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 | Winky Lux Flower Balm

Remember last year when the internet properly freaked out over those clear lip balms with tiny flowers suspended inside them? Well, I finally got my hands on one and it is truly as magical and endearing as it sounds - introducing my new Winky Lux Flower Balm!

Winky Lux Flower Balm

$14USD at Winky Lux, ASOS

4 colors

The first flower-infused lip balms I read about were from a Chinese-based makeup company called Kailijumei, and while I ooh-ed and ahh-ed over them like the rest of the world, I never thought twice about going through the hassle of ordering online and getting it shipped to my house. Fast forward to just a few days ago, I was having lunch with one of my besties and she decided to make my day by presenting me with this cute, unassuming floral lipstick box. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised when I twisted the bullet up and saw the tiny treasure frozen inside. It was magical!

Winky Lux Flower Balm in Pink

Just. look. at. that. So freakin' gorgeous! And yes, that's a real Chrysanthemum flower inside! Okay, let's try and focus here. So, Winky Lux is a New York-based makeup brand that ran with the flower lip balm idea and put their own spin on it - these lip balms are vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and even gluten-free (who knew gluten-free makeup was even a thing!). They also made it more affordable than the Kailijumei version (14USD compared to 25) and more accessible to the masses (now available at ASOS). Huge props!

Now, I have to be honest here and say that the packaging doesn't look (or feel) very fancy - the plastic casing is super lightweight and doesn't feel at all expensive, while the logo on the side just looks printed on. But hey, I'm not hating, just stating! Having said that, however, who gives a cr*p about the outside when the inside looks like that! This is a classic example of not judging a book by its cover. To be fair, I do find the floral packaging pretty darn cute, just not the cheap plastic casing.

In addition to my pink Flower Balm, Winky Lux also offers variations with blue, yellow and green flowers. The clear bullet has a soothing coconut scent (with a hint of vanilla), and is surprisingly very glossy and hydrating on the lips. And the coolest part about the lip balm (besides the pretty flower) is that it actually reacts with your unique pH levels and body chemistry and creates the perfect shade of pink that complements and flatters your skin tone. All this while also keeping your lips moisturized and soft. Yaassss, honey! On me, it lightly tints my lips with a rosy-pink tinge and I am seriously obsessed.

Winky Lux Flower Balm in Pink

And don't be fooled - just because you'll want to reapply this a dozen times a day (and stare at it for hours), doesn't mean you need to. This stuff seriously stains your lips and has great staying power. That swatch remained a lovely pink stripe on my hand all day, despite my frequent hand-washing - makeup lovers, I know y'all feel my pain. 

If you're a lippie lover, or you know one in your life, this lip balm is the perfect present to gift yourself or anyone else. I just can't wait until I finally reach the tiny flower inside, 'cos then I'll have an excuse to get myself another Flower Balm! Flower power!