Saturday, June 15, 2013

Tory Burch Reva Flats | Review

*Note: This post was originally written on Jan 7, 2012 on my old blog (loveformakeup.com). I am transferring the content here. 

Tory Burch Revas (shown above) and Caroline flats (shown below)

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Money saving tip: Ebates cashback program is currently celebrating their 15th year anniversary & offering 15%+ cash back for a lot of retailers, including Nordstrom.com (15% cash back for a limited time). This is a great opportunity to snag a pair of TB flats at a discount!  If you don't already have an Ebates account, you can sign up free here -- they have so many different retailers! I have used them for years to save a lot of $$$ via cash back.
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Okay, now on to the review!

I have been wanting a pair of Tory Burch Reva flats for over a year now, but was never able to justify the retail price for these flats. Recently my friend (thanks, Alina!) was able to get a pair of Revas from Bloomingdale’s at a discounted price through promo codes/cash back — so I am finally an owner of a pair of the ever-so-loved Revas.  Here is my review, personal opinion, and break in experience with these flats.
Overall personal opinion:(This is a wordy post, but I wanted to have the information here for those who are seeking details; if you just want a quick overview, read this section and skip the rest)
I honestly do not feel the classic leather Reva flats are worth their full retail price of $195.  Don’t get me wrong, though — these are a great pair of flats and I like mine a lot, but I just think it’s best to wait for a sale. If you don’t mind paying extra $$$ for the brand I’d definitely recommend these. If you are purely looking for comfortable yet stylish flats, you can definitely find other flats at a small fraction of this price that will give you the same general look (minus the logo, of course) and quality of leather.
If you are unsure if you want to buy these flats, I would recommend you:
(1) Wait for a sale!
(2) Try them on in stores first to get an idea of the fit on your feet
(3) Buy from a store/site with a good return policy (in case they don’t fit the way you like)
* more details described below *
Look/Style: The Reva flats are a great classic flat to add to a woman’s shoe collection. These flats are simple, yet chic; they’re great for casual-wear or the office, yet still appropriate for a more formal outfit. The Tory Burch emblem logo at the front of the flats give the otherwise plain flat an elegant and unique touch. With that said, take away the Tory Burch logo and this would almost look just like any ordinary flat.

For my first pair, I went with the classic black leather flat with the gold emblem for ease of outfit pairings. There are many colors, textures, and prints available to choose from. See the Reva styles here.
Comfort/Fit: When it comes to shoes, some women shop for comfort while others shop for style. I, personally, shop for comfort above style — but of course it’s a plus to have a pair of shoes that are super comfortable and stylish. Keep in mind that shoe comfort is individualized to each person’s foot shape/type, I’m just sharing my personal experience with these flats (your experience may be completely different).
I would consider my feet to be more on the wide side, and because of my wider feet, I tend to size up for heels/flats to accommodate for comfort and utilize heel grips to account for the extra space length-wise. Another reason why I usually size up is because I have slight bunions and tailors bunions (a tailors bunion is when the bone at the base of your pinky toe sticks out a bit).
With that said, these Reva flats don’t fit 100% comfortably on my feet (yet?). I’ve owned them for 1 month now and have pretty much worn them 4-5 days each week. I expected the back elastic to dig into/irritate my heel, however, it did not ever bother me at all. The first week of wear was extremely uncomfortable because the front part was really tight around my pinky toe, right where my tailors bunion is (see red circle on image below). When I wasn’t wearing my flats, I stuffed them with tightly crinkled up paper to keep the flats stretched out.

I noticed that with each week of wear, the flats felt less and less uncomfortable.  The leather is very soft, and stretches to fit your foot (to a certain extent) with continuous wear.  At 1 month, these leather Revas have gotten significantly more comfortable and wearable. I can walk around without any discomfort for a few hours, however, if I need to constantly walk around for 3+ hours, I would start feeling discomfort at the pinky toe area. The sole of the flat is not too thin, however, it also does not provide much support/cushion.
I usually wear US size 8.5-9 in heels/flats — I bought these Revas in 8.5 and they fit well. I did not have to size up because the elastic at the back keeps my heel in while walking.
Durability: I can’t say too much in this department yet because I’ve only owned them for 1 month. I can already tell the Tory Burch emblem logo on the front of the flat is well secured and sturdy. The leather is soft, however, it is easily scratched/scuffed — so don’t go kicking any rocks ;]


* * *  UPDATE:  * * *
After owning these flats for over a year, I have to say they don’t wear well with time. The leather is soft, however, it scuffs SO easily! Mine are scuffed and parts of the leather have worn off and look like a dark gray rather than black. For the retail price — they should definitely hold up better.  Moreover, they still are not 100% comfortable for my feet. I love the look/style, but unfortunately I only wear them when I know I don’t have to do a lot of walking (aka to the office where I sit at a desk). It’s safe to say I probably will not be re-purchasing another pair of Reva flats unless they are steeply discounted.
On the other hand , I do own a pair of Tory Burch Caroline flats which are FAR more comfortable for my foot type. I still wouldn’t buy them at full retail price since they don’t provide as much support as I’d like. (see my full Caroline flat review here).
Retail price for Reva flats: $195-$235 (depends on the style/print of the reva flats)
More photos:
The bottom of the flats are covered with the Tory Burch logo:

worn:

side view:


Tell me about your Tory Burch Reva break-in experience! I’m curious to know how long it took everyone to break theirs in. I’ve read on forums that for some people it only takes 2-3 wears, and for others it takes weeks. Share your opinion by leaving a comment or linking your blog post in the comment section.

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I truly hope this was a helpful post for those of you who are deciding on whether or not you want to bit the bullet and pay retail price for these flats!

Makeup Brush Holder | DIY

*Note: This post was originally written on Jul 8, 2011 on my old blog (loveformakeup.com). I am transferring the content here. 





Woohoo, I finally got around to making a makeup brush holder! For the longest time I was keeping my makeup brushes in ugly cylindrical pencil holders or in makeup bags.
I’m sure most of you have seen the way Sephora & other beauty stores display their brushes: stuck in a vase-like glass container filled with tiny, round, crystal beads. You can buy those crystal beads online or in craft stores. Popularly used beads are called “colorfill vase filler”. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the vase-filler at the craft stores around me, and I didn’t want to order online since shipping was pricey.
Materials I used:
- Square glass vases ($2.49 each @ IKEA)
- Rice
- Satin ribbon ($1.97 for 12 ft @ Walmart)
- Sewing needle & thread
- Krazy Glue
Simple steps:
- Create the bow (I made 2 simple bows, overlapped them, sewed them together)
- Use a long strip of ribbon to wrap around the vase
Optional:
- Fold ribbon in half (I personally think a thinner ribbon looks better)
- Iron the folded ribbon for a crisp edge

- Super glue the bows on top of the ribbon that is wrapped around the vase
- Pour in rice (or vase filler)
Done!
More photos:
Purple Satin Ribbon I used (width: 1 1/2”):

Made 2 of these simple bows and sewed over one another:

Bow close-up:


Side view:


ENJOY :)


How To Whiten Your Teeth At Home

*Note: This post was originally written on Feb 13, 2011 on my old blog (loveformakeup.com). I am transferring the content here. 


I have been getting many questions on YouTube regarding how I whiten my teeth. I figured since it’s such a FAQ, I will write a post about how I whiten my teeth.
Disclaimer: You should always consult your dentist before trying any new products on your teeth–especially if they are sensitive.  I am sharing my personal experience with teeth whitening solely for your reference.
Just FYI: I only whiten my upper row of teeth. I have never whitened the bottom row of teeth simply because I have a huge overbite and when I smile, very little bottom teeth can be seen. It saves me money not whitening the bottom row of teeth!
I buy my white strips on sale from drugstores like Rite Aid and CVS and they are usually around $30; however, they're sold for far cheaper on sites like Amazon.
My Teeth Whitening Personal History:
I first started whitening my teeth a little over 2 years ago using Crest White Strips.
I used the Crest Whitestrips Classic:
I was compliant in using the strips the first time around. I used the strips as directed: 2 strips a day (30 min. each strip) for 14 days.  I remember noticing a brightening/whitening of my teeth after just 5 days (just as the packaging claims). After a week my teeth where very white, but I continued with the 14 day course. I was very happy with the results and other people noticed my whiter teeth as well.
My teeth stayed white for a long time (probably about a year); but I do drink a lot of coffee and tea. So after some time I felt my teeth were less bright, so I used more strips to use.  I would consider this “touch up whitening”.
For touch-up whitening, I do not use the strips for the full course. I kind of got lazy and only used 1 or 2 strips for 3-5 days every so often (every 3-6 months). I found that this still works.
I bought the Crest 3D White Whitestrip Vivid because it was on sale. I honestly didn’t see any difference between the Vivid and the Classic kind.


These are pretty easy to apply; just follow the directions :]
Tips on applying the white strips:* Press the strips tightly to your teeth. Make sure there are no air spaces. This helps prevent the strips from slipping off prematurely.
* Do not have the strip touch your gums. I know these strips may be too big for some people’s teeth, but if you are going to have any part of the strip touching anything other than your teeth, have it touch the hard palette. I find the gums are more sensitive.
* Wipe any excess “gel” away.  When you press the strips tightly to your teeth, some of the whitening “gel” may squeeze out. This stuff makes you salivate and that will cause the strip to fall off. So just gently wipe the excess gel away with your finger.
Here is a photo of my teeth. Like I mentioned in the beginning of the post, I have only whitened my upper row of teeth and have never whitened the bottom. You can tell the bottom is not as bright.



My “natural” smile doesn’t reveal any of my bottom teeth anyway:

Happy Teeth Whitening!



Revlon Lipstick Allergy

*Note: This post was originally written on Jan 18, 2011 on my old blog (loveformakeup.com). I am transferring the content here. 





I’m allergic/intolerant to shellfish and mangos… but makeup products? Nooooooo.
I think I’m allergic to the Revlon Colorburst lipstick :[
I own the color "Soft Nude" and the first time I wore it, I didn't have any reaction. The second time I wore it, my lip felt a bit weird but there were only a few small bumps and I thought nothing of it. The third time (I reapplied it multiple times that night), my lips broke out in hives and were swollen the next day. The reaction subsided after  ~1.5 days.
First it felt tingly, then small bumps appeared and it was kind of itchy.  I also used Revlon's Super Lustrous Lip Gloss over it and I think I may have used ELF's super glossy lip shine that day as well.  But I re-tried all those products again and it never made my lip break out in hives.   I am planning to try the lipstick one more time to confirm my allergy because I refuse to believe that it was the cause of my hives!

I love the color so much :[

I know the color is very nude and doesn’t compliment all skin tones. It is too nude for me to wear alone, but you can just use a pink gloss over it to give your lips a little bit more color. Here are photos where I wore Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in “Pink Whisper” over it:

I know there are a lot of dupes out there, but this was a great color, worked well, nice packaging, and it was affordable.  Do any of you have any suggestions of dupes?


Friday, June 14, 2013

A Quick Snack Food Favorite



One of my favorite snacks: cottage cheese + apples + granola bunches
I know, I know — COTTAGE CHEESE!  Most people automatically assume cottage cheese is gross because it’s chunky and curd-like (haha!). I will agree that it doesn’t look appetizing, but I love snacking on this stuff!  I won’t eat it alone, but it is quite delicious if you pair it with the right compliments.
Cottage cheese is very healthy; it’s low in fat and carbs, but packed with protein and calcium!

What you need:


  • 1 apple  (use a sweet apple like Fuji or Golden Delicious; avoid sour green apples
  • 1 cup of cottage cheese (I use non or low-fat, but 2% will taste better
  • 1/4 cup of granola (I use Just Bunches, but any granola will do)

Preparation:
 * Peel (optional) & dice the apple  * Scoop some cottage cheese on top of your diced apples * Sprinkle some granola on top of the cottage cheese and apples * Eat & enjoy!

Of course if you’re a cottage cheese virgin, you may want to begin by using less cottage cheese and more of the tasty apple and/or granola.  Tailor it to your satisfaction!
Cottage cheese is also very omnomnom with peanut butter.
Give it a try ;]

Smashbox Luminizing Lotion | Review


I’ve been using the Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion for over a year now and I’m down to only a few more drops left :( . I absolutely love this highlighter — it’s definitely a must-have product for me. I’ve tried some other highlighters (Benefit High/Moonbeam, Josie Maran illuminizer, NARS illuminator) and this Smashbox one is still my favorite.  Sometimes I will use powder highlighters — but because I have dry skin, liquid/cream highlighters work best for me.
The Smashbox Luminizing Lotion is available in 3 different shades: diffuse (light, pearly color), flash (irridescent pink), and glow (a deep, warm, golden bronze). I am around an NC25-30 in MAC foundation shades and the color “flash” suites my skin tone the best.
Read on for some pros/cons and photos:
Pros:
  • extremely natural/dewy glow
  • not overly frosty or glittery
  • instantly brightens my face, making me look more awake/healthy
  • works great for all occassions: day, night, flash photography!
  • a little bit goes a long way (I just use a small drop to each cheekbone)
  • easy to blend (I apply this using my fingertips with clean hands; you can also use a small brush)
  • absorbs quickly
  • non-greasy
  • long-lasting (all day! It even holds up in humid/hot weather)
  • may be worn alone or on top of foundation
    The label suggests mixing with foundation, too; however, I personally don’t use it this way because I only want to highlight certain areas of my face. Since the color “flash” has a slight pink tint to it, I only use it on my cheekbones.
  • has a pump (more sanitary application) 
Cons:
  • price: 0.7 oz for $27  <– this is totally worth it for me, though!
    However, because you only need a little, this one bottle will last a long time!
    I use mine most days of the week and my 1 bottle lasted me 1.5 years! :D
  • the black coating around the pump starts peeling off after a few months (see photo below)
    this really bothers me because some of the black will flake off and can get on your hands/face.
  • the color “flash” has a slight pink tint to it, so it may not be the best for highlighting the bridge of your nose/forehead/cupid’s bow

Photos:
This is what a fresh bottle from the box looks like:

Here is the black flaking off the pump:
(an how much I have left after 1.5 years of routine use)

Swatch:

Some photos of me when wearing the luminizing lotion on my cheeks:

Overall, the Smashbox Artifical Light Luminizing Lotion is the best highlighter I’ve tried thusfar!
I will definitely be repurchasing another bottle soon! :)
What is your favorite face highlighter?


Greetings!

Hi! I'm Lisa and welcome to my new blog!

BeLinspired will be a lifestyle blog consisting of posts ranging from makeup/skincare, fashion, fitness, DIYs, good eats,  & just random inspirations that make me love life that much more. 

A little bit about me? I love shopping and searching for great deals, trying new products (especially makeup/skincare), enjoying good eats, pushing myself to stay fit, experimenting with do-it-yourself projects, and discovering life's nifty tips & tricks. 

I hope you'll follow me on my journey in discovering life's inspirations; my hope is that you will be Linspired along the way.