2021 || APRIL FAVOURITES

In April my favourite thing was the weather :)  the end. Jokes aside, I must say that Spring is in full bloom this year and I cannot wait for hotter days to come our way soon! After last year's first lockdown it will be very difficult to beat the weather but please let the sunshine continue throughout the rest of SS21!! 

April 2021 has been a month of trying out lots of new products - some I've loved and others maybe not so much. Either way, I will be focusing on the items that I really enjoyed using throughout the month. Let's get into it!

2021 || MARCH FAVOURITES

March was a bit different for me than the past few months as the weather began to change into warmer days meaning that I've been going on more walks and trying to keep myself busy. Whereas the past few months seemed so dreary and not very enjoyable due to the cold!  

In all honesty, I have been using the same products that I usually do in my skincare and makeup routine as I'm not in a position where I can spend a lot of money to try new things. However, I will try and change it up a little bit each month so I have something new to talk about! I do have a massive collection of beauty items that I have never opened so this might actually be a good excuse to start opening up some bottles!

2021 || FEBRUARY FAVOURITES

*This post contains affiliate links and my own product (Luna Lava Store).

My routine hasn't changed much since January, I have maybe switched a couple of skincare and makeup items so it was hard to pick the top products I've loved during this month. After careful consideration and narrowing it down to just 3 items, I have decided which products to feature in this blog post.

2021 || JANUARY FAVOURITES

Here we are, it's the time of the month and year where I try to stick out writing monthly favourites posts - let's hope that this time they are here to stay seeing as I've got lots of free time to write!

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

2017 || SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES

For most, September is a month of denial as you find yourself missing Summer but are stuck in between seasons, but for me, it is the month I look forward to finishing the most so I can get excited for Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas.
With Autumn comes a great deal of pumpkin-spiced everything, even makeup looks. I'm personally obsessed with orange-brown smokey eyes with a shiny nude lip, but I have noticed that a lot of people I follow on my social media are still going for a glowing skin with lots and lots of highlighter (you glow, girl). So you can imagine that the products I've been using and loving the most the past month include a mixture of both, Summer and Autumn products.

Makeup Revolution is definitely one of those brands that everyone would have tried at some point in their lives. For me, it is one of my favourite brands for powder products such as eyeshadows and highlighters. My favourite ones that I've been loving throughout September are the Salted Caramel Palette and the Ultra Strobe Cream which make the perfect autumnal face. Sometimes I like to use the strobe cream on the high points of my face, and other times I put it all over my face and shine like the stars!

Do you remember how big the Mariah Carey x MAC collab was? All I remember is that people were fighting over the highlighter and most lipsticks, but I managed to get a lipstick and a lipglass and boy, oh boy can I just say how stunning the colours and the packaging is?! I have actually not touched them at all until recently as I didn't want to ruin the beautifully detailed engraving on the lipstick.

Last but not least, I have been overusing stick highlighters - especially the Collection Pearl Sheen one is shade 01. I like to apply it faintly over my foundation before I set it with powder for a more blinding effect. The shade is actually really nice, not as opaque as I'd like for it to be but it was expected for the low price.

What were your September Favourites this year?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2017 || AUGUST FAVOURITES

August wasn't the best of months for beauty products for me, but I did manage to find some products that I loved - including an app which I never really mention on here. The one makeup product that I loved was the L'oreal Infallible Total Cover Foundation in shade Porcelain (yup, I'm that pale). I must say that this is one of the best full coverage drugstore foundations I have ever used and reminds me of this high-end product. As August was a bit of a hit-or-miss month when it came to the weather, I was loving Carmex's Lime Twist lip balm to hydrate my dry lips. I love the scent and flavour of this little gem, as well as the tingly feeling it leaves on my mouth - does that sound weird? Because it works amazingly!

My current skincare consists of smothering myself up in Vaseline's Intensive Care Advanced Repair moisturiser, followed by the St. Tropez Instant Tan for a natural and glowy look. I have to admit and say that I'm quite lazy when it comes to caring for my skin, especially when I have to moisturise as to me it feels like a chore. However, since I started using this moisturiser I have noticed positive results in my dry skin and it feels a lot more nourished than usual. The St. Tropez Instant Tan is great as a last minute tan boost before an event etc. as it develops very quickly and doesn't stain your clothes!

The app that I've been using daily (besides Instagram and Twitter, obvs) is My Fitness Pal which has helped me keep track of how many calories I eat in a day and what foods to avoid, and what to eat more of. It also sends me reminders to drink more water which I've been trying to be very good with - my goal is to drink 3 litres a day.
I've been trying to lose some weight and tone up for the past few weeks and I won't lie and say I've been good because I haven't. I will try and keep up with my fitness routine and get back to y'all in a couple of months.

My favourite hair products during August were the Lee Stafford Coco Loco Coconut Heat Protection Mist, and Superdrug's Bloomin' Barnet Dry Shampoo. I was in need of a new heat protection spray so grabbed the Coco Loco one to try out as I'm a sucker for anything coconut scented and I must say that I love it very much and use it all the time before using hot irons. On the other hand, the dry shampoo is my life saver on sweaty and oily days when my hair needs a little bit of refreshment, as well as for when it needs some extra 'oomph'.

What did you enjoy using this month? Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned in this post?

Lots of love

Maya xo

2017 || JULY FAVOURITES

I know this post is now long overdue, however, I found it quite hard to balance out blogging while on holiday as I stupidly didn't schedule any posts before setting off! Thus, not only is this post a bit late but I also included the UD Naked Heat palette in my July's favourites as I had a couple of weeks longer to play with it rather than judging it by its first use, even though it's bloody amazing.

2017 || JUNE FAVOURITES

June was yet an another big month full of new products for me to try out. I got my hands on some amazing limited edition products from MAC as well as my very first Milani product, but my favourite thing about June was finishing second year of university and getting a very good grade too! Happy days!

Unfortunately, June has also brought many devastating events such as the Grenfell Tower fire, the Finsbury Park attack, and many more terrible, terrible events. This month will definitely not be forgotten and my love and sympathy are with those affected by the terrible events. However, I don't want this post to be depressing and uneasy to read as we should all try to move on and share love around the world, so let's get into it.

Were coloured mascaras ever a proper thing? I remember experimenting with different colours when I was younger and going to school discos, but now it's so rare to find a wearable shade that isn't too 'in your face'. Ever since discovering the YSL Luxurious Mascara False Lash Effect in the shade Extreme Blue, I was hooked and can safely say this is my favourite summer mascara. I think the blue really complements my eye colour, especially if worn with bronze eyeshadows and a bit of liner.

Most of you probably already know that I'm a massive sucker for pretty packaging, so when I saw that MAC brought out a new Summer collection including a coconut scented Fix+, I knew I had to buy it. So, quite naturally I picked up the Fix+ which smells absolutely divine, and also this cute Hawaiian looking bronzer which makes a perfect addition to my little collection. I've said it before and will stick to it, that MAC's limited edition packaging is over-rated however, I still fall for it every time... Being a huge fan of anything coconut scented and the original Fix+ spray I knew that it was a no-brainer that I'll love this newbie (I wasn't wrong - it is amazing). On the other hand, the bronzer is so beautiful to look at that I haven't given it a proper go yet as I'm scared I'll ruin the pretty pattern! I bet I sound so whiny but I just love the pattern too much! I was the same when it came to my Elizabeth Arden bronzer but now I've used it plenty of times.

I've not tried a lot of Lancome products but the ones I have tested out were pretty damn good. Who doesn't love a new fragrance? When my mum gifted me with the Lancome La Vie Est Belle I was very happy and surprised with how much I actually loved it. Not only was I intrigued by the perfume because of the beautiful Julia Roberts who is the face of Lancome, but also because of the unique shape of the bottle and its not-so-old-fashioned scent as I expected it to be.

Finally, the star of the month. I must admit that I've not been a religious user of blushers these past few years of me using makeup however, I started to get back into wearing blusher recently and this little guy has completely won me over that I NEED the whole collection like, right now, please! I bought the shade 'Tea Rose' which is very cool-toned and I thought it'll work best with my skin tone without making me look too flushed or unnatural. I have my eyes on the other shades, so who knows maybe I'll feature another one in my next monthly favourites?

What have you been loving last month? Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2017 || MAY FAVOURITES

For me, May was a good month full of amazing new beauty products I got to try out! I love trying out new things, as well as using up old products haha - I don't know if it's just me but I find it so satisfying to use up products and chuck out the empty packaging??

First up, we've got my beautiful Vivienne Westwood Orb Earrings which I received for my birthday from the other half. I love them so much and try to get a lot of wear out of them but they're so precious I'm scared to lose them :( One of my close friends lost her VW earring down the sink, so imagine how painful that must have been for her!!

The fragrance I've been constantly using throughout the month of May is Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb - come on now, the clue is in the name haha, it's the most perfect scent for spring! I love the cute bottle, it comes very handy if you're travelling as the bottle is easy to store.

I don't know about you but I've never really seen/heard any makeup gurus rave about any high-end face powders but when I got my hands on this little number by Lancome my life literally changed haha. The packaging, for one, is gorgeous. I love the lid - it screams expensive. This powder was a part of a limited edition collection for Christmas in 2014 called 'Parisian Lights' and has bits of shimmer in it. I got this from my mum as she works in makeup and is lucky enough to get her hands on LE stock that can't be sold to the public anymore - sort of like Bicester village.

Another one of my May favourites was the Makeup Revolution Contour Palette. This bad boy only retails at £3.50 (last time I checked anyway). It comes in a cute compact with a mirror, a cool-toned bronzer shade, bright highlighter and rose-gold blusher. I've already used up one of these but the one I had before didn't come with a mirror which makes me feel like this one might be slightly more expensive, but most likely still very affordable. My favourite part of this palette is probably the highlighter as it is BLINDING. It looks great on my pale skin which is hard to find, to begin with, so if it shows up crazy bright on my skin tone you can only imagine how piercing it'd look on darker skin tones. The blusher reminds me a lot of Nars' Orgasm but for a fraction of the price. The bronzing shade is also great for those who prefer cool-toned contour shades over warmer shades.

What best way to tone up than using a Firming Anti-Cellulite Gel?! Haha don't get me wrong, this isn't going to make you look like Rihanna but it will help reduce the appearance of cellulite wherever you desire to get rid of it. I've been using this for a while now and have noticed a slight difference in the cellulite on my thighs. I've also been trying to drink more water and work out harder at the gym so I can gladly say my Summer body is coming along nicely! (Update: 16/02/2021 - I was very obsessed with having to look a certain way and have since become confident in my own skin and would never recommend a cellulite 'removing' product as 1. this cannot be done, and 2. cellulite is normal!!!)

Last, but not least the Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream - the saviour. I had a lot of deadlines and a few exams in May so it resulted in many sleepless nights thus making my eyes very puffy. This cream is amazing and I have raved about it many times before so if you'd like a further read on it, check my post here.

*This post contains some affiliate links.

What have you loved in May? Did you have any important deadlines to meet or exams?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2017 || APRIL FAVOURITES

April, April, April... What a rollercoaster of emotions you were - just like the weather you brought to us this year! I must say I loved quite a few of the same items this year so it might look like a review - but I promise you they are so worth it.

First up, I've been really enjoying using the Kerastase Voluminifique Spray. I have very thin hair and it's difficult to keep it looking volumised and thick. I've been using this spray after every wash and then blow drying and styling my hair as usual, and I have noticed a change in the volume even after sleeping with my hair down. This is honestly a Holy Grail for me and I highly recommend it to all who haven't been blessed with thick hair.

The Collection Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Eyeliner in Glitz was my first glitter liner from this collection. It makes creating glam cut crease looks so much easier and it's great for those who aren't very good at using loose glitter as it sticks to the eyelid without any extra glitter glue. I try to use these as much as I can, but the turquoise shade is hands down my favourite and will get a lot of use this Summer!

Bell sleeves - my true love this Spring. How beautiful is this top from Topshop though? Not only has it got bell sleeves (which are so in this Spring - read my 'What's fashionable this Spring' post here), but also the oh-so-cute pie crust neckline! This is the top that's in my pictures however, the teal colour seems to be sold out on the website. I know for a fact that I'll be getting some more colours soon!

What have you been loving this April? Other than the hot days of course!

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2017 || MARCH FAVOURITES

Oh, well wasn't March an eventful month for me?! I have bought my own domain, updated my blog, did many collaborations with some amazing brands, went to a fashion show where I won the 'Best Dressed' award, got good grades from uni, and got rid of horrible people from my life! I can honestly say that March this year has made me stronger as a woman and I'm very grateful for all your support.

Moving on, March wasn't my best month for beauty favourites therefore I will say that the events mentioned above are a part of my monthly faves, but I did fall back in love with a couple of items I've had for a while.

First up, MAC's Paint Pot in the shade Painterly. I have previously reviewed this product here, but I started to reach for it more throughout the month to make my eyeshadow last longer. I really love the shade of this paint pot as it's very close to my natural skin tone so it makes it easy to blend any eyeshadow colour on my lid. I also have 3 more shades of these, would anyone like an updated MAC makeup collection? Please let me know!

The other product I've been loving this March is the glorious Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum - 100 ml. I wanted to get this perfume for so long, and one of my closest friends bought me a bottle for Christmas last year! I was so happy when I opened it up - you should have seen my face! It smells great, it's suitable for all ages (especially teens and young adults, and anyone who loves sweet scents!). And can we just sit back and appreciate the packaging? It's so bloody gorgeous that I think I'll keep the bottle on display after I use the product up!!

*This post isn't sponsored but may include affiliate links.

What have you been loving this March? Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2017 || FEBRUARY FAVOURITES

February was a massive emotional rollercoaster ride for me. I had to battle my depression and anxiety as well as distance myself from toxic people, yet I also met some very lovely like-minded people and been really successful with blogging and university work. Moral of the story - don't let temporary people affect your future, and that hard work does pay off!

Anyway, I must say the product I've been loving the most last month was something that I've had since August and had only used it once. It is the Natural Collection Lipstick in shade Fig Leaf. I don't know why I didn't use it, probably because I have so many lipsticks I usually stick to the old trusty ones like Jeffree Star's Celebrity Skin or NYX's Soft Matte Lip Cremes. With the weather not being so great, I've been wanting to just wear lip balm but I felt like I needed a bit of colour added to my lips, so that's when I turned to this natural shade that's full of moisture that locks in all day long and it only costs £1.99! Fantastic bargain and I must say it will definitely suit all skin tones!

My next favourite (especially in Spring) is the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer. I've had this since January and been using it nearly every day since. It's a beautiful shade that instantly adds warmth to my skin and makes me look sun-kissed in seconds which also lasts all day long! It is slightly pricey, however definitely worth the price if you wear bronzer every day.

I recently bought the whole range of Lee Stafford's Hair Growth products and I've been really loving the Leave-in Treatment. I've been using it after every wash and I've noticed the difference on how much thicker my hair looks thanks to the pro-growth complex and caffeine. I will do a full review of the whole range soon.

Another one of my oldies but goodies that I've completely neglected is the Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream. It is amazing for brightening up your eyes and reducing the appearance of dark circles. I tend to use it in the morning before applying my makeup, but it's also BENEFITcial (see what I did there haha) to wear it overnight as then I wake up feeling fresh and with bright eyes - not horrible droopy 'what is sleep' sort of eyes!

Wikaniko's Moringa oil is one of my newest additions to my skincare routine, and OMG can I just say that this is bloody amazing?! I've not had it for long but I've been using it every night since receiving a bottle to review and it makes my skin feel absolutely amazing; it's so soft and reduces the appearance of fine lines (a full review will be up soon).

I've probably spoken about the L'aimant fragrance before, but I honestly love this scent. It smells great and is very dusty but still refreshing - perfect for Spring. It's also a very handy small bottle which fits perfectly in my handbag without weighing it down too much! If you're a big fan of Chanel then I'd definitely recommend this fragrance as it smells identical to Chanel No5.

What have you been loving this February? Have you tried any of these products before?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2017 || JANUARY FAVOURITES

Oh, have I been spoilt for my birthday this year! Turning 21 really does mean you get old - but we only get better and wiser with age!

During my birthday month, I was enjoying the Lovestruck perfume by Vera Wang which I was kindly gifted by my other half. I really love the scent of it, it's very fresh and feminine - perfect for the Spring.

Of course, a nail varnish had to make my top 5! I've gone back to my old trusty Barry M in the shade 04. I can only wear nude nails for work (boring I know) and I've been loving this matte little number. You only need one coat and it covers the nail bed perfectly! I would definitely recommend this shade for those who like a cool-toned nude.

Benefit always manages to amaze me with their products. As soon as Dandelion Shy Beam came out, I knew I had to bag it up. It's the most perfect matte highlighter for pale gals like me. It looks beautiful on its own as well as with a dust of powder highlight on top. I would recommend this to everyone who has problems with finding the perfect highlighter for them! - Don't let the price tag put you off, as this is very worth it!

Colourpop is one of my favourite affordable brands, but it costs a fortune to have it shipped to England! :( I've only made one order with them so far, but I will definitely be buying more of their products for sure. I have been using the Ultra Satin Lip in shade Barracuda nearly every day. It is a beautiful pink shade which suits all skin types and feels great on the lips. It's not drying at all and I found that it doesn't smudge throughout the day - ding ding ding, we've got a winner!
Another one of my favourites is their eyeshadows (all shades tbh!). I don't remember the name of this shade, but honestly, the pigment and consistency of these are amazing! If you can get your hands on any of Colourpop products then I would definitely suggest getting the pressed pigments.

What have you been loving this January? Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2016 || DECEMBER FAVOURITES

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner - £17 

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Perfume - £91

Urband Decay All-Nighter Make-up Setting Spray - £23.50

MAC Star Trek Highlighter in Luna Luster - £24

December was an amazing month for beauty products. I managed to get hold of some great items which are all high end, but are they worth the high price tag?

I haven't tried many Kiehl's products before but after hearing some of my favourite bloggers - including Emma - rave about them, I had to buy something to try out for myself. I decided to pick up a toner, as I always buy the Clean&Clear one which I love but I feel it's too harsh for my skin type. My skin is dry in some places and oily in others so I thought I'll try the oil-free toner to use daily. I love the smell and consistency of it. It feels like it's gliding onto my skin making it feel fresh and plump. I definitely recommend it to those who have combination or oily skin, if you have a dry skin type the go for the original toner as I've also heard some pretty good reviews about it.

One of the items I asked for last Christmas was the Black Opium perfume as I've been lusting over it ever since it came out two years ago. It smells amazing and I couldn't pull myself to spend so much money on a fragrance, whereas my parents were struggling on what to get me so I thought I'd ask for this beauty! Oh boy, I am not disappointed at all - it smells divine and I can wear is as an every-day scent as well as in the evening.

The Urban Decay setting spray has been so hyped up by so many bloggers including Jeffree Star and Nikkie Tutorials, so I finally decided to get one and try it out for myself. I find that it sets my makeup well and makes it last longer, however it's not as hydrating as I was hoping for it to be. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great product but I was expecting slightly bit more from it for the price. I do like the new design of the packaging though and know for a fact that I will be repurchasing this product!

Last but not least, the Star Trek for MAC limited edition highlighter in Luna Luster is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!! It's great for those who love to collect LE pieces, as well as enjoy a natural glow to their face. This highlighter isn't as blinding as I was hoping for it to be, but it's still very beautiful and great for an every-day makeup look.

What did you love last December? Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2016 || NOVEMBER FAVOURITES

Essie Nail Varnish in shade Worth The Wait. OMG, I cannot stress enough about how good Essie nail polishes are! I have quite a big collection of them now and I love every single one of them. I own a lot of nude shades as I'm not allowed to wear any 'unnatural' colours at work (haha I know right...), but this one is a new favourite at the moment. It's a very subtle shade and is more of a Spring shade, however it makes me feel very cute and girly when wearing it, so why not eh?

The MacBook Pro is my newest edition to my life. I needed a new laptop seeing as my old one had broken over a year ago - it was an amazing laptop and very dearly loved. I feel like an utter Apple whore now that I've got their laptop, iPad and iPhone. I absolutely love this laptop, even though it's soooo expensive (I bought the one with Retina display), but I'm glad I had gone ahead with it. There are many good laptops which are cheaper, however I really dislike anything newer than Windows 7, and I'm used to iOS due to having an iPad and iPhone.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick Dupe in shade Bow N Arrow. I've wrote a full review of these which you can read here. This shade is very wearable and long-lasting, therefore perfect as an every-day colour!

Sleek Highlighting Palette in shade Cleopatra's Kiss. Oh my, what can I say about this palette?! It's absolutely stunning. Just look at these gorgeous shades, they're perfect for wearing not just on your face, but also as eyeshadows as they're very shiny and have a lot of shimmer. I feel like they're suitable for all skin tones and definitely a must-have.

What have you loved last month? Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2016 || OCTOBER FAVOURITES

October is the month of Halloween, so everything I've been loving last month was super vampy.
First up, I've been a huge fan of Mac lipliners for ages now and keep constantly buying new shades to add to my collection. My recent addition was the shade 'Plum' which is beyond beautiful. It's perfect for the Autumn/Winter time as a dark and bold lip is everything at this time of the year!

Next up, is the Makeup Revolution Light & Shade eyeshadow palette, which is a dupe for the Kat Von D Shade and Light palette. The pigmentation is amazing, the shadows are creamy and easy to blend, however the only issue I have with this is the fallout!

Rimmel lipsticks were a massive craze for me when I was younger, and when I purchased one of their darker shades I remembered just how good they are! I feel like I have to get the full collection now, but I need to calm down with all the spending, especially with Christmas coming up! I bought the shade 'Starry Eyed' and it's a perfect Autumn shade, paired up with a gold eyeshadow and ta-dah! You've got the perfect look for this time of year.

Who doesn't love a bit of new stationary, especially when it's from Tiger! I love these thin felt pens, they're so easy to work with and don't smudge - which is vital for bloggers (we tend to be fast writers). I mainly use these for writing up blog post ideas, making lists and notes for revision.

What did you love in October? Have you tried any of the products I mentioned above?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2016 || SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES

Ever since I tried out Primark's makeup range, I've been obsessing over these ideas and have bought a whole face of makeup from brands such as Natural Collection, Poundland etc. Today, I wanted to share with you guys my September favourites featuring only makeup from Poundland.

Liquid Lipsticks have taken over the world just like drawn-on eyebrows, they're a must for most. So when I found out that Poundland has released a new range of products, including liquid lipsticks, I had to rush over and pick out every shade!

The nude shade is absolutely perfect as an every-day kind of colour. I feel like it goes with all skin tones, and because it's a cool-tone it suits me more than any other nude liquid lipstick! YAY.

The pink shade is gorgeous for the night time. I feel like it would look amazing with a grey-black smokey eye or a feline liner flick and extreme wispy lashes! The scent is great, it smells like vanilla cupcakes and applies really easily. If I had to compare them to another product, it would have to be the NYX soft matte lip creams.

On the other hand, the contour duo's are also amazing for the price. I feel like both of the bronzer shades are great and would suit up to medium-dark skin tones. The highlighter shade is very pretty, however it's in a cream format so it's quite hard to work with. Same thing goes for the blush shade, however I feel like it's more bendable, especially on darker skin.

I've been using the liquid lipsticks practically every day throughout September and would highly recommend them. I would also say that the contour kits are worth buying, if you're on a budget or are feeling like trying out a new beauty product.

Have you tried any of Poundland's makeup? What about their liquid lipsticks?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2016 || AUGUST FAVOURITES

This might as well be a back-to-uni haul because all these items were new and bought specifically for uni, yet I loved them all haha!

My favourite has to be the pink diary I got from Poundland - yes, you read it right POUNLAND!
The second notebook is from Primark, and I believe it only cost me £2.50 but just look at the glitter and unicorns ahhh! It's to DIE for!
Next up, (also from Primark) I loved the 'Full Look' false lashes. They are only £1 and I usually go for the sultry lashes, however I fancied a change and saw these beauties. Oh wow, I was so happily surprised when I wore them! Of course, I reuse my lashes a few times before chucking them out, so I think £1 is an absolute bargain even if you do get rid of them after the first use!
I've been wanting to try the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream lipsticks for a while now and I decided to purchase the shade 'Rome' - not only because it's a gorgeous colour, but also because I'm obsessed with anything to do with Italy haha (especially pizza). I absolutely love the formula, it feels like I've got nothing on, and smells a-m-a-z-i-n-g!! I'm definitely going to expand my collection soon, especially as they're only £5.50!
The whole hype about the Maybelline Eye Erase concealer turned out to be true for me too. I absolutely adore this concealer, I think the coverage is great and it hides my dark circles. The only issue I have with this product is the shade - it's not light enough!!! Come on Maybelline, sort your shit out and make some paler shades for us ghosts!!!
Last but not least, another spot cream. I don't get a lot of break outs nowadays (come on, I'm nearly 21 now, this needs to stop!), but when I do I get it bad. This little bad boy has been my saviour during August and I know for a fact that I will repurchase it until they bring out a spot cream that's better than this one, however I don't think you can top this 95p treatment from Wilko's.

What have you loved in August this year? Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned above?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2016 || JULY FAVOURITES

This July I loved a few products, mainly skincare but there's also a makeup item.

First of all, let's talk about the Victoria Secret body sprays. I absolutely love their whole range and trying to pick out a few from the whole collection was quite a tough task. I've especially been loving Sheer Love as I feel like it's the perfect summer fragrance and feels so light on, unlike perfume which I find a bit too heavy to wear during hot summer days.

Next up we've got the Argan Oil heat defence leave in spray. I don't even remember how many times I've repurchased or spoke about this product, but I got back into using it as it works wonders, especially in humid weather where my hair tends to get frizzy.

And what's summer without dry skin? I feel like my hands get really dry in summer which is odd as most people tend to get dry skin in winter. This Soap and Glory Endless Glove hand cream has literally been my life saver this summer. I love the scent of it - it's very fruity, just what summer is all about.

Last but not least, the Bourjois 123 Perfect foundation. The coverage is great, the scent is great and the whole idea is just great. The only negative thing I have to say is that the colour range is very poor and I'm forced to mix this foundation with another in order to get a shade that suits me most.

What did you love this July? Have you tried any of the items I've mentioned?

Lots of love,

Maya xo