has become an absolute staple in my makeup collection lately. Between the 90s inspiration and the recent popularity of the latte makeup look, it seems that many are obsessing over brown lipstick at the moment. At least I am in good company! Over the last little while, I have been on the hunt for the perfect brown lipstick. I wanted something warm but still easy to wear. Did I find it? No, but it has certainly been fun putting a few different lipsticks to the test. Keep reading for a few mini reviews of KVD, Smashbox, and Morphe products.

    Smashbox Be Legendary Prime and Plush Lipstick in Caffeinate. The first lipstick that I tried was from Smashbox. This is a band that I have tried a few things from over the years, but isn’t something that is always on my radar. That being said, it is difficult to resist a rich brown lipstick. Caffeinate is a deep chocolate brown. Though it wasn’t the exact colour I had in mind…it looks fabulous. I absolutely love this lipstick. It is dramatic and warm. It has a nice amount of colour payoff and feels nice on the lips. This is more of a traditional lipstick (it even has that traditional “makeup smell” that I can’t quite seem to describe) with a nice solid and stylish tube. All in all, this is brown lipstick was a winner. It adds just the right amount of drama to a makeup look.

    Morphe DripGlass Drenched High Pigment Lip Gloss in Drip Coffee. The next brown lipstick on this list is actually a high pigment gloss. I do like really pigmented lip glosses from time to time, like the Kim Chi Chic Beauty High Key Gloss. The Morphe DripGlass Drenched High Pigment Lip Gloss comes in a fairly basic clear plastic tube with a clear plastic topper. Nothing too wild or interesting happening in terms of the packaging. As for the product itself, this is really pigmented, goes on smooth, and has a gorgeous finish. Though I like this milk chocolate kind of colour in general, it doesn’t necessarily look amazing on me. I think in future, I have to be really mindful about the kind of makeup that I pair with this particular gloss to make sure it looks as flattering as possible. It is a really nice product and the colour itself looks fantastic…just maybe not fantastic on me.

    KVD Everlasting Hyperlight Liquid Lipstick in Calytrix. Now for my favourite of the three. This KVD liquid lipstick was something that I used an old Sephora gift card on. (Gift cards always seem to encourage me to try something different.) I loved the old liquid lipstick formula that the brand had and was curious about the newer releases. This light brown shade called to me. Though the colour was not quite what I expected at first…it is something that I have come to love. This is a nice light brown and pairs well with a lot of different makeup looks. It is a really beautiful neutral. As for the formula? So impressed. It is good to know that the KVD line still has a fantastic liquid lipstick formula. I just wish that they would expand their colour selection a little more, because while there are a few colourful offerings, the old brand had some really fun and daring options.
    There you have it…some mini reviews of brown lipsticks from a variety of higher end brands. There was an awful lot to love overall and it has certainly been fun incorporating lots of brown lipstick shades into some of my more recent makeup looks.

    Have you tried any of these lipstick shades? Are you a fan of brown lipstick?

  • isney theme week: minnie mouse x revolution palette

    isney theme week: minnie mouse x revolution palette

    I love makeup. I love Disney. Put them together? It is an unbeatable match. When the All Eyes on Minnie Palette from Revolution was at Winners (always Winners…what can I say…I love a good deal) for $9 CDN, it only made sense to add it to my cart. Though I didn’t know what the palette would actually look like or what colours were, it was Minnie Mouse inspired, and that was enough. Curious about this face and eye palette? It is time to end this theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. with a Disney inspired makeup review. Here is everything you need to know about the All Eyes on Minnie Palette.

    When it comes to the theme, this palette is pure perfection. I love the Minnie Mouse inspired polka dots, the cute picture on the front, and the Minnie Mouse shaped pans inside the palette. Revolution really committed with the Minnie Mouse theme and that absolutely thrills me. Everything about this release is adorable. There are seventeen different pans inside the palette, with twelve eyeshadows and five face products. As for the colour story, the eyeshadows range from pinks and reds to warm golds. There is also a fantastic glittery topper (Bows and Kisses) that looks beautiful layered over one of the matte shadows. The pinks and reds have a nice amount of pigmentation as do the beautiful golden colours. The only downside is that there is not a darker colour to make this palette ultra versatile. A nice rich brown or a black with golden flecks of glitter would have made this colourful but wearable palette even more impressive. That being said, the quality is good and there are some standout shades. My absolute favourites of the eyeshadows are Bows and Kisses (glitter topper) Bring The Drama (matte red), Forever Classic (warm gold), and XOXO (matte dusty rose). There are some really gorgeous colours to choose from.

    As for the five face products in the All Eyes on Minnie Palette, these are beautiful highlights. These have a nice amount of pigmentation, but are not pigmented enough to be worn alone as a glowy blush. The products look best layered over another blush or bronzer. As much as I love these highlights (and I do) it would have been nice to have two highlights, two blush shades, and a bronzer, or some other mixture of products. Since it is a described as a face and eye palette…different face products would have really made this palette extra special. It was a bit of a missed opportunity with the repetitiveness. All that said, these are really lovely highlights. I especially like Camera Ready (lilac highlight) and Show-Stopper (warm pink highlight).

    The look above made the most of the neutral mattes and the different gold eyeshadows in the palette. On the cheeks, the highlight Timeless was layered over a bit of bronzer. Though the pink and red eyeshadows in this palette are my favourites overall…it is nice that it is possible to create something warm and easy to wear as well. The pinks and reds are great for days when you want something a little bit bolder. The golds are ideal for those quick and easy makeup days. Overall, this is a solid palette from Revolution. I love the Minnie Mouse theme and all of the products. While there was room for improvement (a little more diversity in terms of the colour story and face products) it was still an excellent find and there is a lot to love.
    What do you think of this Minnie Mouse themed palette? Do you like Revolution products?