Unnecessary Necessities | Tech

3:32 PM

I'm so cool with my paradoxical titles. Today I wanted to talk about those pesky pieces of tech that you just can't seem to live without, although you secretly know you'd be perfectly fine without.




I talked about this in my favorites post a few days ago. Basically, it's an activity tracker. You wear it on your wrist and it tracks how much movement you do, and with that, estimates things like number of steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled, etc. It's totally unnecessary, but very cool and motivational. It pushes me to exercise when I can see just how little I work out. It has apps for the iPhone and Android (I have Android) and there's one for PC and Mac too. I blocked out my weight but it goes in the blacked out area.




These days, design-oriented headphones are taking the world by storm. Beats, Frends, etc. Headphones are not only about quality, but also design and appearance. I think these Sol Republic ones are so cool looking. This is a brand that hasn't gotten much publicity like Beats by Dr. Dre, but I think are easily comparable. Michael Phelpes has been seen sporting them, but that's about the only well-known person I've heard of wearing them. They're this ultra cool design where everything is an independent clause, meaning it's highly customizable and replaceable. The sound is nice and bright. Although to be honest, it doesn't sound particularly natural, not like if you were in the studio with the artist. Think more of in the middle of a concert.

This is an app that essentially saves pages for later. It's available on most of the platforms on the market - Apple, Android, and web! If you saw something while browsing your phone and didn't have time to read it, you could save it in Pocket and go back to it later on your phone, computer, or tablet - it even saves stuff offline, which makes it convenient for those on-the-go. I apologize for not having a screenshot, but check it out if it interests you.



This is a brand that makes pocketsized portable speakers that play unreasonably loud for their size. I have the V.1.1. Capsule speaker, but most of them resemble something along the lines of mine (although some don't have a cap like this one) - a plastic spring-like thing that condenses down and locks to save more room. These are really great because the battery lasts forever and there's a great sound quality. The bass booms and the treble is crisp and clear.



pixi

Pixi Flawless Vitamin Veil | Review

9:42 PM

Hi, everyone! Today I'm writing a review on a new foundation I've been trying out. Read on to see my thoughts!


What it is: cream-to-powder foundation
Where it is: Target and online
Price: $10 for the mini that I'm reviewing, $24 for the full size
Pixi products are not tested on animals.

Pixi says that this product "miraculously evens out skintone and makes it look like you have no foundation on. It also treats your skin to a host of vitamins, minerals and skin-enhancing goodies. It plumps lines, hydrates, nourishes and protects while perfecting skin. Hypoallergenic. Fragrance free. Suits all skin types." There are three shades available; this is the shade Medium.


The product I have is a mini size that comes in a simple compact with a snap-shut lid. The regular sized product comes in a sizeable compact with a mirror and a drawer with a puff. My mini contains .105 oz of product, or 3 grams.


Pixi claims that this is a "neutral medium tone" but I'd describe it as more of a yellow toned medium. It matches my skin tone perfectly and cancels out redness to a pretty good degree. It offers light/medium buildable coverage. I'm not sure if this is the deal with everybody, but whenever I use a cream product with a brush (rather than a sponge) it just looks patchy and bad. Anyways, I'm sure that you can infer what I'm about to say: when applied with a damp sponge, this looks natural and skin-like, but when applied with a brush, it's visable on the skin. This product is a lot longer lasting than expected. I'd say it starts fading around the 8/9 hour mark on my normal/dry skin. I find that this does set down to a powder finish, but it's not particularly powdery, nor does it help with oiliness, so I'd recommend a setting powder.

Honestly? While this product isn't bad, it's not remarkable in the slightest. Pass.

NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Gold | Review

9:31 PM

Hey guys, I'm really sorry for the inconsistent blogging. I keep forgetting that I do't have anything queued up. Anyways, today I have a review on a liner that I have quite a lot to say about.


What is it: colored liquid liner
Where it is: Ulta and online
Price: $4.50
NYX is proudly cruelty free!

I've seen an image floating around Pinterest for ages now of a girl with black liner with a thin gold line right over it, and recently I started lusting after a gold liner to be able to recreate the look. NYX says, "transform your look in seconds with this super-pigmented eye liner that highlights eyes with an electrifying stroke of color. The fine brush tip allows for precision application, and can be used to create lines of varying thickness. Go subtle or go glam." This product comes in ten shades, ranging from a classic black to an electric blue. The shade I'm reviewing is Extreme Gold.


I am not a fan of the packaging. It comes with a long, thin brush that is floppy and not exactly easy to control. Inexperienced eyeliner folks will not have a fun time with this, but if you know your way around a good liner you'll be okay.The well that the liner comes out of is also much too large, and you're forced to wipe the brush off before application, thus wasting liner. It contains .19 oz of product.


Holy me oh my. This liner is unbelievably pigmented. It is a light, bright gold with an extremely metallic and shiny finish. It's an eye-catching shade that will leave you in awe of how pigmented it is. Wear time is practically infinity. This fool will not come off without a battle. You gotta go down with your cotton swabs and oil and just go to town on your eye getting it off. It's not marketed as waterproof, but oh man oh man this is so waterproof. It's also smudgeproof, budgeproof, and bulletproof. It does take a moment to set, but I think those 20-30 seconds are worth 12+ hours of perfect liner.

Recently Loving #8

3:10 PM

I've not written a favorites post in quite some time. I tend to use the same products over and over again, in case you haven't noticed, haha. Hence, I don't discover a lot of new loves. However, I've got a few things to talk about today so let's dive into it!


Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Pressed Powder
Now that it's summer and I'm so shiny you could see my reflection in my forehead, I've been really appreciating a lightweight powder. It covers up the shine but let's my skin breathe. I've written a review here. I love tossing this into my purse with my EcoTools Retractable Kabuki Brush for applying on the go.

Real Techniques Starter Set
I picked up this set a few days and I have to say, I'm really impressed. The only brush that I'm not obsessed with is the Fine Liner Brush, but that's mostly because I prefer using an angled brush for eyeliner application. However, these are high-quality, soft and fluffy. They wash and dry so well. My favorite is the Base Shadow Brush. I also really like the Accent Brush. The case that it came with is also really cool.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance
I have a teeny tiny size of this that I got in the Beauty Blogger Darlings kit at Sephora. I've not tried many eyeshadow primers, but two of the best did absolutely nothing on me so I gave up a little bit, but this is phenomenal. It has no effect on intensifying or length of eyeshadow, but it prevents creasing like something special. You could probably power a motorcycle with all the oil from my eyelids. However, with this primer, my eyeshadow stays crease free and looking fine all day.

e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in Medium
I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I do, but the gel is just a perfect color match for me! This ashy dark brown is a perfect brow color for me, since I have black hair with a hint of brown. The gel is easy to use, lasts up well under sweaty runs and humid days, and looks so damn good.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo
This lip product has made many appearances on my blog. It's a dark plummy-pink that is bold without being very attention grabbing. Hard to explain, but basically it makes your lips look plump and full and the color is gaaaaawgous.

NYX Gel Liner and Smudger
I just wrote a review about this yesterday, so I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. Super pigmented. Stays put. Application is smooth and creamy.

Spotify
I tried Spotify when it was brand new a few years ago and I think it was only a premium feature then or something; either way, I didn't have a good impression and stuck with Pandora, but I've fallen just head over heels in love with Spotify. It's like YouTube specifically for music. There are playlists for every occasion and every artist imaginable.

Orange is the New Black
This show is ridiculously amazing. It's about a relatable character, Piper, who goes to a women's prison for drug trafficking from her past and has to survive. I started three days ago and I finished the whole show. Granted, it's only two seasons, but all I did for three days was hunker down and watch.

Bates Motel
If you've ever seen Psycho, this is supposed to be a prologue, but in modern times. It's about Norma and Norman Bates living in an insane town with insane people. There's good screenwork and decent acting/writing. I recommend you check it out.

Fitbit Flex
I got this a few days ago, and it is so mofoking cool. There are tons of these activity trackers on the market, but I saw this at Costco with some extra bands and figured "hey, steal!" and picked it up. Basically you wear it on your wrist and it tracks your movement. Think a glorified pedometer, but with a less condescending implication. You set a goal online or in the free app, and it tells you when you've reached it. I definitely recommend to anyone looking for a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Thirty Seconds to Mars
I watched Mr. Nobody the other week, a sci-fi film starring TSTM's lead singer Jared Leto and immediately developed a crush on him. That led to binge listening to the band, who I'd of course heard of but never really listened to the music. I don't have a definite taste in music, so I can't really tell you what kind of people would like this, but it's alternative pop/rock style music. Excellent songs will excellent instrumentation.

NYX Gel Liner and Smudger | Review

7:59 PM

Hey guys, I wanted to apologize for the lack of posts lately. I've been writing too many essays for schools and just the thought of writing something else exhausts me.


What it is: Gel eyeliner
Where it is: online and Ulta stores
Price: $8.99
NYX is proudly cruelty free!

NYX says that this "ultra-smooth formula is both extremely precise and easily blendable. Perfect for a bold cat-eye or a sultry smokey look." There are five shades available; I have the black shade, which is called Betty. 


This product has very simple packaging. It's in a small, glass jar with a plastic lid. I always wonder why lids are plastic and jars are glass. Does it preserve the product better or something? Anyways, while this lid shuts securely, it's recommended that you store it upside down to keep air from getting in and drying out the product. This liner contains .11 oz (3 grams) of liner. That's about $90 per oz. For reference, MAC Fluidline contains the same amount and retails for $16, making it $160 per oz.


This liner is as black as my soul. It's a deeply pigmented, true black with a matte finish. While this sets down to a matte finish quickly, the product is super duper creamy. The texture is much more like a cream than a gel. When dipping the brush into the pot, it's almost like dipping it into Cool Whip. It applies easily and smoothly without dragging. While this liner doesn't smudge or fade or flake off on its own, it's not waterproof and will smudge when it comes in contact with tears. All in all, I really do recommend this, but if you have eyes that tear up easily like yours truly, you might want to keep your eyes dry.

Thanks for reading!

Popular Posts

Like us on Facebook

About Me

My photo
Hi there, I'm Emily. It's nice to meet you. I'm a beauty blogger who also happens to be very interested in photography/film. Chat with me, let's be friends!