What's In My Bag

I've been looking at a lot of "What's in My Bag" posts recently, and although mine doesn't really include anything exciting I thought I'd show you!

The bag I've been carrying lately is the Michael Kors Selma in the large size (which I can't seem to find on the website, perhaps it's been discontinued?). It's big enough for all of my crap, and if I need to put my lapotop in it, it'll squeeze. I used to also use a long Michael Kors wallet, but switched to this little Fossil Bi-fold which I LOVE. It's so easy because it actually fits in my back pocket, is this what it's like to be a guy?! I of course carry my phone, right now I have this cheapy clear case on it which is very dangerous, but I love the way iPhones look and hate to cover it up.

Makeup-wise, I carry a few things around in this Delfonics pouch that I got from Madewell. In that I have my beloved Glossier Balm Dot Calm (Mint), several (thousand) lip colours, the MAC Studio Fix Powder (Mostly for the mirror), and a Bobbi Brown concealer/powder duo for emergencies. I also have my Fossil watch hanging around in there because I'll usually forget to put one on before work. My Rayban Erika sunglasses are also floating around, I've had these FOREVER and they're still holding on (The DesixQuay High Keys should be coming in soon though, sorry Erika).

I try to stay quite organized, so I have a planner (during the school year I have it and most of these things in my bookbag). This semester's is from Mochi Things, I've yet to use it but I like that it's more customizable. I also have this Moleskine journal that I was bullet journaling in, but now I've made it into a list journal and I use it much, much more. Last but not least is my beloved Game of Thrones. I'm actually reading Feast for Crows, which is the book before this but the cover is red (gotta stick with the theme, people!). That's the only reason this one looks so tidy, I'm fairly rough on my books.

There's also of course a smattering of change and bobby pins hanging around at the bottom. What do you guys carry around with you?
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June Favourites

This month has been a minimal makeup month for me. Living in the south means soaring temperature and humidity and I honestly can't be bothered most days. I've also been having weird reactions any time I put on most eye makeup so I've been steering clear of that.

I've been trying to focus a lot on skin, as I often get quite clogged pores in the summer. I've been trialling a bunch of things as far as cleansers, but have found two moisture products that I love. I've been using the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream for a while, but recently started using it regularly as a night cream. It's quite thick so not the best for using daily in this summer heat! But using it as a night cream I wake up with fresh, perfectly moisturized skin! This is one of those products that I think will stay in my skincare routine for a very, very long time. We got a bunch of samples of the Estée Lauder New Dimension Shape and Fill Serum at work so I, of course, snatched some and took them home with me. LET. ME. TELL. YOU. This crap is some kind of magic. I don't know about shaping or filling, but after using this for a few days this texture and tone of my skin had completely changed. I didn't wear any foundation for a few days and had several people ask me what I was wearing! I'm definitely going to get the full size once we stock it (it's quite expensive but check your local CCS!).

I decided to get a new shade of the ABH DipBrow. This has been a favourite of mine for several years (as you well know), but I've only ever used Chocolate. I switched to Medium Brown and I think It definitely matches me better and looks a LOT more natural. When I've been brave enough to go for eye makeup with this weird reaction-thing going on, I have swiped H&M Shiitake all over my lid. I have a review of these here. I haven't debuted any pictures on social media (you can see it in my sidebar), but I recently cut my lower-back-length hair up to my shoulders. I've been loving using the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish to add some volume. It's worth mentioning that I absolutely hated this when I had long hair. I've also found what I think is a drugstore dupe in the Garnier Texture Tease Spray.

Last month was all about my EyeBuyDirect frames (follow me on insta peeps! ameliaasays) but this month I went back to my Warby Parker Baker frames. I've had these for about six months now and they are just so comfortable to wear. They're the perfect shape for my face and don't hide my makeup as much as some of my other frames. I've also gone back to one of my older watches. I got a new gray strap for my Fossil Original Boyfriend Chronograph and I've been wearing it with absolutely everything.

What have you guys been loving this month?
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Origins Face Masks

Hi loves! Long time no speak, but I'm back with a review of these tiny little Origins face masks that I got in a set at work (check your local CCS, super cheap!). I love Origins skincare products and am obsessed with the Original Skin mask, so I wanted to try out some others.

First is the GinZing Refreshing Face Mask, which I think has been discontinued now. But, if you have a CCS near you they should still stock it. This formula of mask is one that I'm not a huge fan of, I generally prefer clay masks. This is like a cooling gel-based mask which is super nice for the summer. It's supposed to be energizing and refreshing, but I didn't notice too much of a difference after using. It is a nice one to slap on when it's hot outside, but it's not a major winner for me.

Next I tried the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. This is a creamy "mask" that is basically just a super intense moisturizer. It contains avocado oil and mango butters, among other ingredients, meaning it is seriously going to moisturize your skin. I really, really, really liked this one. When I woke up, I still felt like I had product on my face but I just cleansed like normal and my skin looked brilliant! I saw a noticeable difference in the plumpness of my skin and it overall looked brighter and more healthy.

The Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask has been raved about for years, so I was quite excited/nervous to try it out. I was surprised to find that it's not a super-thick, clay based mask; but instead a light-weight almost dry texture. Activated charcoal is meant to suck dirt out of your pores, and while it doesn't seem like it, the mask contains White China Clay that absorbs toxins. This sucker dries down and tightens up pretty quickly, so I only left it on for about 10 minutes. I was expecting my skin to be a bit dry since this is a clarifying mask, but it was actually really smooth and felt clean. This one I might have to get a full size in!

Last but not least is the Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask. This one is meant to help with oily skin and breakouts, so it's perfect for me in the summer. It contains zinc oxide and sulfur to help absorb oil and reduce redness. When I first started trying this mask, I had pretty oily skin and a few more breakouts than usual (wah). I was absolutely amazed by the results, when I took it off my skin looked calmed and radiant. I've used it every other day for a week and my breakouts are almost all gone! A lot of people complained about the smell, but I think it smells like Vick's VapoRub so I don't mind it, hehe. Definitely one I'll be buying the full size of!

Have you guys tried any Origins face masks? Which ones do you love?
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May Favourites

Hey loves! It's June, which means another month of 2016 is over (which is freakin' insane) and it's time to talk about the things I've been loving this month! I've discovered a BUNCH of new favourites because I've been a wee bit of a shopaholic, whoops.

Colourpop dropped their collection of new lippie stix in the Matte X formula and I grabbed the four most boring Amelia-like shades, of course. I ended up going for Pillow Talk, Chateau, She Bad, and Cami. This formula is absolutely amazing. If you've ever tried their original mattes, you know that they are quite creamy and not really that matte. These, however, and super matte. They feel almost powdery, but still somehow creamy and not uncomfortable. The greatest thing about them though is that they last forever. I'm completely in love and if I liked the rest of the shades I would snatch them all up (pinks are not my thing).

This month has been a Glossier month. I recently posted about the Phase 2 Collection, and have since been buying like crazy. I'm still loving the Boy Brow and the Stretch Concealer, but have also added two of the Balm Dotcom to my every day routine. I have the regular and the mint flavour (which  tend to throw in my purse) and I absolutely adore these. They are super moisturizing, and if you put enough on a little glossy. You can also use them on your cuticles (amazing) and on any other dry skin so they are super convenient! I have a link for 20% off your first purchase if you click here!

I've been all about light makeup and glowy skin recently, so the MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation has been a love as well. I have the shade NC20 which is like the teeniest bit too dark for my pale ass, but I make it work. I'm not kidding when I say that this foundation is the best I've ever used. It's a super watery consistency that blends seamlessly into the skin (especially with a beautyblender, ugh) and makes your skin look beautiful. It's kind of a satiny-matte finish so it looks very natural, but isn't going to slide off of your face after an hour. It was top choice at Fashion Week last fall, so we know it's good. I will say that it's not full coverage enough to cover up blemishes (is anything, really?) so you'll probably want to spot conceal. I generally recommend using a lightweight foundation and spot concealing anyway, to let your skin breathe.

Now to REALLY get that glow, I've been going bronzer and highlighter crazy. Desi has been talking about the elf Bronzer palette so I hauled my butt to Target and snatched it up. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a pale princess and Desi is a bronzed goddess. But, I still absolutely adore this palette. I mix all of the shades together and make sure to use a light hand, but it makes my skin look so healthy. For $6, I'm amazed at the quality. I've never been a bronzer person, but I even add a touch of this to my skin on no makeup days now. Also, the packaging is bomb (gigantic mirror, thank you). As for highlighter, I've been sticking to the good ol' Mary Loumanizer from theBalm. You guys know I love this and you can read more about it here.

I use a million different mascaras at once like always, but I've found myself reaching for the Revlon Ultra Volume Mascara quite a lot. It's not too wet, which I love, and gives quite a bit of volume without getting all clumpy. It also layers beautifully (we all know I layer mascaras like there's no tomorrow). My Back-to-Mac bag was overflowing so I went to pick out a new lipstick, yay! I've never been that interested in Whirl, but they had like four testers out for some reason and I just kept picking it up. I though, "alright, that's fate," and walked away with the Kylie fave (cringe). I don't think I've ever been complimented so often on a lipstick. Even my boyfriend told me it was a really nice colour. So, despite the Kylie-hype I think this is one that everyone should have in their lip wardrobe!

This month I finally tried out the ABH eyeshadow singles for the first time and I am absolutely in love! I picked up a quad, but I'm going to write a separate post on these so I'll leave the loving for that.

What have you been loving this month? Let me know!
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