Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick (Make It Happen)

This is a twisty crayon lipstick in an intense flattering rich. I love the pencil concept as application and outlining are precise using minimum product. It has a matte velvety texture on the lips and dries very quickly so I don't have the feeling of having any lipstick on. It does not last as much as the long lasting lipstick by the same brand, which last me all day long even after eating. This one does not last after eating but it lasts more than other lipsticks I own.

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Spiral-Bound 140lb/300gsm Cold-pressed Watercolour paper pad (26.5x26.5 cm, 20 sheet)

This large-ish pad is not only affordable and good looking but, most importantly, it has a terrific smooth watercolour paper. I've used it with Posca pens, collage, acrylic paints, water soluble materials, and stands most media without any gesso layer. Needless to say, I gesso the pages when I want to make sure that I can rub or lightly scratch the surface of my paintings. Acrylic inks will bleed if the pages are not gessoed.

 

I've  tried many watercolour pads and art journals as sketchbook, and this one is at the top of my list due to its quality and price. The only downside is the fact that I cannot open the spiral rings, which is a bit of an annoyance as I'd like to do that to work on each sheet individually without worrying about how to protect the pad from staining. Yet, I've found my way, and this is still a great sketchbook pad for watercolour, water-soluble media and acrylic paints of different viscosity.  

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Magic Ants Pop-UP Card, Sunflowers Bouquet

This is a large pop-up beautiful card, that sits flat in the envelope but becomes 3D and stands upright on its 'vase' when unfolded. It unfolds easily and fully with no effort. It is very cheery and girly. I consider this perfect for any sort of celebration e.g. I can use it for birthdays, mother's day, and to congratulate coworkers at my workplace, where plants are not allowed. It comes with a stand-alone beautiful note to write your message so the bouquet is not ruined. Even the envelope is beautiful. The size is about 8x8in.

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Generic Bottle & Can Opener (5.8x2.1cm)

II grew up with this kind of can opener, and having used anything that has come out in the market, this is still my preferred type of can opener as it occupies no space in my kitchen drawers and it's easy to operate.  It is two for one, as one edge is he can opener and the other is a bottle opener.

I didn't notice the dimensions when I ordered the item, so I was disappointed when I got the product and noticed that it is too small for my small hands. It looks like made for children or as a pocket tool. Easy to carry for camping, excursions, travelling and general use at home. Average metal, not stainless steel, but I was not expecting this for the price. It would have been great if it was a bit larger. 

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Liquitex Freestyle Professional Large-Scale Brush, Paddle 2-inch

This range of paddle brushes is quite expensive, so I was delighted to see this 2in paddle brush heavily discounted during Prime Day. I had high expectations due to the brand and the price tag, and I was not disappointed. The paddle is quite light, easy to handle and moves naturally with  the movement of my hand. The hairs are not too stiff or too soft, so the brush does not deform but it is flexible enough. This paddle works wonderfully for blending colours and for spreading paint uniformly. I use it with acrylic paint and it  washes easily with water and beauty soap. A great brush, but expensive.

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Derwent XL Charcoal Drawing Water-Soluble Blocks, Set Of 6

I bought this sought-after set during one of the Prime Days offers last year, quite discounted to my delight. As the box was sent from Amazon UK, it reached my place with one of the blocks halved and partially shattered, which resulted in the staining of the white block. The box was sealed, but not properly protected either with bubble wrap or protective textured paper.  

The blocks are really yummy to use. They are almost creamy and the pigmented ones have rich yummy earthy colours. These are water soluble, so they can be used as watercolours. They are not permanent, so I use matt/gloss medium or fixative when I don't want the marks to smudge. Sometimes, the fun is in the smudging as the mixing of the pigment with other media creates wonderful textures, effects and depth. They're fun to play with but have a professional quality. 

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Paul Rubens Hot-Pressed 50%-Cotton 300gsm Watercolor Journal (Pink, 5.2’’ x 3.8’’)

This is the second small journal I buy from this brand. I reviewed a slightly different journal in the past. This version has some of the design deficiencies I criticised in the other version sorted out.

The most important thing is that this journal has a wonderful thick smooth watercolour paper that is great for both watercolour and mixed media. I always gesso my pages with either white or transparent gesso, which protects the paper, gives it some tooth and allows me to apply wet media or scratch the paper a bit without any worry.
 
The satin pink cover is really pretty and girly; not the best quality but befitting the price.  I'm happy that this journal does not have the awkward inner pocket the other has because the journal opens/closes more naturally. The journal comes with the promised elastic band, which is necessary to keep all the sheets together once they've all been torn apart.
 
The main downside is that the dotted tearing indentation is not consistent throughout the journal pages, and some of them are badly punctured. That being the case, the tearing is not always clean and neat.
 
For the rest, a great mini journal for experimenting, doing small paintings or just as a travel sketchbook. The separated pages make great postcards too.

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