Mansa Fashion

Category: Beauty

  • testing out cheetos inspired nail polish

    testing out cheetos inspired nail polish

    Themed makeup? Why not themed nail polish? One of my friends came across the Taste Beauty x Cheetos Flamin’ Hot nail polish duo recently and very kindly gifted it to me. I could not wait to try it out for myself. Not only have I been using the Cheetos themed eyeshadow palette lately, but the nail polish colours looked really fun. This set has two polishes and some themed nail decals. Ready to take a closer look? Keep reading for a review of this Cheetos inspired nail set.

    This nail polish set from Taste Beauty comes with two different nail polishes (one colour and one glitter-esque add on) and two small sheets of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos inspired nail decals. I like the variety of items that are included in the set. The little flame nail decals are super cute and a nice little extra. As for the actual nail polishes, these went on well and dried quickly. I love the main colour. It is bright, vibrant, and really fun for summer. As for the glitter kind of add on, this was a real struggle. It looked cute in the bottle, but you had to dab on globs of nail polish for any of the orange circles to show. And unfortunately, I really didn’t like the way the orange circles looked on the nails after all that. The second nail polish was such a disappointment!

    The good news? I really like the colour of the main nail polish. It is so vibrant in person. The bad news? The nail polish started chipping the very next day. And it chipped absolutely everywhere. I was leaving little flecks of Cheetos coloured nail polish all over the house. On my keyboard, near the sink, on the floor, on the couch….you name it. The formula is clearly not very good. Such a letdown, because the colour is fantastic and I love the theme. I’m so grateful that my friend was kind enough to gift me this themed nail polish set, even if it didn’t perform the way I would’ve liked. It was fun to test it out at any rate.

    Have you ever tried themed nail polish? What nail polish brand is your favourite?

  • does it work?? hard candy face off luminous liquid blush

    does it work?? hard candy face off luminous liquid blush

    I have never been shy about my love for Hard Candy products. Though it is becoming more difficult for me to find some of my old favourites…it is still a thrill to put anything from the brand to the test. A little while back, the Face Off Luminous Liquid Blush caught my eye. In fact, it was tossed into my basket without a moment of hesitation. I didn’t read the packaging or look at the price. It was a must. The reason? The liquid blush was available in purple. As I mentioned in a recent post, purple blush is something that I love. I was more than ready to put a liquid purple blush to good use. So, the question is….does it work??

    According to the brand, the Luminous Liquid Blush is an “easy, dewy, hydrating skin tint. Designed to give you color and glow with one easy swipe.” The blush contains a blend of vitamins, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and squalene to make the skin glowy. It is also supported to blend well and layer well so the blush colour can be more subtle or more intense. Additionally, this is vegan and cruelty free. There are a lot of impressive claims from the brand, but the question remains. Does it work??

  • first impressions: stila huge extreme lash mascara

    first impressions: stila huge extreme lash mascara

    Though my all time favourite mascara comes from Cover Girl (The Super Sizer) and my more recent favourite comes from Cover Girl (the Lash Blast Cleantopia in Ultramarine Black)….there are a few mascara samples that I have been wanting to put to good use. One is the HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara from Stila. Curious about the formula? Keep reading to find out how it performs.

    The sample version of the HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara from Stila is 0.2 fl. oz. while the full size version is 0.44 fl. oz. The wand is fairly standard and flares out slightly on each end. According to the brand, this delivers “the biggest, boldest, blackest black lashes ever” and it is a lightweight, volumizing mascara that builds colour, and delivers a dramatic lash look. The brand also claims that it is possible to apply multiple coats of the product without the lashes feeling clumpy and that the mascara is suitable for contact lens wearers. Quite frankly, I love the idea of an ultra black mascara with lots and lots of drama. When it comes to lashes, my preference is as bold and over the top as possible without the use of false lashes.

    So, what are my first impressions of the Stila mascara? Does the HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara deliver on all of the promises? Eh! All in all, the mascara is decent. It adds a really nice amount of length to the lashes, so if length is what you are after, this might be one to consider. As for the rest, it isn’t as impressive as I thought it would be. After all, there were claims of the boldest and blackest black lashes ever….and this is only okay. The colour isn’t ultra rich and the finish isn’t bolder than other mascaras that I’ve tried in the past. Don’t get me wrong! This is a good mascara that offers lots of length. However, this is simply not something that lives up to the over inflated brand claims. The Stila mascara is good, but not great, in my opinion.

    Have you tried the HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara? Are you a fan of other Stila products?

  • love it or leave it? anne hathaway

    love it or leave it? anne hathaway

    Anne Hathaway has a pretty impressive resume. From iconic movies like The Princess Diaries to Les Misérables, she has had a thriving career for decades. Her latest movie, The Idea of You, is available to watch on Amazon Prime. Anne is known for her work in movies and on television, but also for her fashion. She has had many noteworthy red carpet looks over the years. The latest? A custom Versace gown. It is time to take a closer look at the design and find out if it is a love it or leave it…

    What I Love: Where to begin? Honestly, it is hard to know where to start when there is just so much to love. For starters, I adore that gorgeous shade of red on Anne Hathaway. It just pops! I love the elegant dangling earrings, and the fact that her hair is casual, but still on the glamorous side. It goes to show that a red carpet look doesn’t have to involve an overly done updo or something wildly elaborate. A stylish ponytail can make just as much of an impact. Now for the dress itself. In a word? Wow. I love the unique neckline and the sculptural elements. The design is so thoughtful, so creative, and so elegant. I also love the slit in the dress, because it makes sure the dress has movement and doesn’t appear too stiff and structured.

    What I Loathe: This is one of those rare red carpet moments where there is nothing I loathe. Not the makeup, hair, accessories, or the dress. This is a look that stands out for all the right reasons. Even the length of the dress is literal perfection!

    Overall, this red carpet look is a a clear love for me. From the colour of the dress to the gorgeous sculptural elements, and the casual glam ponytail, this is high fashion done to perfection. Anne looked radiant from head to toe. Love, love, love.

    What do you think of this Anne Hathaway look? Love it or leave it?

  • review and reveal: charmed aroma (cinderella jewelry tray + candle)

    review and reveal: charmed aroma (cinderella jewelry tray + candle)

    Cinderella is one of those movies that reminds me of my youth. Though all Disney cartoons were special, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Pocahontas were some of my most watched VHS tapes. Those characters always felt extra special to me. When it comes to Cinderella, there was (and still is) a lot to love. The beautiful dress, the cute animals, and of course, the idea that miracles happen to good people. I loved it all. Fun fact: my wedding theme was actually Cinderella! Needless to say, the movie, the music, and the characters will always be important to me. I suppose it is fitting that my last Charmed Aroma review and reveal is a Cinderella themed one. The Charmed Aroma stores have all shut down where I live and I do not like the idea of shipping breakable items to my doorstep. So…this is it as far as I can tell. There is just one last candle to review. Ready for this final Charmed Aroma post? It is time to take a look at this Cinderella themed jewelry tray and candle.

    The Cinderella Gus and Jaq Jewelry Tray and Scented Candle is ideal for a Disney fanatic like myself. Sure, there is the candle and the jewellery hidden inside, but it is the actual design that makes me happy. The base has a beautiful blue and gold Cinderella themed print (with clocks, mice, stars, shoes, and silhouettes all over) and the top portion is a removable jewellery tray with Gus and Jaq sitting in a teacup. One thing I really like about a lot of the specialty Charmed Aroma candles is the fact that the candle bases can be reused. Once the candle is done, this can be washed out, and jewellery can be stored inside and on the saucer portion of the lid. Cute, fun, and totally practical. I just love the way this candle looks sitting on my dresser!

    As for the candle itself, this is a two wick candle, but it doesn’t burn evenly on the sides, which is a bit frustrating. There is a large build up of wax along the edges. I prefer when candles are designed thoughtfully so the wax will melt evenly, but perhaps I am being picky. When it comes to the actual candle scent, it is described by Charmed Aroma as being “a harmonious scent blend of bergamot, fig, citrus lime, and orange.” It is light, sweet, and fresh. Definitely ideal for this time of year.

    Now for the reveal…ta da! There were a few different possibilities in terms of the design tucked away inside. There was a glass slipper, Cinderella silhouette, teacup with Gus and Jaq, and the clock. As you can see from the picture above, the clock was inside my Charmed Aroma candle. It has a tiara style design on top and little clock hands in front of a blue stone. According to the Charmed Aroma appraisal, this has a $60 value. Though I like the necklace inside, it is not my favourite, because it isn’t as obviously Cinderella themed as some of the other options. That being said, it is cute, and the candle holder is everything I needed and so much more. All in all, this was a pretty good send off for the brand. I will certainly miss these fun reveals!

    Have you ever purchased a Charmed Aroma candle? Who is your favourite Disney princess?

  • review: minnie mouse eyeshadow palette (taste beauty)

    review: minnie mouse eyeshadow palette (taste beauty)

    My love of all things Disney is no secret. I adore the movies, the music, the characters, the theme parks, and even Disney themed beauty products. As for the latter? The Minnie Mouse Eyeshadow Palette from Taste Beauty has been a bit of an obsession lately. Despite one of the other Taste Beauty eyeshadow palettes being a dud this particular palette wowed. Here is everything you need to know about this affordable and adorable makeup product.

    To be honest, it is difficult to believe Taste Beauty made the Care Bears palette and this Minnie Mouse themed palette. Not in terms of the packaging, since it is just as cute and well themed, but because of the eyeshadow quality. While the Care Bears eyeshadow palette lacked pigmentation and was a struggle to work with…this Minnie Mouse palette is richly pigmented and an absolute delight to use. The colours are gorgeous, vibrant, and blend well. Also, the black eyeshadow in this palette, Bold Style, is a serious standout. Even when I use other eyeshadow palettes to create a makeup look, I find myself reaching for Bold Style when I want to add in a little black. (Which is often, to be quite frank.) It adds just the right amount of contrast.

    It is clear that there is a lot to love about this affordable eyeshadow palette. Though it was just $9.99 CDN, it performs wonderfully. Plus, there is an adorable Minnie Mouse theme throughout, with pictures of the iconic character and polka dots. Even the eyeshadow names are themed. As for the colour story here, these kinds of eyeshadows are my weakness. I love warm shimmery shades a little too much. There is lots of warm gold, burgundy, peach, and brown to choose from. Some of the standout eyeshadows are: Be You, Amazing, Live Your Dream, Bows & Kisses, and Bold Style. However, all perform really well.

    To create the look above, the matte shade, Pop of Attitude, was applied through the crease. Then Live Your Dream was applied all over the eyelid with just a bit of Little Miss Bow-It-All added to the center. A small amount of Bold Style was added in the outer corner to make this look a little smokey. Then Own Your Style was added to the inner corner. I just love how bold and dramatic these eyeshadows are. Perfect for someone like me, who loves Disney and loves a warm smokey eye makeup look.

    Have you tried anything from this brand? Would you use a themed eyeshadow palette?

  • review: kylie cosmetics 24k birthday collection eyeshadow palette

    review: kylie cosmetics 24k birthday collection eyeshadow palette

    Have you ever bought makeup from a vending machine? Oddly enough…I have. When my family was coming home from Walt Disney World last month, we had a lengthy wait at the airport because of a delayed flight. That meant lots of time to wander around the various shops. And lots of time to consider an expensive makeup purchase. See, there was a Kylie Cosmetics vending machine with all sorts of tempting products. The longer we waited at the airport, the harder it was for me to stay away from that machine. Though there were many items that I wanted to take home (including an airport exclusive lip kit) it was the eyeshadow palette that won out. Though I’ve been able to try out some smaller eyeshadow palettes from the brand, it was a little too tempting to see a large Kylie Cosmetics palette with 24 eyeshadows: the 24K Birthday Collection Eyeshadow Palette.

    This is one heck of an eyeshadow palette. Though it was expensive at $90 CDN, this is one expensive item that I do not regret purchasing. For starters, the packaging is gorgeous. I love the photo of Kylie on the front of the eyeshadow palette and the fact that all of the gold parts are raised on the lettering and on her outfit. This is a small detail but it makes it all feel a little extra special. All that said, this particular eyeshadow palette is likely something only a fan of Kylie Jenner would want, since her photo is right there on the front of the palette. What else do I love about this palette? The Kylie inspired eyeshadow names, the large mirror on the top, all of the gold details, and most importantly, the downright phenomenal eyeshadows.

    The colour story is impressive. There are tons of warm eyeshadow shades to choose from. Lots of browns, golds, oranges, yellows, metallics, and there is even a fun pink eyeshadow with flecks of gold glitter throughout. This is the ultimate summer eyeshadow palette. I love that there are all sorts of different finishes, that there is a lot of colour variety, and that each eyeshadow is boldly pigmented. These are rich and colourful, blend well, and feel buttery to the touch. I have tried an awful lot of eyeshadow formulas over the years and this one really stands out. Some of my favourite eyeshadows in the palette are: Shine Baby, Cheers to 24, Love It Here, Fine Metal, and Gold Fever. The mattes perform brilliantly (Twenty Four and Such a Gem are standouts) but the shimmers and glitters in this palette make me especially happy. They look absolutely incredible.

    Purchasing the 24K Birthday Collection Eyeshadow Palette from Kylie Cosmetics was a unique experience. After all, it isn’t every day that you choose makeup from a vending machine! It was also an expensive experience. However, despite the price, this was ultimately a successful choice, because this eyeshadow palette is fantastic. These shadows perform so well.

    Have you tried anything from Kylie Cosmetics? What do you think of this birthday themed palette?

  • testing out a dollar store nail polish

    testing out a dollar store nail polish

    Every now and then, it is nice to put a dollar store beauty item to the test. After all, everyone has a different budget to work with. At some points, trips to Sephora are in order, at other times, the drugstore is most appropriate, and at certain times, it is dollar store all the way. Whatever your budget…you deserve to find products that work well and make you feel fabulous. Since this ultra sparkly nail polish from the brand Cairuo caught my eye at the dollar store recently (and it only cost $1.25 CDN) it seemed only right to put this polish to the test and find out how it compares to other more expensive offerings.

    There are certainly some pros and cons to consider when it comes to this Cairuo Fashion Color Nail Polish. The pros? It is only $1.25 per bottle, the nail polish applies well, and the glitter finish is gorgeous. Though it doesn’t necessarily photograph the best, in person, it looks phenomenal. It has such a beautiful sparkle when the light hits it. This colour is a really pretty golden almost rust colour. It is warm, glittery, and neutral enough that looks wonderful with any and all outfit choices. The nail polish also dried reasonably fast and is comparable to more expensive brands in terms of the finish and performance. The cons? This nail polish shade has no name, the gold lid is plastic and cheap, and there was chipping on the end of the nails after four days. That being said, two weeks later, my nails are still mostly glittery. It is possible to do a quick touch up on the ends of the nails to extend this at home nail look. Overall, this was an impressive product that performs similarly or better to brand name nail polish brands. For only $1.25 it is possible to create a beautiful nail polish look with lots of shimmer and shine.

    This nail polish from Cairuo is proof that something that is affordable can still perform well. Though there are more expensive brands that I love….this nail polish really delivered. It is one that I will use again and again, because I know it looks incredible.

    Have you ever tried a dollar store nail polish? How did that perform compared to other brands?

  • spring makeup look (feat. care bears eyeshadow palette)

    spring makeup look (feat. care bears eyeshadow palette)

    So far, the spring season has been sporadic at best. Some days, there is snow, other days, rain, and then occasionally, there is sunshine scattered throughout the day. Despite the inconsistent weather, the spring season always makes me think of pastel colours and blue skies. Perhaps that is why it seemed like an appropriate time to put the Care Bears Eyeshadow Palette from Taste Beauty to the test. The goal? Create a colourful spring makeup look inspired by the much loved Care Bears.

    This Care Bears themed eyeshadow palette is adorable. I love the classic Care Bears illustrations on the front (as cute as the “new” versions of the Care Bears are…I much prefer the older illustrations and cartoons), the soft spring colours, and the overall sweetness of the palette. Everything about the design is so comforting and nostalgic. As for the colour story, there are actually a lot of similarities to the Violet Voss x Care Bears 12 Color Eyeshadow Palette. Both have purples, blues, pinks, and some warm neutrals. The main difference is the pigmentation level. While the Violet Voss version is richly pigmented, easy to use, and downright incredible, the Taste Beauty version leaves a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, despite how beautiful the pastel shades look in the palette, the performance is lackluster. A lot of the colours have low pigmentation or blend out to not a whole lot. It is a shame, but even so-so palettes can be fun to use. Or at least they make it possible to get creative.

    For this spring makeup look, the goal was to focus on the most pigmented shadows in the Care Bears palette. Unfortunately, that meant the purples were out. (Those looked like practically nothing, despite my hope that the pale lilac shade, Care Bear Stare, might be a winner.) Ultimately, it was the blues and greens that won out. The darkest blue eyeshadow, Anything Is Possible, looks quite dark in the pan, but applies more like a sky blue. I did my best to apply that all over the lid and then added some Care Bears Forever (the darkest green shade) to the outer corner for a little bit of dimension. The colour contrast didn’t show all that much, but I did what I could do. The shade Care-A-Lot, a light shimmer, was applied on the inner corner and Kindness Keepers, a warm shimmer, was applied to the center of the lid. It was all blended out with Caring Is Magic (a warm burnt orange) but that shadow didn’t do a whole lot. Essentially, it took a lot of different eyeshadows to create what is kind of a one-note makeup look. That being said, it is important to make good use of whatever I purchase. Despite the not great result, this is a palette that I will continue to reach for and work with to the best of my ability. At least it is Care Bear themed.

    How are you enjoying the spring season so far? Share your favourite spring products in the comment section below!

  • 2 looks 1 palette: morphe 35a up til dawn artistry palette

    2 looks 1 palette: morphe 35a up til dawn artistry palette

    Eyeshadow palettes will always be my weakness. Truth be told, there is something about a thoughtful assortment of colours and finishes that excites me. After all, it is with those colours and finishes that I am able to express the inexpressible parts of myself. The right combination of eyeshadow shades can reveal my emotions, fears, desires, and hopes. Those products seem to speak words unspoken. Other makeup items are wonderful, and I love a good blush or lipstick, but eyeshadow is special. It is the heart of every creation. I suppose that is why there are so many eyeshadow palettes in my collection. Each one has the power to inspire and reveal. More recently, the 35A Up ‘Til Dawn Artistry Palette from Morphe has been in heavy rotation. I just love all of the grungy greens and warm browns. Here are two makeup looks for the latest 2 looks 1 palette post.

    Look #1: Grungy Browns. Though there is an awful lot of colour in the Morphe 35A Up ‘Til Dawn Artistry Palette (as seen in the colourful pink makeup look featured in the initial review). In addition to the pinks and greens, there are also some really fabulous shades of brown. These are all really warm and can be paired with other shadows to create a grungy kind of look. To create the look above, the shade Wild Abandon was applied on the inner portion of the lid and Spicy Haute was applied on the outer portion of the lid. A bit of Jungle Boogie was mixed with Mystique to create contrast through the crease. Since it difficult for me to stay away from sparkly things, Pearly Hours, was applied lightly on top and in the inner corner. There was lots of In Deep applied along the lower lash line for a smokey and dramatic finish. Some eyeliner and mascara finished off the eyes. As for the rest of the makeup look, it was simple and muted to make sure the eyes were the focus of this grungy brown creation.

    Look #2: Glorious Greens. The green eyeshadows in this palette continue to call out to me. I especially love Lush Life and Jungle Boogie, but all of the greens are fair game. For this look, Lush Life was applied all over the lid, then Jungle Boogie was added to the outer corner, and Nocturnal was blended through the crease. A bit of Nude Swim was used to blend everything out and some 2AM Gem was added to the inner corner. Nocturnal and Lush Life were applied along the lower lash line. Eyeliner and mascara finished the eye look. Bronzer was used on the cheeks and Gingerbread Kiss from r.e.m. beauty was on the lips.

    What eyeshadow palettes have you been using lately? What do you think of these makeup looks?