HAUL x REVIEW | Inglot Cosmetics

We arrived in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, around sunset after a long day of driving and exploring, and decided to stretch our legs at Akropolis, a massive shopping centre right outside the city. I walked straight into Douglas, the European equivalent of Sephora, to look for new brands to try out, and that's when I spotted Inglot Cosmetics.

I recall hearing some chatter over Inglot's Freedom System palettes a few years back, where you could mix and match all your favourite makeup products - eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, concealer - into one sturdy, convenient palette, but the brand hasn't been on my radar since. As I've mentioned before, I'm usually not one to splurge on makeup that I haven't done my research on. But of course, my wifi decided to stop working on my phone, and my dad was impatiently sulking in the corner of the store, so I just settled on three products and quickly got outta there. I wanted to try these on as soon as possible, so I improvised and took these pictures on the window ledge of my hotel room the next morning before slapping everything on my face for a test run.

I picked up the Under Eye Concealer in shade 92 which looked like the closet match for me out of the four shades on display. It's a very lightweight, liquidy concealer that feels hydrating under the eyes and dries to a powdery finish. It blends out with ease but loses its coverage once smoothed out - sheer to light coverage at most, and doesn't cover my dark circles. This shade also oxidizes a smidge darker and turns a tiny bit grey, which is odd, and looks rather dull and not at all brightening for under the eyes. Looking back, the first shade in 91 would've been a much better option. It's a shame as I do enjoy the moisturising formula, but the coverage just isn't there and the shade isn't the best match. I'll still reach for this (cos I ain't about wasting money) but only for days when I'm lounging around the house.

Swatched | Blended out

The Freedom System Camouflage Concealers in 124 and 125 also caught my eye, especially with the cooler undertones that I thought would be ah-mazing for contouring. 124 is a warmer milk chocolate brown, whereas 125 is a very cool-toned greyish brown. The consistency of these are stiffer and takes a bit more work to blend out for that seamless finish, but they are hella pigmented and will not budge once set and stays on all day. I use 124 for a more natural contour, and 125 for the rarer occasion when I want to carve out my face and create angles and bone structure I don't even have. Slay, gurl. But do be reminded that 125 can look a tad unnatural if you go overboard - the grey undertones have the potential of looking slightly ashy and muddy - so less is definitely more.

124 | 125

Top 124 | Bottom 125

All three products are decently priced - the Under Eye Concealer retails for 11.50€ and the Freedom System Camouflage Concealers are 5€ each. I wouldn't recommend the Under Eye Concealer if you prefer full coverage, but it could be worth a try for drier skin types and natural makeup days. And if you're contour-obsessed like me, these Camouflage Concealers could be a great (and inexpensive) addition to your arsenal!

REVIEW | Céline Trio Bag

It's been exactly two months since my last post, and I know, it's completely unacceptable. Between taking time off from work, traveling and starting a new job, my life has been cray cray as of late, but I'm finally back on a routine and ready to roll!

I was chatting on here recently about my adventures in Finland, Sweden and Denmark back in June, and shared my mini haul from & Other Stories during my visit in Stockholm in my last post. Well, hold onto your hats, 'cos I'm about to unveil this gorgeous luxury purchase that I scooped up during my time in Copenhagen - say hej to my new Celine Trio Bag!

On the last day of our three day stay in the city, we went and walked along Stroget, one of Copenhagen's most famous spots (as well as one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets). I had two main objectives that day - the first was to visit the beautiful Tortus boutique and studio which has been on my wishlist for years, and the second was to drop by Illum, a Copenhagen-based luxury department store, to browse one of my favorite luxury brands. Just as I thought I would be leaving Céline empty handed, as they didn't have the exact Mini Belt Bag that I had in mind, I caught a glimpse of the massive pile of Celine Trio bags neatly stacked on top of a pristine glass table, and this particular Trio Bag in Smoke, a new colour for the upcoming Fall season, just called out to me. And now, here we are!

The Céline Trio comes in two sizes - large and small - but I found the difference in dimensions to be quite minuscule. For reference, the large is slightly roomier at 10" x 7" x 2" compared to the small at 9" x 6" x 2". I opted for the latter, just because it looked a bit daintier on my 5'5 frame. The leather strap is adjustable and has a 20" drop, and hits me perfectly at the hip when worn on the shoulder and a bit higher when worn cross body.

The leather feels very soft, smooth and high quality, and the gold hardware adds a touch of flare to complement the simplicity of the design. There are three zipped pouches that are attached together with snap buttons, with the strap permanently attached to the middle pouch. If you detach the front and back pouches and clip them together, it can be used as a clutch. I don't see myself doing this however, as it's quite difficult to snap the pouches on and off without feeling like I'm bending and ruining the leather. Plus, the Céline logo is only embossed on the front pouch, so there really is no point in using the pouches separately.

Despite its flat and inflexible appearance, the bag can surprisingly fit quite a lot - the soft leather allows for some give and the pouches expand to carry a lot more than it seems capable of. I personally choose not to do so because of fear of ruining or stretching the material, since anything that is pointy or more irregular in shape can poke out and distort the leather - which freaks me out. So far, I haven't gotten a single scratch or scrape on it, and I would very much like to keep it that way!

After two months of regular use, this bag has proven to be quite lovely for casual days out, and fits most of my essentials that I can then organise into different pouches. Not gonna lie, most of the time I forget where I put certain things, so I end up having to unzip all three pouches to find what I'm looking for. Now, I stick to putting my most important belongings in the middle pouch, makeup and gum in the front, and keys and random trinkets in the back.

The only gripe I have with this bag is that it doesn't fit my everyday Céline Large Flap Wallet - it takes me a few extra minutes to take out my must-haves (ID, credit card, cash, VIP and loyalty cards) and transfer them into a smaller wallet, and when I'm in a hurry and need to get out the door fast (which is always, 'cos I'm never on time), this becomes a slight hassle. But hey, I opted to get a bag this size, so I really don't have the right to complain.

While I certainly don't believe this is a must-have bag from the brand (unlike their cult classic aka the Céline Luggage Tote), I still think it's a great luxury buy with a lower, more affordable price point and equally amazing quality and workmanship. Currently, I'm rotating between the Trio and my two other newer bag additions, the Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag and the Manu Atelier Mini Pristine, and I couldn't be happier! Yahoo!

Stay tuned as I share my long overdue mini hauls from Inglot and NYX, as well as the rest of my adventures in the Baltic Sea!

HAUL | & Other Stories

I was pretty excited to say the least when I found out that there was an & Other Stories store conveniently located just down the street from my hotel in Stockholm. So on the day of the Stockholm Marathon, I snuck away from cheering on the sidelines for a bit to see what goodies I could bring home with me.

I've seen countless clothing and beauty hauls online from this brand, but never had the chance to visit a store in person. Since our hotel was located right by the running route of the marathon, and the course involved lapping the hotel twice, I timed my shopping trip perfectly - I waited for my dad to run past the hotel the first time (and took awesome pictures of him in action), then made my way down to the shop and gave myself a good two hours to browse and look around before heading back for his second lap. Right when I walked in, I zoomed straight past the clothing racks and made a beeline for the beauty section.

Since I am not the most patient person when it comes to trying out new products I've just hauled, I took these pictures in our apartment in Copenhagen just the day after so that I open these bad boys up and use and wear them for the rest of my trip. I didn't do too much damage in the store, as I kept reminding myself of my very limited luggage space.

I couldn't resist picking up two silver jewellery pieces to add to my collection - a pair of thin bar stud earrings and an dainty open ring. Delicate, minimalistic jewellery is my jam, and although the store had quite a large selection of both silver and gold jewellery, these two were an instant favourite as soon as we locked eyes. 

My go-to, holy grail nail polish for years has been the Revlon Nail Enamel in Vixen 570, a gorgeous deep wine red (that can be layered until it looks almost black), so naturally the Miniver Wine Nail Colour screamed out to me. It's a lighter burgundy shade with more red undertones, and would look pretty on the nails all year long. The most exciting part of this haul has to be the Sunray Pleat Pearl Crème Highlighter that is just one of the most stunning highlighters I've ever seen! Mind you, the packaging is pretty lackluster, however the product inside is truly mesmerising - it gives off an iridescent, silver-pink-lavender pearlescent sheen that looks almost holographic. I don't have anything like it in my makeup collection! There was only one left on the shelves, so I snatched it up in a second.

& Other Stories Sunray Pleat Pearl Crème Highlighter

Pictures don't do this highlighter justice but I shall try - just look at that holographic sheen! Absolute magic. I will say that this isn't your typical, natural, glowy highlighter, but if you want to up your highlighting game and make a statement, you have to give this a try.

My first haul from & Other Stories was a definite success! And might I mention that the prices are also quite reasonable - this haul came out to be a total of 370Kr, which is around 43USD. For two beauty products and two jewellery pieces, that's a pretty good deal in my books.

REVIEW | Manu Atelier Mini Pristine

I'm coming up on my first work anniversary - seriously, how am I an adult now - and I decided months ago to save up some extra cash and get myself a present to commemorate the occasion. Just a job-well-done, you-survived gift, if you will. So without further ado, here's the big reveal - meet my new Manu Atelier Mini Pristine!

Manu Atelier Mini Pristine

Vegetable Tanned Leather in Reddish Brown

$4135HKD at Lane Crawford | $495USD at Shopbop, NET-A-PORTER

Manu Atelier is a relatively newer brand - it was co-founded by two sisters in Istanbul, Turkey in February 2014 - and their bags have been on my radar for quite some time now. I've been eyeing this gorgeous piece in particular for a few months, but had held off purchasing it since my boyfriend had gotten me the Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag for my birthday just last November, and I wanted to make sure that bag got some proper loving first. After stalking this baby online for the hundredth time, I decided to bite the bullet last week and strutted into Lane Crawford to finally bring this bag home with me.

Size |

The Pristine bags come in three sizes - Pristine, Mini and Micro - and I had a really difficult time choosing between the Pristine and the Mini. (The Micro bags, although super adorable, are way too small and all come with a chunky gold chain strap that just isn't my cup of tea.) After trying the two different sizes on in-store, I found that the Mini looked the best on my 5'5 frame, whereas the Pristine was just a fraction too big and boxy. The Mini can hold my Céline wallet, keys, and a small makeup pouch with ease, and my iPad mini is just able to fit snuggly inside. Obviously, the Pristine would be a better choice for a roomier fit, but I personally enjoy the Mini's compact size and overall aesthetic. The strap is adjustable and the bag hits me perfectly at the hip (just like the picture below), and can be adjusted longer or shorter depending if I wear it cross-body or just hanging on my shoulder.

Image from Lane Crawford

Color |

When I first laid eyes on this bag, I wanted it in the color black. What else, right? It took a lot of deliberation and self-reflection to finally convince myself that, no, I did not need another black bag. In fact, all the Manu Atelier bags come in such fun and beautiful color variations and combinations that I found it extremely challenging to narrow down my preferences. But I knew my best bet was to go for a neutral color that could complement any look or outfit. Lo and behold, Lane Crawford's website revealed that the only three color variations they had in stock for the Mini were Black, Reddish Brown, and Ice Beige, and one quick glance at Reddish Brown was all it took for me to know that it had to be mine - the color is to die for, and it truly looks amazingly stylish and effortless with anything I wear - obsessed!

Image from Lane Crawford

Leather |
Like all three of my Mansur Gavriel bags, this Mini Pristine also comes in vegetable tanned leather, but has a more refined and polished texture that makes me less anxious about wearing it out in public. Unlike my Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, which I have to physically shield and protect from everyone and everything when I'm out and about, I can carry this bag around with confidence and not feel the need to baby it too much. Don't get me wrong, this can definitely still get scratched and marked up, but the leather has a smoother, lacquered finish to it that makes it seem much more durable and less delicate than my Mansur Gavriel bags. Only time will tell, but the leather seems to be of premium quality and gets a two thumbs up from me!

As for the other features of the bag, it comes with a sturdy magnetic closure, hand-stitched corner guards, as well as an interior zipped compartment and textured fabric lining. Manu Atelier's overall aesthetic is very much reminiscent of Mansur Gavriel - clean lines, elegant silhouettes and quality leather. It's no mystery as to why I was so drawn to the brand from the get-go.

A word of advice would be, if at all possible, to purchase this bag in person as opposed to online. Speaking from personal experience, I had to ask the sales associate at Lane Crawford for three different versions of the same bag before I found one that was, in my opinion, in pristine condition - meaning no small scratches or veining in the leather. Yes, I understand that this bag may very well get scuffed up in the near future, but I'd very much like to be the one doing the scuffing. Ya feel me?

A week in and I'm absolutely in love with every single aspect of this Manu Atelier Mini Pristine - I can't stop using it! Uh oh, seems like I have yet another new brand obsession...

WEEKEND EDITION | What's In My Bag x Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag

What better way to do my first ever What's In My Bag post than to feature my Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag that I got for my birthday last November. I still can't get over that gorgeous brandy color! The contents of my bag aren't all that interesting, but admit it - everyone's a teensy bit nosy, including myself! So here's my invitation for you guys to snoop around and check out what I've been carrying around with me on the weekends!

My Céline Large Flap Multifunction Wallet in Black/Yellow has been by my side for almost three years now, and I'm still loving everything about it - the leather, the functionality, the minimalistic black exterior with the pop of neon yellow on the interior. Céline is definitely one of my luxury faves! I can never leave the house without my Ipad Mini 'cos I have too many games on there that I can't possibly leave unattended (anyone else obsessed with SimCity BuildIt?). I always have a tin of Wrigley's Eclipse Sugarfree Lychee Flavored Mints for minty, fresh breath and a small water bottle 'cos hydration is important, folks! In terms of makeup and beauty essentials, I try my very best to pack light on the weekends and fit everything I need inside this Fresh Beauty Cloth Pouch.

The best lip balm ever, hands down, is the Mentholatum Deep Moist Menthol Lip Balm - I've used this stuff since high school, and my repurchases have probably now gone into the hundreds. The Winky Lux Flower Balm is a new favorite, as it's not only pretty on the lips but also beautiful to look at, and I also bring along a tiny Chanetecaille Mini Brilliant Gloss in Charm just for good measure. I got this dainty Hand Mirror whilst on a trip to Taiwan - it even comes with its own pouch - and I always feel uber fancy every time I use it. As a contact lens wearer, these Rohto C3 Cool Contact Lens Eye Drops are an absolute life-saver when my eyes are feeling dry or itchy, not to mention I'm slightly addicted to the ice-cold, cooling sensation. I always bring a tiny perfume with me at all times, and the Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne is a current favorite - the scent is a lovely mix of fruity and woody notes. I'm a bit of a germaphobe and this Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash helps clean my hands without drying them out, and has the same delightfully soothing aroma of their Resurrection Hand Balm. Last but not least, as an oily-skinned gal, Clean & Clear's Oil Control Film is a must-have for keeping my oils at bay and my face presentable.

This is everything fit snugly inside my bag, and as you can see, there's still plenty of room to fit my iPhone 6 Plus, keys, a portable phone battery charger if needed, and of course, snacks!

I am in a serious, committed relationship with my new Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag, and this Brandy/Raw combination was a brilliant choice - trust me, the color is even more glorious in person. I adore all three of my Mansur Gavriel bags - including my Bucket Bag in Black/Ballerina and Lady Bag in Cammello/Antico - but this one is currently my go-to weekend bag of choice over those roomier options. It's lightweight, easy to carry, fits all my essentials and is in the most fitting spring shade. The perfect weekend bag, if you ask me!

REVIEW | Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag

Ladies and gentleman, welcome to my very first fashion-related post - and an incredibly exciting one at that! Introducing the newest addition to my bag collection... drum roll please. Let's all take a moment and soak in the gloriousness that is my new Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag. -squeals-

Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag

Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather in Cammello/Antico

$895USD

As someone who is fervently into the minimalist aesthetic - in both beauty and fashion - I see Mansur Gavriel as minimalism at its finest. Clean lines, simple shapes, quality leather. So much yes. You fellow bag fanatics out there will know that Mansur Gavriel bags are hard to come by - they're never on sale and always out of stock. I was one of the lucky few that snagged one during their website restock at the end of March. $895USD later (plus a $75USD international shipping fee, ouch), this bad boy landed on my doorstep.

First off, I have to preface this by saying that this is not my first MG bag - last fall, I got my hands on the highly coveted (and mania-inducing) Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag in Black/Ballerina that I absolutely, head over heels, adore to pieces. It's become my everyday bag for all occasions, and none of my other bags have gotten much love ever since. Oops. But when I laid eyes on the ads for the Lady Bag, my heart skipped a beat and I knew I needed it in my life. To me, the Bucket Bag is chic and effortless, whereas the Lady Bag exudes sophistication and elegance - especially in this Cammello color. Your girl had to have both!

Image from Mansur Gavriel

Size |

The Lady Bag comes in three different sizes - the Large Lady Bag, the Lady Bag, and the Mini Lady Bag. I wanted a size that was practical, yet wouldn't look awkward on my 5'5 frame. I chose to go with the middle size (with the dimensions of 10.5" H x 13.5" W x 5" D) and it fits me perfectly. It's super roomy - it fits my 13" Macbook Pro, my essentials including my wallet, makeup bag, sunglasses, and a few other knickknacks. I love how this bag comes with a top handle as well as a cross-body strap, making it very versatile for any look or occasion. The cross-body strap is adjustable, and I am able to stand upright and reach into the bottom of my bag when it's adjusted to the shortest setting. Yessss. I'm so not a fan of that awkward length when you have to clumsily prop your bag on your leg or a nearby ledge just to dig out what you need. 

Color |

This bag comes in a whopping 16 different colors, ranging from black to greens to reds to pastels and neutrals. One of the many aspects that makes Mansur Gavriel unique is that you can also choose the interior color and customize your very own color combination. Many people find that they can choose a neutral, wearable shade for the outside, and be a little risky and go for that pop of color on the inside. I am still a minimalist at heart and went for neutrals for both. There is not a chance that you won't find a color combination that tickles your fancy!

Image from Mansur Gavriel

Leather |

There are two leather options for the Lady Bag (in addition to a canvas alternative), which includes the Vegetable Tanned Leather, which is stiff and untreated, and Calf Coated, which is smooth and softer in texture. The reason I went with Vegetable Tanned Leather (for both my MG bags) is because I love the natural, personable quality of the leather as well as the fact that it is stiffer and will never lose its structure. (I've also heard rumblings that the Calf Coated has a strong, funky leather smell. Not into that). The interior comes either raw or matte patent coated, and I chose the latter since it is much more durable and won't have the risk of shedding like the raw finish. Not to mention, with the coated option you get to pick a contrasting interior color!

Pre-scratched

Now, I have to admit something - I have only used this bag once since I hauled it. I know, it's an absolute crime. But hear me out! First of all, my bag already came pre-scratched. The horror! Ok, it wasn't too upsetting, but when I first took it out of its dust bag, I noticed a few minor scratches on the front of the bag as well as around the corners. I knew then and there that the light tan color of this bag, unlike my black Bucket Bag, would not be kind to scratches and scrapes. And the thought of marking up this beautiful creation made me too anxious to actually use it. Silly right?! I knew exactly how this type of leather would behave when I bought it, but just had preconceived notions that it would hold up as well as my Bucket Bag has. When I took this bag out for a spin that one time, I had to physically huddle over it and shield it from the world - especially in tight, crowded areas - like the offensive line protecting the quarterback. Wait, is that the right analogy? I don't even know football. Anyway, my tip for those of you who want something more practical and less delicate, is to go for a darker color or opt for the Calf Coated version. 

Since I personally prefer the look and feel of the vegetable tanned leather, I just have to keep reminding myself that while this does (and will) easily scuff, and scratches are inevitable, they will just add character and personality to the bag. That's right, I'm going to keep telling myself that. Like Mansur Gavriel eloquently states regarding their vegetable tanned leather, "it is warm, it is strong, and it is personal". Amen.

Lady Bag in Cammello/Antico | Bucket Bag in Black/Ballerina

I hope y'all enjoyed my first fashion post! I really, really love my new Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, and I trust that it - along with my Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag - will remain classic and timeless pieces in my wardrobe. Minimalism for the win!