Online Shopping Revisited

My second ever post was one in which I rambled about online shopping. Today I thought I would revisit the realms of online shopping, providing some hints on how to tackle the possibly dangerous world of virtual retail. Now, I will not address any actual threat to your life (though keeping personal details online safe is very important), rather I will protect the balance of your bank account, and your guilty conscious from “treating” yourself. Pen and paper at the ready (or Word document open), here are my tips that I have learnt by engaging in a little too much online shopping:

1. Where possible, look at the pictures online of the garment in other colours. Often the piece that you want may be in black, which can be hard to see the detail in on a screen. If you look at the same item in blue, however, you are able to see the detail in the fabric and the design. It is amazing how many times I have thought a black dress had a solid design, but when looking at another colour there are all kinds of seams and textures that were not visible in black. This tip is perhaps mostly applicable to websites such as Missguided and even Asos’ own brand, where one style of clothing is repeated in various colours. 

2. Always look at any customer reviews. Often similar comments are repeated, which can truly tell you the overall appraisal of an item of clothing. For example, if various customers commented that something took three weeks to ship, it is a warning that shipping may be long. On some websites, however, customers can earn reward points for commenting on an item, so try and avoid any comments that appear as if the person has never actually purchased the piece of clothing. You can usually also find a rating scale which customers can rate the fabric quality, the fit, the colour and many other important characteristics. 

3. Sign up to the mailing list for online shopping websites. There is no reason to pay full price as there are always codes for 20% off, an extra 10% off sale and so on. Many people complain about the amount of websites they have signed up to (I know firsthand as I work in retail myself!), but I once read a tip somewhere to create a mail account dedicated only to emails from websites. For example, you can have your personal account or work email, and then an email account that you use when signing up to mailing lists. Checking in a couple times a week will ensure you never miss out on the closing date of a coupon code.

4. Don’t buy an item based solely on the colour. I know how hard this is to do when the colour on screen just looks so beautiful, but more often than not the colour does not translate in reality. I have been disappointed more than once lusting over the colour of a certain top or skirt, only for it to arrive and look much different to what it did on screen. Instead, focusing on the tailoring and the expected fit of an item will ensure you will actually wear it, rather than merely liking the way it looks in your wardrobe.

5. Don’t obsess and impatiently wait for the mail to arrive. If you attempt to consciously forget about the pending mail, you will be pleasantly surprised when it arrives. Sometimes I even stop myself from looking at the postage information slip, just to enjoy opening the package, not knowing what is inside. Think of it as a mind game with yourself!

6. Try and avoid returning items as much as possible. I have actually never returned an item (except for one that was faulty and therefore had free shipping). Return fees are usually quite high, and override the savings you made to buy it initially. I was at the post office recently and a lady wanted to return an item to Germany, and the postal worker asked her if it was really worth it. I had to smile slyly to myself as I don’t see the point in returning items, especially overseas. Conversely, if the item you purchased was very expensive and the only option left is to return it, then sure. Otherwise, see if your mother or grandmother can sew it in for you, or get a quote from a tailor. Sisters and friends will be more than willing to accept a failed online shopping purchase if they appreciate your taste in fashion!

7. Look at the size the model is wearing. On most websites the size of the item the model is wearing is listed in the description box, and sometimes even their measurements. It’s probably quite frowned upon to compare yourself to the model but I advise you to! If you judge that you may be about the same size, a little bit bigger in the bust or smaller in the hips then this can assist you in choosing a size. Even just looking at all the pictures available can tell you if a dress may be too short, or if you might have to go a size up in a top for extra length. 

8. Check the online sizing chart, which is a feature of majority of websites. Get someone to measure you around the bust, waist and hips and make sure to write it down somewhere. The amount of times I have had to get my mother to measure me is ridiculous, because I fail to take my own advice and just write it down! After a while you will know what size you are at a particular online store, if you shop there often enough (an alarming reminder you are engaging in too much online shopping!).

So there are my eight tips to online shopping. There is no doubt that future purchases will teach me even more lessons. There it is, the justification to shopping online; it’s an outlet to learn. I guess it’s the deluded fashion world I live in. Comment your online shopping tips below, they would be much appreciated!

MAC's No Faux Pas

On the ordinary perusal of Anna’s blog, I came across the post titled ‘If You Get One Thing from MAC’s Christmas Collection…’ Immediately entranced by the word ‘MAC’ and the glittering packaging, just like a magpie to a piece of tin foil, my cursor clicked onto the post. What followed was an instantaneous Google search of MAC’s Heirloom Mix holiday collection, complete with swatches on Temptalia. What engrossed me, I am slightly hesitant to admit, was the packaging. As I have written on the blog before I am a massive fan of MAC lipsticks, but they have taken the packaging to a whole new level of coveting with the silver glitter, and even the click of the lid seems better made than the original. What I shamelessly did was chose a colour of lipstick that I liked amongst those housed in the limited edition packaging. Definitely not the right way to choose a product, but I was lucky enough to find the collection still available in store, where I could swatch the lipsticks in person. I was even luckier that they had a hot pink shade, one that I would actually wear and was different to their Relentlessly Red lipstick, with more of a blue undertone that appeared slightly purple on my heavily pigmented lips. I tried on the shade, told the assistant I wanted to see what it looked like in daylight and continued shopping, knowing all the time that its purchase was inevitable. And so my Myer gift card was spent and I came home with a beautiful lipstick. A very early Christmas gift to myself. Regrets? Never. I won’t be committing a faux pas with this lipstick on. 

Hats Off

(**Warning, I repeat the word ‘hat’ a few too many times in this post)

A hat? Is that what that item is balanced atop my head? You’d be right if you guessed it was a hat. I don’t think I have worn a hat on the blog since I started this year. I am not the biggest hat person (that created a mental image of me as a giant, scooping up an enormous pile of hats; I need sleep). I’ve always loved the power of a hat, transforming an outfit from ordinary to blogger-worthy. However, I’ve never quite understood the saying “bad hair day” hat. If I’m having a bad hair day the last thing I want to do is put a hat on to attract attention to my head, highlighting my oily locks, or even think of putting my hair into the hat to make it look as if I have no hair at all. Okay, so now that I have completely ruined the image of a hat for you let me explain my recent purchase. As I was browsing Sportsgirl a few weeks ago I spotted this pink hat. Not only was it pink (can I just say OMG), it was very reasonably priced as it was on sale. Wanting to experiment a little I decided to buy it. Now, buying a felt hat as we approach summer may not have been the greatest sartorial decision ever made, but it was one of impulsivity. This hat was purchased at just the right time, which now explains my aptly titled post, as I have just recently graduated from high school. ‘Hats off’ is my little ode to graduating, where we never actually had the chance to throw any hat into the air. Though my exams are not yet over and the celebrations have not begun, I shall live my life through fashion and remember the defining moments in my life through pieces. So hats off to everyone who completed high school this year, a great achievement that must not be forgotten amongst exams and ATAR scores. 

Bare Necessities

This post was inspired by one of my favourite Disney songs; Bear Necessities from The Jungle Book. If I had put the word ‘bear’ in the title, however, it may have conjured up rather questionable images of body hair and who knows what else. Today I bring you three bathroom essentials that will make you skip makeup in the morning, being comfortable to bare your naked skin. Okay, that may have been wishful thinking, but I guarantee you will want to stroke your face for the entire day. These products tackle hydration, blemishes and blackheads; cue a good skin day. 

THEFACESHOP Hyaluronic acid sheet mask

The ‘acid’ in the title seems a little scary, but it’s nothing like you think. Hyaluronic acid is an enzyme (students of chemistry could correct me here) that provides extreme hydration to the skin. It’s in the form of a sheet mask, one of those that covers the entire face leaving space for the eyes in a horror film like way, definitely worthy of Snapchat (I’ve saved you the heart attack inducing photo of me with it on). Put this mask on and leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes and let that acid work its hydration magic. This is an Asian product but thankfully there are instruction in English on the back. Upon removing the mask, your face will look and feel more plump and dry patches will have disappeared. Let the residue sink into the skin, and when you wake up in the morning you won’t find any flaky skin disturbing your good skin day. These masks are usually on offer and you can pick three up for ten dollars. One to add to the shopping list. 

St.Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub

This is a scrub that is famous around the blogger sphere, and for good reason. Though some people like to use chemical exfoliants on their skin as they are a little more gentle, there is nothing better than manually exfoliating away those disgusting blackheads around your nose. Nice. I like to use this once a week, usually on a Sunday when I wash my hair as it’s easy to remember, even though the tube says to use it 3-4 times a week. This scrub is quite gritty and it definitely rids the skin of any unevenness, but using it more than once a week would anger my skin. It also contains salicylic acid, another acid but this one is good for acne, which means that it is a two for one. Directions are to wet your face, get a good ‘blob’ (really accurate measurements) and massage into the skin. After you use this your skin will honestly feel like your legs do when you shave them, which sounds so strange, but is the only thing I can liken it to. It also has a lovely apricot scent which makes it a pleasure to use. Actually, I think I’ve just sold it to myself again. A scrub might have just been added to my Sunday night plans. 

(Just a little close up of the exfoliating beads for you)

Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask

When I spotted this on the shelves a couple of weeks ago in Priceline I let out a little sigh of excitement. This previously UK only brand I had heard beauty bloggers yap on about for a while, choosing to tune out a little as I couldn’t purchase it here in Australia. Not only was it on the shelf, it had been discounted. It was an immediate purchase and I couldn’t wait to use it. Unlike the previous two treatments this mask aims to purify the skin and rid it of bacteria, blemishes, blackheads, and anything else starting with B. When I used this mask for the first time I recognised the texture, but I couldn’t decide what it reminded me of. Finally I remembered that this mask has a very similar texture to my almond spread! It’s quite a thick mask that can be a little hard to even onto the skin, but applied over damp skin and layered lightly it works very well. It does say that this mask will heat up in the five minutes it’s left on for, but I found it to warm up only when I applied it to my fingers. I would say that this is quite gentle mud mask, nothing that will draw blemishes to the surface or completely purge your skin. Use this as a lovely end of week treatment, so at least your skin will look good come Monday morning. 

Late Night Thrift Shopping

A few months back my sister, mother and I made a trip to the op-shop at about seven o’clock. Wild times on a Saturday night. It was definitely a strange experience, one worth blogging about. As we walked in, a slightly musky odour filled the air, a mix of dust, powder and age. An almost hazy atmosphere characterised the warehouse like store, the artificial lights inside competing with the darkened sky. We had to visit Savers for my sister to pick up some porcelain products; part of an art project, don’t ask. As we scoured the shelves, glass serving ware was placed next to melamine mugs, Gatbsy-esque glasses sat next to chipped teapots, superfluous vases were positioned with cartoon decorated plates. With the closing time of the store approaching, customers rushed about, hands full with potential purchases, taking a final look at the shelves. As we made our way to the checkout, customers seemed to follow in toe. Taking myself out of the line, I stood behind the registers, my back to the street, a full view of the store in my line of sight. As the line began to extend from one end to the next, all kinds of characters emerged from the lines of racks. Hipsters with their awkward length sports socks, shorts and backpacks scoring a “cool” vintage find, middle aged women looking for a new outfit, elderly people with their shopping baskets, parents trying to herd their children. As the wait in line stretched out, one lady occupied her time by talking to the man next to her, explaining a trip she went on overseas which was actually his native country. To the side of the line a mother went through a bowl of buttons with her daughter. Some in the line had one item, others had baskets full. As there was one checkout woman working, the store had to run overtime, catering for the late night shoppers. An older lady at the register was buying $230 worth of shoes and clothes, stacking the shoes into a bag she had brought with her. The buttons of the register harmonised with the flicking of receipts by another worker opposite. When my sister’s purchases had been paid for and wrapped in newspaper, we made our way to the door. As we left the store, through the window I noticed a woman searching the shelves for a new book. As the bright lights of the store signs glared bright in the fading distance, a much needed sanitiser session was called for.