June Favourites 2015

Yes, we are already halfway through the year and I know it sounds cliché but this year is really speeding fast. It seems just like a few minutes back when I did my May Favourites. I don’t think I have too many new favourites this month because I am a creature of habit. If I see a product that I like and it works for me, I just stick to it. Of course, I am always open to new discoveries but I am very faithful to my old favourites. There are some new products I have been trying out which had to be featured in this month's fav because they are amazing. I will be posting full reviews of them soon so you can find out more. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoyed last month's favourite and do let me know what product you were loving in June.

Calvin Klein Eyeshadows

I picked these eyeshadows up from PoundLand and I know that they may have been discontinued but they are really lovely. Don’t fret about them being expired as I always check checkcosmetics.net before I purchase any product from Poundland or any other discounted store. I have to say the Poundland stores in South West London have one of the best makeup. I even recently purchased Eylure Pre-Glued False Eyelashes which are pretty expensive in regular drug stores and they were only £1 in Poundland. Anyway, I digress, back to these Calvin Klein Eyeshadows.  I picked up 8 eyeshadows and they have such amazing quality (a review may be up soon). My favourite of the lot is the shade Myrrh which is a nice mix of burgundy and dark brown. I don’t own anything like it and it is so amazing for my crease especially when I need to add some warmth. I have been using it almost everyday since I purchased it.


NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner// £19 for full size // Link // Review
I already spoke about this cute eyeliner over here but I absolutely love it. It is one of the few eyeliners that does not irritate my waterline. I think it would last me a really long time because I only use it to line my waterline. I got it as a free sample which was so kind of the NARS sales lady on the counter. It feels so creamy and glides on so effortlessly. It stays put all day and it’s surprisingly easy to remove which is always a good thing in my books. I love it!

L'Oreal Superstar Felt Tip Eyeliner// £6.99 // Link // Review
I featured this in my recent drug store haul so I won't ramble too much. It is really one of the best felt tip eye liners I have tried and I can now conclude that it has knocked  the Super Slim Eyeliner off its top spot in my books. It is sightly thicker with better control which makes it ideal for anyone to use including beginners. I have used it almost everyday without fail even though I still have a back up of my other L'Oreal ones.


Ebay Dupe Makeup Brushes// Review 
I also have mentioned these brushes in a separate post They are so cheap but good quality and I use them more than a few times in a week. My favourite of the lot is the NARS Yachiyo Brush dupe which is perfect for blending out my contour and applying blush. I think this is one of the best brush dupes I have ever come across. It has not shed at all and I have washed it more than a few times. It’s definitely been a firm favourite this month


Sleek Blush by 3 Palette (Pumpkin) //£9.99 // Link // Review
I was a little late to the Sleek Blush by 3 Palette party but I am so pleased I jumped on the bandwagon. Each time I use a shade from this palette, I keep wondering why I took so long in making it mine. It is incredibly pigmented as always and it lasts for a good while on my face unlike some blushes which disappear by midday. It’s really hard to beat the quality of this palette especially at its amazing price range. It’s truly perfect for Spring/Summer.


Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation// £30 // Link // Review
I am pretty sure this foundation has made more than a few appearances on this blog but I really enjoy using it. I love Bobbi Brown foundations because they just have the right kind of yellow undertone which suits my complexion. It’s my perfect Spring/Summer foundation because it feels exactly like your skin but better (YSBB). It does not offer as much coverage as I would like but I love the texture so much that I don’t mind using concealers in areas that need it. It’s one I highly recommend for Summer.


Wilko False Eyelashes// Link
Wilko (or Wilkinson’s) is like my favourite shop for bits and bobs. I buy majority of my blogging essentials and beauty tools (cotton pads, wipes, etc) from here. I am lucky that there is one near my  office and another one near my house. I prefer the one near my office because it’s like two minutes away and it is massive. I always raid their eyelashes sections because they are such amazing quality and feel quite natural. They only cost £1 but no one can tell when they are on your eyes. I am not yet an expert on buying lashes online; I prefer to see it before buying it. I really enjoy using it and I usually get the Natural, Glamour and Drama ones because they look so pretty. Although they are not made form natural hairs, they don’t feel scratchy at all and they feel so comfy. They are the ones I wear whenever I make YouTube videos in case you are wondering.

W7 In the Mood Eyeshadow Palette*//currently £3.92 // Link
I was kindly sent this eyeshadow palette last month and it has been one I have used a lot. It is really similar on first impressions to the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette but I think the UD version has better quality. Nevertheless, this palette has really good pigmentation with minimal fallouts. I always use it with a primer and I love the overall finish. I use majority of the shades in the palette to create a really nice neutral look which I would be sharing in a tutorial or a blog post with a full review. It is a cool toned palette but I find ways to make it work best on my complexion and it is so ideal for work, school or everyday wear.


W7 Ebony Range*// Link
I have not reviewed this yet on the blog but I have been testing it out for a little while and I am impressed. I don’t want to give away too much because I have a review coming up soon. I had no idea that W7 had an Ebony range that caters to darker skinned ladies like myself. I can tell you on first impressions that I was really delighted at the quality. They kindly sent me their Matte Lipsticks, Matte Powder, Concealer, Blushes and Liquid Lipstick. They are really lovely and I think they would suit anyone really depending on your taste. I have enjoyed using them last month and I know I will keep using them through Summer.



That's it folks!! This month came and went really quickly. I know I am sound like an absolute wimp but I am not really a huge fan of Summer. My favourite seasons are Spring and Autumn because the temperature at these periods are not extreme. Yesterday in London was super hot. I am talking about 33-34 degrees Celsius which is insane. It was hot and humid even through the night. I still love how bright everything is right now and truly people are happier when the sun is out so I am happy that everyone is happy. That's my little rant of the day. What was your absolute favourite product in June?...xx
*PR Samples + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here

Top Summer Nail Polishes

Hey Lovelies,

I hope your week so far has been fab. Mine has been okay but I can envisage it being even busier towards the end of the week. With our intermittent summer here in the UK, I have still managed to keep my love for nail polishes ongoing because it is a constant reminder of how lovely summer is(or was).

I never used to be a nail polish girl because I could not paint my right hand nails properly with my left but now I want to believe I am turning into a Nail Polish Bawse (Boss); nah I am kidding, I am just getting there. I love bright colours for Spring/Summer because they remind me of nature and all the beautiful things you can find in nature such as flowers, shrubs, herbs, the sea, etc. Everything natural, fresh, organic and pleasant. 

As you will see in a bit, I am very partial to Lancome Vernis in Love collection which I already dedicated a full blog post to here. Asides that, I absolutely love Sally Hansen Nail Polish range because they are so affordable and they are high quality and I am not sure why I have not dedicated a whole post on them. Maybe soon. Other Nail Polishes featured here include some random ones such as Avon, Nail Inc and ELF. Let's get started.

The Soft Pinks, Peaches and Corals
This has to be my favourite of the lot of my summer collection because they are all so feminine, soft, delicate and of course, playful.

L-R: Nail Inc You're Peachy, Sally Hansen Sheer Lilac Gloss, Sally Hansen Jewel Frost, Lancome Corail in Love, Sally Hansen Coral Creme and Lancome Rouge in Love

From Left to Right is Nail Inc You're Peachy which is a soft light peach colour which is so adorable and delicate. It reminds me of a slightly ripened Peach. It could be a little tricky to apply because you need at least two coats to get this nice peach shade.

L-R: Lancome Rouge in Love(112B), Lancome Corail in Love(105M) and Nail Inc You're Peachy

Next to it is the Sally Hansen Sheer Lilac Gloss which is such a light sheer pink color although I know the name suggests Lilac but it is more like a soft pink. It is truly sheer and glossy which is why I love it for those days when you are not sure what nail polish to wear but you still want to have something light on your nails. 

Right beside it is the Sally Hansen Jewel Frost which is a rich dark Lilac Pinkish shade. I know that's a weird description but that's the only one I can think of. It is is a dream to apply and the formula feels light to apply but it appears as rich jewel toned shade on the nails which I love wearing for girlie summer lunches. 

For some bizarre reason, I could not find this when I was photographing so it has its own special spot here

Next to it is the Sally Hansen Weathered Mauve Frost which is a light mauve shade with a slight frosted gleam to it. I wear this nail polish when I want a sophisticated but summery nail colour. It applies really well and is true to colour; you need only one coat or maybe two if you need a deeper colour.

L-R Lancome Rouge in Love 112B and Corail in Love 105M

Right beside it is the Lancome Corail in Love which I have talked about earlier here but it remains one of my favourite Spring/Summer nail polish. It is everything summer for me; light, delicate, feminine and demure. An all time classic :-). Next to it is the Sally Hansen Coral Creme which is a true deep coral with slight shimmer to it. I love this because it can be mistaken for a bright red which lends it its playful nature. I love how it stands out against my skin tone and compliments almost anything I wear especially when I am dressed in muted or toned down clothing. Last but not least in this category is the award winning and best selling Lancome Rouge in Love which I have also raved about here. 

It reminds me strongly of the Sally Hansen Coral Creme although it is more of a brighter "out there in your face" kinda coral. I love this and it complements many skin tones so you don't have to be afraid to try it especially of you are not a fan of red nail polishes. Lancome's Rouge in Love is a perfect starting point which can launch you to more daring shades.

The Sky Blues, Mint Blues, Pastel Blues and Navy Blues
Although these lot seem like darker colours, they are perfect for Summer because they mimic some goodies in nature such as the blue sky in summer, the bluish green sea and summer flowers such as Iris and Orchids. 

L-R: Sally Hansen Barely Blue Bell, Avon Nail Expert Color 38, Sally Hansen Flash 04, Lancome Bleu de Flore and Sally Hansen Gray by Gray.

The first of the lot (From L-R) is the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Barely Blue Bell which is soft pastel shade blue, more like a mint blue if there is a colour like that. I love this and it is so easy to apply because it has a nice wide brush which is the unique feature I love in the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Range.

Clockwise: Sally Hansen Barely Blue Bell, Avon Nail Experts Color 38, Sally Hansen Flash 04, Lancome Bleu de Flore and Sally Hansen Gray by Gray

Next to it is the Avon Nail Experts in Color 38 which looks more like a green but when you apply it , it is more of an aquamarine shade which reminds me of the sea. I love how light the formula is although it could be subject to chipping but it is such a lovely shade. 

Next to it is the Sally Hansen Lacquer Shine in Flash 04 which I totally heart because it is a true blue and reminds me of the sky on a bright summer day. It is easy to apply and the formula is light which means it dries pretty  quickly with a nice shine to it as the name suggests. Right beside it is the Lancome Fleur de Bleu which I have raved about here but it is a rich dark blue which reminds me of a summer midnight sky. 

It is a rich colour which can be worn both in Summer and Autumn. Although it appears dark, you actually need two coats to achieve the shade. Last but not least is the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Gray by Gray 350. Yeah, I know it says grey but when it is applied it looks like a kind of blue, like a greyish blue, No? Hahha , maybe I am colour blind but I love it.

 It is a muted greyish blue without the associated dullness and I love it for summer especially when I am wearing white because it richly contrasts with it and gives you a classic and vintage air. Imagine this with a crisp white airy top(maybe linen) and some greyish blue jeans... Larve Larve Larve!!

The Rich Gold, Rose Gold and Mocha
These are the nail polishes i reserve for when I want to feel glam. It is perfect for summer parties, dinners and launch parties especially if there are done outdoors. Surprisingly, I don't have many in this category but these three are my absolute loves. 

L-R: Sally Hansen Gilty Pleasure, Maybelline MNY in Gemey Paris and Sally Hansen Boca Mocha.

First from the Left is the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Gilty(not guilty) Pleasure 310 which is true rich gold nail polish with shimmers and you do not need extra gloss on this because this is the business...oh yeah!! I love this nail polish because it applies just right; not too light or dark, it is perfect. 

L-R or Anti Clockwise: Sally Hansen Boca Mocha, Maybelline MNY in Gemey Paris and Sally Hansen Gilty Pleasure

Next to it is the Maybelline MNY in Gemey Paris which is a warm rose gold colour. I love this for sunset dinners because it reminds me of  sunset in summer which is beautiful here in London. This is one of my first Maybelline Nail polishes and I must say I am really impressed. 

Last of the lot is the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Boca Mocha which is rich dark mocha shade as the name suggests which is perfect for many skin tones especially of you have fairer skin. I love it because it is a simple shade with a rich formula just like all the Sally Hansen ranges.

The Leaf Greens and The Flower Greens
These two colors are the closest shade to nature: Greens. Green represents nature and freshness which is why I love it although it is not always flattering on my nails; don't ask me why :-) because I really don't know why. 

L-R: Sally Hansen Grass Slipper and Sally Hansen Glow 03

L-R: Sally Hansen Glow 05 and Sally Hansen Grass Slipper

The first Color is from the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Grass Slipper 430 which is true leaf colour but it has a gel like formula which kinda makes it look like a pastel shade. It is a lovely colour and is true to shade compared to some other green nail polishes. The other one is the Sally Hansen Lacquer Shine in Glow 03 and it is little darker than the previous one but with shimmers which look like gold shimmers in the sunlight. 

Gold and green definitely complement each other to produce the freshest shade ever. I love both greens and I wear them when I have little  make up on because they tend to take centre stage when I wear it.

That's it folks. My lovely Summer nail Polish collection which was mainly a good mix of different ranges of Sally Hansen and Lancome Nail polishes which are my favourite brands because I like their formulars and the nail brushes are superb for easy application. I hope you all enjoyed this post because I had a lot of fun writing this up and taking the photos as usual in the faux sunlight; in fact almost sunset. Catch you in my next post...xxx


Have you entered the Gamila Secret Cleansing Bar Giveaway Contest? It is Open now and International...Check it out here

Have an amazing week ahead...xx

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