Sudio Vasa Bla: Rose Gold Wireless Earphones Review

I have something different today, something non-beauty related but it might just catch your eye and instantly become added to that birthday wishlist! Sudio Sweden recently reached out to me for feedback on their new VASA BLÅ Wireless Earphones. What caught my eye wasn't even their bluetooth wireless capabilities, it was how cute and fashionable they are (damn, am I materialistic?)

To keep up with new technology, Sudio has created their version of this new revolutionary product, the wireless bluetooth earphones! I am definitely no super audiophile, but I do like a good quality sound system; whether it be earbuds, headphones, stereo, etc.

The Sudio Vasa Bla comes in a slim box, that opens to reveal a very 'Apple' product-like packaging. It's minimal, as it should be. I've laid out all of the box contents above, minus the instructions sheet and owners manual.

Contents:

• Sudio Vasa Bla Wireless Earphones

• Leather Case

• Micro USB Charger (Cable Only)

• 4 Extra Pairs of Earbud sizes

• Cable Clip 

• Quick Start Guide, Owner's Manual & Guarantee Card

Unfortunately, these did not come with a wall plug, likely because of the fact that they ship all over the world and everywhere uses a different outlet. But considering the price, I was a little disappointed it was missing this. The leather case is a good trade-off for the missing wall plug however, it fits the Vasa Bla perfectly and is thick enough that it feels like they're going to be protected in my purse.

Sudio VASA BLÅ Features:

• Bluetooth 4.1 technology

• Sweatproof, with remote and mic

• Up to 8 hours of unlimited play-time

• Standby for up to 10 days

• 10 min quick charge, 120 min full charge

• Range of 10 meters

• Studio quality sound and noise isolation

• Lightest on the market

Sudio Sweden officially offers the Vasa Bla in four gorgeous and fashionable fun colours. Rose Gold Black, Rose Gold White (mine), Blue, and Pink. They do offer other products in various colours like their wired earphones and wireless headphones, but their main focus colour seems to be gold rather than the typical silver, which I think, makes them seem fashion forward.

The controls are on one side, with the battery pack on the other. They look the same so it can be easy to mix them up, but the controls tab is slightly slimmer. 

The indicator will flash red to pair, and will continue to flash blue to indicate that it is on. The middle control can be used to answer or end a call, pause or play a song, and turn the device on and off. The volume controls are used to control the volume of the earbuds, which (btw) is separate from your phone's volume. The volume controls also can be held for 2 seconds to change songs.

When I first opened these I was a little nervous. Seeing as they are a company I am not familiar with, I wasn't sure how they would perform. The initial reaction I had was 'wow they sound great! But there isn't enough bass?'. I was a little disappointed, but I realized that changing the earbuds really helped them fit properly, so I could hear all of the tones much better. Even my boyfriend, who is a little more tech savvy than me said that they sound amazing and he would steal them from me if I didn't choose the most girly colour (heh!). I do still wish it had a bit more bass, but it does have good sound and a good range of highs and lows. 

The unit itself is light, I haven't used other wireless earphones before so I don't have a good comparison. When they're in your ears, compared to regular earphones they are a bit heavy, but I found that letting the cord rest on the back of your neck really helps and makes them feel almost weightless.

The earbuds are interchangeable, with various sizes included, but they were a pain in the a%* to change. I will definitely update on the battery life. I have not noticed exactly how long it lasts, but it

Overall the quality is good, and I brought these on a trip with me to New Jersey with no issues. They are so handy and just cool to have. Also a huge plus...wait for it: NO untangling cords!!!! The cord is so short and shaped that it never tangles.

Now for the price.. they're a little pricey at $140 CAD each. I know I'd have to think this one over if I had to purchase it myself, the sound isn't amazing and the price is a little high. But I think this is a great gift especially for someone who is into the 'fashionable' side of technology. Sudio offers free express shipping for all orders so the fact that they are located in Sweden really is not an issue. The Vasa Bla are so beautiful and I'll continue taking them with me whenever I have a long bus or train ride for sure.

I am also able to offer you guys 15% off with coupon code 'alovelyallure' on Sudio's official website! If you are eyeing them already, I'd say it's a decent deal for a pair of wireless earphones.

You can take a look at what Sudio has to offer, on their website here. Or check them out on amazon.ca, here.

SHOP:

This product was received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates. 

My Christmas Wish List: Fashion Edition

1)  Sorel Conquest Carly Short Boot $185

I have a pair of UGGs, but I want something easier to walk in, and less silly looking for school. Sorel is a slightly more affordable alternative that claims waterproof and warmth!

2)  Wilfred Coquette Scarf in Wind $75

The blanket scarves by Wilfred are such popular scarves, but I can't help but stare every time I see someone wearing it! I love how versatile it is and I have resisted from buying one for so long. 

3)  CHI Elite Gold Rush Flat Iron $90

My flat iron has been consistently damaging my hair for years, and I think it's about time for me to invest in a new one. After doing research, CHI seems like the best option in my budget, and I love the ombre look of the Elite Gold Rush!

4)  Mackage Adali Down Coat with Fur Trimmed Hood $650

The Mackage Adali really looks like a classic coat that offers warmth and style at the same time. I can't help but want one, after seeing how fashionable it looks on others.

5)  Wilfred Chevalier Jacket $225

I've loved the look of this Blazer for ages, and although the colour I want is not currently in stock, it is definitely something that I hope I can find on Kijiji or eBay.

6)  Opelle Creative Vanda Morse Satchel $382

Opelle's made-to-order handbags are designed to be functional and fashionable, composed of real italian leather and produced with quality in mind rather than mass production. I saw this bag on Instagram and I immediately wanted it! I love how simple yet elegant it looks, and it looks to be big enough for all my necessities!

Do you like any of my picks? What are you hoping to get for Christmas? 

Click here to check out My Christmas Wish List: Beauty Edition!

Make Up For Ever Artisan Brush Collection: 150 & 240 Review

Make Up For Ever has debuted their revolutionary brush collection, the 'Artisan Brush Collection', featuring 76 brushes for everything from basic every day use to professional artistic brushes. This collection is huge, and is probably the largest brush collection just outdoing MAC, which has roughly 40-50 brushes. Creator & Artistic Director Dany Sanz and her team had spent five years developing an designing these brushes to insure softness and functionality. The construction of each brush was done in 25 unique stages and hand-crafted by 30 people!

The brushes are all synthetic, and come in three different varieties: straight, wavy, or both straight & wavy, depending on their use. Straight fibers for generous and precise application, or wavy bristles for a lighter and freer application. The fibers are applied with tweezers and not with scissors, and fixed in place very precisely. The handles are made of beech wood and have a beveled end to make it easier to quickly retrieve from your brush stash, and can also be used to help apply false lashes!

The brushes are also categorized by hundreds...
100s: Complexion
200s: Eyes
300s: Lips
400s: Artistic Specially Designed for Professionals (sounds so intimidating!)

The two brushes I have here are the 150 Precision Blush Brush with wavy fibers and 240 Medium Round Shader Brush with straight & wavy fibers.

The 240 Medium Round Shader Brush (straight & wavy) is short and extra-dense used to apply eyeshadow on the upper eyelid, and blend on the entire eyelid. It is recommended to be used with cream and powder eye products. I've been using this with various eyeshadow palettes and it definitely picks up product easily because of the dense bristles. I like it for blending, but I LOVE it for packing colour onto my lid. It makes applying a pigmented base colour quick and easy.

The 150 Precision Blush Brush (wavy) is a slanted brush great for precise sculpting, shading, and highlighting. It's recommended to use with loose and compact powders. Although its named a blush brush, it can be used for anything from blush, bronzer, to highlighting. The possibilities are endless, but it works the best for me as a contouring brush. It easily picks up a lot of product and you only need a light application for noticeable results. This is why I don't use it as a blush brush! I don't typically wear too much blush and with this I end up picking up too much product for my already rosy cheeks! As a contour brush, it is great and super soft.

Yes, I would purchase these brushes and I may just get a few more as a Christmas present to myself! They are the softest brushes that have ever touched my face and are of superior quality than all of my other brushes. They are on quite the pricey side, with the 240 Brush being $32 CAD, and 150 at $46, but then again are very similar in price to other high-end brushes, such as Mac, and feel much more luxurious in return.

You can find these brushes at Sephora stores, online at Sephora.ca, or at any Make Up For Ever Boutique! I'd love to hear your thoughts on these brushes if you have tried any, or any recommendations of which one to get next!

Disclaimer: I received this product for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.

Missed out on the Phillip Lim for Target Collection? Here are Some Affordable Alternatives

What were you doing yesterday morning? I was sound asleep, but many of you fashionistas all over Canada and the US were lined up for the launch of the Phillip Lim for Target Collection at Target! I sadly didn't even know about the collection until I woke up that morning, which of course by then, was already way too late. 

I had never paid much attention to Phillip Lim's designs but spent all day yesterday looking at them. I checked out Kijiji and eBay, and unsurprisingly found tons of resellers of the entire collection. To be honest, I was kind of mad at first, but I realized that you can't really blame the resellers. Target should know that this happens, and if they wanted to, they would offer more stock... especially in places where online shopping is not offered yet, like Canada. Ok so enough of my rambling, I basically spent all evening deciding whether to buy a 300% marked up bag! I decided to wait, and attempted to find lookalikes on the internet. I found quite a few and wanted to share them with you guys that weren't lucky enough to grab a Target one yesterday (which btw, are not real leather!).

1) JustFab Petite Midtown ($40)
The cheapest and my favourite, is this super mini version from JustFab! It comes in both black and red and I just ordered this last night! I'll update how I like it once I receive it! I received it and I love it! It's tiny but enough space for the essentials, although the only downside is no zipper! For Canadians it actually comes out to roughly $52, which is kind of pricey but I had a credit so it was worth it for me. I'd actually prefer this lookalike over the Phillip Lim for Target mini.... JustFab actually had a bigger-sized version of this bag but it isn't currently in stock :(
Ps. please please use my referral link if you aren't already signed up for JustFab and want this bag!

2) Daily Look Zippered Shape Shifting Handbag ($60)
This is my second favourite and the second cheapest! It comes in black and cognac, and is regular sized as opposed to the first one from JustFab. I like that the zippers are on the sides of this bag and you can always add strings to the zipper pulls, to make it look closer to the real thing!
Psst! It be appreciated if you could use my Dailylook referral link as well if you want to sign up!

3) Deena & Ozzy Vegan Leather Winged Tote Bag ($70)
I'm not much of a fan of this one, but I thought it was a good alternative that had silver hardware. Actually, you might have to double check with their CS as I can't really tell if the hardware is silver or gold! The bag itself isn't made of real leather so don't be fooled by the title. Vegan leather is animal-friendly and made out of synthetic material!

4) Zara Trafaluc Messenger Bag with Zips ($70)
I thought this one was pretty basic and classy! It comes in black and multicolour. The multicolour looks pretty interesting on their website, but I do not know if the colour is the same in person! It is made partly of reconstructed leather as well.

5) Zara Leather City Bag with Pocket and Zips ($180)

The most expensive lookalike that I found, but also composed of 100% cow leather. I like how Zara put a bit of a twist on the design and had the zippers only go up the bag halfway. The only drawback is the higher price, but this is also the only real leather lookalike I could find!

Alternatively, if you still want a Phillip Lim for Target bag (which, I don't blame you for! I might even pick up a large taupe one myself if I can) there is always Kijiji for Torontonians and eBay for the rest of the world!

Did you find this post helpful? Are you interested in purchasing any of these bags? Or did you line up for Phillip Lim for Target? What was your experience like?

xox.

Real Techniques Core Collection Review

For months I have been scavenging various Walmart locations, multiple times a week, looking for the Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set. Ever since their appearance in Canada, Walmart has been either low on stock, or sold out. Eventually, there was more stock and I did see the two other sets in Walmart, but the Core Collection was always missing! I was recently given the opportunity to test and review the Core Collection, and I cannot explain how happy I am to finally try them out!

You might be wondering... these brushes have been out for a while now, why are they still sold out everywhere?? Well they only recently were made available in Canada. The three collections: 'Core Collection', 'Travel Essentials', and the 'Eyes Starter Set' are available at Walmart stores. The three collections as well as some individual brushes are available online at FarleyCo, the Canadian distributor of Real Techniques.

If your not wondering that.. then you must be thinking, what is Real Techniques? But the picture may have given that away! Real Techniques is a brush line designed with pro makeup artist Samantha Chapman from Norwich, many of you may know her on Youtube as pixiwoo. 

The brushes are made with taklon bristles which are ultra-plush, with soft fibers, and smoother than most synthetic brushes. They are 100% cruelty free. 

The brushes are hand-cut to fit comfortably in your hand. They are very light, due to the majority of the handle being aluminum, and the bases are flat so they can stand on your countertop, which is a plus if you have a lot of countertop space, or like to be decorative! The smaller brushes don't stand up for me though. In this collection, only the buffing brush stands on its own. Actually, all of the brushes in this collection aren't very large.

I can tell you now... I am absolutely in love with these brushes, and the few other Real Techniques brushes that I own! There are a decent amount of brushes in the collection, and it is my goal to collect them all! ..seriously though.

Buffing Brush: "Use for cream to powder foundation, or a mineral foundation. It can also be used to apply bronzer, blush, and highlighter."

This is my favourite brush in the set! I find it to be quite dense, similar to the expert face brush, also by RT. I mainly use this brush to buff liquid foundation on my face. It does a good job of evening out the foundation on my face, so it looks more natural, and less harsh/caked on. It does such a good job of blending out my foundation that I don't have to use as much product because the bristles have little/quick contact with the foundation, and doesn't cling onto it too much. I do find the expert face brush does a better job of not absorbing too much foundation, but they work very similarly, and I find this brush to be a bit softer. This brush does work well for blush, highlighter, and bronzer if you want a pigmented application. I however, didn't like how the brush picked up powder, especially a loose powder, and with bronzer it definitely isn't for the cheekbones, and more for all-over bronzer.

Pointed Foundation Brush: "For liquid foundation, and concealer under the eyes."

This brush is way too small for me to use with liquid foundation. It is actually my most unfavourable brush in the collection because I really only have one use for it. I use it for under-eye concealer. When I first tried it out I found it to apply quite streaky.. then I tried a dabbing technique, and my results were much better and it gave me so much more coverage. It is soft and flexible but I wouldn't recommend this for all over foundation. Aside from concealing under the eyes, it could also be good for concealing blemishes.

Detailer Brush: "Precision cut for concealer, under-eye concealer, or to define lips with lipstick."

This is the thinnest and tiniest brush ever! It's probably able half the size of typical eyeshadow brushes. If it weren't for the orange handle it would get lost in all of my other brushes. At first I thought, this is so tiny what could I possibly use this for? It's too time consuming for concealing under the eyes, although it can be good for spot concealing. I found it to work best for fixing and concealing precise areas on the face, such as the sides of the nose, and corners of my eyes. I also really like it for applying primer on my lower lashline. Because the brush is so small I don't have to worry about putting the primer too far below my lower lashline. I usually use Nyx Jumbo Pencil in Milk for priming my lower lashline, and I can use this to blend it out so the shadow goes on evenly. It works well for brightening the inner corners with eyeshadow as well, but I noticed a bit of fallout and don't love it for eyeshadow. 

Contour Brush: "With bronzer to define the cheekbone, contour the crease above the eyes, for highlighter."

I love this brush for contouring the cheekbones and I almost regret buying a $40+ Mac brush for that purpose! I find this one so much easier to contour with; it places nicely underneath the cheekbone and blends easily. I was scared to use this at first because of the shape, but it ended up being easier than my Mac 109 (contour) brush because of the smaller size and ability to fit in the hollows of my cheek. I haven't used any other brush for defining my cheekbones since trying out this one.

I didn't really mention that all of the Brush Sets come with a panoramic case, which they fit snugly into. Maybe a little too snug.. I chip nail polish while trying to slide these brushes in!! It is a great accessory, and I love that it is quite innovative.. meaning you can fold/open the case to have it stand/lay flat, but it's not necessary for me. If I am bringing brushes with me, I am going to bring a lot more than what can fit in this case! EDIT: Over a year later, and I notice this post is still pretty popular. I am still totally in love with these brushes and use the Buffing Brush very often. Just wanted to update, I still feel they are worth it :)

If you are interested in these brushes but need visual tutorials on how to use them, Samantha has tutorials on all her brushes on the official Real Techniques website.

The prices of these brushes are very reasonable to me, I don't think you can get quality even close to this for any cheaper.. any cheaper and you'd be looking at brushes from the dollar store. This set is roughly $20 give or take.. that is basically $5 a brush! I would definitely recommend this set. I don't think I have a Real Techniques brush that I don't like (I currently have 10 including these so 5 that aren't pictured here.) As I mentioned before, they can be bought in Canada at Walmart stores, or FarleyCo, in the US at Ulta.

Have you used Real Techniques? Do you have any RT brush recommendations? What'd you think of this set?

Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions stated are my own and not influenced by any affiliates.