What I've really enjoyed about 2016 is that pretty much every inexpensive cosmetics brand has stepped up their game and are producing products that are better quality, more universal and simply more interesting. Even companies like Primark, New Look and H&M have launched beauty ranges with products that rival some of the high-end versions.
I've known about Natural Collection since I was a pre-teen but what actually inspired this haul was a recent makeup tutorial by mypaleskin. In the video Em used one of their eyeshadows and I couldn't help but think I needed it asap. I also picked up some other bits which look really promising. I hope you enjoy the post guys!

Brow Pencil - Dark Brown - £1.99

I actually picked this up a while ago when I was on the hunt for a new brow pencil. I find it to be really good at filling in any sparse areas whilst adding colour and definition to the brows. Even though my brows are quite full, they sometimes need help to look defined and this is perfect for outlining and making the most out of the brow shape. It's a medium texture which means it deposits colour easily without having to drag the skin. It comes in two shades, medium brown and dark brown. They definitely need to expand their shade range because I think a lot of people would enjoy using this pencil. There's also a spoolie on the other side which is great for touch ups and travelling. A great product at a great price. 

Brow Kit - £1.99

This is one of the cutest products I've ever seen. It's so small and compact that I can't help but think 'aww' when I look at it... What's wrong with me?

The kit contains a wax, powder, spoolie and double sided angle brush. Normally I would use the spoolie first to brush the brows into place, then use the wax to outline and define the brow shape and finally use the powder to fill in any gaps and define. This would be perfect for travelling and I think it will come in very handy over the busy Christmas period. The only downside is that it comes in one shade which will only work for those with dark brows.

Eyeshadow - Milk Chocolate - £1.99

This is the eyeshadow that Em used in her makeup tutorial. It's a lovely pink based, mid tone brown shade that will be perfect as a transition shade on fair-medium skin tones. When Em used it I instantly thought to myself, 'I don't have anything like that, I need to go and buy it'. It has a lovely smooth texture and the pigmentation is amazing, especially for the price. I can't wait to start using this! 😍

Eyeshadow - Crushed Walnut - £1.99

I saw this shade sitting next to Milk Chocolate and couldn't help but think I needed this one too. It's a gorgeous neutral, dark brown shade that will work great in the crease or along the lash line. This one also has strong pigmentation and a smooth, silky texture. When I swatched both shadows I could see some light reflecting particles but I'm not too worried as they're hardly noticeable and probably non existent when blended on the eyes. This could even be used as a brow powder! 
Gotta love a multi-use product!

Let me know if you've used any of these products!

Thank you for reading!

Maiya

x

• Monday, November 28, 2016

Natural Collection Makeup - First Impressions

What I've really enjoyed about 2016 is that pretty much every inexpensive cosmetics brand has stepped up their game and are producing products that are better quality, more universal and simply more interesting. Even companies like Primark, New Look and H&M have launched beauty ranges with products that rival some of the high-end versions.
I've known about Natural Collection since I was a pre-teen but what actually inspired this haul was a recent makeup tutorial by mypaleskin. In the video Em used one of their eyeshadows and I couldn't help but think I needed it asap. I also picked up some other bits which look really promising. I hope you enjoy the post guys!

Brow Pencil - Dark Brown - £1.99

I actually picked this up a while ago when I was on the hunt for a new brow pencil. I find it to be really good at filling in any sparse areas whilst adding colour and definition to the brows. Even though my brows are quite full, they sometimes need help to look defined and this is perfect for outlining and making the most out of the brow shape. It's a medium texture which means it deposits colour easily without having to drag the skin. It comes in two shades, medium brown and dark brown. They definitely need to expand their shade range because I think a lot of people would enjoy using this pencil. There's also a spoolie on the other side which is great for touch ups and travelling. A great product at a great price. 

Brow Kit - £1.99

This is one of the cutest products I've ever seen. It's so small and compact that I can't help but think 'aww' when I look at it... What's wrong with me?

The kit contains a wax, powder, spoolie and double sided angle brush. Normally I would use the spoolie first to brush the brows into place, then use the wax to outline and define the brow shape and finally use the powder to fill in any gaps and define. This would be perfect for travelling and I think it will come in very handy over the busy Christmas period. The only downside is that it comes in one shade which will only work for those with dark brows.

Eyeshadow - Milk Chocolate - £1.99

This is the eyeshadow that Em used in her makeup tutorial. It's a lovely pink based, mid tone brown shade that will be perfect as a transition shade on fair-medium skin tones. When Em used it I instantly thought to myself, 'I don't have anything like that, I need to go and buy it'. It has a lovely smooth texture and the pigmentation is amazing, especially for the price. I can't wait to start using this! 😍

Eyeshadow - Crushed Walnut - £1.99

I saw this shade sitting next to Milk Chocolate and couldn't help but think I needed this one too. It's a gorgeous neutral, dark brown shade that will work great in the crease or along the lash line. This one also has strong pigmentation and a smooth, silky texture. When I swatched both shadows I could see some light reflecting particles but I'm not too worried as they're hardly noticeable and probably non existent when blended on the eyes. This could even be used as a brow powder! 
Gotta love a multi-use product!

Let me know if you've used any of these products!

Thank you for reading!

Maiya

x

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As much as I love this time of year and all the joy it brings, there's one thing I can't learn to love, and that's the cold weather. Even though I'm constantly layering oils and balms onto my skin, eventually the dehydration begins to show and my lips start to crack and peel. Not a pretty sight. 
Luckily, I haven't had to suffer too much this Winter as I've found 3 amazing products that get rid of unsightly cracked lips, almost instantly. There's a range of textures and price points so hopefully you'll find something to suit you! I hope you enjoy!

The Body Shop Wild Argan Solid Oil Lips - £4

I picked this up not too long ago after seeing Fleur De Force raving about it in multiple YouTube videos. This is the best option if you're looking for a daily lip balm that you can apply without having to worry about it. It's a solid oil that melts into the lips giving a slight sheen without adding colour. The slightly warm musky scent is gorgeous and very appropriate for this time of year. I've been using this a lot recently as my everyday lip product because it's simple, quick and perfect for keeping my lips soft and moisturised. A great one to try if on a budget or maybe to gift to your partner if they're hesitant about using traditional 'girly' lip balms. My hubby loves it!

Nuxe Reve De Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm - £9.50

I don't think I need to say too much about this one as it's a well known cult classic in the beauty-sphere. The main things you need to know is firstly it smells gorgeous, (like lemon sherbet and honey) and it has a thick almost waxy texture which is perfect for softening sore, dry lips. I tend to use it when I go to bed or before makeup because it creates the smoothest base for lip products. It also softens any loose, peeling skin so that you can gently exfoliate it off leaving behind soft kissable lips! This definitely lives up to it's hype!

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil - 01 Honey - £18

I feel like this is the king out of the 3. It's more luxurious, both in texture and application. It's an oily-gel like texture that coats the lips in a thick layer of comfort, hence the name. The packaging is fancier than most lip balms and it also comes with a fat, padded almost doe-foot like applicator which smooths the product on perfectly. To me this one has the nicest scent. It's soft and slightly sweet. If your lips are seriously dry, cracked or even bleeding, this will dramatically improve the look and feel of them after just one use. It's also my go-to for pamper nights!

What are your secret weapons for battling sore, dry lips? Let me know!

Thank you so much for reading!

Maiya
x 

• Sunday, November 20, 2016

3 Saviours For Dry Lips

As much as I love this time of year and all the joy it brings, there's one thing I can't learn to love, and that's the cold weather. Even though I'm constantly layering oils and balms onto my skin, eventually the dehydration begins to show and my lips start to crack and peel. Not a pretty sight. 
Luckily, I haven't had to suffer too much this Winter as I've found 3 amazing products that get rid of unsightly cracked lips, almost instantly. There's a range of textures and price points so hopefully you'll find something to suit you! I hope you enjoy!

The Body Shop Wild Argan Solid Oil Lips - £4

I picked this up not too long ago after seeing Fleur De Force raving about it in multiple YouTube videos. This is the best option if you're looking for a daily lip balm that you can apply without having to worry about it. It's a solid oil that melts into the lips giving a slight sheen without adding colour. The slightly warm musky scent is gorgeous and very appropriate for this time of year. I've been using this a lot recently as my everyday lip product because it's simple, quick and perfect for keeping my lips soft and moisturised. A great one to try if on a budget or maybe to gift to your partner if they're hesitant about using traditional 'girly' lip balms. My hubby loves it!

Nuxe Reve De Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm - £9.50

I don't think I need to say too much about this one as it's a well known cult classic in the beauty-sphere. The main things you need to know is firstly it smells gorgeous, (like lemon sherbet and honey) and it has a thick almost waxy texture which is perfect for softening sore, dry lips. I tend to use it when I go to bed or before makeup because it creates the smoothest base for lip products. It also softens any loose, peeling skin so that you can gently exfoliate it off leaving behind soft kissable lips! This definitely lives up to it's hype!

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil - 01 Honey - £18

I feel like this is the king out of the 3. It's more luxurious, both in texture and application. It's an oily-gel like texture that coats the lips in a thick layer of comfort, hence the name. The packaging is fancier than most lip balms and it also comes with a fat, padded almost doe-foot like applicator which smooths the product on perfectly. To me this one has the nicest scent. It's soft and slightly sweet. If your lips are seriously dry, cracked or even bleeding, this will dramatically improve the look and feel of them after just one use. It's also my go-to for pamper nights!

What are your secret weapons for battling sore, dry lips? Let me know!

Thank you so much for reading!

Maiya
x 

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After seeing multiple pictures on Instagram of the new Formula 10.0.6 products in Boots, I was super excited when the brand kindly sent me a few bits to try out for myself. The range is quite extensive including everything from cleansers to spot treatments which is really nice to see from a highstreet brand. Their products  focus on banishing blemishes and promoting clear, healthy skin. I'm really happy with what I received and I wanted to do a mini review for you guys so you can get a better understanding of what the products are like, and whether they're worth buying. 
Also, I'd just like to say that I have no affiliation with this brand and I am not being paid to write this blog post. I hope you enjoy! 

Best Face Forward Daily Foaming Cleanser - £8.99

Before you all gasp in horror, I will admit straight away that I was actually quite hesitant to try this foaming product. This is a gel cleanser with Passion Fruit, Chamomile and Green Tea extracts which help balance, brighten and clean the skin. It has a gorgeous fresh but fruity scent which really helps perk me up in the morning. The gel texture massages nicely into the skin, especially when emulsified with water. I'm not usually one to emulsify but thankfully this doesn't turn into bubbly dishwater. I didn't find it to be drying however I do use rich moisturisers and facial oils which do combat dryness. I like to use oil based cleansers most of the time but I would definitely incorporate this into my routine 2-3 times a week or whenever I'm feeling a bit greasy. Overall this is a lovely morning/second cleanse that gives me soft, clear skin whilst blurring my imperfections, making them less noticeable. This is a definite thumbs up from me. 

Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask - £8.99

I was super excited when I saw this mask in the package as I'm a massive face mask junkie and I'm always looking for a new one to slather all over my face. I wasn't sure whether it would be just another average mud mask but the results after my first use really impressed me. My skin texture was completely smooth, my pores and oilier areas were more refined and my overall complexion was glowing. It contains Strawberry, Rosemary and Yarrow extracts which work really well together to give my skin that 'perfected' look, when it's actually all over the place. This is great mask to use a couple times a week when you need that extra boost. I think the best part about it is that it smells like Petits Filous! 😍

So Totally Clean Deep Pore Cleanser - £8.99
This is described as a 2 in 1 cleanser and toner but in my eyes it's an exfoliating toner. It's a complete liquid texture that you pour onto a cotton pad and apply after cleansing. It contains Salicylic and Lactic Acid which are great ingredients for breaking down dead skin cells revealing fresh, new skin. I have definitely noticed that my skin looks smoother, clearer and more glowy when I use this. The only downside to the product is the high alcohol content and strong smell. Personally I can get away with using alcohol every couple of days since I use rich moisturising products at the same time but young 'teen' skin may find it too drying. It all depends on how you react to alcohol products but it's definitely worth trying if you think your skin can handle it. 

I hope you found this interesting and helpful guys! Don't forget to let me know if you try some Formula 10.0.6 products. 

Buy them here while they're on offer!

Thank you so much for reading!

Maiya
x

• Thursday, November 17, 2016

Formula 10.0.6 Skincare Review

After seeing multiple pictures on Instagram of the new Formula 10.0.6 products in Boots, I was super excited when the brand kindly sent me a few bits to try out for myself. The range is quite extensive including everything from cleansers to spot treatments which is really nice to see from a highstreet brand. Their products  focus on banishing blemishes and promoting clear, healthy skin. I'm really happy with what I received and I wanted to do a mini review for you guys so you can get a better understanding of what the products are like, and whether they're worth buying. 
Also, I'd just like to say that I have no affiliation with this brand and I am not being paid to write this blog post. I hope you enjoy! 

Best Face Forward Daily Foaming Cleanser - £8.99

Before you all gasp in horror, I will admit straight away that I was actually quite hesitant to try this foaming product. This is a gel cleanser with Passion Fruit, Chamomile and Green Tea extracts which help balance, brighten and clean the skin. It has a gorgeous fresh but fruity scent which really helps perk me up in the morning. The gel texture massages nicely into the skin, especially when emulsified with water. I'm not usually one to emulsify but thankfully this doesn't turn into bubbly dishwater. I didn't find it to be drying however I do use rich moisturisers and facial oils which do combat dryness. I like to use oil based cleansers most of the time but I would definitely incorporate this into my routine 2-3 times a week or whenever I'm feeling a bit greasy. Overall this is a lovely morning/second cleanse that gives me soft, clear skin whilst blurring my imperfections, making them less noticeable. This is a definite thumbs up from me. 

Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask - £8.99

I was super excited when I saw this mask in the package as I'm a massive face mask junkie and I'm always looking for a new one to slather all over my face. I wasn't sure whether it would be just another average mud mask but the results after my first use really impressed me. My skin texture was completely smooth, my pores and oilier areas were more refined and my overall complexion was glowing. It contains Strawberry, Rosemary and Yarrow extracts which work really well together to give my skin that 'perfected' look, when it's actually all over the place. This is great mask to use a couple times a week when you need that extra boost. I think the best part about it is that it smells like Petits Filous! 😍

So Totally Clean Deep Pore Cleanser - £8.99
This is described as a 2 in 1 cleanser and toner but in my eyes it's an exfoliating toner. It's a complete liquid texture that you pour onto a cotton pad and apply after cleansing. It contains Salicylic and Lactic Acid which are great ingredients for breaking down dead skin cells revealing fresh, new skin. I have definitely noticed that my skin looks smoother, clearer and more glowy when I use this. The only downside to the product is the high alcohol content and strong smell. Personally I can get away with using alcohol every couple of days since I use rich moisturising products at the same time but young 'teen' skin may find it too drying. It all depends on how you react to alcohol products but it's definitely worth trying if you think your skin can handle it. 

I hope you found this interesting and helpful guys! Don't forget to let me know if you try some Formula 10.0.6 products. 

Buy them here while they're on offer!

Thank you so much for reading!

Maiya
x

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When highlighter first took over at the beginning of the year it seemed golden/champagne hues were the go-to but now we're embracing everything from icy cool tones to warm rose gold shades. Normally I'm a champagne kinda girl but I've really been getting into pearly, pink based highlighters which can be a bit more wearable depending on how you apply them. I picked up these two from the drugstore and I can't get enough of them. They have different textures but both give a gorgeous icy glow to the skin which is perfect for this time of year. Oh and did I mention that both of these together cost less than £9? That's crazy!

Freedom Pro Highlight - Diffused - £3

This is one of my favourite highlighting powders. The first time I used it I knew straight away it would become a favourite. It has a lovely smooth texture which sits well on the skin. The shade is a definite pearl with pink undertones and will work for fair-medium skin tones. If you have a deeper skin tone don't worry, this product comes in multiple shades. It's not really pigmented but I prefer it that way. A light dusting on the cupids bow and cheekbones and you'll look lit from within. 

Seventeen Skin WOW 3 Way Highlighter - £5.99
This is a multi-purpose product as you can use it as a primer, mix it with your foundation or apply it solely as a highlighter. Each method offers a different but beautiful and seriously glowy finish. Since this is a liquid it's definitely more pigmented but you can still control the coverage. It has a lovely smooth texture which glides over the skin. If you have bumps/texture, congestion or blemishes you may not want to apply it over those areas but then that goes for any highlighting product. Unfortunately this product only comes in one shade but it's so worth checking out in Boots if you like pink based highlights!

What's your favourite highlighting product for Autumn/Winter? 

Thank you for reading!

Maiya
x

• Sunday, November 13, 2016

Icy Highlighters For Winter

When highlighter first took over at the beginning of the year it seemed golden/champagne hues were the go-to but now we're embracing everything from icy cool tones to warm rose gold shades. Normally I'm a champagne kinda girl but I've really been getting into pearly, pink based highlighters which can be a bit more wearable depending on how you apply them. I picked up these two from the drugstore and I can't get enough of them. They have different textures but both give a gorgeous icy glow to the skin which is perfect for this time of year. Oh and did I mention that both of these together cost less than £9? That's crazy!

Freedom Pro Highlight - Diffused - £3

This is one of my favourite highlighting powders. The first time I used it I knew straight away it would become a favourite. It has a lovely smooth texture which sits well on the skin. The shade is a definite pearl with pink undertones and will work for fair-medium skin tones. If you have a deeper skin tone don't worry, this product comes in multiple shades. It's not really pigmented but I prefer it that way. A light dusting on the cupids bow and cheekbones and you'll look lit from within. 

Seventeen Skin WOW 3 Way Highlighter - £5.99
This is a multi-purpose product as you can use it as a primer, mix it with your foundation or apply it solely as a highlighter. Each method offers a different but beautiful and seriously glowy finish. Since this is a liquid it's definitely more pigmented but you can still control the coverage. It has a lovely smooth texture which glides over the skin. If you have bumps/texture, congestion or blemishes you may not want to apply it over those areas but then that goes for any highlighting product. Unfortunately this product only comes in one shade but it's so worth checking out in Boots if you like pink based highlights!

What's your favourite highlighting product for Autumn/Winter? 

Thank you for reading!

Maiya
x

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