Freshman School Supplies | What's in my School Bag?

Favorite things about school? Well, it was seeing friends and familiar faces. That was the case for high school, but now I'm a freshman in college and know practically no one. My next favorite is SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

This is kind of delayed, I know, this subject took over YouTube last month. Most of you are back in school, and the school supplies aisle has already been replaced with Halloween items. Better late than never? I've only been in school a week, I've finally got all the supplies I need, so I can share!

It drives me insane when girls carry a backpack and a purse; also when people carry everything in their arms and can't even open the door for themselves. (I've seen both this past week!) I have a nice LL Bean backpack still in good condition from like Junior High, but I wanted to be a little more fashionable...


My bag still hasn't arrived but I guess I can show off a stock photo anyway. It's from China, I'm a little worried about the quality; we'll see! It probably won't be here for another month but I wanted to go ahead and get this posted!


The bag I'm currently using. I like it, it just needs to be bigger! All it can fit is a small book, a binder, and my random misc stuff. It's from JCPenney. They also had a red plaid, and green. This one is actually black (my flash wouldn't cooperate!) Another dislike, it picks up so much dirt.


Spiral notebook, for one class that has 400 people, school agenda, and Five Star five subject notebook, that I'm not using, because I've received so many handouts and deciding to stick with binders.


2 one-inch Binders. One for MWF and one for TH. I purchased both of these at Office Depot. I believe they're designed by Wilson Jones.  I thought I was going to hopefully ditch binders and just use the Five Star notebook, but again, it's so much easier just to keep up with the notes and handouts, all in order with easy navigation, in one place.



Vera Bradley Pencil Pouch in Barcelona. Avery Notepad Labels. I'm seriously obsessed with these. (They made the cut for august favorites!) The whole paper is sticky, I've thrown out all post-it notes! Sharpie writing utensils are my favorite, they're the only pens I use anymore! All from Sharpie: highlighters, marker, and pens. I purchased the clickable kind this semester, but they don't write as good as the one with the lid. Favorite pencils... Papermate clear point mechanical pencils and lead. I'm on the search for good fun colored pens! (Sharpie, please make all colors!) Anyone have any brand suggestions for fun colored pens? I used RSVP before, they're okay. I picked up the Zebra colored pens, 6 for $3 at Office Depot, I don't care for them too much, they'll do for the semester.


And finally, all the random misc items.. (Also in my bag, not pictured, is my phone, keys, and wallet.) Water. Umbrella. Umbrellas last a good 3 rainstorms for me before they break; I need to invest in a good one. hah. Chapstick. Mints. Do not smack on gum and bug people around you. Hand Sanitizer. Water. Tissue. Vera Bradley hard eyeglass case in Barcelona, holding my glasses. Black Wayfarers.


Don't forget your overpriced textbooks!

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Drugstore Picks

We all get so wrapped up in the high-end cosmetics, there's some at your local drugstore too. Plus, not everyone can afford to go Sephora or to the counters at department stores. I went through my makeup drawer and pulled out all of the drugstore cosmetics. Sadly, this is all I own. (With the exception of some NYX products, but I don't think they're that wonderful for everyday use.) I've tried plenty of others, but I've swapped them on makeupalley.com or gave them to my little sister. These are the only ones I've kept around and repurchased...


Prices obviously vary depending on where you purchase them; target usually sells at the cheapest. The prices are kind of a guess (my memory and google) If I'm in the wrong ballpark, let me know!

Clean and Clear Morning Glow Eye Brightening Cream
$6 (Discontinued?)
This was discontinued, but it's not back on the clean and clear website in different packaging, so maybe it's back! If not, try amazon.com or ebay.com. I purchased my current tube on eBay.  I love all of the morning glow/burst products, I've tried them all. These are the only two I repurchase when I run out. This is the only eye brightening cream I've noticed that makes my green eyes even brighter. (I've only tried high-end samples.) It doesn't irritate my eyes either.

Clean and Clear Morning Glow Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 15
$6-$8
I love all of the morning glow/burst products, I've tried them all. These are the only two I repurchase when I run out. The smell is great, the formula is nice, oil-free, plus sunscreen!

ELF All Over Color Stick in Toasted
$1
I cannot tell you how many ELF products I've purchased, I've only kept about 10 (most are brushes) out of the 100. I do like this for the days I'm looking a little pale.. just swipe on your cheeks and blend with your fingertips.

ELF Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black
$1
I doubt this is waterline safe, I used it once and it hurt pretty bad. I do like this for going over False Lashes and filling in the lines/evening out gel liner.

Lip Smackers Lip Frosting in Birthday
$3
I'm obsessed with lipgloss. It's the only drugstore one I've repurchased over and over again. It's a nice shimmery pink color. But the scent, it's like having a birthday cake on your lips. (For the record, lick it, it tastes like nothing.)

Loreal Bare Natural All Over Mineral Glow in Nude Glow
$10-$14
I use this all over; mainly on my shoulders to catch the light for important events.

Loreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara
$7-$10
This is my Second Favorite Mascara! (Clinique High Definition comes in first place.) This does beat a lot of high-end mascaras in my book. I've been wearing this for the past month. Just two swipes for school or you can really layer it up for a night time look.

NYX Ultra Pearl Mania in Nude
$2
This is the only NYX product I love and use daily. Plus it's the only pigment/loose eyeshadow  I use often as well. It's great for a highlight anywhere on your face.

Revlon Skinlights Loose Powder Illuminator in Warm Light
$10 (Discontinued)
This was the first bronzer I ever owned years ago. It took me a good year or two to finish it. I recently repurchased on amazon.com. It gives a nice sweep of color with some shimmer. Great for night-outs!

Wet 'n' Wild Ultimate Expressions Eyeshadow Palette in Sand Castle
$5 (Discontinued)
Why this was discontinued, I have no clue. Why I shoved this to the back of my makeup drawer and started using only MAC eyeshadows, again, I have no clue. This was my daily palette until I felt the need to spend all of my money on MAC eyeshadows. (8 colors for $5 or 1 color for 14.50? What is wrong with me? lol.) These wet 'n' wild colors are just as pigmented and blend-able as MACs. Get your hands on this palette if you can! I wish I picked up more colors!


A look with all of the products mentioned above (plus MAC concealer and some eyebrow tools) I can't say it's completely drugstore only...

FOTD: 
Almost Drugstore Only
I feel weird without blush,,,



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August Favorites

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Fake OPI Polish

JANUARY 2, 2011 UPDATE:
A lot of website traffic comes to this specific post, at least one (often more) Google search a day. I would like to state I now have 15 bottles of OPI polish (purchased from Ulta, Trade Secret, eBay, and received in MakeupAlley swaps) and no two look the same.
According to OPI Twitter, (@OPI_PRODUCTS) "[There is] no sure way to tell unless bottle content [is] tested, unfortunately."  Each bottle is formulated differently, meaning different colors, consistencies, and contents.  The glass bottle depends on the manufacturing company. The warning labels and green/black labels also vary.  The labels are better explained here: Black Label OPIs.
It's going to be hard to tell just by appearance if it's real or fake. If the consistency is different than the rest, then you may have a fake on your hands (or it's been used and diluted with too much nail thinner.) - The best way to avoid this is to purchase from salons or beauty supplies (no eBay, blog sales, or swaps!)

Feel free to comment below with your input/your experiences.

ORGINAL POST:
Today, I received two OPI polishes. Brand New Skates (I ordered it on eBay.) and Black Onyx (Was picked up at State Beauty Supply.) I realized the packaging was completely different. I pulled out my other six polishes, starting examining them and doing research.

NOTICE
I'm not 100% sure what I'm saying below is accurate. Please comment below if you know of a completely accurate link. I just don't want anyone else googling 'fake opi' and freaking out like me! hah.

HISTORY
Guide: How to Identify your OPI Polish, this shows the appearance over the years.

THE INSPIRATION
I googled 'fake opi' and these were the first results to pop up:
OPI Lovers? You Should Read This Before you Bid!
How to Tell if an OPI Polish is Fake

Both of these websites are repetitive, like one copied the other. They seem so sure in what they're saying as well. Never did they say it's a theory. (The second link compares two real OPI nail polishes.) I also commented saying I doubted her theory, and she deleted it!  According to the two sites, only 1 of my 8 polishes is real.


OPI Polish Collection Background
eBay
(All from Power Sellers with excellent feedback.)
Brand New Skates
Dulce de Leche
Mod About You
Over the Taupe

Local Cheap-O Beauty Shop
Elephanstic Pink

MUA Swap
At Your Quebec & Call

State Beauty Supply
Black Onyx

Trade Secret Salon
My Private Jet

NONE of my OPI polishes are alike on the glass bottom, back, or label.

Warning Labels
Supposedly according to those sites, the polish I just received from State Beauty Supply (Where all salons go and order for their customers!) was a fake, just because it had 3 warning labels instead of 4. I continued on with my research spree... over time, chemicals and ingredients in the polish have changed. So with different chemicals, it's going to mean different hazardous materials, therefore... different warning labels. Why the font is different, I don't know, I guess OPI wanted a change in appearance. There are also some polishes with only 2 warning labels, I don't own any, but they're out there, and completely legit.

Bottle Spacing & Ridges
Glass bottle manufacturer can't be perfect every time. OPI may change the appearance of their bottles over time too.

Different Color Labels on the Bottom
Black labels are an older formula. Green labels are a newer b3f. Explanation here.

Serial Numbers
I don't know about this. None of my polishes have "engraved" serial numbers. Only two have serial numbers stamped on the bottom glass


Help / Add More Info
Help from MUA (makeupalley.com) Boards I posted a thread similar to this, but more in a freaking out, questioning manner. lol. All of these replies helped me and I thought they should be recognized.

I am not trying to put down or make fun of the two top blogs in any way. Again, when you google 'fake opi' these are the first two things to pop up! I don't believe their information is accurate. MUAers agree. Do you?

I know many of you are bigger polish lovers and polish obsessed than I am; If you have any information you want to correct or add, please let me know. I will add it in and link it to your blog.

The consistency in all 8 of these polishes are the same. I don't know why I doubted them being fake. Don't believe everything on google! Chances are, your OPI polish is real no matter where it came from or how different in appearance they are.

Are your OPI polishes different in appearance?

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July Favorites

 "Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month."

Most of my money has been going to school related things lately. Also, I spent a lot on the UK-US Swap last month, and I've been using all of those cosmetics. So really, I didn't buy a lot of new cosmetics this month.

1.) My White Walls

If you're following me on Twitter, you know I took down my picture wall. One entire wall in my room was covered with pictures, it was about three layers deep too, I was constantly covering up people I didn't like at the time. lol. Or years changed, events changed too. This is only about 2.5 years of pictures. (I did this once before too in junior high, but took it down and started over.) I've done a lot of de-cluttering in my room on the other walls too. I can actually see the white walls now!

2.) Coach Poppy Pop C Groovy Bag
This is my first Coach purse. The bright colors are great for the summer; it's a good size, too.


3.) Stella by Stella McCartney
I purchased this in September, got tired of it, and fell in love with it again. It's such a clean, fresh scent. I keep a rollerball in my purse too.

4.) Eyeko Cream
This is my favorite thing I got in the UK Swap! It's a multi-purpose really light shimmer.

5.) MAC Lip Conditioner
This is my second time purchasing it. The first tube must have fallen out of my purse. I can't find it anywhere! :/ (It was only half-used, I more upset I can't B2M it.) It has a vanilla milkshake scent. It's pretty moisturizing.

6.) Smackers Lip Frosting - Birthday Cake
I think this is my third tube (I never repurchase things unless I love them.) It smells like you're rubbing birthday cake all over your lips. It has a sheer light pink pretty color too. This tube is pretty old, I rediscovered it this month! hah.

7.) OPI at Your Quebec and Call
I've been going back and forth between this metallic dark green and my normal nude color.

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