Working from home has a lot of perks. The biggest advantage? Sweatpants. I live in sweats most of the time these days. Though fashion is always fun...I love being comfortable while I write, type, and create. The biggest drawback of working from home? Needing to fit a workout into my schedule. I need to be a lot more intentional when it comes to exercise these days. A lot of times, the Ring Fit Adventure Game from Nintendo Switch is my chosen activity. Other times? It is a good old fashioned workout video. If you've been reading my blog or watching my YouTube channel for a while, it is no surprise that workout videos remain a must for me. I love being able to workout in the privacy of my home. Oh, and I especially love aerobics classes from fitness icons like Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons. Speaking of the latter...it is time for another rank and review post here on Mansa Fashion. This time, the focus is on the Richard Simmons Blast Off series of videos. 

Fall is a wonderful time of year. There is something so special about the season! I know a lot of people love the spring and summer months, because it means sunshine and outdoor activities, but fall and winter make me positively giddy with excitement. When it comes to fall, I specifically love the cooler temperatures, sweater weather, and Halloween. Oh, and the fact that a Spirit Halloween store is everywhere you turn. I am slightly obsessed with these seasonal pop up shops. Each one is overloaded with Halloween costumes, accessories, spooky decor, and horror themed items. There is so much to fall in love with. Over the last little while, there have been a handful of trips to nearby Spirit Halloween stores. Though I would love to take home absolutely everything (I am obsessed with all holidays and holiday related items) only a few well-chosen pieces came home with me. Ready to take a look at it all? It is time for a little Spirit Halloween haul...

RuPaul's Drag Race has introduced the world to many talented drag performers. Over the years, some have stood out to me more than others. My all-time favourite is Alaska, but another performer that is high on my list is Kim Chi from Season 8 of RuPaul's Drag Race. I immediately fell in love with her incredible makeup skills. Kim Chi is ridiculously talented and has continued to gain popularity post-show. Especially since Kim Chi Chic Beauty launched back in 2019. Good news for Canadian fans and beauty lovers: the beauty brand is finally available in Canada. Many of the products can be found on the Shoppers Drug Mart website. Which is exactly how this mini haul of Kim Chi Chic Beauty came to be. 

Revlon is one of the most iconic drugstore makeup brands out there. No wonder it has been featured on Mansa Fashion. so many times over the years! Revlon is an absolute staple, and as a lover of drugstore products, it is always exciting to test out different products from the brand. Most recently, I decided to try out the ColorStay Day to Night Eyeshadow Quad in Stylish. It included four different eyeshadow shades, with a combination of finishes to choose from. This boasts 24-hour wear and a powder-cream hybrid formula, with eyeshadow that "goes on like a powder and stays on like a cream." Like the name suggests, this quad is also designed to take your look from day to night. Definitely a fun concept and the claims are impressive. Ready to find out how this performs? It is time to break it down into a good old-fashion pros and cons list. 

As someone who loves television a lot...there are countless shows on my list of loves. Some are higher up on that list than others, but each one has a special place in my heart. For example? Bridgerton. This show is an absolute phenomenon, with 193 million hours of the show watched in the premiere weekend for season two. This show is hugely successful and for good reason. Not only is there a stellar cast, incredible costumes, and compelling storytelling, but this show does romance well. After becoming totally obsessed with season one, it was difficult for me to believe that season two could be better. But it was. Way better. Season two is actually my preferred season so far. Clearly, I have a total obsession with all things Bridgerton. So, when my mom gifted me some Pat McGrath Labs x Bridgerton items, it was especially exciting. Ready to take a peek at those products? Find out how they perform? Here is a closer look at some of the items from the themed collection. 

Optimism isn't necessarily my go-to mood. Especially over the last few years. There are days when I feel like sunshine and rainbows....and there are days when I feel like rain clouds and thunderstorms. It is probably because there are so many unknowns still! Going out isn't something that is comfortable for me currently, but it is something that I am trying to wrap my head around. Despite everything, I keep hoping for wonderful spring and summer memories. Maybe I am more optimistic than I realize. Speaking of optimism, the Optimistic AF eyeshadow palette from BH Cosmetics has been high up on my list of loves lately. Not only is there a beautiful colour story, but the palette acts as a reminder to find the joy in life. Even amidst all of the uncertainty. Ready to take a peek at this affordable product? Keep reading to check out a healthy dose of seasonal colours.

YouTube is a passion of mine. I love watching videos related to makeup, fashion, lifestyle, and even theme parks. (Especially theme parks. I've been watching a ton of theme park related content since the pandemic began. I suppose I am living vicariously!) There are some YouTubers that I love more than others. One that has been on my list of loves for several years is Jaclyn Hill. I actually started watching her videos after falling in love with her original eyeshadow palette with Morphe. Since then, I have tried several different products from her...though I haven't yet tried anything from Jaclyn Cosmetics just yet. One day! For now, I am putting the Morphe x Jaclyn Hill Divine Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette to good use. 

Holiday movies are a passion of mine. When I was little, there was nothing more exciting than reaching for one of the VHS tapes in our home that had different Christmas specials taped off of TV. I loved each and every one of those tapes and watched the cartoons and specials over and over again. They added to the magic and wonder of the holiday season! As I grew older...I started to create my own little holiday movie collection. It started slowly, but snowballed as the years went on. Currently, there are about 175 Christmas movies in my collection. Honestly? I love them all. Even not-so-great holiday movies have a special place in my heart. Which is what inspired my latest Mansa Fashion. YouTube video. 

Summer is almost over. There are only two days left until the official first day of fall. It's hard to believe! The summer went by so quickly, but at the same time, I am ridiculously excited about the start of the autumn season. So long shorts and tank tops...hello sweaters and scarves. Recently, I have been taking time to squeeze in those last few summer experiences and even revisit my cottage vacation. Ready to find out how my summer season ended? How I said goodbye to those last lingering moments of sunshine? Here are a few end of summer highlights as well as a cottage vlog video. 

Nothing makes me feel quite as wonderful as Too Faced. Their products always add a little extra light to my days. From the cute packaging to the inventive themes and the beautiful colours...there is so much to love. Not long ago, my husband and I were out and saw a little stand of Too Faced products. He said, "Go pick something," and that is how the Too Faced Let's Play On-The-Fly Eye Shadow Palette came into my life. It was a lovely and unexpected treat! Why did I choose this palette instead of the others? Well, it was a nice compact size, was themed around an old school Gameboy, and was bubble gum scented. Check, check, and check. Here is everything you need to know about this cute and colourful eyeshadow palette. 

If you ask me...there was something special about the 70s. Despite everything that was happening in the world, there was this beautiful sense of hope that could not be denied. There was a belief that activism, positivity and kindness could truly make a difference. Sometimes, I wish there was more hope in the world today. Though, it is understandably difficult to be hopeful with more immediate access to news (both good and bad) and the constant barrage of opinions (both good and bad) on social media. Perhaps the latest collaboration from Morphe x Coca Cola can act as a reminder that there is always room for a little optimism. The 1971 Unity Collection states that it is intended to be "a look at the past and a glimpse into the future with warmth, togetherness, and a hopeful spirit." Talk about makeup with meaning! Recently, this collection has been in heavy rotation. It has been wonderful to test and try these different products, like the eyeshadow palette, brushes, lip glosses, and mascara. Here are mini reviews of each of the different items in this Morphe x Coca Cola Collection. 

Sometimes, those unexpected stops off at the drugstore manage to be a little more expensive than planned. Especially when a leisurely stroll through the beauty aisle is involved. You know how it is....pop in for some essentials and walk out with a whole lot of non-essential (but fun) items. That is how this mini drugstore haul came to be. It includes some new nail polish as well as some makeup items, perfume, and there are even some samples thrown into the mix. Ready to take a peek at everything? Here is a video haul as well as some drugstore product reviews. 

Makeup by Mario has been an important part of my makeup routine lately. Eyeshadows that shimmer and shine have always made me happy...but the Master Metallics Eyeshadow Palette and the Master Metals Eyeshadow Palette have really raised the bar. Especially the latter! The Master Metals Eyeshadow Palette may look like just another eyeshadow palette, but it is anything but ordinary. This is a unique and versatile product that can be used in many different ways. Plus, the shade selection is top notch. Ready to find out more about this high end item? Here is everything you need to know about this unforgettable palette.