May 2020

I'm obsessed with brow products and am always looking for the next big thing to provide the coveted microbladed look. I just cant stop trying them! Stila came out with a brow pen of their own so of course I had to buy it.

Stila Stay All Day
Waterproof Brow Color Review

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color Review

INFO SHEET

Brand: Stila
Product: Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color
Shade: Dark
Color Payoff: Light but Buildable
Price: $21
Availability: Amazon

The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color boasts that it can create a perfectly defined brow with a long-wearing, waterproof formula. Another thing that it claims is that it wont smudge or run... maybe on dry skin. But how will it fare on combination oily skin? We shall see...

SWATCH

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color in Shade Dark

Close up of brush applicator tip.

Like Ardell Stroke A Brow, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color also utilizes a brush tip. +1 to Stila for not going the felt tipped route as brush tips seem to be better for more accurate applications. One thing that I did notice is that the brush applicator for Stila is a bit more flexible than other products I have tried. So applying fine lines requires an extra steady hand.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color is *not* waterproof.

Before and After in Shade Dark

I want to start out by saying the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color is absolutely not water proof or even water resistant. I drew a few lines on my hand to take photos, then continued to take more product shots. After about 15 minutes I decided to see how the swatch on my hand reacted to water so I went to the sink. As soon as the water hit my hand the product instantly rinsed off. Didn't even last a second. I wouldn't trust wearing this stuff to the pool, beach, or even through sweat.

The flexibility of the brush tip made it challenging to apply because my brow hairs would easily interfere with each stroke rather than pushing through them. So in the end I couldn't get the micro bladed effect that I was able to achieve on my hand. Application is a bit frustrating to say the least - and this isn't even my first rodeo.

The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color didn't seem very pigmented. The color looks more like a medium brown and comes on pretty sheer. I had to go over the same spots to get enough coverage. So in the end my brow ended up looking tattooed on rather than micro bladed.

It did last all day though and didn't fade too much with my combination / oily skin. However it did kind of dry out a little bit. You can see in the "After 6 Hours" photo, the product went from an even application to dark little dots. Very strange.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I didn't like the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color. In the end I just couldn't work with it to get the look I wanted. It's better used for a feathered brow or ombre effect, and wouldn't be useful for those with very sparse or no brows.

Reading other reviews about it makes me wonder if I'm taking crazy pills or if I just got a bad product. However when I sorted by negative reviews my experience was very much on par with what others are saying in that regard. The general consensus is: 1) Definitely not waterproof, 2) Not very pigmented, and 3) Dries out very quickly. What happened to you, Stila? You were supposed to be the chosen one!

I feel that the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color is not worth the $21 price tag. It's performance is about what I would expect from an unknown drugstore brand; certainly not something Stila would make. I'm giving it two stars because it can be used for feathered or ombre brow - so it's not completely useless. I mean, you can probably use it if you're sitting at home alone and still want to have eyebrows in case the UPS guy shows up.

I'm putting the Where to Buy link because despite my feelings about this pen, people still seem to love it. It wasn't what I was looking for but it's at least worth reading other people's experiences before you decide :).

Rating

This post may contain affiliate links to help support this blog.

None of these reviews sponsored, nor were any of the products provided for free (or even at a discount) by any affiliate.
Read full disclosure here.

I've heard a lot of great things about Charlotte Tilbury but I haven't felt the need to buy makeup recently (other than the Hermes Poppy Lip Shine <3). Turns out Sephora threw in a Hollywood Flawless Filter sampler with my recent order, so I decided to share with the class!

CHARLOTTE TILBURY
Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatches

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatches

INFO SHEET

Brand: Charlotte Tilbury
Product: Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer & Highlighter
Coverage: Sheer to Light
Dewiness: Semi
Scent: None
Oxidation: Slight
Price: $44.00
Where to Buy: Amazon, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom

I've never heard of this product before, but I receive a sample with all colors in my recent Sephora order. Charlotte Tillbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter is intriguing. After reading many reviews, this product appears to have several different applications. Some use it as a foundation on their good skin days, others use it as a primer, highlighter, or an additive to their current foundation. There seems to be a lot of possibilities! Users claim that it gives their skin a healthy glow without looking greasy.

The ingredients include some hydrating properties such as Squalane and Glycerin; so it could be promising for those with dry skin. It also includes Mica, which has caused quite a stir in the makeup industry due to being linked to child labor in India. I am not too familiar with the controversy, but Refinery 29 wrote an article about it here. However, according to this reddit thread; Charlotte Tilbury claims that their Mica is ethically sourced when reddit users reached out to them. So that's good news :).

Onto the swatch!

SWATCH

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Shades

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatch on NC37 in Artificial Light

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatch on NC37 in Natural Light

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatch on NC37 in Direct Sunlight

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter feels very smooth, light and creamy - it glides on like a dream. The product does not really look like a highlighter, but when you blend it into your skin it reveals a lovely pearlescent sheen. It just blends so beautifully. I found that it could also make a nice foundation if decent coverage is not needed. As a foundation, the Shade 4 Medium appears to be a good match for a N37s who lean neutral.

I wouldn't say the Hollywood Flawless Filter is dewy, but it definitely has some sort of shine to it, and it does feel hydrating too. I like how this product has many applications so there is a little something for everybody. The shade range is limited though - but after all it is not really a foundation is it? The formula also seems water and sweat resistant. In fact, the swatches would not wash off easily with dawn dish soap; so an oil cleanser / makeup remover will be required. It's a very interesting product to say the least.

I've taken a lot of time to properly care for my skin and to heal any impurities (I used to have acne. You can read about it here). I'm happy to say that now I can go without foundation, but my skin does need a little boost to get that glow.

STORE	PRICE	OFFERS
Amazon	$61.25	Free Shipping
Bloomingdales	$44.00	15% Off First Purchase; Free Shipping; Gift with Purchase
Nordstrom	$44.00	Free Shipping + Gift with Purchase

The Charlotte Tillbury Hollywood Flawless Filter seems promising for those no makeup, makeup days where you just want to look polished with minimal effort. I'm actually pretty excited about it! It is $44 but with so many options for use I would say that it's worth it.

This post may contain affiliate links to help support this blog.

None of these reviews sponsored, nor were any of the products provided for free (or even at a discount) by any affiliate.
Read full disclosure here.

Whenever I travel my skin gets a little sad. I think it's because of the long flight, dry air, and probably not enough water. When I got to Japan, my skin needed a little more love; so I picked up these masks to help provide additional moisture.

KOSE
Clear Turn Skin Plumping Mask Review

KOSE Clear Turn Skin Plumping Mask Review

INFO SHEET

Brand: Kose
Product: Clear Turn Skin Plumping Mask (Hada Fukkura Moisture Mask)
Scent: Light Citrus, Pleasant
Price: $9.00 for 32 pairs
Where to Buy: Amazon, DokoDemo, YesStyle

I picked up Kose Clear Turn Skin Plumping Mask (Hada Fukkura Moisture Mask) at a small shop in Nara, Japan. I believe I paid only ¥900 - which is a steal given the quantity. I haven't seen anything like it back in the States so it caught my attention. This product claims to help remove fine lines and wrinkles caused by dryness, and also helps plump the skin.

Kose Clear Turn Skin Plumping Mask Packaging

All of the masks are stacked in a resealable package.

The Kose Clear Turn Masks are very thin.

I like how the package is resealable, but I don't think it seals all the way. It might be better to also put it in a ziploc bag to prevent the masks from drying out. The instructions say that these masks can be used on the undereye area and on the laugh lines around your mouth. Wash your face and remove one sheet at a time to apply, then remove after 10 minutes. It also says the mask can be used morning or night, and to not use it on sunburned or irritated skin.

INGREDIENTS

For the price and quantity, Kose Clear Turn Skin Plumping Mask has a surprising amount of skincare goodies. For those of you interested though, this product is not vegan as it includes Marine Collagen and utilizes Methylparaben as a preservative.

Notable Ingredients:

Astaxanthin - A powerful antioxidant derived from micro algae that helps protect the skin from photodamage, stimulate collagen production, and reduces hyperpigmentation.
Hyaluronic Acid - A very effective humectant that boosts the skin's moisture content, prevents dehydration, and preserves skin moisture.
Hydrolyzed Elastin - aka Marine Collagen. Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and increases skin elasticity. Achieves this by helping the skin retain it's moisture.
Retinyl Palmitate - A Vitamin A derivative and powerful antioxidant known for it's anti-aging benefits. Helps protect the skin from UV rays.

The Astaxanthin is probably what gives the masks their red-orange color; since it is a carotenoid. I did my best to translate the ingredients, but please let me know if this is inaccurate.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Fine lines on the right are reduced. Click picture to enlarge.

When I opened the package the Kose Clear Turn masks were all kind of clumped together. You will inevitably touch other masks in the package to try to get any out to use. This could be a bit unsanitary if you don't take precautions to not contaminate the package.

One thing to note is that these masks are very thin, but quite large and provided good coverage. They look like they will dry out very quickly, but surprisingly they did not during the 10 minutes of wear as per the instructions. The Kose Clear Turn Skin Plumping Masks did a pretty good job providing moisture to my undereye and laugh line areas. I think they are pretty on par with other cotton-like masks. Of course they were not as hydrating compared to hydrogel masks, but that's a horse of a different color.

These Kose Clear Turn masks are affordable enough to be worn on a daily basis, and I believe that over time improvements may become more apparent due to the goodies listed in the ingredients.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I admit that I was a dummy and used the Kose Clear Turn masks before fully translating the ingredients (I am not fluent). I was just excited to use them and my skin needed a little love :(. It turns out that it contains Retinyl Palmitate and for some reason my skin cannot tolerate any kind of Vitamin A or it's derivatives. It gives me large, painful acne or sometimes even a rash. Unfortunately, that is what happened after I used this product. I got two very large pimples on the application site. However, this is an issue unique to my skin. I think it's still a great product. I gave them to my boyfriend and he has used them without issue.

You really get a lot for the money: 32 pairs (64 sheets!) for only $9, and the ingredients are nice too! The masks do a good job moisturizing and I believe that continued use will ultimately benefit the skin. It won't break the bank - that's for sure!

STORE	PRICE	OFFERS
Amazon	$22.99 (50pcs)	Free Shipping
DokoDemo	$10.97 (50pcs)	Ships Internationally from Japan
YesStyle	$11.24 (32pcs)	10% Off First Purchase; Free Shipping Orders $59+

The Kose Clear Turn Skin Plumping Masks are somewhat scarce to find online, but I did find them from DokoDemo which ships products directly from Japan. I also found them on YesStyle where you can get 10% OFF your first order :).

Rating

This post may contain affiliate links to help support this blog.

None of these reviews sponsored, nor were any of the products provided for free (or even at a discount) by any affiliate.
Read full disclosure here.

With hair appointments in short supply due to the pandemic, one may wonder if there is a convenient solution to cover up grays in a pinch. In today's spotlight, we will take a look at EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder.

EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder

EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder Review

INFO SHEET

Brand: Everpro
Product: Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder
Shade: Black / Dark Brown
Price: $9.99 USD
Where to Buy: Amazon

I purchased Everpro Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder at my local Target to cover up a few grays that were coming in. This product makes several bold claims, including "Self-adjusting color technology blends undetectably and matches hair color perfectly" and "Protein-infused powder leaves hair soft, shiny and natural to the touch." It sounds like a bunch of hooey, but does it serve it's purpose? Does it cover grays and last all day? Let's find out.

PACKAGING

Gray Away packaging includes a convenient mirror for on the go.

BEFORE AND AFTER

EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder Before & After

I don't have many grays but you can see that EVERPRO Gray Away did not provide 100% coverage despite using quite a bit of product. It does definitely tone down the visibility of the gray hairs though and helped them blend in with the rest of your hair. I think Gray Away will be most effective if your grays are still pretty short. If there has been some time between dyes then you might need something more robust like the EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Stick.

Also, EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder did not make may hair feel softer as it claimed. In fact, my hair actually felt a bit chalky to the touch. It also does transfer which is to be expected, so try not to touch or scratch your head as it will wind up on your fingers. Luckily, the packaging is pretty small so it is convenient for on the go retouches. It also comes with a handy little mirror as well.

Gray Away lasted pretty long throughout the day as long as you don't touch it, and did a great job adhering to those hair strands.

FINAL THOUGHTS

EVERPRO Gray Away is decent for blending grays but I did have to use a lot of product to get the job done. I don't even have that many grays. I found that it's better use this product as a dupe of Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow; which is meant to cover uneven hair lines and make your forehead look smaller. It's excellent for that. A much better solution to cover gray hair is actually EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Quick Stick as previously mentioned; since it's like a big hair crayon with more concentrated coverage.

In conclusion, EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder is okay for covering gray hairs, but fantastic for balancing your hairline. I wrote a review about it here. However, if you're in the store and see the Root Touch Up Quick Stick, buy that instead to cover your grays.

Rating

When I saw that Hermès is getting into the makeup scene I squealed like a little girl. Give it to me, NOW! How am I going to write an unbiased review? God I don't even know, but I will definitely try!

HERMÈS
Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Review

HERMÈS Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Review

INFO SHEET

Brand: Hermès
Product: Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine
Coverage: Sheer
Scent: Flowery Perfume
Flavor: Perfume Flavor :(
Price: $67.00
Where to Buy: Bloomingdales, Hermès

Hermès describes this product as "A surprising lip shine that elegantly enhances and amplifies the natural radiance of the lips. A translucent, slightly orange-toned formula enriched with mother-of-pearl micro-particles. A fine, rich and comfortable texture." Is this an overglorified tinted lip balm? We'll find out. But first, here is some packaging shots:

HERMÈS Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Box

HERMÈS Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Case

HERMÈS Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Gold Coin Detail

HERMÈS Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Close Up

I think I'm in love. Look at that PACKAGING.

SWATCH

Hermès Poppy Lip Shine is a sheer orange color.

BEFORE AND AFTER

It's hard to capture the Poppy Lip Shine's beauty in a photo.

This packaging is simply luxurious. Hermès Poppy Lip Shine comes in the iconic orange Hermès box. The interior of the box slides out to reveal a canvas pouch protecting the Lip Shine within. The Lip Shine case is weighted with a magnetic cap closure and an exquisite gold coin on the end. As far as packaging is concerned, I would not expect anything less from Hermès.

The texture of the Hermès Rouge Poppy Lip Shine is somewhat gritty but comfortable - most likely due to the mother of pearl micro particles. The color is a sheer and lovely orange. When it is applied to the lips, your natural lip color will blend with the orange of the Lip Shine resulting in a bit of a coral shade. The effect is a beautiful shine that is not too loud.

The downside of the Hermes Rouge Poppy Lip Shine is that the formula can be somewhat drying. It can feel moisturizing at first, but the feeling is not long lasting. In addition to this, the color will also need reapplication every few hours or so; especially if you eat or drink (obviously).

FINAL THOUGHTS

Okay - so is it worth it? That's kind of a hard question to answer. If you are a big fan of Hermès then you will most likely find value in the $67.00 Poppy Lip Shine. I have also heard that the Hermès lipsticks will be refillable in store at a cost of $42 per refill. So you wont be paying $67.00 every time. However, I can't find any official information regarding this from Hermès, and I don't know if this applies to the Lip Shine as well.

That being said I do really like the color and the shine. It's great for a day when you want to look polished but don't want to bother with lipstick. Can you find another product that probably gives the same effect? Of course.

So this is where I am at now. I love Hermès, I love the Rouge Poppy Lip Shine, and will definitely purchase it again. It's perfect for my lifestyle because well... I don't wear lipstick really. Just keep in mind though: This product is a sheer tinted lip balm with pretty little pearls in it. It's not going to change your life. If you are okay with that fact, like the packaging, and the expense is not an issue for you then by all means go for it :).

Rating

I had a lot of trouble finding detailed information on this bag so I decided to write this review to provide my readers with lots of photos in order to make an informed decision. I hope this is helpful to those who have been looking at this bag, but are hesitant to pull the trigger!

Strathberry Allegro Mini
Bottle Green Handbag Review

Strathberry Allegro Mini in Bottle Green Review

INFO SHEET

Brand: Strathberry
Product: Allegro Mini
Color: Bottle Green
Construction:  Calfskin Exterior, Microfiber Lined Interior
Removable Strap:  Yes
Adjustable Strap:  Yes
Strap Drop: 21 inches to 23.5 inches (53.34 cm to 59.69 cm)
Cross Body:  Yes, depending on body size.
Price:  $645.00
Note: Strap drop is based on all three studs being secured into the holes of the strap. You could theoretically go higher or lower if you don't use all of the studs, but it may look odd. Studs appear to be removable with a flat head screwdriver. See photos for reference.

The purpose of this post is to provide lots of photos of the Strathberry Allegro Mini handbag, as well as describe my experience purchasing from Monnier Freres.

I purchased the Strathberry Allegro Mini online from Monnier Freres, a French retailer. I was worried because the reviews for this company were hit or miss. However, I really wanted this bag in the Bottle Green color and there were only three places that I could purchase it: Strathberry.com, Lane Crawford, and Monnier Freres. Since it was sold out on Strathberry.com, I decided to get it from Monnier Freres; as Lane Crawford is based in Hong Kong which was shut down due to the pandemic (I couldn't find any confirmation to see if Lane Crawford was still shipping).

Here are some other Strathberry bags I found for sale at The Real Real.

I ordered the Strathberry Allegro Mini from Monnier Freres on March 30th and it took about 30 minutes to receive a confirmation email - some of the review complaints stated that they didn't get a confirmation email at all, but I got mine. A few days later on April 10th, I got an email from DHL stating the package had shipped from Orly, France; and it was delivered all the way to the U.S. on April 13th. I had to sign for it at the time of delivery. I was very impressed with how fast the shipping was.

Monnier Freres' customer service did acknowledge that it took longer than usual to fulfill the order - given the circumstances. Their customer service would reply within 48 hours of when I checked in, but I found them to be somewhat short and cold. I chalked it up to the stress of the situation in addition to the language barrier.

I opted for Standard Packaging because I was worried that it would come in a big branded box, and I didn't want to risk it possibly being left at the door. When I opened the standard packaged box, I was greeted with Monnier Freres branded tissue paper, which was wrapped around a Monnier Freres Paper shopping bag. Within the shopping bag was my little Strathberry Allegro Mini resting within a Strathberry branded dust bag. I was a little disappointed that it did not come with a Strathberry box though.

Now for the photos!

Strathberry Allegro Mini Rear View

Strathberry Allegro Mini is secured via gold-tone metal bar over the handle.

Strathberry Allegro Mini has leather feet. I would have preferred gold-tone metal feet though.

Strathberry Allegro Mini Side View. Notice it tapers towards the top.

Strathberry Allegro Mini branded hardware.

Strathberry Allegro Mini has a removable strap.

Strathberry Allegro Mini strap top and bottom view. You could possibly get a leatherworker to poke more holes in the strap and reposition studs since they appear to be screwed in and not rivets.

Strathberry Allegro Mini is lightweight and easy to carry!

Strathberry Allegro Mini is petite but roomy inside.

Strathberry Allegro Mini interior fits a Samsung Galaxy S9 (regular size). Note that the bag width narrows towards the top.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I'm in love with my Strathberry Allegro Mini bag. The calfskin leather is high quality and is slightly textured. It is more durable than lambskin and swift, but it can scratch if you are too careless. The gold-tone hardware is heavy and does not feel cheap. As far as the size is concerned, some may find the Allegro Mini to be a bit small, but it is perfect for me since I only carry my phone, card holder, catch all pouch, tissue, keys, and gum. I have back problems and was pleased to find that the bag is very light weight! Strathberry does offer other sizes for the Allegro model including the micro (teeny tiny) and the midi (larger than the mini); so there is an option for everyone.

The interior pocket is very narrow and does not have a lot of slack. So I think it is best for flat objects such as small papers or maybe even a card holder. It's definitely too small for a phone. I actually did sew my own bag insert so I can have a few more pockets as well as a section for my phone (Samsung Galaxy S9) to prevent it from getting scratched.

The bag is not convenient to get in and out of though. You have to release the signature gold bar from the top of the bag every time, and it's not like you can just leave it open because it looks odd. Even without the top bar secured, the bag will stay shut because of the magnetic closure on the front flap. I am not sure if the metal bar will eventually wear out the leather on the top handle over time, but I did purchase a twilly to help protect the handle. I actually do like the bar-closure feature because I like my bags to feel secure.

I wish I had the Strathberry Allegro Mini in every color but I prefer to have a more variety in my wardrobe. At any rate, I think you get a great quality bag for the money. It's actually on sale now on many websites - including Strathberry.com, though the Bottle Green color is still out of stock. I saw they have a denim version now too!

Would I purchase from Monnier Freres again? Yes, assuming it is an item that I am already familiar with. I don't know how they would fare returns-wise, but given how bland their customer service is I just rather not deal with that.

Bag Rating

Stila Stay All Day
Waterproof Brow Color Review

INFO SHEET

SWATCH

BEFORE AND AFTER

FINAL THOUGHTS

CHARLOTTE TILBURY
Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatches

INFO SHEET

SWATCH

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

KOSE
Clear Turn Skin Plumping Mask Review

INFO SHEET

INGREDIENTS

BEFORE AND AFTER

FINAL THOUGHTS

EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder

INFO SHEET

PACKAGING

BEFORE AND AFTER

FINAL THOUGHTS

HERMÈS
Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Review

INFO SHEET

SWATCH

BEFORE AND AFTER

FINAL THOUGHTS

Strathberry Allegro Mini
Bottle Green Handbag Review

INFO SHEET

FINAL THOUGHTS

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Stila Stay All DayWaterproof Brow Color Review

INFO SHEET

SWATCH

BEFORE AND AFTER

FINAL THOUGHTS

CHARLOTTE TILBURYHollywood Flawless Filter Swatches

INFO SHEET

SWATCH

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

KOSEClear Turn Skin Plumping Mask Review

INFO SHEET

INGREDIENTS

BEFORE AND AFTER

FINAL THOUGHTS

EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touch Up Powder

INFO SHEET

PACKAGING

BEFORE AND AFTER

FINAL THOUGHTS

HERMÈSRouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Review

INFO SHEET

SWATCH

BEFORE AND AFTER

FINAL THOUGHTS

Strathberry Allegro MiniBottle Green Handbag Review

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Search This Blog

Blog Archive

Stay Connected

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Popular Posts

YMMV!

Navigation

Stila Stay All Day
Waterproof Brow Color Review

CHARLOTTE TILBURY
Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatches

KOSE
Clear Turn Skin Plumping Mask Review

HERMÈS
Rouge Hermès Poppy Lip Shine Review

Strathberry Allegro Mini
Bottle Green Handbag Review