Maiyabellexo

If I had to choose between skincare and makeup, it would definitely be skincare. As much as I love finding a new foundation or highlighting my cheekbones, there's just something about skincare that draws me in. I've been doing quite a bit of affordable beauty shopping recently and I've found a few new skincare products that I'm really excited to add to my routine.

Sukin Detoxifying Clay Masque | £11.95
I decided to pick this up because I don't have many detoxifying masks in my stash at the moment and I'm currently really struggling with my pores. I've only used it a couple times but so far, I really like it. It's a thick, creamy mask that helps to draw out impurities and re-balance the skin. It's also packed with moisturising ingredients which leave the skin feeling super soft and nourished. I think this is going to become a favourite!

Hylamide Pore Flush* | £13
I was so excited when this arrived as I haven't tried many Hylamide products but the ones I have, I really enjoyed. This is quite an interesting product from them as it's a plant and marine-based face mist that helps to reduce pore size and regulate sebum activity. I've already tried it once and it was a really nice simple mist. I can't wait to see if I have any long-term results!

B. Clean Sparkling Water Cleanser | £6.99
I've been wanting to try this cleanser for absolutely ages and I finally decided to pick it up the other day whilst it was on offer. Inspired by the Korean Beauty trend of using carbonated water in your skincare routine, this cleanser can be used on its own or as part of a double cleanse and is supposed to leave the skin thoroughly clean and refreshed. I've only tried it on the back of my hand but I really enjoyed the light texture and fresh scent.

Have you tried any of these? What skincare products are you currently testing?

Maiya

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Skincare Products I'm Currently Testing

Have you tried any of these? What skincare products are you currently testing?

Maiya

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Every few months or so I like to chop and change the products in my makeup bag as I start to get bored using the same products over and over again. After reading a lot of blog posts and taking multiple trips to Boots and Superdrug, I've accumulated a small hoard of products that I'm really looking forward to adding to my daily makeup routine.

Makeup Revolution Focus & Fix Eye Primer | £2.50
Eyeshadow primers were all the rage when I was younger and everyone seemed to be using one but nowadays people just use a bit of concealer and powder and they're good to go. I personally really enjoy using a dedicated eye primer and I thought I'd give this one a go since it was cheap and I liked that it had a tacky consistency. I want to get back into wearing eyeshadow so I'll let you know how I get on with this.

L'Oreal True Match The One Concealer | Ivory | £7.99
So L'Oreal have finally brought out a matching concealer to go with their iconic True Match Foundation. It claims to correct skin tone, conceal imperfections and hide signs of fatigue. It's also enriched with caffeine to instantly brighten the eye area and fight dark circles over time. I've swatched it on the back of my hand and the texture is super smooth and creamy and it blends like a dream. I think this is going to be a really good daily concealer that will work with a lot of different foundations. The colour looks great too!

The Ordinary Serum & Coverage Foundation | £5.70-£5.90
I'm so late on the band-wagon with these two but I'm finally getting round to adding them to my makeup bag. I have these in the shade 1.0N which is the lightest option for both foundations. I'm particularly excited to try the Serum Foundation as it's meant to look really fresh and natural on the skin. If you've tried these please let me know your favourite way to apply them!

L'Oreal Infallible Eye Paint | Nudist | £5.99
L'Oreal currently have a 3 for 2 on all of their makeup so I took this is an opportunity to try some new bits from them. Being a liquid/cream eyeshadow fan, I had to check out their eye paints and naturally, the shade I was most drawn to was Nudist which is a muted warm brown with some shimmer. I've already tried this once and my first impressions were really good! It was super easy to apply and blend and it dried down to a soft powder finish. It didn't budge all day and it looked just as good at the end of the night as it did when I first applied it. I can already tell this is going to become a firm favourite!

L'Oreal Infallible Gel Crayon | Back to Black | £4.99
The last thing I picked up in the L'Oreal 3 for 2 was this waterproof gel eyeliner pencil. I haven't used eyeliner in months but I really wanted to have one in my collection for when I want to go heavier with my eye makeup. Because this is a gel, it has a really smooth texture that glides on the skin and the pigmentation is really intense.

Seventeen Stay Time Concealer | Extra Fair | £4.49
I've already mentioned this in a previous post but I thought I would tell you a bit more about it. As I mentioned in that post, I got this because Alice always raves about it and claims that it's her favourite concealer of all time. I just had to see what all the fuss was about and I'm really looking forward to seeing if I love it as much as she does. It has a very similar texture to the L'Oreal one but is a tad thicker - probably because it's meant to be long-wearing. It blended nicely on the back of my hand and seemed to set quite quickly so I'm guessing it's going to be amazing for blemishes!

Are any of these products in your makeup bag?

Maiya

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

New In My Makeup Bag

Are any of these products in your makeup bag?

Maiya

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If you follow me on Instagram (@maiyabellexo), you'll know that Hubby and I attended the #bloggersfestival a few days ago and it was even better than we expected! The event was held at the Conrad London St James Hotel and is organised by Scarlett Dixon, aka, Scarlett London. The #bloggersfestival is all about mixing with other bloggers and networking with brands. Plus, you get to enjoy a glass of prosecco and some nibbles which is always a nice extra! It was seriously so much fun and I really wanted to share some pictures with you and also tell you about some of the amazing brands I discovered whilst I was there.

There were so many amazing brands to check out and it was really nice to be able to learn more about them. One of the first brands that caught my eye was TOTM. They provide a natural range of 100% certified organic cotton tampons, pads and liners which are supposed to be kinder to your body. They're also cruelty-free and biodegradable which means they're better for the environment, which is nice to know. I was kindly given a box of tampons to try (TMI, sorry), and I'm actually really excited to test them out!

Another brand that I was excited to see at the event was T-Zone. They had such a cute little stand and I really enjoyed learning more about their new Charcoal & Bamboo Range. As you can probably guess, the range is designed to fight blemishes, unclog pores and absorb excess oil. I've got a sample of one of their pore strips and I'll let you know how I get on with it!

I've known about Trilogy for quite a while and it was so much fun having a closer look at the brand. Founded by two sisters, the range is all about using Rosehip Oil and enjoying its many benefits. All of their products looked amazing but their Rosehip Oil Antioxidant and Hydrating Mist Toner are what stood out to me most. They've already been added to my wishlist!

I wish I could talk about all of the brands that were there but if I do, we'll be here all day! Hubby and I had such a fun time at the event and I'm so glad we decided to go. It was so nice to finally meet Scarlett in person and I'm not exaggerating when I say that she's the sweetest person ever! She did an incredible job at organising the event and if there's another one next year, I'll definitely be going!

Did you go to the #bloggersfestival? If not, would you consider going next time?

Maiya

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

#BloggersFestival 2017

Did you go to the #bloggersfestival? If not, would you consider going next time?

Maiya

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So Autumn is officially here and surprisingly, I couldn't be happier! This year I'm ready to embrace everything the season has to offer and I'm going to make a real effort to enjoy it while it lasts. A lot of things have been happening in my life recently and it's made me realise just how quick the year has gone! I've seen quite a few people do these kinds of posts where they set monthly/seasonal goals for themselves and I really wanted to do my own version for Autumn. Hopefully, I can stick to them!

1) Bake More
It's been a while since I last baked something and I really want to get back into it again. I just think there's something really cosy about baking in Autumn. Anything with a warm or spicy scent is especially appropriate. Gingerbread man anyone?

2) Embrace The Bold Lip
I never wear a bright lip but I'm determined to start adding more colour into my makeup routine. I'm going to start off with a red lip here and there and then hopefully move on to a nice, deep berry shade. I've even started wearing red on my nails and I have to say, I'm feeling it!

3) Take Better Care Of My Skin
You all know I'm adamant about looking after my skin but when it comes to my body, it's a different story. It's partially down to laziness and also to do with the fact that a lot of products irritate and aggravate my eczema. Last week I purchased the Hand Chemistry Pro Repair Skincare for Hands and I'm so glad I did because it's working wonders! My hands feel really soft and smooth and they look so much healthier!

4) Experiment More With Fashion
I'm definitely not someone who's really into fashion and although I like to dress nice and am extremely fussy about what I wear, I'm not very good at putting new outfits together. This year I've decided to make more of an effort to embrace a more Autumnal look and I can't wait to start wearing jumpers and ankle boots again!

5) Improve My Blog Content
This might sound pretty basic and obvious but it's probably the most important goal on my list. I'm so proud of how far my blog has come but it's still far from perfect and I really want to make content that you guys enjoy and hopefully keeps you coming back for more.

So there you have my Autumn Goals. What are yours?

Maiya

Monday, September 25, 2017

Autumn Goals

So there you have my Autumn Goals. What are yours?

Maiya

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We all know that we need to adapt our skincare routine as the seasons' change but that doesn't always mean it's easy to do. After using so many purifying products throughout Summer, I've found it quite hard to switch to all hydrating products as sometimes it can just feel like too much. Moisturiser is always one of the trickiest items for me but luckily I've recently found one that is literally perfect! I can't believe I haven't heard anyone else talk about it!

I picked up the Boots Botanics Hydration Burst Day Lotion SPF 15 a little while back when it was on offer and since then, I haven't been able to stop using it! You get 50ml for £8.99 which I think is amazing and I love the simple packaging and the fact it comes in a tube with a pump. It's formulated with Clary Sage, Glycerin, and Shea Butter which work amazingly at soothing and comforting the skin. Although it says it's a lotion, I would say it's more of a cream but it still feels really light on the skin. The Hydration Burst range is mainly targeted towards those with dehydrated/sensitive skin but this is suitable for all skin types and concerns!

I apply it in the mornings after my serum and it instantly leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. It's also great on days I'm wearing makeup as it provides a really smooth base for anything I put over top. Another thing I love about it is that it contains SPF 15 and offers UVA and UVB protection. People often think we don't need sun protection in the colder months but actually, we do, just not a super high one. This is such a great everyday moisturiser and I seriously can't recommend it enough!

Have you tried this? What are your favourite picks from the Boots Botanics range?

Maiya

Friday, September 22, 2017

The £8 Moisturiser Everyone Needs This Autumn

Have you tried this? What are your favourite picks from the Boots Botanics range?

Maiya

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DHC is a brand that has been on my radar for years but for some reason, I never got round to actually purchasing anything from them. I'm not really sure why but I know you guys know what I mean. Not too long ago I was very kindly sent a bunch of their products and I've been having so much fun trying everything out. As you can imagine, the thing I was most excited to try was their cult classic Deep Cleansing Oil* which is raved about by pretty much every blogger I know. I've been testing it out for a good month and a half and I can definitely see why this is one of the most popular cleansers of all time!

I have the 200ml size which retails for £24 but it also comes in a 30ml and 70ml size which are more travel-friendly. It comes in a sturdy plastic bottle with a pump.

Cleansing oils are traditionally used as makeup removers and this is one of the most popular ones for the job. The antioxidant-rich olive oil melts away everything from makeup and waterproof mascara to SPF and dirt, but it also helps to nourish and condition the skin at the same time, leaving it super soft and hydrated. It has a gorgeous silky texture which makes it perfect for removing eye makeup as you don't have to tug or pull on the skin and it's also great for facial massage. This is perfect for all skin types.

I normally use two pumps in the evening if I'm wearing makeup or SPF, (one if it's my morning cleanse) and I massage it all over the face and it instantly starts to break everything down. Sometimes I'll just remove it as it is but most of the time I like to emulsify it with water to speed things up - I ain't got two hours to spend cleansing my face every night! I know this might sound weird, but even though it's an oil, it doesn't feel greasy on the skin and it doesn't leave any residue which I love. Once I've finished my skin looks so healthy and hydrated and it feels amazing! It's one of the only cleansers I own that makes my skin feel that good. It has definitely brought back my love for cleansing oils!

I can't say enough good things about this cleanser and I'm so annoyed that I didn't try it sooner! If you're looking for a new cleansing oil, I would highly recommend checking this out! You won't regret it!

Buy it here!

Maiya

This post contains PR/Gifted items. All opinions are 100% my own. Read my full disclaimer here.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Review

Buy it here!

Maiya

This post contains PR/Gifted items. All opinions are 100% my own. Read my full disclaimer here.

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The Ordinary took the beauty world by storm when it launched and it's still going strong. For those who don't know, The Ordinary is a brand under the DECIEM umbrella along with NIOD and Hylamide. Their goal was to create a range of skincare products that are simple, effective and affordable. They've gradually expanded their range and they now have pretty much every product you could possibly want from Hyaluronic Acid to Vitamin C and Retinol. I've never actually done a post on them before so today I thought I would go through my collection and show you the all the products I've bought so far.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5 | £5.90

This is the first product I tried from The Ordinary and I was really surprised at how basic it was. It's a thin gel formula that spreads easily on the skin and absorbs almost instantly. I use it as my serum either AM or PM and the Hyaluronic Acid works to bind moisture to the skin. The product itself isn't hydrating but when you apply it and use a nourishing cream over top, you're left with a really soft, hydrated finish. You definitely have to use this consistently to get long-term results but it is a really nice serum and it's perfect for all skin types.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | £5

This is a slightly thicker gel and it can cause rolling so it's best used in a fairly simple routine. I find this works really well at clearing congestion and helping to keep blemishes at a minimum. Most of the time I use this in the evenings but you can definitely use it in the daytime as well. It doesn't do anything for reducing sebum (which it claims to), but it is a lovely serum to use and it's a great option for those with a more combination skin.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% | £5.50

I don't tend to use Lactic Acid that much as I find things like Glycolic and Salicylic more effective but when I saw this I was still eager to give it a go. I have to start by saying that this has quite a weird, not very pleasant smell and it can be a bit off-putting when you use it. The Lactic Acid gently exfoliates the skin leaving it smooth and clear. It's also mildly hydrating which is nice as it adds a bit of slip to the skin for whatever you're going to put on top. If you're new to AHAs, this is definitely a good place to start. Don't forget to apply SPF in the day when you use this!

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil | £9

I'm very fussy when it comes to facial oils as I don't like anything too thick or greasy but this is a gorgeous formula that leaves the skin feeling really soft and nourished. It has the typical rosehip scent which I personally really like. Whenever I have scarring or am in need of a real hydration boost, I always reach for this because it just seems to fix everything.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | £6.90

I was so excited when I ordered this and even though the strength kind of scared me, I was still really excited to try it. This is an exfoliating treatment that you leave on for no more than 10 minutes and you're left with luminous, super smooth skin. I love using this when I have an occasion coming up or if my skin is looking dull and congested. My skin looks brand new after using this and I love having it in my stash for when I need a pick me up. I just want to say that this is a very strong treatment and it tingles a lot so I would only recommend it to those who are used to strong acids. Again, make sure your SPF game is strong when you use this!

The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% | £8

This is the only retinoid I've ever tried and I absolutely love it. I was quite worried that I was going to experience things like redness and peeling but this is designed to reduce signs of ageing without irritating the skin. I'll use this 2-3 times a week in the evenings and I've already noticed a difference in my skin. It blurs all of the fine lines I have and my skin in general looks a lot healthier. I will definitely continue using this until I need something stronger.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution | £6.80

When this first came out I was itching to get my hands on it. This is a Glycolic based toner that I use after cleansing to exfoliate my skin. I love this stuff and I can confirm that it is very comparable to the Pixi Glow Tonic. I find this to be gentler on the skin and I feel like I can use this daily whereas the Pixi I tend to use every other day. I just pour some onto a cotton pad and sweep it across my face and neck and then follow with my serums. I definitely notice my skin looking fresher and brighter when I use this and it also gives my skin a gorgeous glow. This is one of my favourite products I've tried so far and I will definitely be repurchasing it!

Have you tried anything from The Ordinary? What are your favourite picks?

Maiya

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

The Ordinary Edit

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5 | £5.90

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | £5

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% | £5.50

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil | £9

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | £6.90

The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% | £8

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution | £6.80

Have you tried anything from The Ordinary? What are your favourite picks?

Maiya

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And I'm back! I'm so sorry for being absent this month, I've been busy with birthdays and traveling but I'm back home now and I'm ready to blog! Today I thought I would do quite a laid back post and show you some of my most recent purchases. I'm normally quite restrained when it comes to shopping as I usually have a quick browse online first to see if there's anything, in particular, I need/want but recently I've really been enjoying finding things as I go. There's a mix of things to show you including makeup, skincare and even some hair and home bits!

Yes To Coconuts Naturally Smooth Lip Balm | £3.79
I've needed a new lip balm for quite a while now and this one is perfect.

Lee Stafford Coco Loco Heat Protection Spray | £5.99
I 'd heard quite a few bloggers rave about this heat protectant so I decided to pick it up as my current one is about to run out. I'm very fussy with leave-in products as I don't like anything heavy or greasy but this is really light and is perfect for those with fine hair!

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water 400ml | £5.99
I always like to have a bottle of micellar water in my stash and I decided to get the 400ml size so I can keep refilling my travel bottle.

George Home Gold Cat Trinket | £3-5
I'm absolutely obsessed with this trinket dish and I can't wait to start using it in blog photos.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream | £10
My eczema has flared up again and it's started to spread all over my arms and wrists but thankfully, this has been doing such a good job at soothing the irritation. I love that although it's quite a rich cream, it still feels really light on the skin which is really important for me as thick products make me itch more.

SEVENTEEN Stay Time Concealer | £4.49
My concealer stash is really boring at the moment so I thought it was time to try something new. Alice is always raving about this concealer and she even did an Instastory a couple weeks ago showing all of her backups! It's supposed to be full coverage and long-wearing. I can't wait to try it!

Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Set | £8
I still can't believe I found this in the clearance section in Boots for £8! I've never tried anything from Bumble and Bumble before and to be honest, not many of their products really interest me but I have always wanted to try the Hairdressers Invisible Oil range. This set contains a 60ml size of the shampoo and conditioner and the full size 100ml bottle of the oil. WHUT?! The oil itself originally retails for £35 so the fact that I got all three products for under a tenner is pretty amazing! Moral of the story, don't neglect the clearance section!

Have you tried any of these products recently?

Maiya

Monday, September 18, 2017

A Collective Haul

Have you tried any of these products recently?

Maiya

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In my two and a half years of being a beauty blogger (seriously, two and a half years?), I've learnt a great deal about blogging and the common misconceptions about what it is and the people who do it. As blogging has become more and more popular, a lot of people are now under the impression that no effort or hard work goes into it and all we do is sit in cafes, eat avocado on toast and take pretty pictures. However, this is a broad generalisation and there's so much work - yes actual work, that goes into running and maintaining a blog and to be honest I think it's really unfair that we get such a bad rap...

People forget or often just don't actually know exactly how much time and effort goes into creating a blog post. For example, I'll sit down and plan out my posts for the week, then I take all of the photos and edit them which for me, isn't the easiest of tasks! Then I move on to writing and scheduling the posts. All of this can sometimes take 2-3 days to complete which can be overwhelming when you have other things to do.

Another thing people don't think about is that there are a lot of 'bloggers' on social media who don't actually have a blog but don't really know what else to call themselves. I have absolutely nothing against these people but in my personal opinion, there is a difference between an Instagrammer and a blogger with an actual blog.

Blogging is about sharing your thoughts about something you love or perhaps don't love. But with the bloggersphere being so saturated and things like sponsored posts, affiliate links and PR packages being such a big part of it, blogging can sometimes feel a bit tedious as we're constantly having to justify ourselves, like with disclosure for example. I personally don't think there's any need to hide the fact a product has been sent to you or that you've been paid to make a post about something but nowadays, even if we're honest about these things, there's always someone who doesn't want to believe you.

There's a lot of stigma surrounding PR recently which I think is really unfair because it's made virtually every blogger look like they're just hungry for 'free' product. I know there's a small bunch who do get into blogging purely for the freebies and that's really not on, but the majority who are genuine shouldn't be given side eye because they've been gifted a product. People think it classifies as being 'free' but 99% of the time it's in exchange for a review/sponsored post which requires work. Hope I've cleared that up!

The last thing I wanted to mention is that over the past few months I've noticed a lot of comments stating that we as a community are shady, stuck up and that there's no real friendship or connection between us. I think this is utter nonsense and my guess is that the people who assume this, haven't spent enough time getting to know us. I've met and become friends with so many amazing bloggers over the past two and a half years and none of them have ever been unfriendly or given the impression of thinking that they're better than everybody else. They're actually some of the sweetest people I've ever met and one of the key things they focus on is making bonds and supporting one another. And having a good old gab about beauty, of course!

I'm sorry if this post was a bit all over the place or if it seemed ranty. I just really wanted to share my thoughts on the blogging community based on my personal experience as a beauty blogger and also to clarify that we do work hard, we are a close-knit community and that not all of us think we're a sparkly unicorn who poops glitter and sleeps on a marshmallow cloud! Unicorns are overrated anyway, I'd much rather be a fairy...

Thank you so much for reading and if you're a blogger, I'd love to know what you think about what I've said, if you agree or disagree with anything or if you have something else to add.

Maiya

Tuesday, September 05, 2017

My Thoughts On The Blogging Community

Thank you so much for reading and if you're a blogger, I'd love to know what you think about what I've said, if you agree or disagree with anything or if you have something else to add.

Maiya

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