Aliexpress Swimsuit Haul

I'm not much into doing hauls, mostly because I rarely buy a lot of items at once and when I do I usually get them for really cheap either through Aliexpress or my local shops-Rue21, Ross, Marshalls, and Burlington. Personally, I feel its crazy to spend so much money on clothes that'll get worn out in a couple of month or ruined from my younger sister stealing them, so I try to find cheap stuff that is also good quality.
When shopping on site like Aliexpress its best to read the feedback and hope for the best because not every seller is reliable or truthful about the products they are selling. Below I have the products I bought and my little review on each one and the seller about how long an item took to get to my house along with if it matches the product description.
All of the swimsuits I ordered arrived exactly two weeks(to the day) after I ordered them, which is pretty fast when you take in account that they ship from China.

Swim Suit #1
Price: $5.47
Size: Small(S)
Top: Fits like any other triangle bikini it is just more intricate in the backing detail.
Bottom: Extremely tiny and would be considered a "thong" or cheeky fit and honestly felt like an extra-small when compared to a regular American Bikini Bottom.

Swim Suit #2
Price: $5.27
Size: Small(S)
Top: Fits well if your boobs are a B or C cup in American bra sizes, the downside to this top is that the back is not adjustable.
Bottom: Fit like any other American bikini bottoms that are a size small.
Bonus: Includes straps if you want don't want to wear it as a bandeau.





Swim Suit #3
Price: $6.15
Size: Small(S)
Top: Extremely small and has no padding, I would only advise buying this if you are smaller than a B cup in regular bras or wear a size extra-small in swimwear tops. Personally it doesn't fit me well and I will probably give it to my younger sister.
Bottom: Perfect fit for me and the strings on both sides allow you to adjust them like any other string bikini.




Swim Suit #4
Price: $6.83
Size: Small(S)
Top: The fabric between the cups is a bit loose but besides that it fits. The cups on the suit fit for a B or C cup size.
Bottom: Basic bikini bottoms that fit like every other small.
Bonus: Includes straps that tie around your neck.
Other: Has white polka dots that don't photograph well but still look adorable giving it that "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" song vibe.

Swim Suit #5
Price: $3.94
Size: One Size
Top: Fits like a small or extra small and offers no support for your breast. The white looks more like an off-white rather than a clean crisp white shade.
Bottom: N/A
Other: I purchased this to go with some white lace bikini bottoms I got last summer on clearance at Burlington Coat Factory.

Swim Suit #6
Price: $5.73
Size: Medium (M)
Top: Extremely small and the padding included is very round and unnatural, I took the padding out and the top fit slightly better but was still pretty small compared to what I'm use to.
Bottom: Fit like an American size small and the tie-dye varies on each pair.



Thanks for reading XOXO, Des

Disney for College Kids: Finding Dory

I've seen tons of speculations about Disney films making sequels and such geared towards college kids. When we were younger we watched Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, and Toy Story. Now that we are older we see Andy going to away to college and having to say good bye to his childhood toys; it is a parallel to our lives and growing up watching these movies. Monsters Inc. had more of a prequel to the movie by showing Mike and Sulley and how college was for them. Our childhood movies are coming back to us just as we are venturing out into the world and stating a new, we are lost amidst the changes we are facing and wishing we were once again in elementary school watching our favorite Disney films and shows.

I'm making this post since today Ellen released a preview to Finding Dory on her show, for many others and myself we have been waiting years and years for this to happen and it's finally here. To me Finding Dory relates to all the colleges kids trying to find out who they are and going back to their families and roots to figure that out.
This post is short but I just wanted to bring up how these movies related to my friends and I because like us they have grown old. We grew up with Disney and they are once again helping us to grow up by making relate-able content.
I can't wait to watch Finding Dory and to see if it was really worth the wait.


Thanks for reading XOXO, Des

Japan Lucky Crate FAIL

Japan crate advertised a limited edition 1-time crate with 10 candies for $15 earlier this February. Each crate was suppose to contain a variety of items and if you got multiple boxes there would be few repeats. For myself and many others hoping to win some of the bonus prizes this was a total fail. Not only did we not win any DIY kits, plushies, or a Nintendo DS but we received lots of duplicates of items or even missing items.
Here is a side-by-side of when I first opened the box. I was sad I didn't win a pass to redeem a plush or other big items but was still excited to try the drinks and snacks.

Here is a side-by-side of what came in each box, extremely disappointing especially since I was expecting a variety of flavors and items to try. Another thing that bothered me was that my second box only had 9 items instead of 10 like it was suppose to.
In a way I'm glad that I wasn't other who got 5 or 6 of the same item in each box but I'm still mad that Japan Crate didn't keep their word and let a lot of people down.

Side Note: I will be getting one crate in March from Japan Crate and Doki-Doki and will do an in-depth review of all the items. I ordered the box back in January before ordering the Lucky crates but was too late to receive the February boxes.


Thanks for reading XOXO Des

Ovation Made My Moms Hair Fall Out!

Everyone has heard of Ovation on the radio with tons of positive results that claim to make your hair thicker, stronger, and longer. Their claim may be true for many but when my mom recently tried it, it made her hair fall out it clumps when combing. I'm not sure it this it due to part of her hair being chemically treated with a relaxer(not to be confused with a "perm" that uneducated people like to call it), but it got to the point where she just decided to shave it all off because she was self conscious about it. 

Be warned when trying over-hyped products, test a strand in the back and see how you react to it. I would hate for anyone to lose their hair when they are trying to achieve thicker, stronger, and longer hair.

P.S. On a positive note for the company, their de-tangling spray actually works pretty well on my hair and has not made it fall out or thin like it did for my mother.

P.S.S My mom is Jamaican so she has kinky curly natural hair.

Thanks for reading, XOXO Des

Cutting My Hair

People always told me that they would kill to have my curls and I never really got why because to me they were a pain in the butt. Yeah, they were pretty but strangers didn't have to de-tangle this mane and keep it conditioned and healthy. One time I was walking with my friend in-front of Randalls (a grocery store in my area) and a lady stopped her car, rolled down the window, and shouted that she loved my hair. It was extremely embarrassing but not the first time its happened so I smiled and said thank you before continuing on with my day.

The reason I decided to chop off my hair was simply because it was boring to me, I had already died the bottom blue but I wanted something completely new. First I shaved and cut the sides and back. 

After some time the sides grew to be too long and as my ex told me that I looked like a clown, which made me cry and decide to cut my hair to all of the same length...

Think this with a bun on top

My hair is currently short and way more manageable because if I'm being lazy I can put on a hat and call it a day. At some point I plan to attempt to make another video on my new hair care routine.

Such a weird angle but you can see how short my hair is.

Thanks for reading XOXO Des

My First YouTube Video!

A couple of months ago I posted my first YouTube video, and boy was it an experience. I don't get how Youtubers have the confidence to talk to the camera as if its a person; for me it was just too weird so I opted for a voice over which was still nerve-racking to me. I give my applaud to those who can talk to a camera.
This video took place in my bedroom after a shower, in it I explain my hair care routine. My editing is sloppy in my opinion since it was the first time I ever had to edit a video and I could only use the options on Imovie on my Iphone. The quality also isn't up to standard with "the best of the best" on YouTube because I just used my Iphone instead of a professional grade camera.

If you like this video I'll try to be less awkward and make more or even start to use Periscope. Also if you want me to list all the products I use or a review of the products just let me know and I'll type it up and list places you can purchase the products from.
Thanks for reading XOXO Des

I'm back!

I haven't posted in ages and had the sudden urge to start blogging again. I guess you can take this as a New Years resolution of some sort. I am planning to post about make-up, my hair, and just everyday life in college because the next few months should get exciting and busy. This is a short post but I hope to be able to connect with more people.

Thanks for reading XOXO Des

Leaving Blogger

It was nice while it lasted but i never have time to keep up so go over to Tumblr to keep up with me and my tips. Thanks for any support I had along with the views I recieved.

Getting to know me

The Mixed Girls Tag: Who is the girl with the big crazy curls?

1.) What are you mixed with? 
Jamaican(Mom) and White/European decent (Dad)

2.) What ethnicity have you often been mistaken for? 
Puerto Rican or Mexican(and other hispanic nationalities) 

3.) Is you hair Curly or Straight? 
Curly

4.) Was coming from different backgrounds challenging growing up? 
For me yea, it was pretty difficult because in today's society biracial children are forced to choose one race to associate themselves with. I was also self conscious and had low self-esteem for the longest time because I was and will always be different from "pure-breed" people, I still have it today but i'm beginning to like myself more.

5.) Which background do embrace most? 
Mostly white mainly because I hang around more white children and i haven't really had any good experiences with "black" children. Black children tend to refer to me as a "light-skin" since i'm fairly pale due to my father being white. It's hard to fit in when you're "too white for the black kids, and too black for the white kids." 

6.) Have you ever been teased for being different? 
Umm, yea mainly by black children. (reference question 5)

7.) Have you ever been ashamed of being Multiracial? 
Yea, most my life I wished I was full white so that I could fit in with others.

8.) Do you feel that being Mixed has it's benefits? 
In a way yes, well at least for me and my big hair. Like sometimes ill just walk down the street and a random person will either stop their vehicle or come up to me and tell me they LOVE my hair. 
Also by being mixed you get a better outlook on life since you have more than one culture present in your life. I personally feel that everyone should marry and date outside of their race so that one day everyone is Multi-racial and then no one could be racist.

*imagine a world without racism* it would definitely be a better place.

9.)What makes being Multi-Racial a beautiful thing? 
Being multi-racial gives you outlooks on life and more opportunities since you catch peoples attention with your "exotic" looks.

10.) Any advice to some who struggle with their Multiracial Identity?
Just find people who like you for you and surround yourself with them. Because if someone truly likes and cares for you, even on a purely friend basis, they won't care that you're multi-racial, in-fact they might even like you more for being multi-racial since that makes you unique and stand out.

Mermaid Makeup

 To get into the summer spirit I decided to experiment with some of my makeup. I studied many YouTube videos and observed many pictures before pulling out my makeup. My finished product was only my first attempt and afterwards I decided what i should do next time to make it even better.

Products used:

• Urban Decay Deluxe Palette
• Random palette with pink colors
• Any chapstick
• Fishnet dress (or any material you can place on your head)
• Sponge (and or makeup brushes)
• Colored Contacts

*If you would like you could also use mascara or eyeliner but I forgot to use mascara because I was trying to beat the sunset.

Place a fishnet pattern over your face. 

Take your sponge and go from

-Pink

-"Fishnet"

-"Ransom"

-"Peace"

-"Honey"

-"Graffiti"

layer on the colors til the desired shade. 

*for a brighter look you can always start with a primer or concealer.

*if you would like to include more exposed skin place the fishnet on your neck and arm go from "Graffiti" back to Pink so the colors look more synced.

*Now is when i would put in my contacts if you choose to do so.

For your eyelids use the same order of colors but stop at color that's closest to your eye and fan it out.

*Mine stops at "Peace" so i just extended the blue into the fishnet pattern.

The finishing step is to apply your chapstick and take your pink sparkly eye-shadow and dab it on your lips to make them a more pinky color with a few sparkles to reflect off the camera. 

Now change into a "Mermaid" like top or swimsuit and take pictures to post. If you want a more Mermaid like effect you could always invest in a $3,000 Mermaid Tail to scare others on the beach or have a more realistic mini-photo-shoot.

Simple steps to achieve healthy looking flawless skin

As the seasons change our bodies change especially in the colder, dryer months of the year. For these extra harsh months skin care is extremely mecessary to avoiding dry, flaky skin.The body is made up of 70% water so the first step to healthy, resfreshed looking skin and hair is to consumer water. A good way to know how much water you should be drinking is to take your weight (in pounds) and divide that by 2, the resulting number is about how manh ounces you should consume each day.

☆before you get out of bed in the morning drink some water to clear out your system.

Everyone has a different skin type. Some have it easy while others are forced to use manh products to perfect there skin pr atleast mke it manageable; below are common types of skin and how to identify them. Personally my skin is a mixture of oily and dry, I guess you could say combintion but not exactly, depending on the seqson and my diet.
Skin types:

⊙Oily skin
    -skin tends to give off a shiny look
    -use products with an acid balance(4.5-5.5 on th pH scale)
⊙Normal skin(rare)
    -using a neutralizing product
⊙Combination skin(common)
     -shiny T-zone (includes forehead, nose, and chin)
⊙Dry skin
     -many people experience dry flaky skin in colder months
     -using moisturizers and other products to hydrate the skin with improve this

The basic skin care rountine should take around 4 steps depending on your skin type.

1. Cleanse skin with a product that won't strip the skin of its natural oils. EX. Dove sensitive bar soap
2. Use toner, freshner, or astringent with low or no alcohol; alcohol dries out the skin so avoid using it unless that works for you.
3. Moisturize skin with face lotions, regular lotion, or any creams that will put moisture back into your skin for a healthy glow. Moisturizing also helps to achieve younger looking skin.
4. Protection. Using makeup or mouisturizers with SPF helps against aging and damaging of the skin.

☆use atleast SPF 15 if not higher to protect against the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun
☆expoliate atleast once a week to get rid of the dead skin that builds up over time

If you are like myself, prone to bad acne due to bad genetics, I recommend seeing a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will recommend different creams, soaps, and possibly pills to either control your horomones or to help fight off acne before it starts.

Everyone, no matter who they are wants to have perfect, beautiful skin that they can show off with confidence. Just by taking a few minutes out of your day can help to improve your self esteem.

Ombre and glitter nails

A simple white to blue ombre with glitter from the art supply store.

When painting your nails remember to apply a base coat to protect your nail bed, and a top coat when done to seal in your design; you don't want the time you spent to go to waste.

Supplies needed:

☆ clear base coat
☆ clear top coat
☆ white nail polish
☆ 2 other colors (I used a medium and a saphire blue)
☆ cheap glitter (mine was from hobby lobby)
☆ sponge or sponge tool
☆ paint brush or finger (to pick up and apply glitter)
☆ nail polish remover and cotton balls/pads (to fix mistakes)

New Years Nails: 2014

        

A cutesy-simple nail art design to bring in the New Year with a bang, 2014 here we come. This took about 15 minutes to accomplish with patients.

Products Used:

• Claire's Cosmetics mini's- Sparkly gold/champagne color
• China Glaze- Ruby Pumps
• L.A. Colors- BCC656 (white)
• NK Glossier Nails Acrylic Top Coat
• Simple dotting tool from Walmart

Pink Party Eyes & Neutral Everyday Eyes

Create easy gradient effect/smokey eye looks perfect for School or a Night out

Going from white to a variety of pinks I created a "smoky eye" or gradient effect; this look was accomplished with the use of L.A Colors pink palette and CG's smoky eye palette.

Using the same technique I was able to create a similar look using neutrals for a more "everyday" type look; this look was accomplished with the use of multiple neutral palettes. 

Products used:

• L.A. Colors- 10 shades of pink
• CG- 4 quad fard accent
• Essence- I <3 STAGE eye shadow base
• Maybelline New York- Bronze haze
• Revlon custom eyes- 020 Naturally Glamorous
•  NYX- Doll Eye mascara
• Maybelline New York- Master Duo eyeliner
• Eco Tools-Eye shading brush
• Ulta double sided eye shadow brush

P.S.
For sharp lines instead of smudged ones place tape from the edge of your eyebrow to your eye before applying eye shadow.