9/25/2022

Mavala Switzerland Mini Nail Polish Baghdad, 5 ml

I've bought Mavala mini nail polishes before and I love the travel size and the quality of the product. However, this item has been a great disappointment. To start with, the photo is misleading as the colour is not orange but an orange-ish pink (see my photo); most importantly, the colour is quite translucent and, even if I use two coats, the results are quite neutral. If I had been looking for a neutral pink I might have been happy with this colour and texture, but I was looking for an opaque orange as per the colour in the photo and I got neither.

Umisu 6 Rolls Washi Tape Journal Paper Tape Vintage

This is a beautiful selection of antique/vintage inspired tapes in different widths and printing motifs. The prints are neat and good quality. These rolls are a great addition to some of my mixed media projects. I tend to add matte gel medium to the top once in the artwork just to secure their position as they're low tack and can be lifted/removed easily. The main downside is that they're a bit pricey

Comiart Feather Wire Texture + Pro Needle Detail Tools

I don't use these for sculpture but for my mixed media artwork. I paint on thick watercolour paper, so I can use these without a problem to make marks, but minding the pressure I put as they can be quite 'abrasive' on the paper. Both tools are made of good quality metal. The needle tool comes with a protection cap, which is needed as it's really pointy and I could harm myself if I placed it in my pen holder without any protection. I wish the fan tool came with a cap and the 'hairs' were a bit more flexible. Overall, a good must-have set for abstract painting

Cenovis St John’s Wort, 60 Tablets

This is an amazing product that I've used for years during periods of great work stress, grieving, and personal relationship upheavals that affect my mood. St John's Wort is scientifically proven to treat mild anxiety and depression (I actually researched this before I took it for the first time, because I don't trust just the cover of any supplement). I take this occasionally, so I don't consider this a medication, but a short-term solution when I cannot mentally or emotionally cope with tough life situations and taking into account that I don't suffer from any psychological illness. I usually take 2 tablets a day for a couple of weeks and it's enough for me. The longest I've taken this is a for a month. I usually see results quite rapidly, in a week, and my anxiety and negative thoughts calm down and I see an improvement. Unlike friends/family that have used this, I don't get sleepy, so I take it usually in the mornings. This is a must-have in my fist-aid kit.

Kaisercraft KC035 Kaiser Colour Acrylic Paint, Eggshell

This an acrylic directed to crafters not painters, but I wish it had professional quality because this is one of my fav neutral colours ever. The colour is like a super-light neutral grey. I use it on its own, and I love it as it is or mixed with other neutrals. This is a flow acrylic, therefore low viscosity, and a bit liquid. I wish the brand specified this on the package. The price is amazing for a large amount of product. The tap is quite mediocre as it has no screw stop; also, it's too small to use it to keep the tube vertically. This being the case, the tube cannot be stored vertically but horizontally, which multiplies the chances of getting paint spilled. . For the rest a great product for the price.

9/17/2022

MOR Boutique Little Luxuries Lychee Flower Hand Cream 50ml

This is a wonderful lychee-flower scented hand cream with a long-lasting scent that can be used as everyday perfume. It has a semi-liquid texture, so it absorbs well and quickly. It's very moisturising. and it doesn't leave a greasy residue; after using it, my skin feels velvety. The packaging is lovely and luxurious, as well.

The main problem with the cream, to me, is that the scent is overwhelming; it masks my perfume, and it gets to my nose and throat lingering there for too long. The cream is moisturising but not enough to fix my very dry hands issues; said differently, moisturising level is medium. Besides, the back of the tube has the description and ingredients list in a very small gold lettering, so there is barely any contrast against the pink background and it cannot be read without a magnifying glass. I won't buy it again.

9/11/2022

Meeden Flat Paint Brushes Set Short Handle, 7-Piece

I've had this set for a few months already and use all the brushes on a weekly basis. This set has a good selection of flat sizes. I especially love the two smallest ones, but all of them are good. The flat shape is wonderful for most painting purposes. I tend to leave the brushes in water for a long time, and the handle and ferrule haven't been affected or deteriorated. The synthetic hair perfectly stands all the acrylic paints I use (heavy body, flow and high flow) and the hair recovers its shape easily once it is cleaned. I clean them with hand soap and water under the tap when they're really stained, and they wash beautifully. The only downside is that the hairs are not as flexible as I'd like to, but, for the price, they're great and beautifully designed.