REVIEW || XLASH SERUM AND MASCARA

Has anyone actually ever found a mascara that they're 100% happy with? I know that after 10 years of religiously wearing mascara (either clear, brown or black) I have become very fussy with the formula, wands, and even packaging! So when I was sent some of the Xlash products to try out I was super excited to see what all the fuss was about.

The packaging is alright, nothing fancy yet it's different to the ones I've tried before. I prefer the packaging of the serum, but having my MAC False Lashes mascara next to the other two kinds of makes them look worse - don't be fooled by the packaging though as I do not get on very well with the MAC mascara.

I love the fact that the mascara is infused with vitamin E as it's a great treatment for those with thinning lashes - I've noticed a huge difference in the thickness and quality of my lashes as this mascara doesn't pull them out when I take my makeup off. At first, I found the consistency very odd as it was crumbling off my lashes in a rubbery sort of way - if that even makes sense?? Either way, it didn't rip any lashes out which I thought was great as my usual mascaras come off with 1000 lashes every time!

I find the serum also helps with strengthening my lashes and letting them 're-charge' overnight as that's when I like to apply the product. I was expecting the applicator to be a wand but weirdly it's a liner sort of brush which makes the application a lot easier.

Here you can see the applicator which I think is fab for precise application that allows all lashes to be covered and replenish overnight. I also believe that this product will last a while even with daily usage as I've had it for a few weeks now and feel like there's an infinite supply of it!

I apologise for the quality of this photo - it took many attempts to try and get the camera to focus on the wand rather than the background but stubbornly it wasn't having any of it. As you can see, the wand is medium-sized with sparse bristles for a natural look. It's also curved for an easier application and natural curve which I love for work, especially during days like today.

Overall, I really enjoy using both products but if I had to recommend one of them then I'd say try the serum as I have honestly noticed a difference in the thickness and length of my lashes!

*The Xlash mascara and serum have been sent for me to try out and I am a part of the ambassadors' team for the company. All opinions are always honest and my own!

Have you tried or been thinking about using any of the Xlash products? If so, which one(s)?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

WHAT TO DO IN THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IF YOU'RE STAYING IN THE UK

I must say that the past few days this month and a few days last month have been absolutely amazing and the heat has made me very excited for my holiday this year!
For those who are staying local for the Summer but not sure on what to do to make the most out of it - here's a few tips:

1. Have a picnic with friends and/or family

I love having picnics, it's one of my most favourite things to do during hot summer days (other than BBQ's). I always message my friends or just turn around to Kieran and say 'let's have a picnic' and off we go to a lovely park for a few hours and enjoy our own company with no social media (minus taking lots and lots of photos haha).

2. Have a BBQ

I feel like this one is so obvious to those who live in houses and have their own gardens, but what should you do when you want a BBQ but live in a flat? Well, what I like to do is buy one of those BBQ Oven inserts and make my and Kieran's favourite on those! We usually have burgers, sausages, chicken skewers/fillets, and lots of veggies! Then, all that you need now are cold drinks and a big fan for an illusion of the wind!

3. Rent a Camper Van

I used to have an obsession with camper vans when I was younger, so when I heard that you can hire a camper van I was over the moon! Now I'm just waiting to get my driver's license so I can cruise around in my very own Fillmore (excuse the Cars reference, it's one of my first memories of falling in love with camper vans). The best camper vans and closest to my area are the Cozy Camper Hire in Manchester. I think they're great and are something I would definitely be interested in as I hate camping out in a tent! If you're a lover of festivals and can drive then maybe this would be a great option if you don't like sleeping on the floor!

4. Go down to the seaside

I love the sea. I find it so relaxing being at the beach and reading or listening to music. Unfortunately, the closest beach to me is around 2 hours away so I only go when it's planned out well and knowing that I haven't got a lot of work to come back to.

5. Have brunch/lunch outside

One of the things I love to do the most all year around is eating hahaha. I love going out for afternoon tea, and yummy lunch, but the best thing about this weather is that you can eat out on the terrace in restaurants or even go to a rooftop bar for midday drinks - yummy!

*This post is a collaboration with Cozy Camper and does not include affiliate links nor is it sponsored. All opinions are always my own.

What are your plans for this Summer? Are you going away or staying local?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

OOTD || A TRIP TO WOLLATON PARK

When May decided to bring the most gorgeous week to England, I knew I had to get out the house and away from revision, so I decided to go to my local park in Wollaton. I believe it was around 28 degrees Celsius which is amazing for England! Shame the weather isn't keeping up with us now...

~Dress, Shoes & Bag are from Primark. Sunglasses are Oscar De La Renta.

Do excuse my bad roots - I'm in desperate need of a haircut & touch up but I find it very hard to trust hairdressers in my area as I'm never fully satisfied! :(

Kieran went all out taking pictures of me haha, I do love the fact that he takes my passion for blogging seriously and encourages me to work harder! This man is honestly amazing.

I feel like this outfit is so easily wearable! I remember when I bought this dress when it first came out and then my sister bought it as soon as she saw me wear it which not only is a huge compliment but it also means that it's suitable for all people, no matter what age or size. The mules are very comfy and I wear them literally alllll the time! And for the bag - do I need to say much? I mean, micro bags are very in right now (click here to see what's fashionable in SS17), plus the marble pattern is just music to my ears, or should I say heaven to my eyes??

What have you been up to during the lovely weather we had recently?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

HOW I TAKE CARE OF MY DRY, SENSITIVE AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN

My skin has had its ups and downs recently, it gets especially bad around that time of the month. I started using new skincare products along with my old ones and I've really noticed a difference in my skin. Having combination skin consisting of an oily t-zone, dry patches, acne and being sensitive to a lot of products, makes it a lot harder to take care of.

I've been after a good exfoliating brush for a long time, and while a lot of people tend to go for the Clarisonic one I bought the Rio one for only around £13 from Asda! It was a great buy as it works really well and removes all the dirt from my skin after a long day of wearing makeup.

The Regime London Deluxe Collagen tablets have been my lifesaver during the winter months when my skin is feeling extra dry and my nails are breaking. I think it's a great supplement for those who are a bit lazy when it comes to skincare and want to look youthful with minimal effort.

One of my all-time favourite products to cleanse is the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner, as it purifies very well without leaving an oily residue on my face. I find that majority of toners don't clean well but spread dirt around - especially in the t-zone.

My recent additions to the skincare family include the Buff&Butter Tea Tree and Olive Squalane oils which are great for my skin type. I use the Tea Tree to combat spots as it dries them out and has healing properties, on the other hand, the Olive Squalane is fantastic for dry skin and leaves my face feeling like a baby if I leave it on overnight!

Ever since I bought the Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque I've been in love with it. I try to use it once to twice a week as I feel that it clears my pores so well as if I have had a facial done! If I were to recommend any face masks, it'll definitely be this one - don't be put off by the price as it is worth it and lasts a long time.

MAC's Mineralise Charged Water is great for those wanting an effective primer/setting spray but suffer from dry skin. It helped my skin look a lot dewier the past few weeks of owning it.

The biggest impulse buy was the Opatra Gentle Exfoliating Gel which I bought for £20 at the Clothes Show in Birmingham last year. I feel like it works well for getting rid of dead skin cells however, I do find it hard to believe that it isn't the product itself that is creating a shedding effect... Either way, I feel like it does something to my skin which I guess is a good thing haha!

Decleor honestly makes the most gorgeous bottles of serums. I got given this set by my mum and I must say it's great for the warmer days. The small size means it's easy to travel with and I know for a fact that I will be taking this whole set with me on my holiday to Rome.

What is your current skincare routine? Have you tried any of the products that I'm currently using?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

THE MOST PERFECT BLUSH/BRONZE PALETTE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO TRAVEL

I knew that the initial release of the Hoola Lite wasn't for a while, so I decided to get this Cheek Parade palette which retails at £49, which isn't the most affordable palette however you get 2 bronzers and 3 blushers that usually cost £24.50 each. Another reason for why I bought this was that it actually includes the newest blusher Galifornia - yes, please!

The Benefit Hoola bronzer has been my favourite matte bronzer since the day I bought it (roughly around 1.5 years ago, and I must say it was a life-changer. So, when I heard about Benefit bringing out a lighter version of their original bronzer I was over the moon as I am naturally very pale so the original Hoola can sometimes seem a bit too dark to wear, especially in Winter. The Hoola Lite, on the other hand, I feel will be amazing for me to wear in winter or when I don't fake tan. I also feel like it'll be a great contour shade as it's more cool-toned than the original Hoola.

I love travelling and unfortunately, I don't travel light haha... I always bring a bag full of makeup so I thought that this palette would be great for travelling as it has everything you will need in it. I think that Galifornia would look great on its own as it has shimmer so will give an illusion of a highlighter.

Dandelion has been on my wishlist ever since I bought the Dandelion Shy Beam. I recently got back into wearing blusher after 5 years of swearing by bronzer and contour so I was pretty excited to start using this palette straight away. I find it gives a very natural blushed look which is perfect for every-day wear, especially for people who are a similar skin tone to me.

Last but not least, the Rockateur blusher. To be honest with you, I wasn't too fussed about it as the colours seem very similar to a blusher that I already own, but oh my is it a beauty! I love the shimmer in this blush, it's perfect for Spring as it adds a natural blushed look as well as some shimmer which can be a substitute for a highlight.

Overall, I must say this palette is amazing - it's not too big to travel with, you get a lot of product for your money which is great, and the products are great for all skin tones. The only downfall of this product is that it is still quite expensive compared to this set which actually has 8 products but costs less than 1?! Crazy - I just bought it as a treat for doing well at uni!

What do you think? Would you buy this kit? Have you tried any of the Benefit face products?

Lots of love,

Maya xo