A few of my favourite things currently. Some old some new but all in heavy rotation weekly.
Urban Decay Naked 2 has made a massive comeback for me and I use it every day. It has everything I need. There is the shimmery shades for an evening smokey eye, a good light and brown-grey matte for daily use. Loving this all over again and can't fault the quality of the shadows.
I am late to the party with my brand new Becca x Jacklyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop. This creamy powder highlighter is so gorgeous I would like to smother myself in it. I dont for obvious reasons but I do use it generously. On cheekbones, brow bone, lips, collar bones you name it. The gold peachy undertones are super flattering and it never comes off glittery. Total and utter love for this!
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Devotion was the most random purchase. While in Paris few weeks ago my hotel room wasn't ready on arrival so I went to snoop around in the neighbourhood. Stepped into a store with makeup on the window and discover a 40% sale on Revlon lip products. Held myself together and didn't buy more than one as I figured Im gonna hit pharmacies hard (as I did). What a lucky random purchase that was cause I very much like this shade and formula. Its not drying, very light weight and velvety on the lips. Actually describing this as matte is a bit misleading as they aren't totally matte so lets call it semi-matte in order to be precise. Cause when describing lip products accuracy is important right? Need to have a little look in Dubai for more shades cause this formula really is great.
Essie Urban Jungle nail polish has been in my collection for ages. I have recently emerged from a "all I want it red" stage and now this grey-beige-cream-white shade is one I reach for a lot.
I left the total obsession item for last- my very first Byredo perfume! Perfume descriptions are infamously difficult to do if you ask me so let me try to explain the best I can. It is like the juiciest, freshest ripest scent you can imagine. But not in a sweet sickly way even thou there is apple and peach in it cause the bergamot top notes balance it out perfectly. It is amazing for hot weather and lingers on me for hours. It still has that woody scent you want in an expensive perfume. I initially got a sample of this with a purchase but instantly fell in love and didn't hesitate to pay the price for a full bottle. I am obsessed I tell you!
I'm done with rambling how much I love everything now. Have you tried any of these and love them as much as I do?
I still love midi dresses but a few items have sneaked into my wardrobe lately that are less common.
The whole athletic gear mixed into street style trend is fab yet I don't see myself pulling it off. I mean I still don't even own a pair of New Balance sneakers cause Im not sure my cool factor is high enough. But this grey based beauty of a track jacket by Adidas won me over with the tropical print obviously. I instantly gravitated towards it in the store and pictured it as the perfect addition to jeans and metallic converse combo. I think the colour scheme of the flowers is perfect and I love the large white logo but black contrasting stripes on the sleeves.
I have gotten tons of wear out of it actually. More than I expected. I love it with a leather pencil skirt and sneakers or on a black casual dress.
I did do a little search online to see other cool track jackets and this is what I found. Another Adidas one but more retro 70s vibe. This Puma jacket is kind of cool also.
As we are on the subject of activewear Im demented to get my hands on some of the Ivy Park pieces by Beyonce x Topshop. They aren't even anything so special but as true blood queen B fan I must order something. My eyes are on this pink sweatshirt or this one and the black PU sleeved number has my heart as well. Basically anything that will make me more like Beyonce would be great.
Have you bought anything from Ivy Park line? Would love to hear about the quality before I start ordering.
I only have one face..
Its seems I forgot that entirely the moment I was let loose in Paris pharmacy.
Must. Buy. All. The. Things. - I kept reapeating as I returned to wonder the aisles almost every day of my 5 day vacation.
I had promised myself I wont shop anything unless its french skincare however maybe I should have sent myself a small limitation on lotions as well. Too late now obviously. I posted on Snapchat and Instagram asking for recommendations and boy did I get plenty (special thanks to Bonnie for all the tips). I shall just look at it as amazing back up for the rest of the year. I have only started using some of them and some will have to wait for their turn but lets do a run down of what I got cause I can't wait to share.
Of the ones I have ever tried Caudalie is one of my fav French skincare brands. Its soo much cheaper in Paris than in Dubai which made me want to try more and more products. I picked up the Moisturising Toner which I have used before but it has now been repackaged and has a handy pump. I love this toner- super fresh scent and leaves no residue while being effective and gentle. So this was a repurchase really. The other repurchase was the Moisturising Mask which is a lovely no fuss thick mask that I often leave on for the whole night. I also got the Polyphenol C15 Anti- Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream which I have started using in the mornings. Its said to reduce dark circles and smooth the area around eyes and I need both of those things so bring it. The third item from Caudalie is Vinosource S.O.S Thirts- Quenching Serum which I can't wait to test out but Im not allowing myself to open until I finish my current morning serum. Its an oil-free moisturising serum so should work well under makeup I assume. And out of curiosity I also purchased the Grape Water mist in a pretty pink limited edition bottle.
Moving on.. you do understand how long this post is going to be right.
Nuxe Gentle Exfoliating Gel- never tried this before but I love love love it now. It has rose petals for exfoliation but it doesn't scratch my skin and it smells great. Super happy with that purchase already.
La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray- I had read too much about it not to purchase it at least once. Its for blemish prone oily skin but I tend to get more problems in that field over the summer here so I shall keep it for then.
Aven Eau Thermale Spray- goes into the same category as previous mist. I had heard so much about it and it wasn't expensive so figured might as well. However I think its literally just water in a can and I dont have much of an opinion about it.
Klorane Dry Shampoo- my extensive online research on what to buy in french pharmacy always ended up with this on most of the lists. To be honest I have tried twice and wasn't as Wow'd as I expected to be. I will report back.
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate- is called everything from "miracle cream" to "french pharmacy crown jewel" so I had to give it a go. It has fatty acids and vitamins and should basically help with anything you can think of. It promises to be a mask, a primer, a moisturiser and a makeup remover all in one so I shall put all these bold claims to test as soon as possible.
Cattier Pink Clay Mask- I tried this yesterday and I loooooove. It was a recomendation I got from QuintessentiallyMe from Snapchat and I'm soo grateful. A great basic but gentle clay mask suitable for sensitive skin. Totally worth flying to Paris just to pick this up.
La Roche-Posay Redermic C Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisturising Filler- figured its time to buy my first ever anti ageing moisturiser. I dont know what pushed me to do it but Im interested to see how this preforms. This has fragmented hyaluronic acid in it (no i don't know what that is I copied this phrase from the box) but it should plump up my skin and vitamins C to help reduce appearance of wrinkles. Shall start using as soon as I finish my current moisturiser and report back but my plan is to not make it my daily moisturiser but more of a few times a week thing.
Phyto Phytobaume Express Conditioner- recommended to me by my dear friend Micha who has only like magical unicorn hair. When she says its her fav ever conditioner I will must definitely need to try it.
Phyto Intense Volume Mousse- meant for fine to medium hair and doesn't leave my hair sticky so far I am loving it. I wouldn't say it gives intense volume but then again I dont have so much to work with either. Its a good basic daily hair mousse with just enough texture and bounce to make a difference.
And I believe we have reached the end of this haul. I am very much excited to put all this onto my one face and then tell you how well does it work.
Have you tried any of these? I know there is soo much more French skincare I could have picked up but maybe next time.
