All posts by Laytee Samida

LINK-END ROUND-UP: May 15, 2020

Stained Couture’s weekly series, Link-End Round-Up, features interesting reads I read from around the internet this week.

LINK-END ROUND-UP: May 15, 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

Happy Fri…SUNDAY! So, funny story, I forgot I didn’t publish this/last week’s LERU post. Aren’t I hilarious? It wasn’t until I was finishing putting up my clean laundry and new hangers that I couldn’t remember if I hit published or not. So, once I finished up my mini spring cleaning frenzy, I’,m here to share the posts that I enjoyed reading last week.

Speaking of last week, it was another week of feeling like things are getting back to “normal”. Of course, the new normal includes getting weird looks when you don’t have a face mask, but people are getting out more. This is due to more businesses and restaurants opening up, but life is coming back to the world – at 6ft difference from others.

Although I’m still being super cautious and weary about the openings, it’s nice to see more people. Again, I’m sorry to the late post, but I’m still working on getting my consistency back. More small steps. Enjoy the reads in this week’s Link-End Round-Up.

LINK-END ROUND-UP: May 15, 2020

  • Are you falling out of love? Here’s how to tell – Psychology Today
  • Farewell to the friendly cheek kiss. Good riddance. – New York Times
  • Why Wednesdays are the new Mondays thanks to quarantine- Refinery 29
  • Have you added “joy triggers” to your vocabulary? Well, you should – Cupcakes & Cashmere
  • How to tell the difference if your skin is purging or breaking out, according to a dermatologist – Brydie
  • A guide for picking a face mask to wear to grocery store and everywhere else for the rest of lives – Kitchn
  • I’ve been wanting to add some character to my bland bathroom. These cool bath mats are a great place to start – The Stripe
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EMPTIES: March AND April 2020

EMPTIES: March AND April 2020

EMPTIES; March 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

Since I didn’t post last month, I missed posting about the products I used up in March. Now, that we’re in May, the products I used up in April is due, too. I didn’t use up that many products in March, because that’s when the world started to lockdown. So, I was very lax with my appearance for awhile, but I did try every now and then. Therfore, I’m going to combine the two in this post, because why not. Keep reading to see the products that I used up over the last couple of months.

EMPTIES: March 2020

One of the first products I used up was an essential oil for stress from Bath and Body Works. Pre-Corona, I used this oil after showering and before bed. However, after we reached pandemic mode, I was looking for all the ways to help me relax. Did this help me relax? Not sure, but it did help calm me down to fall asleep. I also used up another tube of Revlon Lip Sugar balm and I need to pick another one up.

Earlier this year, Fenty Beauty released an eyebrow pencil. The only thing about this pencil that made me buy this pencil was the mini paddle brush on the end. The brush was good, but only for a few uses. The brush collected a lot of buildup and the pencil itself was just okay. So, I doubt I buy this again.

The next product I used up was another Mario Badescu toner – Aloe lotion. I bought this toner, because it was soothing. I did like this toner and would buy it again, but it wouldn’t be at the top of my favorite toners. Still, I would buy it again.

I finally tried and used up Ouai’s Super Dry Shampoo. I’ve really enjoyed the Ouai products I’ve used so far – a little pricey, though. This dry shampoo made my hair feel super dry. So, if you have dry/thick/over-processed  hair, I wouldn’t recommend this for your hair.  Yet, it did an amazing job removing excess oil from my hair while giving it extra texture. Please note that Ouai products are very fragrant, which you might hate if you have a sensitive nose. I love it, though! I do plan to buy this again, but in the mini sizes.

EMPTIES: April 2020

EMPTIES: April 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

Once I survived March, I decided to try to get back to normal in April. My favorite product that I used up was, hands down, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm. I’d heard good things about Elemis cleansing balms and bought the small jar of the rose balm. I loved this balm! It melted into my skin and effortlessly removed my makeup with a warm washcloth. Plus, it smells like roses – my favorite scent. I would and will totally buy this again!

One of the first Mario Badescu products I ever used was the Enzyme Cleansing Gel. However, that was many, many years ago, at this point. I’ve been wanting to see if my almost 40-years-old skin loved it as much as my almost 30 years-old-skin. So, I picked up a travel-size bottle to see if it still sent me and it did. This really is a great gentle cleanser for all skin types, especially oily skin. It’s a gel cleanser, which means it doesn’t make your skin feel stripped after cleansing. Instead, it leaves your skin feel clean and refreshed. I’m so glad that I decide to try this out again, because I will totally buy this again.

I used to be a hardcore The Ordinary fan, because the price point and results were amazing. However, they have more competition with more options. However, when I saw this bottle of their infamous “Buffet” in Ulta, I decided to give it a try. Yeah, this was a bust for my skin. It was okay, but I didn’t notice any results. I think this serum would be great for a person with normal skin that wants to maintain it. However, combination/aging skin, it was a bust.

What was your favorite product that you recently used up?

 

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LINK-END ROUND-UP: May 8, 2020

Stained Couture’s weekly series, Link-End Round-Up, features interesting reads I read from around the internet this week.

LINK-END ROUND-UP: May 08, 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

Yep, I’m back! As you can see, I’m slowly getting back to posting. I will I can go from 0 to 3-4 posts a week, but I can’t. Honestly, I still have a job where I go to everyday and I still spend my weekends catching on things I missed during the week.

This past week, I tapped into my love of zoning out. I usually look forward to going home – it’s actually one of my favorite things to do. However, this week, I would come home, remove my makeup, make me a margarita, and select one of my Tidal playlists. Last week, I was into my “Vibes” playlist, which is mostly current pop and rap hits mostly discovered via TikTok. However, this week, I was feeling very nostalgic and played throwbacks and bedroom tunes. It’s been great and has helped me start to get back into civilization – kinda.

Let’ get into this week’s Link-End Round-Up. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but I love doing Link-End Round-Up. It’s one of my favorite posts to do and for a number of reasons. However, one of my favorite reasons is because I love reading and sharing fun, interesting, and weird things I’ve read recently. This week’s reads hits all of those and then some.

LINK-END ROUND-UP: May 8, 2020

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LUST-HAVE LIST: May 2020

May 2020 Lust-Have List

LUST-HAVE LIST: May 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

According to my calendar, it’s May 2020 and I believe it. April was definitely a odd month, because it was blur of confusion and reflection for me. You may have noticed I rarely posted last month, which was hard. However, I needed to take out the pressure creating content and focus that energy on my mental state. I tried post, but the creativity wasn’t flowing and that’s perfectly okay.

Although I’m not sure if or when I’ll pick up a regular blogging schedule, why not start with the May 2020 Lust-Have List.

LUST-HAVE LIST: May 2020

  • Puff Sleeve Ruffle Hem Wrap Dress – Personally, I don’t think I can own too many dresses. However, I can, because I rarely wear them. Still, when I do, they look very similar to this dress. I live for a cute wrap dress with feminine details.
  • Flat Fur Slide Sandal – A cute slide with a simple fur detail? Sign me up. They come in pink, mint, and nude. I want them all, but going to go the safe route.
  • Fenty Beauty Daiquiri Dip Cream Blush – Fenty Beauty just released their new cream blushes. I love red blushes and the Daiquiri Dip option looks perfect!
  • Pastel Faux Python Tote – I tend to go for pastels more in the spring than summer. Unfortunately,we didn’t get to enjoy spring this year, but the faux python will be make this bag work for summer, too.
  • BaubleBar x OMC iPhone Case – I finally made the switch from team Galaxy to team iPhone. Still not getting the hype, but everyone is telling me it will happen. One thing that has made me happy about the switch are these super cool cases from Bauble Bar x OMC. A neon phone case that I can put my absurd initials on is the vibe I want for Summer 2020. I mean, why not – other than the $78 price tag?!

 

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LUST-HAVE LIST: April 2020

April 2020 Lust-Have List

LUST-HAVE LIST: April 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

Honestly, the things that I mainly are the products my nail tech uses to do my nails. Unfortunately, I need a professional license to buy most of them and they aren’t cheap. Oh, and full of links to the gambit of face masks that everyone is making now, which is amazing. So, I decided to share some other products that you may interest you, too.

Actually, I’ve been very good on spending, but mostly buying groceries. Plus, I really haven’t been wanting much, because there is nowhere to go while looking cute. So, most of the things I want this month are things to hold me up while I wait for my hair stylist and nail tech to get off government punishment.

LUST-HAVE LIST: April 2020

  • Reformation Open Back Side Slit Dress – Although, I don’t have anywhere to wear this dress, it’s going to be perfect for late Spring and Summer. That slit, though?! Love it. BONUS: It comes in regular and plus size!
  • UGG Oh Yeah Slippers – I was never into these UGG slippers when I first saw them a couple of years, ago. However, these have become the unofficial lifestyle blogger quarantine house shoe. The more I’ve seen them, the more I want a pair in coral. I feel like I’m going to treat myself to these when I get paid.
  • Color Depositing Mask in Bordeaux– I don’t think I ever shared over here, but I got my hair dyed a red/auburn color 2 weeks before the world shutdown. Of course, my hair has been growing like crazy since then and I can’t go get it retouched. I saw these color depositing masks and think they may be able to hold me up. because they are temporary. I’m going to ask my hair master first, but I hope she says I can try it. *fingers crossed*
  • Niacinamide Gel Cream – My aging and sometimes acne-prone skin needs to add Niacinamide back to my routine. I usually use this ingredient via a serum. However, I saw it comes in gel cream formula, which will be great when my skin becomes more oily in the summer. Plus, it only costs $20!

What’s one thing self-care item that you would like to get this month? Share below.

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