2019 || JANUARY FAVOURITES

Origins Night-a-mins £32:

This is hands down my new favourite night cream. I used to really enjoy wearing Decleor Neroli Oil or Night Balm but I’ve been completely diverted. Night-a-mins has recently had its formula changed to fruit-derived acids to make it more effective as a treatment and more environmentally friendly. The cream consists of grape, apple and beetroot acids which help resurface the skin as well as peel the dead skin cells off overnight. It took me a couple of weeks to get used to this product as I found it a bit tightening at first which gave away an uncomfortable sensation on my cheeks, but now I use it daily and can’t imagine myself going back to anything else.

MAC 217s blending brush £21:

I don’t know what I did before I got this brush. It has honestly changed the way I apply my eyeshadow, making it so easy to blend any harsh lines or shadows together. I bought this brush exactly a year ago for my 22nd birthday and I got another for Christmas last year which will make my life much easier because I won’t have to wash the brush as often if I’m in a hurry (I try to wash my brushes at least once a week). Even though this brush is very expensive, it really is worth every penny. Especially now that the bristles are synthetic instead of real hair (much more environmentally friendly) it makes it a lot easier to blend all sorts of eyeshadows and it doesn’t shed at all. I think this is definitely a great brush to add to your collection and a staple in my daily routine.

Papier Disney dotted notebook £12.99:

I first came across this brand after seeing it on the Tribe app and once I saw that Papier sells Disney themed notebooks I had to get one. They offer quite a big variety of different styles and types of notebooks and diaries but for my first one, I picked this Alice in Wonderland one. I’ve been wanting to start a proper bullet journal for months now so when’s the best time for one if not now? I started filling this one out in the last week of December last year and I can’t seem to put it down. I also use another dated diary for everyday use but I enjoy the fact that I can customise my bullet journal to my needs. You can get £10 off your first order when using this link.

Heather Morris’ The Tattooist of Auschwitz £4:

I bought this book back in October and attempted to read it twice but couldn’t really bring myself to sitting down and focusing on a book due to some personal issues I was going through. Now that I have finally made time for myself I managed to finish this book in a couple of weeks time and wow, it is bloody brilliant. The writing is phenomenal and the way that Heather described Lale’s story is so personal and made me feel all the emotions in the world! If you haven’t read this already, please do - you won’t regret it.

Soap & Glory The Scrub of Your Life £7:
This is a gem that I re-discovered at Christmas when I received a large Soap & Glory set from my partner. I forgot just how good this smells and makes my skin feel after cleansing. Thankfully, the brand has stopped using microbeads in their products in 2014 (according to their Twitter account) which is why I was happy to start using this product again. I find that the product works well on its own, however, I prefer to use it with exfoliating gloves for a super smooth effect on my skin. If you haven't already tried this scrub then I suggest you do as it smells great and will make your skin feel brand new!

What have you loved this January?

*This post includes affiliate links.

Lots of love,

Maya xo

REVIEW || SUPERDRUG VITAMIN E SKINCARE REVIEW - DUAL PHASE CLEANSING OIL, MICELLAR SOLUTION, OATMEAL EXFOLIATOR & HOT CLOTH CLEANSER

If you’re like me then you’re always looking for good and affordable skincare. We’ve all heard of Origins, Clinique, Liz Earle etc but these labels also carry a high price tag with their great products. Since coming across Superdrug’s Vitamin E range a few years ago I wanted to pick up a few of their skincare products and give them a proper go before reviewing them for you guys.

Vitamin E Gentle Oatmeal Exfoliator £2.99:

I have previously tried the Oatmeal Exfoliator and loved the smell but didn’t really remember the product so I had to buy it again and see if it was any good. As I already mentioned, the scent is really nice - it reminds me of a Lush soap I’ve had before. It feels very gentle on the skin as it’s sort of creamy but the oat grains are effective enough to scrub away the dead skin cells and sebum. I do find that the grains get stuck in the tube a bit making it harder to squeeze the product out but as long as the little nozzle is cleaned after every use it shouldn’t get blocked.

Vitamin E Dual Phase Cleansing Oil £2.99:

When I picked this cleansing oil up I was really excited to try a new cleanser that will remove my makeup properly - including my waterproof mascara. I thought of this as a more affordable and cruelty-free alternative to Clinique’s Take The Day Off makeup remover which is one of my favourite products, but for obvious reasons (not being cruelty-free & price) I want to find a perfect alternative. At first, I thought that this oil was a bit rubbish as the bottle would leak after I applied some product to a cotton pad, it really got on my nerves as this would happen every time I used it!

The instructions say to shake the bottle to combine the two oils and then apply to a cotton pad ready to use to take any makeup off as well as to cleanse the skin from any impurities to leave the skin feeling clean and soft. I can say that this oil does work in a very similar way to the Clinique makeup remover, however, it doesn’t take waterproof mascara off as well which is slightly disappointing. It feels lovely on the skin as it glides on over the face and melts the makeup away but I feel like I need to double cleanse after (which I always do regardless of the makeup remover I use) therefore this might not be the right product for you if you want something fuss-free an easy to use, but at only £2.99 I think it’s definitely a product worth trying.

Vitamin E Gentle Micellar Solution £2.99:

I really love the scent of this micellar water, it smells very fresh and sort of sweet (similar to the exfoliator). This micellar water is designed to remove makeup and any impurities from the skin but I used it as a toner after double cleansing my skin. It’s an okay cleanser, I don’t think it takes off any makeup off however it feels great on the skin as a toner but that’s the only use I get out of it. I've noticed that my skin felt softer since using this product but it still has quite a lot of texture so personally, I don't think this works as a very good toner either, so for £2.99, I can’t be mad but probably won’t buy this again.

Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser £4.99:

Well, where do I start? I had really high hopes for this cleanser, especially after hearing that it’s a great dupe for the Liz Earl one. When I opened the box this cleanser came in, I found a cloth inside which I thought was a very good addition to the product as not everyone owns a face cloth (I have around 10 because I obviously lack self-control). The first time I tried this product I thought it was okay and it did cleanse my skin nicely but I had a feeling like it wasn’t enough so I’d always use a scrub after because I didn’t want to leave my skin feeling congested. Another time I used this was a completely different story and, to be honest with you, it was the last time I used this. My face was burning and carried on stinging after I removed the product. I don’t know what it was that made my skin react so badly but I haven’t touched it since. It does say on the bottle that it’s suitable for sensitive skin but I wouldn’t recommend it if you suffer from acne, rosacea, dry flaky skin etc. So this little guy will definitely not make it back into my bathroom cabinet unless they change the formula or create one for very sensitive skin!

Have you tried any products from the Vitamin E range? I know there are so many more, so if you’d like me to review any please let me know in the comments section down below!

*This post contains affiliate links.

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2019 || JANUARY WISHLIST

Now that I’m out of my writer's block I wanted to bring my blog back to basics and write about what I have always enjoyed but stopped doing - a monthly wishlist. Even though I might not necessarily buy the products I mention, they have definitely made it onto my birthday/Christmas lists on my phone for those who need help with what to get me, or if I want to treat myself I can always go back to that list and pick an item (or two) of what I’d like.

I am currently obsessed with Soap & Glory products because I was given a huge set of their best-selling products for Christmas. I think I was 14 years old when I tried my first S&G product (I believe it was the Hand Food hand cream) and have loved their products ever since. Did you ever go through a phase of wanting every S&G bath product, or was that just me?

The products that have made my wishlist are the No Woman No Dry body cream, The Way She Smoothes body lotion, The Righteous Butter shower cream, Sugar Rush body wash, and Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub. Wow, that’s some list haha!

One makeup item that I’ve been lusting over for a while is this beautiful liquid lipstick by Jeffree Star in shade ‘Hi, How Are Ya?’ as it is the most beautiful red shade, well, equally as beautiful as my favourite red - Redrum.

Another lost love of mine is collecting Yankee Candles. When we first started getting these in the UK I have bought at least one large candle a month and went through them very quickly. Now I really love to treat myself to a more luxurious candle or one that’s less accessible (Bath and Body Works), but I have recently come across these two scents which sound very lovely. ‘Belgian Waffles’ sounds right up my alley and I really want to get my hands on it as I can imagine it to smell absolutely beautiful. The other one, ‘Strawberry Lemon Ice’, also sounds amazing and fresher than what I usually buy - perfect for Spring this year.

Now, would it really be a Vogue by Maya wishlist if it didn’t include an item of clothing (or three)? Snake print is one of my favourite prints this season so when I saw this gorgeous midi skirt from H&M for only £12.99 I had to include it on my list! This is definitely a staple piece that you’ll need in your wardrobe - get it quick before all the sizes go out of stock!

With Spring just around the corner, I thought I’d include a little cardigan as it will soon be too warm to wear big coats. This particular one caught my eye as I can picture it with so many outfits already, so no wonder it made the list and at only £17.99 it makes the perfect Spring jacket. There seems to be a slight pattern going as the clothes I had picked out are all from H&M but it is one of my favourite high street stores! The last item on my list is the pair of the chunky trainers for £29.99 which are absolutely stunning. I’m not one for trainers usually but these caught my attention as soon as I saw them and maybe have even put them in my H&M basket hehe ;)

What items have been on your wishlist this month?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

NUDE MAC LIPSTICKS YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE

I've been a huge fan of MAC lipsticks ever since wearing Snob was huge. Has anyone actually touched Snob since 2012? I know one person who still swears by it and it looks beautiful on her but I feel like it's too light for me to wear now, does anyone else feel the same?

Either way, I wanted to make this post a bit more old-school like the posts I used to write as I've noticed myself finding it hard to write something that you will enjoy, especially as there are so many talented bloggers out there. I think I need to fall back in love with my blog and writing, so fingers crossed I get back into a routine!

My first ever MAC lipstick, or even my first MAC item, I purchased was Brave in 2012 I believe? I was honestly so obsessed with pairing it up with my trusty Satin Mauve Essence lip liner lol, I don't think I've ever received as many compliments as I did when I wore that iconic combo. I wore that lipstick every single day until I bought Velvet Teddy which became my new favourite, and once I got my hands on the Ellie Goulding's Only You lipstick there was no going back and my collection of nude lipsticks wouldn't stop growing... A few years on and I have acquired a little collection of my go-to nudes from MAC and I don't know what I'd wear if it weren't for them.

As you can see, the two shades towards the right have been very well-loved by me - and rightfully so. If I were to recommend two shades that everybody needs in their collection it would be those two (Brave and Velvet Teddy) as they look gorgeous on all skin tones and can be worn with all types of eye makeup (smokey, natural, colourful etc.).

The shades I haven't worn as much are Only You and Hot Chocolate as they were limited edition and I know I'll cry the day I run out of them. Saying that, I do need to wear them more often as unfortunately, they have an expiry date :( It might also look like I haven't worn Spirit or Mehr much either but Mehr was my most recent addition thanks to Back 2 MAC, and this Spirit lippie was a repurchase as I lose my very well-loved first one on a night out! RIP :(

Here you can see the lipsticks swatched on the inside of my forearm, I even labelled each swatch for you so you should be eternally grateful ;) Majority of the time I will wear Mehr or Brave as I do prefer a satin/matte finish and more of a pinky-nude but that doesn't mean that I neglect the other shades, well, not too much anyway.

Spirit: A 'muted pinky-beige brown' shade with a creamy satin finish. Well, this one has definitely been described as more than one shade haha! This lipstick looks amazing with a bit of Velvet Teddy in the middle of the lip to enhance the natural shape and size of your lip. (#TopTipsWithMaya)

Velvet Teddy: A 'deep-toned beige' shade with a no-shine matte finish. Like I've mentioned above, this was one of my most used shades when I purchased it. I think I wore it every single day for a few months so I'm surprised that I even have any of it left! Who remembers the massive hype over this shade? Was it Zoella who mentioned it?

Brave: A 'pink-beige with white pearl' shade with a creamy satin finish. Ah, my very first MAC purchase which will always be my favourite lipstick shade. I will definitely repurchase this over and over again as it's one of those classic shades that will never go out of style. I will be devastated if this was ever discontinued!

Mehr: A 'dirty blue-pink' shade with a no-shine matte finish. This shade was actually recommended to me by one of my good friends as it was her favourite during her time working at MAC, so why wouldn't I want to try it out?! It has now become one of my staples and I carry it in my bag wherever I go to top-up throughout the day. I urge for anyone with blue/green eyes and light coloured hair to try this shade out as it will make you stand out from the crowd.

Whirl: A 'dirty rose' shade with a no-shine matte finish. This is definitely one of my favourite shades to wear on days/nights out as it's a very versatile shade that goes with any makeup look as well as outfit. Does anyone else choose their lipstick based on their outfit?

Hot Chocolate: A 'cool-plum' shade with a creamy satin finish - limited edition. I know I said that you need this shade in your life but then I realised that it's a limited edition, oh I realised this after taking pictures so thought there's no going back #SorryNotSorry. This is a gorgeous shade and if you really like plummy-nude shades then you can find it online for a high price-tag. But if you don't feel so hot about spending £30 on a lipstick then try out Urban Decay's 1993.

Only You: A 'muted mid-tone coral' with a cremesheen finish - limited edition. Well, I can tell you that this description is complete BS because it is more of a pinky-nude shade with a lustre finish. It does look beautiful on though, especially if you don't like intense shades or the feel of lipstick on your lips. You can buy this lipstick online on Depop or Amazon, or try out MAC's Patisserie instead.

Which one is your favourite shade out of my collection? I feel like I should write this kind of post for red lipsticks too as when I don't wear nude lipstick you'll definitely find me in a red instead. Let me know if you use any of the shades I've mentioned and if there are any that I should try out!

*Quick disclaimer - two (Mehr & Spirit) of these lipsticks were from the Back 2 MAC program so I did not pay for them. This post also includes some affiliate links.

Lots of love,

Maya xo

SS18 ESSENTIALS FOR BEAUTIFUL LOOKING FEET

Ever since I can remember I have always struggled with taking care of my feet as nothing seems to work. My feet are naturally quite dry and sensitive, so when I do apply some sort of ‘special’ foot cream it starts to sting and makes it unbearable for me to walk. This is why I started to try different products, and instead of spending loads of money on regular pedicures, I started to do them myself. I will write a full routine post for you later on but for now, let's focus on my new favourite foot care product.

The foot cream I recently tried out has become my new holy grail skincare item. I came across it when I went on a shopping spree with my mum, and I wish I bought more! It is the Origins' Reinventing the Heel Mega Moisture for Dry, Cracked Feet and retails at £24 so it is quite pricey. I have had it for nearly 3 months now and been using it on and off and have noticed amazing results. Because of the salicylic acid in the cream, it strips the dry skin off while moisturising the fresh layer ensuring your feet are very soft and comfortable. Since I've been using this foot cream it has really boosted my confidence when it comes to having my feet out and wearing sandals and other shoes that expose a bit of my heel.

Because of the lovely weather we've been having, my love for sandals keeps growing, so when I was offered to test the services of FootWay I was beyond excited. Anyone who knows me or reads my blog will know how much I love shoes and that I buy about 3 pairs a week. I have always loved Birkenstock shoes, so just had to get a pair with the voucher I was offered by the company. The pair I decided to go for was the Arizona Regular Birkoflor Myda Espresso which were only £60 in the sale compared to the usual price of between £75 to £90 - bargain! They are sooooo comfortable and make any outfit look super cute, even though you might think they’re granny shoes! I would usually pair them up with a pair of high waisted skinny jeans and a flowy top, or a midi dress in the summer. 
The FootWay website is very easy to navigate as it asks for your shoe size and it can either show you all brands sorted by price or you can select the type of shoes you're looking for. There are many styles to choose from and I struggled a lot picking a favourite pair (because I love all shoes) but have found shoes that are perfect for me. They don't look too bulky on my feet which is great as I find that many buckled sliders look a bit manly, the colour is also very nice as it's a brown-black shade with speckles of glitter (yay). I would highly recommend FootWay for those looking for shoes on a budget as they offer new collections as well as discontinued pairs. I couldn't be happier with the service I received, plus the delivery only took 3 working days which is always a plus especially if you need some shoes for a special occasion or before a holiday! These will definitely be coming with me to Majorca this year.

So my summer essentials for 2018 are the Origins foot cream, fresh pedicure and a comfy pair of sandals. What are your essentials for beautiful looking feet?

*I was sent the pair of shoes to review by FootWay. This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

Lots of love,

Maya xo