Review: Blippo

 

After waffling for a month or so, I decided to put an order into Blippo.com, a Japan and kawaii shop! Their selection is quite large: Arpakasso, Hello Kitty, San-X, Pocky, etc. Pretty much, if it's cute, small, and can fit in a purse or be an accessory, Blippo has it. The price point is what drew me in: less than 10 USD and free shipping. Super easy to get hooked and buy hella merchandise.

I ordered a strawberry pouch and chocolate stickers on March 12, 2015 and received my order yesterday, April 22, 2015. Their website promoted 1-3 weeks shipping and since I was ordering close to when Easter packages would be sent out, I figured late arrival. Free shipping = no tracking. I've been around the block with online shopping. If I can, I choose to track a package, but I wanted to be cheap and not pay extra.

I was notified same day that my order shipped (I binge bought around midnight). Once the first week of April passed, I assumed my package would arrive any day. When this didn't happen, I emailed the company last week. Essentially, they included a bunch of smiley faces, noted my order shipped March 13, 2015, and said hopefully my package would arrive soon. I was hoping they'd put more effort into a lost package; maybe they had forgotten to send the package (this has happened way more to me than it should). Something other than, "That sucks. Have a nice day! :)"

Here's where things get weird. The homepage has a default USD currency and the company info has a US address. There is a tab on the side explaining their shop in Europe. Everything ships from their Hong Kong warehouse. The package says to return to Singapore if undelivered. WAT. I can't say I'm surprised it took this long after doing more research.

I've ordered from Asian countries and I know the time frame for packages. Advertising 1-3 week shipping to the US is borderline bogus, considering items ship from Hong Kong. I have yet to experience that quick of shipping from an Asian country. BUT, I want to order from Blippo again with tracking and see how that works out.

The quality of the items is a lot better than what I was expecting, especially the strawberry pouch. I checked the actual measurements to the website--many Asian websites say to expect a few centimeters difference--and they were a match. Unfortunately, my bento box doesn't fit (I mis-measured, whoops) and there is a big dark mark on the green bits. （´口｀*）I haven't opened the chocolate stickers, but they're so cute! 

Review: OGX

product images via official OGX site, background via diglee @ tumblr

I decided to do a review that nobody wanted. Well, I did, but the why of that is going to become readily apparent. I like how the gif turned out! I wasn't sure if I liked the poster effect, but I can dig it. Maybe ya'll think it's ugly? Today, I bring my experience with OGX hair products. I believe the name is derived from or pronounced Organix? Because of this, I guess a lot of customers assume they use organic/vegan products? I learned that from reviews, so the authenticity isn't reliable. Also, I couldn't find anything about that on their website, either. Their official site 'About' reads:

We’re beauty, pure and simple. What’s pure? It starts with our ingredients. So, we search the globe to uncover nature’s gems—natural, nourishing goodness. That’s how we find treats like the coconut in the Philippines and argan oil in Morocco. 

To us, pure beauty is also original beauty. We’ll never ask you what you don’t like about your hair or what you want to fix. We just want to know what you love about your hair so we can enhance it. Simple as that. 

So we fill every OGX bottle with exotic fragrances you crave and benefits your hair will love. Because healthy hair is happy hair. And that never goes out of style.

I'm going to note they do state they use "natural goodness", but natural doesn't equal organic and meat is natural but, the whole vegan thing. Anyway. Every time I was buying shampoo, I continuously saw the bottle and it wasn't until a few months ago that I began using the products.

Film: The Babadook

If it's in a word. Or it's in a look. You can't get rid of...the Babadook.

Director: Jennifer Kent
Writer: Jennifer Kent
Cast: Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Tim Purcell

The Babadook ☆☆☆☆.5 

Via IMDB: A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.

Going into this film, I thought it was another Mama. Del Toro's film isn't bad per-se, but there wasn't a scare factor. At all--very similar to Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. Both of those were geared toward children and thus frightening them and not their adult audience. Thankfully, Babadook attunes to adults and children alike. I will point out, though, there is a masturbation scene, so you know, decide if the kid(s) should watch or not.

Amelia is a single mom working at a retirement facility and with a son, Samuel, who's the devil. This is not a "Hail Satan!" moment (I mean, I guess if one wanted...). A fat portion follows Amelia attempting to wrangle Samuel in: off the top of a swing set, screaming in the car, shooting a fellow student with a dart, and pushing his cousin out a tree house. Did I mention he's only six?  

Samuel has a fear of a monster living in his room (in the wardrobe, under the bed, doesn't matter to Samuel). And so, Amelia doesn't get much sleep, especially after Samuel finds Mister Babadook on his bookshelf. She asks, "Where did you get this?" in which he responds, "I found it on the shelf." If that wasn't enough for a mother, who didn't buy the damn book, the actual book's narrative should. This moment is, perhaps, my favorite of the film. 

 
 
 

do-not-sit-next-to-dennis

After more devil-child shenanigans, the book continues to appear after multiple destroying attempts. We are then left with the idea of whether the Babadook actually exists or it is Amelia in her sleep deprived hysteria? Are we going to have a Hide and Seek ending? Is she going to stab Samuel to death? That's the beauty of this film.

Via monkeysaysficus: If you’re a gore hound, or you like your horror movies fast and furious, this movie is not for you. If, however, you are a fan of slow-burning, shivers under your skin, gonna think about it over the next few days, horror movies, then this is your Next Big Thing.

Review : Shop Miss A

Miss A // Review!
Miss A is an online accessory and beauty retailer with everything $1 and a flat rate shipping. Yeah-yuh. Obviously, the quality isn't expected to be too hot, considering, again, $1 items. As I am one for cheap stuff, I went ahead and put an order in. In total (l-r), I bought: makeup bag, eye necklace, bow dust plug, zit zapper, lengthening & volumizing mascara, lip stain, under eye concealer, all over stick, and undies.
Shipping: 14-18 days. Their homepage does say processing will take up to a week+, so standard shipping. As the image suggests, everything was wrapped in tissue paper, bubble wrapped, and wrapped into a larger bag. Unless clothing specific items, I hate when orders are shipped outside a box, considering the postal service's propensity to rough handle packages--I didn't want anything to break.

Colored Mesh Cosmetic Pouch | ☆☆☆.5

This bag is a nice, thick, tight mesh! Refreshing, 'cause I assumed the mesh would be easily rip-able and I'd get minimal use. :((( The color is bright, a mirror (albeit tiny) is included, and the overall size isn't terrible. BUT, the zipper is hella weak. There's no zip-quick-n-go that higher quality makeup bags give and the zipper sticks on the end. I'm expecting to get well over a month's wear.

Dainty Colored Evil Eye Necklace | ☆☆☆☆
I'm actually impressed with this lil' thing. The O-ring attached to the eye is sturdy as is the chain--super thin, though! Be careful removing from the packaging, because I know people have a tendency to just rip, but that will break the chain. I am not, however, worried the chain will break while wearing. I know how it is, buyin' dollar jewelry off Ebay, only to have the damn thing break straight off. RIP cute accessories! The actual eye doesn't look sloppy either.

Solid Bow Cell Phone Dust Plug | ???
Um. I absolutely underestimated the size of this dust plug, even though that's an Iphone pictured (I have an S3, so...). Now, the plastic is legit and it fit, but I have an Otterbox. In my excitement, I forgot to factor that in. I'm sure, once I get a different case, the plug will fit, but for now, it's too big with this specific case. /sigh.

e.l.f. Essential Zit Zapper | ☆☆☆☆
I've  been wearing this for approximately one hour. Four stars? Really??? I have my reasons. This thing smells like bug spray (disconcerting), feels like Aloe, and doesn't burn. The importance of this last part is important--I have sensitive skin which makes or breaks a product. Some reviews suggest this will leave reddened skin, but so far so good. The back of the package states, "unique blend of Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree, Witch Hazel, and Camphor". You rub it on, like rolly-lipgloss and let it do it's thing. From what I've witnessed, the redness goes down and skin feels soft. It seems like a go-to for when a zit/blemish/etc. is about to show up or is in those early stages.

Girls Talk Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara | ☆☆☆☆☆ !
Smells great. A lot of makeup has that gross smell. We all know what I'm talking about. There's nothing specific about this one though, but it's a healthy scent. The packaging is cute, I like the colors. There aren't ingredients though--not cool. Even if I don't know what all ingredients do, I can compare/figure out what higher quality (and let's be honest, safe) mascara has. Both do their job and my eyelashes look delightful. I double 'em up (both mascara in one sitting) and lashes can get a bit wet, so watch out for that. The applicator isn't long; I had to do two swipes to get all my lashes. I like a lot o'room to apply, what can I say?

Muuaaah! Lip Stain | ☆
Don't bother? It's wrapped (I like to know no one used it before sending it on its way). That's all for positive. The pigment is off, the applicator is like a literal marker, the color isn't consistent. I had high hopes. :'( Lip stains are easier for me to wear, since they don't smear or fade over the day, but this is a mess. I've had two applications to get a solidish foundation and I still have color lines. I have dollar lipstick with better results.

Morning Confession Eye Roll On Concealer | ☆☆☆.75
Shake that shit. Go on for about 30 seconds before attempting use. Even then, applying is a little spotty. It does a decent job, even better when combined with the all over stick. I have crazy raccoon eyes all day every day and this actually brightens 'em up. No burning as well! I've bought dollar eye bag control and burnt the fuck outta my underlids. So you know, good job Miss A. There's no packaging and ingredients are on the back. As for smell, a baby powder/lotion. I'm having a love-hate relationship with Kleancolor. Merp.

e.l.f. Essential All Over Color Stick | ☆☆☆.5
I can't tell if the color is too light. I'm not good with the whole concealer/bronzer situation, but it blended well over my eyes. Not so much for the blemish on my cheek. I do have the same kind in light beige which is a better over-all. Props to smell (citrus), application ease, compatibility with other products. The stick does have a bit of a shimmer (I'm getting too old for face shimmer) and doesn't soak well into the skin--after hours of wear, it still comes off on my hand, but that could be an error in application on my end?

Contrast Color Back Keyhole Panty | ☆☆☆☆.5
Cutie patootie! The keyhole isn't as big as the image suggests. Most of the seams are finished perfectly, except for a few stragglers with longer strings. The tag reads 95% Cotton, 5% Spandex, where the website lists COTTON/SPANDEX/POLYESTER. Here's the truth: The piping is spandex, the body a cotton and polyester blend. The production is far better than RUE21 and much more than what I was expecting. I'm not saying it's super elite, but still comfortable and cute. A word of warning: there is a tag attached around the bow. Rip or cut the entire bit off if ya'll don't like the bow, but it's awkward for those of us who want to keep it (actually, I can't decide if I want to cut it off).

Overall: Acceptable quality for cheap prices. The site images make it hard to tell how a product will come out and there's never a guarantee. I will be a returning customer, but I suggest, for first timers, search out reviews and if you notice a pattern with certain brands Miss A carries, avoid 'em.