I have been buying and trying new makeup products like there is no tomorrow. Here's a few I have been completely and utterly obsessed with.
+ Kiko sweet heart lip liner '01' & '06'
I have been buying a lot recently, more than I should but I blame going on holiday for my unecessary impulse purchases. There's a handful of things I have reached for constantly during the end of July and first half of August. Keep reading to see what I have been obsessed with recently.
+ Kiko hydra-gloss '21'
I have wanted a coloured gloss for the longest time, but one that actually lasts. Kiko have a wide range of lip stuff and I have used and loved a lot of their products and was not surprised when this one made the cut too. It's super glossy and pigmented too but I still apply a base colour first and then use this over the top.
+ Lightwash straight-legged jeans 'H&M'
I love my straight-legged, 'mom' and oversized fit jeans, probably more than skinny jeans. They are extremely comfy and the light-wash, borderline acid wash, jeans are a little different. Ideal for the summer but can be worn during the colder months too.
This is one of the nicest bracelets I have ever bought from being abroad, the upside it was only 7 euros but the downside is it will probably discolour in time. I love layering it with my watch and other bracelets.
+ Blending brushes 'Qivange'
I needed some new eye brushes for the wedding and so naturally I used Amazon prime and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and the quantity considering the price. They are really fluffy and wash incredibly well.
+ Contrast stitch over-shirt 'H&M'
I like this so much I bought it in Khaki too, both of these can be styled in so many ways. I've worn it as a shirt, a dress and a jacket too. They're great for layering and go perfectly with the rest of my wardrobe.
I've introduced a number of new products into my everday makeup and here's what I have enjoyed putting on my face recently.
1. Moisturize - Bio Oil or The Ordinary.
2. Prevention - The Ordinary 'salicyclic acid'.
3. Glow - Flesh beauty 'glow drops'.
4. Coverage - IT Cosmetics CC cream.
5. Set - Rimmel London - translucent powder.
6. Add colour - Kiko 'green me' blush
7. Glow x2 - Flesh beauty highlighter stick 'twitch'
8. Define - Brow gel & eyelash curler
9. Lips - MAC 'taupe' or ABH 'ashton'
I've done one of these posts since 2015 so it's only right to share my 'beauty favourites' for this past year. I used to love a full face before, not that I still don't, but my makeup now is more light-coverage & dewy. I find it intriguing to see how my beauty regime has changed drastically with regards to the types of products I now reach for and the type of makeup look.
| Bio Oil
I often find myself repeatedly reaching for a handful of products while others I've fallen in & out of love with. Here's a few of my makeup and skincare favourites for the past month.
+ Milk makeup concealer in 'light'
Milk makeup, a brand talked about constantly in the states and often associated with the likes of Glossier in terms of 'lightweight makeup' and enhancing facial features rather than changing and the overall emphasis on 'skin first'. I randomly came across a few bits from Milk makeup in TKMaxx for a fraction of the price. For someone who only wears BB cream & concealer, concealer is an important part of my makeup this concealer is great for brightening not so much concealing.
+ Laura Geller gelato swirl highlighter in 'gilded honey'
How adorable is this miniature? Laura Geller famously known for this highlighter and I can see why. I love using this with my Morphe M496 fan brush and sweeping it on to my cheeks. It is incredibly smooth to apply and not chunky or overly glittery at all.
+ Huda beauty rosegold remastered palette
This palette is absolute perfection, however I have noticed that not all the glittery shades are equally pigmented some work and apply better with brushes & others with fingers. Recently I have been applying 'pink diamond' & '24k' in my inner corner.
+ The Ordinary salicylic acid solution
An affordable skincare brand that actually works? Yes 100000+ times yes. We all know that salicylic acid is perfect for blemish prone skin in reducing the overall appearance of well blemishes & red skin. This works wonders, I only really apply it directly in problem areas as it can be drying.
+ Kiko Long-eyes+ mascara
This has been a favourite of mine ever since I bought it and I can't wait to repurchase it. I use it on my lashes and brows when I'm too lazy to fill in my brows. It's super black, super defining and water-proof.
I have not posted in a handful of days but to be frankly honest I've not felt the most motivated to type up a post, take 100+ photos to then sit and edit them. I've spent most of my summer working & binge watching horror movies while redoing my room. Also this heat has me wishing for Autumn & Winter even more and I can't wait to wear all my cosy knitwear! Here's a few bits I've been crushing over recently.
+ Tortoise shell cat eye sunglasses
This is probably the trendiest item in this post, this particular style has been everywhere and in every single colour way too. Sunglasses tend to typically cover my entire face and luckily these don't, I also love the tortoise shell pattern.
+ Suede belt
I have wanted an O-ring belt for the longest time but each one was far too big and I was far too lazy to get extra holes punched in. This one can be adjusted to your waist making it perfect because you can wear it with jeans, a top or to cinch in a dress.
+ Kiko green me blush in 'coral view'
This has been on my cheeks ever since I bought it, it allows me to skip the highlighter part of my makeup. It is a mix between a coral-y pink and a gold and is gives you a little summer glow. I like the compact packaging of the blush, I can't stand unnecessarily large & bulky products.
+ Morphe M496 fan brush
I used to apply my highlighter with a fan brush bigger than my face, a slight exaggeration I must admit but it sure felt like it. This ones perfect for precision especially when it comes to applying highlighter on your brow bone or nose.
A few years ago I would probably spend 45 minutes to almost an hour on my makeup and you must be thinking 'damn that's a LOT of time' and sure it was but now I spend a little less only because I'm using fewer products that pretty much have the same end result, that or I'm rushing for work or uni. But that is not to say I don't love spending 1 hour + getting ready for weddings and days out when I actually want to spend a little time on myself. So here's my quick little 'slap on a few products with a brush' and face the day look.
When it comes to moisturising I always reach for an oil first whether it's Bio-oil or Vitamin 'e' oil as much as you hear 'oh you shouldn't use oil because you have oily skin bs' use what works for you & you only! I then follow up with my one & only Nivea creme and then any spot treatment I am using, I'll rotate between this salicylic acid from the Ordinary or the La Roche Posay effaclar Duo+ or even a little aloe vera gel.
This heatwave has also pushed me to minimise my makeup routine to the point where I'll just be wearing powder for my base but if I want a little more coverage then I'll use a little concealer. As it's summer and we Brits want to milk the 'bronzed goddess' or the 'I've been on holiday' look as much as we can I sweep a little bronzer across my cheeks, temples & the bridge of my nose. I've also been crushing over this pink-gold blush from Kiko along with a generous amount of highlighter.
I can never not curl my lashes just because curling my lashes is my equivalent to wearing mascara, I do not wear mascara or any eye-makeup daily only because of the amount of effort it takes to remove it. However, if I do want a longer & more defined lashes then I'll reach for this Kiko long-eyes mascara, trust me 1 coat and you're good!
Lastly lips, usually it's just Carmex & go but I love wearing brighter pinks and the occasional nude during the summer.
I already know the remainder of this month and the next are going to be extremely busy from submitting an assignment I haven't even started to preparing for my exams as well as Ramadhan. On another note here's my favourites from this month.
+ Kiko long-eyes mascara
After running out of my Benefit 'they're real' mascara I was on the lookout for a new one, unlike most mascara-wearers I like my lashes long & defined and not so thick, clumpy & volumised. This Kiko mascara does just that, but it also has little fibres to thicken your lashes too. It is really easy to remove too, I tend to just wash it off with my face wash and it's really inexpensive.
+ Faux croc tote bag
Much to my despair I have parted with my old black tote bag because of this new one, with my ever growing bag collection there's only so much space I can free up for new bags. I posted a review on this bag and it ticks all the boxes for me, it's spacious, it's black & it's sturdy.
Much to my despair I have parted with my old black tote bag because of this new one, with my ever growing bag collection there's only so much space I can free up for new bags. I posted a review on this bag and it ticks all the boxes for me, it's spacious, it's black & it's sturdy.
+ Plisse top
Surprisingly I have not posted about this wardrobe staple on my blog, this is a simple black 3/4 sleeve pleated top from H&M. I have worn this with anything & everything in my wardrobe. I love wearing it casually with a pair of black jeans or a little more dressed up with a pair of fancy trousers. I have this top in grey, pink and as a dress too.
+ MUA Luxe lip liner
I am obsessed with how insanely bright this lip liner is, it's basically your orange highlighter shade (stationary not makeup). I usually pair this with a bronzed face with minimal makeup on the eyes, maybe a little mascara, and then bam bright orange on the lips! I already know I'll be wearing this a lot in the warmer weather which in England is, as usual, still yet to come.