This Blog & The Future…

Hello everyone! I was just thinking about y’all & what I’m going to be writing about in the future. I still LOVE Lululemon and will still be writing about it, but I think I’ll stick to what I know best (market, buying & selling and key pieces/ collections), and let the others cover the uploads. I’m just not as passionate about covering the uploads, as I thought I would be. I think I’ll still do some posts under my “What I’m Loving Right Now” category, but I won’t be covering any uploads, as they are traditionally covered. I might choose to cover a We Made Too Much Upload, if its especially good though, just because no one else does and, like I have said before, people do inquire as to whether something went to markdown or not, and also as to how much it cost on markdown. I will mention here that in addition to Lulu Addict and Lulumum, I have been enjoying the coverage of uploads as portrayed by Agent Athletica. As such, I have found that my coverage, though it does result in more views, has been largely redundant. Furthermore, I have difficulty expressing my opinions on clothes, as I feel that they are a matter of taste and I don’t wish to offend anyone. So, in the past, I have often neglected to express my opinion on things that I disliked in the interest of political correctness. This is in direct opposition to my personal values and one of the many reasons why I write at all. I have strong opinions and enjoy having the platform to voice them. Whether it is regarding my strong distaste for fakes, or a rather strong position in favor of Lululemon’s decisions, I have expressed my opinions rather freely on this blog, yet haven’t felt the freedom to do so when covering Uploads. I guess it’s because I regard fashion as art and what I find pleasing or treacherous is a matter of opinion based solely on my own, personal bias. Art is sacred in a way, and I tend to avoid being critical unless I have a vested personal interest, or enough experience and understanding to know what is good and what is bad. For example, I consider myself to have a fairly adept recognition of good or poor writing, which is why I have no problem writing a book review, no matter how scathing. However, I have not studied fashion, nor do I follow trends as closely as perhaps I should. Therefore I question my own opinions, resulting in an absence of many of them in my “Upload” posts. In any case, if you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading 🙂 I hope to continue to write about Lululemon, Beauty, Fitness and whatever else comes across my path.

 

The Body Shop InstaBlur Primer Review

Hello everyone! I’ve been on vacation, but I’m back now and I have another review for you. The Body Shop has kindly chosen to gift me some of their products, and as I mentioned last time- I am excited to be able to review some products from one of my favorite companies. This month they gave me their new “Instablur” primer to try. I’ve used it a few times. Immediately, I noticed that it reminded me of Smashbox’s Photo Finish primer. Upon inspection, they both have similar application. The Body Shop one is slightly more robust (thicker) and has a light scent. While the Smashbox one is thinner, with no scent.

I had a lot of fun comparing this to other primers I own. I went through my makeup drawers and grabbed every primer I could find. This primer bears little similarity to Boscia’s Skin Perfecting primer, Sephora’s Anti-Shine Foundation Primer, or Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer. These all apply “wetter,” and as more of a moisturizer than the Body Shop’s Instablur and the primers I will be comparing to it.

I also found that Ulta’s Professional Matte Prime applied similarly. It has the most shine to it, but the ingredients are very similar to those in the Smashbox Primer. (The first three ingredients are exactly the same, and there are other ingredients listed that are also the same further into the lists) I didn’t find that it had much of a scent either. For reference, the ingredients and other information about the Ulta primer and the Smashbox primer can be found by clicking the links in this sentence.

The Body Shop’s Instablur is an effective primer. It applies a little thicker than other primers, but reduces to a thin, matte finish. You don’t need a lot, just put a little on your finger and keep rubbing it in until it goes smooth. It’s thick at first, but it will blend into your skin for that matte finish we all love. I used it a few times under my makeup, and I can definitively say that it did not break me out. I’ve had issues with liquid makeup items causing breakouts in the past and that didn’t happen with Instablur. (Thank Goodness!) On The Body Shop’s website it says that this primer is supposed to do 5 things:

  • Shine Controlling 12h
  • Reduces appearance of pores
  • Blemish Hiding
  • Complexion Unifying
  • Make-up Extending

Let’s tackle the list, shall we? I don’t have issues with shine or sweating, so I really can’t say whether this was effective at controlling shine. I can say that it applies matte, but I can’t speak to its shine-controlling abilities. It definitely reduced the appearance of my pores. I would say that this one performs the best at that and at complexion “unifying.” I think “complexion unifying” is a silly thing to call evening out your skin tone, but nevertheless this did accomplish that. I think that reducing the appearance of pores, and evening out your skin tone begets the fact that it will also hide blemishes. So check “yes” on that one as well. I have some issues with white heads and other smaller blemishes, I think that a concealer would work best to hide larger flaws, but this works well for small inconsistencies in the skin. As far as “Make-up extending” goes, I just can’t be 100% sure. I wear good quality makeup that is designed to last and I also use Urban Decay’s Makeup Setting Spray to keep my makeup from moving. I’ve had exceptional experiences with that stuff. So, I can’t say it necessarily helped my makeup stay longer, but I can say that I did not experience any straying or moving of makeup I did apply after using this product.

I have yet to be “wowed” by any primer but so far my favorite things about this one are the scent, the non-greasy application, the matte finish, the fact that it doesn’t break me out (seriously- I’ve had issues!), and the pore/ blemish/ complexion awesome-ifying.

This retails for $22 and goes on sale in Monday, August 25. In the meantime, I found this cute promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejk5uCb3TmI and here’s a picture of the product itself:

Instablur The Body Shop

#NoRetouchTBS

Product Drop Week of August 12, 2014

Pretty Exciting Upload/ new products available this week! Here’s what I got:

Chilly Chill Vest Inky Floral / Ghost. I REALLY want this. So fun & cute! I haven't seen it in North America or uploaded yet, but I hope it will be soon!!
Chilly Chill Vest Inky Floral / Ghost. I REALLY want this. So fun & cute! I haven’t seen it in North America or uploaded yet, but I hope it will be soon!!
Miss Misty Pullover in Inky Floral, Gym to Win bag Sachito Star Bordeau Drama
Miss Misty Pullover in Inky Floral, Gym to Win bag Sashico Star Bordeau Drama

I tried on the Miss Misty Pullover and my size seemed a little tight in the underarms. I could have dealt with it, but I also might have decided to size up if I was going to purchase. In the end, I decided that I still don’t love the Glyde fabric.The Gym to Win duffel is super cute, but I just don’t need another bag right now.

It cinches!
It cinches!
More of the Miss Misty Pullover
More of the Miss Misty Pullover
Miss Misty Pullover in Sashico Star
Miss Misty Pullover in Sashico Star Inkwell

Miss Misty Pull over

Miss Misty Pullovers

Sashico Star print
Sashico Star print
New Speeds Bumble Berry Inky Floral Diamond Dot Bruised Berry
New Speeds Bumble Berry Inky Floral & Diamond Dot Rugged Blue
More of the new speeds
More of the new speeds
Bumble Berry Stash It Tank
Bumble Berry Stash It Tank
Bumble Berry Stash It Tank and Inky Floral Pace Setter
Bumble Berry Stash It Tank and Inky Floral Pace Setter

NEW Accessories 2

Bumble Berry Stash It Tank and Pleat To Street Skirt. these fit very nice. Flattering and modest. (Longer in length than the Pace Setter)
Bumble Berry Stash It Tank and Pleat To Street Skirt. these fit very nice. Flattering and modest. (Longer in length than the Pace Setter)
These are new... "Sport Shorts"
These are new… “Sport Shorts”

I got the Pleat To Street Skirt, what did you get?

Product Drop: Week of August 5 2014

Hello Everyone! This week is not as exciting as last week, but there are a few gems here and there. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

All Tied Up Tank
All Tied Up Tank
Post Practice Cardigan in White with Bang Buster in  cayman stripe static wave mojave tan angel wing
Post Practice Cardigan in White with Bang Buster in cayman stripe static wave mojave tan angel wing
Post Practice Cardigan Details and Two Times a Yogi bag in Bordeaux Drama
Post Practice Cardigan Details and Two Times a Yogi bag in Bordeaux Drama
Two Times a Yogi Bag in Bordeaux Drama, Post Practice Cardi in white. This New bag looks like the perfect size for a gym bag. I can't wait to see this in-store.
Two Times a Yogi Bag in Bordeaux Drama, Post Practice Cardi in white. This New bag looks like the perfect size for a gym bag. I can’t wait to see this in-store.
hyper stripe Vinyassa Scarf in inkwell rugged blue:heathered inkwell
hyper stripe Vinyassa Scarf in inkwell rugged blue:heathered inkwell
This Vinyassa Scarf is really tempting me.
This Vinyassa Scarf is really tempting me.
New Red! Bumble Berry! So Excited! I would LOVE to see a Stride Jacket in this red.
New Red! Bumble Berry! So Excited! I would LOVE to see a Stride Jacket in this red.
Two Times a Yogi Bag in Bordeaux Drama, Post Practice Cardi in white. This New bag looks like the perfect size for a gym bag. I can't wait to see this in-store.
Two Times a Yogi Bag in Bordeaux Drama, Post Practice Cardi in white. This New bag looks like the perfect size for a gym bag. I can’t wait to see this in-store.
Pine stripe 5 year yogini long sleeve and Two Times a Yogi Bag in Bordeaux Drama
Pine stripe 5 year yogini long sleeve and Two Times a Yogi Bag in Bordeaux Drama
More of the Bordeaux Drama Two Times a Yogi Bag
More of the Bordeaux Drama Two Times a Yogi Bag
More of the Bordeaux Drama Two Times A Yogi Bag
More of the Bordeaux Drama Two Times A Yogi Bag
Bordeaux Drama Two Times a Yogi Jacket, Heathered Slate Wunder Under Pants, 5 year Yogini Long Sleeve
Bordeaux Drama Two Times a Yogi Jacket, Heathered Slate Wunder Under Pants, 5 year Yogini Long Sleeve
The Sweater Life in Bordeaux Drama
The Sweater Life in Bordeaux Drama
Pine stripe 5 year yogini long sleeve
Pine stripe 5 year yogini long sleeve
Right As Rain Jacket in Bordeaux Drama. I like this jacket, but everybody else seems to love it. What is it about this jacket that everyone is so fond of? Let me know in the comments!
Right As Rain Jacket in Bordeaux Drama. I like this jacket, but everybody else seems to love it. What is it about this jacket that everyone is so fond of? Let me know in the comments!
Lululemon Exhalation Pullover in Heathered Speckled Black
Lululemon Exhalation Pullover in Heathered Speckled Black
Speckled Heathered Black Exhalation Pullover
Speckled Heathered Black Exhalation Pullover
Happy Yin Year Sweatpants in Bordeaux Drama. I tried these on in-store and I don't like them. They were not flattering in the back.
Happy Yin Year Sweatpants in Bordeaux Drama. I tried these on in-store and I don’t like them. They were not flattering in the back.
Bordeaux Drama Rights As Rain Jacket & Happy Yin Year Pants in Heathered Speckled Black
Bordeaux Drama Rights As Rain Jacket & Happy Yin Year Pants in Heathered Speckled Black

 

Kangaroo Pocket of Exhalation Pullover in Heathered Speckled Black
Kangaroo Pocket of Exhalation Pullover in Heathered Speckled Black
Exhalation Pullover in Heathered Speckled Black
Exhalation Pullover in Heathered Speckled Black
Open Your Heart Tank in Cayman stripe mojave tan
Open Your Heart Tank in Cayman stripe mojave tan
Meesh (Mesh) Bra, Boogie Shorts in flat inky floral heathered inkwell
Meesh (Mesh) Bra, Boogie Shorts in flat inky floral heathered inkwell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few more pics for y’all!

Bordeaux Drama Dance Studio Jacket
Bordeaux Drama Dance Studio Jacket
Tons of items in Great Granite. No Limits tank. Power Y, Bring Back The Track jacket, Breathe Easy crop, Wunder Under Crop
Tons of items in Great Granite. No Limits tank. Power Y, Bring Back The Track jacket, Breathe Easy crop, Wunder Under Crop
Lab Edge Tee, Two Times a ogi Bag in Bordeaux Drama & Meesh Skirt
Lab Edge Tee, Two Times a ogi Bag in Bordeaux Drama & Meesh Skirt
Fun pic of the All Tied Up Tank
Fun pic of the All Tied Up Tank
Bumble Berry Wunder Unders
Bumble Berry Wunder Unders