Hello beautiful people!
If you’re an avid bargain hunter, you’ve probably heard of Aliexpress – and you’ve probably been incredibly skeptical. If you haven’t heard of it, Aliexpress is a site where you can buy things incredibly cheap because you’re buying them straight from factories in China. And when I say cheap I mean you can buy crap for like 45p with free shipping. However . . . as great as this sounds, Aliexpress is not without its downsides.
Often, this will be at a substitute for quality – and you’ll usually have to wait a month or two for your goods to arrive. There are also stories of people being scammed; a few items I’ve ordered just haven’t turned up before. (However, if this happens, getting your money back is insanely easy – you open a dispute and it’ll be refunded within a day.)
So, in the interest of seeing if Aliexpress really is too good to be true, I’ve decided to start a little blogging series where I try out items from it and do a quality review!
Today, I’m going to be testing out and reviewing some stationery that I’ve bought from Aliexpress – and sharing with you why it’s basically ruined me for any other stationery store. So let’s get going!
1 – Washi Tape
I have to admit, for the great washi tape alone I would definitely recommend Aliexpress to any bullet journal enthusiast. If you aren’t sure why . . . well, most of us avid bullet-journallers love our bullet journals to look pretty. Which is great, hell yes, but also means we run through stickers, washi tape, pens and other assorted stationery the same way that crack addicts run through deadlines.
I bought three rolls of black and gold washi tape (because I have a bullet journal theme to stick to!) and was pleasantly surprised by a few things:
- The quality. These rolls of washi tape were, somewhat surprisingly, really high quality. The colour was absolutely stunning – as where the prints – and there’s a really good amount to each roll. They’ll last me a long time and, as pretty as they are, they’ll get a lot of use!
- The pretty designs. Have you tried finding cute washi tape online? It’s painful, unless you want to pay depressing prices on Etsy or get plain one-colour tape. There is such a wide and unique range of washi tape designs to find on Aliexpress that my bullet journal is salivating.
- I mean, the price is also a pretty big factor for me. These all cost me around 80p with free shipping – so not only are they easy on the eyes, they’re easy on the bank account. Who said you can’t hoard stationery responsibly?
Look at those designs! My favourite has to be tied between the hazard tape style and the line-art roses. My only slight complaint is that the black washi tape is slightly less opaque than I’d expected . . . but I quite liked the faded look anyway.
So, as for the washi tape section of this Aliexpress quality review, I’m going to have to give a massive thumbs up. The Aliexpress washi tape is cute, it’s high quality and . . . it’s going to be purchased again.
Side note – do you recognise that washi tape from anywhere? I’ve used all of them in my bullet journal spreads already.
Moon and Stars Washi Tape – £0.52
2 – Stickers
I have to admit . . . I plan to have entirely too many stickers from Aliexpress. They’re really cute, high quality and there is such a wide variety of them. I tested out one pack – and one that I knew I’d get a lot of use out of.
My favourite type of stickers out of the (overwhelmingly) large selection Aliexpress offers have to be these cute little box sets. You buy a small box of stickers that are all dedicated to a theme and you get 50 in a box. They’re all stunningly high quality (usually watercolour painting styled) and they come in such a variety of styles and topics that there’s something for anyone.
In a single box, you get usually around 25 completely unique designs (a few are duplicated) which I think is great value for money. The printing quality on these is brilliant – and they stick down perfectly as well.
I like to use these as little cute doodle spaces to spice up a quote or two . . . or to cover shitty drawings or mistakes. Hey – don’t act like it doesn’t happen to you too. If only it were acceptable to walk around with stickers on my face when a pesky spot decided to appear . . .
If it weren’t abundantly clear . . . my Aliexpress quality review strongly supports Aliexpress stickers. It may like them slightly too much. Maybe we should give them a bit of privacy . . .
3 – Post-Its
Finally – something I didn’t completely love!
God, if I’m going to gush about a shop this much, I should at least get sponsored. Hint hint.
While I love the designs and the paper quality of the post-its (look – I like post-its, okay, and I have had too many sad experiences of drawing on them only for the paper to be too thin and the ink to bleed through. This is a big thing for me.) – they may as well have been mini pieces of paper. Once you take them off the pile, they will not stick. The glue is shit.
So, ultimately, for the Post-It section of the Aliexpress quality test . . . it’s a no from me. However, with a bit of that washi tape, (or, y’know, glue) you can stick them down easily.
4 – Clips
I admit – this was somewhat of an impulse buy, but I keep seeing these rose gold paper clips everywhere and I wanted in . . . without the price tag. With the excuse of “you can use them as background clutter for blog photos!” I decided to invest a whole 70p in a set – and as a free gift I recieved a cute little pineapple paperclip too!
(There were 10 in a set, but I have lost half of them and we’re left with these.)
I’m not exactly sure what the standard of quality is for paperclips, but these were sturdy, cute and they’ve survived being stepped on. So, again, I’m going to deliver praise for the Aliexpress stationery quality.
My Aliexpress Wishlist
Scenic Washi Tape – £0.6 -£2 each
Travel Sticker Set 45pcs – £0.71
Gold Foil Floral Washi Tape – £0.96 each
Vintage Map Large Washi Tape – £2.51 – Aliexpress
And that’s this post . . . done! I hope you enjoyed it; have you ever shopped on Aliexpress? Would you? What did you think of my stationery picks? Let me know your thoughts down below!
Peace,
I’ve been looking for some new stationery for when I go to university so I may have to have a look at this brand! I am really loving the washi tape! x
Yes, I would definitely recommend it! Loads and loads of gorgeous patterns – and not at crazy prices x
I love your new washi tapes and you bullet journal too ✨❤
Thank you lovely! xxx
Such cute stuff!! Love your journal!!
Aw thank you so much! I’m currently working on a bullet journal post 🙂 x
I have been looking for new washi tape, so I’ll definitely check that out! Great post xx
Thanks lovely! I’d definitely take a look at Aliexpress for washi tape – it’s so cheap and there are SO MANY PRETTY COLOURS xx
I love the cactus pens and tape! Super cute (:
Thanks lovely – those cactus pens are frickin ADORABLE x
Love the quote on the post it hahaha
Probably going to make it my lock screen. BTW your bullet journal is so cool. It’s like the ultimate fashion scrapbook!
https://kerielaine.com
Keri Elaine
Thank you so much! I have a more detailed look at my bullet journal post coming up…god, im such a stationery junkie x_x xx
Thank you – it’s one of my favourite quotes of all time… semi want it tattooed, semi think that’ll make a terrible idea when i’m 40 xx
😍😍😍😍😍 I need that washi tape in my life 😍😍😍😍😍
It’s so nice – and so cheap! xx
Looking forward to more of these !!
P.S. I have the worst time looking for washi tape. I only stumble across ribbons and none of the washi tape is cute in my area. I’ll probably order some from Aliexpress too.
Thanks lovely! Me too – any excuse to buy stationery instantly perks me RIGHT up. It’s a real problem ;-; I definitely would; in the post I just uploaded I linked some cute Amazon washi tape, so you could also look at Amazon x
I’ve seen those moon stickers around! Am pretty sure they sell them on YesStyle but for a steeper price (like £2 something).
You have such a nice bullet journaling style 🙂 and I like your handwriting. Great haul! I have heard of AliExpress but never used…even Etsy, I’ve probably ordered only once from.
Oooh, I haven’t heard of YesStyle; is it worth checking out?
And thank you so much! I just uploaded about bullet journalling – I feel like I’ve been sucked into a cult. XD It’s taking over my life, send help! Yeah, I’ve been pretty skeptical about Aliexpress BUT this won me over x
I don’t order from YesStyle *too* often. Maybe like once every season? But it’s worth checking out especially if you’re into Asian skincare and beauty products! They sell clothes etc. too. Shipping can take like 2 weeks but I think it’s not bad considering that they ship from Hong Kong/the products aren’t easily accessible here.
The washy-tape looks so cool, I’m always looking for funky patterns and designs with it!
I love washi tape too! I keep seeing great tapes and being like “Mia, how on earth do you think you’re even going to get THROUGH all of that?” x
I love your journal. So cute and creative!
Thank you so much lovely! That’s the exact reason I started Bullet Journalling; I wanted something creative but practical too x
Loved this post! I have always wondered about Aliexpress but have never ordered anything from them. I love, love, love all the washi tape you picked out! Thanks for sharing! Xoxo
Thank you so much lovely! And yes that’s exactly it – it’s so off-putting because it seems way too good to be true, so it completely put me off buying! However, it was really (surprisingly) good – so I’d recommend! Thanks for reading! <3
I’m a huge bargain hunter, so thanks for sharing. now I know where to buy some of these things🙂
Me too! I’d definitely recommend here 🙂 x
Awesome:)
I love all the stationery you showed in this post!! Aliexpress stationery seems like a really good brand 😁 xx
Thanks lovely – there’s so much I was soooo spoilt for choice ;-; I may or may not have bought enough to warrant a part 2 haul post .. I admit nothing xD xx
It’s okay and oohh well looking forward to maybe seeing a part 2? 😉 xx
I think I may shop there now! Super super cute 😂
Highly recommend it! Thanks lovely xx
You’re most welcome!
Totally cute stuff <3 <3
https://projectmusings9.com
Thanks lovely! xxx
Definitely going to check out their stationary now! I actually bought my prom dress off them, and it was great quality! (Surprisingly lol) Also I’ve nominated you for the sunshine blogger award, go check it out on my blog xx
I definitely would! Ooooh, I’m glad that turned out well for you! Did you ever share your prom dress pictures? And thank you so much lovely xxx
No I haven’t because it was literally 5 years ago now… Wouldn’t even know if they still sold it haha x it was one of the ones where you send your measurements to them, and they make it from that 🙂
Omg this is so great for bujo-ing! Mmm, I love looking to your blog for bujo inspo! (:
Thanks gorgeous girl! And I just posted about bullet journalling! ;D x
your bullet journal is gorgeous. please consider doing a tips for beginners post as I’m struggling with my own! x
Thanks lovely girl! I just uploaded a massive guide on bullet journalling so that should help:) xx
Thank you! Just read it, was super informative and helpful xx
This is awesome. I cant wait for the new year to come so i can start a fresh bujo! 😄
Woops this was meant for your latest post!!
Oh haha xD Thought that counts – thanks lovely ;D
Me too!xx