First Date Tag (Video)

One of my favourite videos to watch on YouTube is Tag videos. I think they are so much fun to watch but even more fun to film. They are so easy to film and edit as well!! My first video when I relaunched my YouTube channel was a tag video- The Shine Strong Tag and I loved doing it. I decided to film the First Date Tag video because I have watched a handful and I always end up laughing. It also gives you an opportunity to find out more about people's personalities. You can watch my take on first dates which includes what I would wear, where I would like to and mostly, who pays?. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section on what your take is on First Dates. Meanwhile, there is direct link to the video here and you can subscribe to my channel here. That would absolutely make my day!! Hope you are all having a great weekend and I would see you in my next post tomorrow...xx

W7 Cosmetics Brand Overview

I am always on the hunt for affordable makeup products even though I love my high end/luxury brands. However, I find that I reach for drug store products more often than not these days because drug store and affordable brands are really improving their quality. I was delighted to receive a very lovely package from W7 a few weeks ago. They actually sent me two separate packages which was super cool. The first one had regular W7 products including the In The Mood Eyeshadow Palette which is really similar to the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette. The second package had products from their Ebony Range which I would be reviewing separately because I don't want this post to be too long. I am not new to W7 products at all because I have purchased two lovely palettes which I have been impressed with. The first palette I purchased was the In the Buff Lightly Toasted Eyeshadow palette which I absolutely adore and the second palette I purchased was the Neon Nights Eyeshadow Palette which is incredible. I was really pleased to try more products from their range and I would be sharing my thoughts on my faves from what they sent me.


Brand Overview
W7 Cosmetics is a makeup brand owned by Warpaint Cosmetics. The brand is located in the UK which is really good to know.  They are known for creating really affordable makeup products and often create products that are dupes for some high end products. They are mainly sold online from their website or Amazon but you can also find them in some stores such as TK Maxx, ASDA, TJ Hughes, Fragrance Direct etc. You can find a full list of their UK stockist here and Non-UK stockists here.  The two products I purchased were from TK Maxx and I was so happy that they had not been tampered with. Now that I have tried a few of their products, I know which ones are my favourites.

W7 In the Buff Lightly Toasted Eyeshadow Palette// from £5.00 // Link // Review
I won't ramble too much about this eyeshadow palette because it has been reviewed on this blog already. It was the first product I ever tried from W7 and I was so impressed that I decided to purchase another palette. Truly, first impressions usually makes a lasting impression. I love the packaging and the colour selection in the Lightly Toasted Eyeshadow Palette. It is a really good neutral eyeshadow palette and I can't think of any colour in this eyeshadow  that I have not used. The pigmentation was surprisingly good for the price but I find that it works best when used wet and with a primer. I did experience some fallouts but they were minimal especially when used wet. I use this palette for everyday looks and it's easy to work with both for beginners or experts.

W7 Neon Nights Palette Eyeshadow Palette// from £5.00 // Link //Review
When I spotted this palette in TK Maxx, I did not need any soothsayer to convince me to grab it. I actually purchased two because I knew my sister would love it. It's just the perfect Neon palette and it has the most amazing selection of colours I have ever come across. The packaging is so pretty and the eyeshadows themselves are incredibly pigmented. They can be used wet or dry but I use it dry and it lasts all day. I always use a primer but I have tried it a few times without a primer and it still looks beautiful. If you are into creating bold and bright looks/tutorials, it's a palette I highly recommend. It's been my perfect Spring/Summer staple along with some other drug store offerings.




W7 In the Mood Eyeshadow Palette*// £3.92 // Link 
Let me just put it out there that I am not a fan of the Urban Decay Naked Basic Palettes because I thought it was too cool for my skin tone. I was a little sceptical when I saw the colours in this palette and I thought it may be difficult to work with. However, that was not the case at all although I won't say it is the easiest to work with if you have similar skin tone as me.  First off, I am impressed with the pigmentation of this palette and I am pleased that majority of the colours show up on my skin tone. The first four colours look very similar in the pan (and due to the lighting) but they appear different when applied on my eyelids. They can be used wet or dry but they work well either ways. I used this palette consistently for a few weeks in June and I grew to love it. I use the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Creamy Beige as a base and it really creates the loveliest neutral look.




I experienced some fallouts but this can be mitigated by tapping off any excess before application. I use this palette to create an everyday neutral eyeshadow look very similar to one of my neutral looks for Spring. The darkest shade (Cargo) transforms any neutral look to a smokey look. I like the dark brown shade (Katie) for adding some dimension to my crease and it is seriously pigmented so you need a light hand. The first shade has some shimmer in it so it is perfect for the inner corners while the second cream shade (Oops) is perfect for highlighting my brow bone. The next two shades- Venice and Wink can be used as lid colours. I always use a base (Maybelline Color Tattoo in Creamy Beige) underneath to help the colours pop. It is really a lovely Nude Palette and if you wanted to try the UD Naked Basics but don't want to shell out on it or you are not sure if you would like it, this is a good palette to start with. It has quickly risen to one of my favourite neutral palettes because it is very portable.




W7 King Kohl Eyeliner* // £1.99 // Link
I recently wrote about how I have now gotten into using Kohls or eyeliner to tight line my waterline. I discovered the NARS Eyeliner Gel and it has really changed up my makeup look and made me brave enough to try others. I decided to  give the W7 King Kohl a try and I am delighted that it also did not irritate my waterline (Thank goodness for that!). It is really pigmented and easy to apply so there is no need to drag it. It can also be used as an eyeliner for the top lid and to tight line but I prefer felt tip eyeliners for my top lids. I have naughtily used it to ever so slightly fill in my brow hairs. Now before you scream murder, my brow hairs are actually black so it is not too bad and I use very, very light strokes. I really like this Kohl Pencil a lot.



W7 Thick 'Em Up Mascara* // £2.99 // Link
I am always sceptical about using mascaras that are not high end and it's not because I am a makeup snub. It's mainly because my lashes are super short and curly so I need a super lengthening mascara to give them some length. I am not too fussed about volume as much as length. The wand of this mascara looks a little intimidating; it's slightly similar to the Bourjois Volume 1-Second Mascara. However, its bristles really grip my little lashes which I was very surprised about. It does not do much for length for me because it is a volumising mascara but the volume action is not visible unless I add some length to my short lashes. This is why I use the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara first and then follow up with the W7 Mascara and it looks so good. They both work well together and my lashes don't feel clumpy at all rather it feels just like I have added two coats of mascara. I know this may seem too fussy but if you need just volume, this mascara is good and affordable place to start



W7 Argan Lip Balm* // £1.99 // Link
I was quite intrigued to see an Argan Lip Balm because I had never tried anything like it. It comes in a really cute tube which can be thrown in your makeup bag. It reminds me of something I would like to take with me on a sunny holiday (don't ask why; it just does). It feels really light on application but it's not too greasy. I am not sure it is any different to any lip balm I have tried but it's a nice one and affordable as well.


W7 Hide It Concealer *// £1.99 // Link
I was also sent this concealer which is way too light for me. I have swatched it to try it  so I know it's not suitable for me. If you would like me to send this to you, just drop me an email. I will send it to the first person who emails me. It looks like a lipstick but it's actually a concealer and comes in a lipstick-like bullet for ease of application. As mentioned, I have swatched it so it's no longer brand new. It seemed to have a nice texture on application but as it was too light on my skin tone, I cannot give my full impressions of it.


Overall Thoughts
I am really pleased that I got a chance to try out some more products from W7 Cosmetics. They are a really affordable range and I wish it was sold in more regular drug stores like Boots and Superdrug. I am sure they would give other drug store brands a run for their money. My favourite products from the package they sent me is definitely the In the Mood Palette (which grew on me really rapidly) and the Black Kohl Eyeliner which can be used in various ways. Their Ebony range absolutely blew me off my socks but you have to wait for the review tomorrow so make sure you check back. Have you tried any products from W7?
*PR Samples + Affiliate Links used, red my full disclaimer here

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

What's in my Makeup Bag? (Summer Edition)

I just realised it has been a moment since I wrote about "What's in my Makeup Bag?". I switch up the contents of my makeup bag every now and then because I love to try different things. I try not to carry too many things in my makeup bag so my actual bag is not weighed down. If I am going out after work, I tend to carry more makeup for a little switch up before I hit the road. If I am not going anywhere, I just take products for touch ups. I find that I have to touch up more during summer because my skin just goes crazily oily which is not uncommon if you have combination/oily skin. I just make sure I prep my makeup in the morning really well so that it lasts as long as possible with little need for touch ups. I have a post coming up showing the products I use to ensure my makeup lasts longer during this Summer. Right, let's get into the contents of my bag.


Makeup Bag- Lulu Guinness Culture Vulture Makeup Pouch //£65 (similar here for £27.50)
I have a crazy amount of makeup bags because I just love them. Majority of them were gifts with purchases from Lancome, Estee Lauder and other brands. I have purchased a few makeup bags and my favourite one of the lot is this Lulu Guinness Culture Vulture Makeup Pouch. I just love how roomy it is and it never feels bulky no matter how much stuff I have inside. It's seriously one of the best makeup bags I have ever used and it also doubles as a pouch when I don't feel like taking a bag or purse because it still looks chic for casual events.

Revlon Colorstay Concealer (Deep Fonce) // £6.99 // Link // Review
I am sure you all are pretty much fed up of seeing me talk about this concealer but it is really amazing. I know I mentioned that I use it mainly to conceal any under eye circles but it is also good for lightly concealing any blemishes. I find that towards the end of the day, especially during summer, some of my blemishes decide to peek through under my foundation. They are not very visible although you can tell they are there, so a light weight concealer like the Revlon Colorstay just makes everything right. I just use the doe foot applicator on the exact spot and dab it in with my fingers (I always wash my hands before touching my face). It really makes such a difference and I set everything with a powder.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder // £39 // Link // Review
I have had this powder for more than a year now and I just love it. I don't use it everyday as a setting powder but I use it often to restore any stolen glow back to my face. It is one of the best finely milled powder out there and with good reason. It is expensive but totally worth it and I would repurchase it if/when it runs out. I love it so much and don't even get me started with the packaging. It's just so classy to pull out for a quick touch up and it fits in well in any makeup bag and even clutch.


Bagsy Ray of Sunshine Perfect Glow Bronzing Powder* // £18 (currently to £12) // Link 
This is a new one to me and I already really like it. It is meant to be a bronzing powder but it is too light for my skin tone. However, I use it as a normal setting powder and it matches my complexion really well. It adds such a subtle sun kissed glow to my skin which is very flattering. It also keeps my face matte which is what my face really needs when the sun is out and everything looks super shiny. These are just my initial thoughts on this Bagsy Bronnzing Powder but I would have a full review of all the products I received up soon.

Bagsy Kabuki Brush* // £15 // Link 
I have more than a few makeup bag brushes aka retractable brushes and kabuki brushes. Many of them feel a bit dodgy after I have washed them a few times but this Bagsy is an exception. Although it is not retractable, it does not mess up my makeup bag because it comes with its own pouch. Apart from that, I find that the bristles (which are seriously so soft and fluffy) don't retain any products on them. I really like that because some brushes feel heavy after using it for a few days before it's time for a wash. This Bagsy Kabuki Brush retains its fluff and I love it.

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer (Celestial) // £6.49 // Link // Review
I have reviewed my little collection of my Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer over here. I think it may have been one of the first proper semi-liquid lipsticks I tried. I still have a love-hate relationship with it although it is more of love at the moment. I hate the annoying smell that comes off initially when you apply it but I do love the application and longevity. My favourite shade is Celestial and it is almost always in my makeup bag because it just suits me when all fails.


MAC Lipstick (Vegas Volt)// £15.50 // Link // Review
I have a few lip products in my bag which I whip out depending on how I am feeling. I usually pop the lipstick I use when I do my makeup in the morning into my bag. This way I know I can always top it up after lunch or if it just wears away. I still have a soft spot for MAC Vegas Volt and it's been a staple since spring and now into summer,  it is here to stay.

Bagsy Lip Cocoon in Raspberry*// £7 // Link 
This was love at first sight and sniff. It smells so beautiful and I have no idea why I did not take a picture of it open. I guess you would have to wait until I have a full review of the Bagsy products  I was kindly sent. It is a tinted lip balm but its pigmentation is really good. I find that many tinted lip balms don't show up well on my lips but this is so different and I like it. It smells so amazing (it smells like fresh raspberries) and it is perfect for summer.

Body Shop Highlighting Dome*// £8 // Link // Review
On a good day, I won't bother with adding any extra glow or highlight to my face. However, it is summer so any added glow (without a shine) is always welcome. I already featured a review of this Body Shop Highlighting Dome here so I won't ramble too much. One of the reasons  I love it is because it is perfect for on the go makeup and it's also very easy to use/apply. You can use your fingers to dab some product on the high points of your cheeks or just slide it directly from the packaging and blend out with a brush. It adds some glow and blush colour at once which makes it an amazing dual purpose product. Besides, it is super cute and fits perfectly well in my makeup bag


Overall Thoughts
I told you I don't have too many things in my makeup bag, no? I don't think it's a lot but I am sure some people carry way less or more products in their bag. I think these products are all I need for touching up my makeup. I don't do anything to my eyes because I take extra care when doing my eye makeup to make sure it lasts all day. That's it folks!! Now, it's your turn! What's currently in your makeup bag? I'd love to know because I am super nosey!!...xx
*PR Samples + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer for here