I’m the kind of person who finds a great youtuber and keeps watching them for years and years. Not much of my subscriptions has changed in the last few years. I’ll occasionally follow new people but soon, I’ll forget to keep track of them. However, in the last couple of months I’ve discovered some new beauty and lifestyle youtubers who are unique, have amazing content and make me want to come back to their channel every time to catch up. I thought I’d share a list of these beauties who not only deserve more followers but also, if you are a fan of channels that are different and don’t just fit into the generic ‘beauty guru’ mould then I think you’d love watching these. Grab a cup of coffee, a snack and settle in because you may have to binge watch after this post!

#1 Violette_Fr

My ultimate girl crush, tbh! She is sweet, sophisticated, a talented MUA, has a beautiful French accent and lives in NYC- the city of dreams. What’s not to love right? Well, I’m not done yet. Her content is very beautifully curated and photographed. She usually takes us to different locations in the city, does certain looks there that are inspired by the place or fit the occasion. She has a unique, artistic touch to her videos and they are filmed from many new angles that is so different from the usual camera, ring light, in your room filming videos kind of setup. I like those too but this channel genuinely gets me excited to watch it like art. Although she uses mostly luxe brands to create effortless looks, when she does use an affordable product, you know it’s a good one! She’s bringing minimal, beautifully done makeup with no instagram brows or instagram anything. Makeup that is done to only enhance our features. In this world of plastic surgery, lip fillers and crazy contouring, this girl inspires women to love their self and love makeup at the same time.

#2 Freya Haley

Those of you who like 70's style and lifestyle, her channel is for you.  Not only does she have impeccable 70’s inspired style which is quite like warm colours, bohemian prints, flared pants, vintage pieces, lot of cool hats etc but she also has a good range of personal and self growth content. I find her a very artistic person as well and always pick up little style tips from her videos. She is also vegan and does a lot of veganism related videos if you’re into that as well. She is from Australia and does pretty inspiring travel videos too. It’s a good mix of everything I like and her editing is so reminiscent of the 70's as well.

#3 Rachel Maksy

She is also known as ‘The Pinup Companion’ which is dedicated to all things vintage. She wears vintage clothes everyday which is so inspiring to see someone following their passion and doing something out of the norm to find pieces from thrift stores to put together looks that remind you of an era. Her beautifully decorated house, her fashion looks, pin curled hair and a dash of red lipstick will remind you of scenes from a 50’s movie and she has the perfect music to go with it too.  I have always been a fan of old Hollywood movies. Even the black and white ones! I watch this channel because I find it so fascinating and inspiring. She’s also quite funny and casual so watching her videos are a breeze.

#4 Gothamista

If you’re interested in skincare or want to get into it but the scientific terms, ingredients such as acids and stuff make zero sense to you then you need to watch her channel. She also uses a lot of Korean beauty and is based in New York so I find it quite helpful to discover new products or just keep track of what’s good and worth getting in the Kbeauty market. Her videos are always short, to the point and there’s no rambling. She has a good mix of western and Korean products in her routines but her beautiful, glowing skin is proof that she knows what she’s doing. I find her voice and videos quite relaxing so it’s something I find myself watching at the end of the day.

#5 Sarah Nourse

Sarah Nourse is a sweet, bubbly, American girl who moved to Europe and her videos are centered around travelling, minimalism, ethical, saving money etc. Her Swiss husband Mathieus is also part of most of the videos and I think he is very intelligent and funny and has some great tips. Although she has just moved back to USA, she has had some great adventures all over Europe. It’s such an amazing channel to inspire you to save money, build capsule wardrobes, fit your life in a suitcase if you want to travel the world and many other interesting topics like that instead of pushing you to buy a lot of things. I know the youtube and blogging industry is so much about consumerism but the fact that they have taken a different direction is wonderful to see and they’ve inspired me to view ‘saving money’ in a different light.

There are a top 5 favourite ladies on youtube and although I say they’re new youtubers, they’re quite well established and what I mean is I’ve just discovered them and have been obsessed with them.  I’ve linked my favourite videos by them as well so I hope you check them out and I hope you fall in love as well x

I know I don’t need to introduce this brand anymore because it’s anything but Ordinary. It has made people who weren't even into skincare get back into it and I appreciate that about them. It's always refreshing when a brand creates so much buzz and for good reason. However, after trying these products out for a month, I’ve come to the conclusion that I still want to write about these two used as a duo. I am not the best at explaining scientific skincare terms or ingredients except alcohol because I’ve had such bad experience with it but I can speak from my experience. I think I’ve given it a fair chance to form an opinion on it. If you have combination skin and want to try something from this brand then keep on reading.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

30ml

Price: $9.80

This particular product is meant for reducing blemishes and congestion in the skin and balance sebum levels which sounds ideal for my skin. My problem areas are hyperpigmentation on the sides of my face from the sun and large pores, excess oil production. This product is a cloudy white fluid on the viscous side and only a drop or two comes out with each pump. I need only 2 drops for my entire face and I use it only at night. I focus it on my Tzone, jaw line and the sides of the face. It is recommended to use it in the morning and night but I only do it at night because I need something really moisturizing on top of it but that doesn’t fit into my morning routine. If you use Vitamin C at night, the Ordinary website recommends using this one in the morning only.

I’ve noticed my hyperpigmentation getting lighter and some marks that were left behind by previous breakouts have also faded. I noticed it in a recent selfie that I took where I wasn’t wearing any foundation, just light makeup and I saw that the dark spots on my side face aren’t noticeable anymore. I won’t say they’ve completely gone away yet but I’ve definitely seen fading on the pigmentation that I've had for months now and nothing else has worked on it. This tiny bottle is not even 1/6^th way down and I hope once I’ve used the whole bottle, they will disappear. It blurs the pores when I apply this but I found that to be a temporary effect so far and my pores go back to how they were in the morning.

Buy it : HERE & HERE

100% Plant-Derived Squalane

30ml

Price : $12.90

This little bottle of facial oil is simply amazing. The only facial oil that’s light enough to be used on combination skin without feeling too oily, or breaking out my super sensitive skin. It works very well on top of the Niacinamide and that’s how I use it every single day. I find it’s a little bit oily for me to use during the day but if you have dry skin, this will be a saviour for you. It gives my skin that deep moisturisation throughout the night and wake up with glowy skin every time. My cheeks feel extremely smooth and my dry patches have become softer ever since I started using it. I love that it is fragrance free and I only need 2-3 drops for my entire face. 

It is suitable for all skin types and can also be used on hair. Also, a very important point to note is this product is derived from plant sources and not from a shark’s liver. I didn’t know what Squalane was but with research I found out that it is a compound derived from Shark liver oil which is something we hear about in skincare and healthcare but this is a great vegan option. Using the Niacinmide only can make my skin feel a little stretchy so I love layering this one on top and they both make the perfect combination in my skincare routine. 30ml is an amazing quantity too for a facial oil while high end brands only give about 15-20ml for double the price of this.

Buy it : HERE & HERE

Have you tried any of their products? What Ordinary products combination do you use? I'd love to know your recommendations.

I'm back with a Part 2 of my samples collection that I've been trying over the last two weeks. It was supposed to go up yesterday but I've been so ill that I didn't manage to get it up on time. Truth be told, I totally skipped my skincare routine in the last 2 days because when you're sick, nothing seems appealing but a skincare chat is just what I need to cheer me up right now. So let's get into it!

#1 Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream :

I have to be honest this review isn’t the best one I’ve done because I didn’t wear it outside. Only around the house but I had it on from morning to night and here are my thoughts. The reason why I wore it indoors only is the shade doesn’t match me. When I first put it on it was very light  but after 5-10 mins, it starts setting and does suit my skin a little better but still it’s meant for pink undertones so it’s never going to look quite right on my olive undertone. It’s a shame that it only comes in ONE shade because I loved the finish, formula and coverage. It’s surprisingly good coverage for a bb cream and can be built to a medium to full if you layer it on. It has a thick consistency and this is the only thing that covered my dark circles without needing concealer. It creases on the lids and undereyes, so setting those areas is highly recommended. I’m amazed! It’s not matte but not super dewy either. A good in between and SPF30 is always appreciated.

Full Size : 50ml for $30
Buy The Lioele Triple Solution BB Cream here.

#2 Etude House ‘The Pink Vital Water’ range:

I got the whole set from this range to try out in minis which includes – A serum, a toner, an emulsion and a cream. Well I wish I had opted for another set and not this one because as is the case with all etude house skincare, it contains alcohol denat and some other ingredients that react badly with my skin. I tried the cream and overnight I broke out on my cheek that refused to budge for 2 weeks at least even with me constantly trying remedies and acne lotions that work for me normally. Also, I have to tell you that I never break out except hormonal break outs. I do get bumps but not cystic acne which was the case with this product. I tried the serum and emulsion too and they were bit gentler but that thick cream destroyed my skin. Never again!

Buy the Etude House Vital Water trial set here.

#3 Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Clay Masks:

This is a new concept of clay masks which comes in different colours for different concerns and you have to apply it to targeted areas for ‘multi masking’ – the new trend that doesn’t make too much sense to me tbh, but I thought I’d try it anyway. How cute are these samples though? They look like little capsules. The full size products come in colourful tubes. I did try the multimasking method( kind of like contouring with masks) and also tried using each all over my face and I definitely prefer using it as a normal mask. They’re gentle on the skin, made my skin less oily and made it look bright. Every time I used this, someone told me my skin is looking good, haha including my mom. That’s a good sign right?

Full Size: 70g for $9 each
Buy Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Clay Masks - Hydrating, Calming, Refining, Vitalizing  here.

#4 Cosrx Overnight Spa Masks:

Last but not the least are these very popular Cosrx sleeping masks similar to the Laneige one. You put it on like a thick moisturizer and go to bed, wake up next morning and wash it off. I’m glad I got to try both the varieties because they’re quite different. The Ultimate moisturzing Honey Mask is a gel texture, sort of like an aloe vera gel with a cooling sensation and I found it very sticky and uncomfortable to keep on and didn’t really see a huge change in my skin. However, the Ultimate Nourishing Rice Mask has the thick, creamy texture that I absolutely love as I find it so moisturizing. I loved putting it on my skin and woke up to considerably softer skin. It sat on my skin much more comfortable. I'll probably be getting the Cosrx Rice Sleeping Mask in full size but not the honey one, it’s just not for me.


Full Size :140g for $15
Buy Cosrx Honey Moisturizing Mask and Cosrx Rice Nourshing Mask here.

There you go! Another samples mini-reviews done. You can check out my Kbeauty Samples #1 post and also let me know if you have you tried any of these products before?

Shelf Life : 12 months

Price: $28

I was pretty excited to get my hands on this palette because of all the rave reviews I’ve seen circulating around. It took some serious self control to stop myself from using it before taking these photos, Haha. I went for the Nubian 1 palette which is the first palette by this brand that came out last summer. They have so many palettes now, all of them are so gorgeous but they are quite colourful. I’m afraid I’ll never use a green or bright red eye shadow enough so I went for the classic bronzes, warm nudes and the likes. I know I’ll actually use these regularly and that’s what matters to me. However, don’t be fooled by their appearance because they are packed with pigment and you have a lot of shades to get creative with.

Juvia’s Place is an indie makeup brand, inspired by Africa and specially made for WOC because they believe that makeup should look good on every skin tone and at an affordable price. It often happens that some eyeshadows don't show up on darker skintones. I love their motto of making makeup more inclusive so that people of every skin tone can enjoy it. That’s what makes these shadows insanely pigmented, especially the glittery ones. They are amazing for packing on all over the lid or just a little in the centre. The glittery ones may be a good option for night looks for me personally because they are intense shimmers but there are many toned down satin and matte shades for daytime as well. The first shade in the palette is the most unique colour I've ever seen, it's like a champagne gold with a pink duochrome - So pretty!
The packaging is made of cardboard with a magnetic closure. Although I find the Egyptian inspired design very beautiful, I would have preferred if it came with a mirror. Also, I am afraid this packaging is going to get dirty pretty fast. I’ve only used it for a week and there’s already glitter over it. There are 4 matte shades for the crease along with a good mix of satins and glitters. The shadows are buttery soft and super blendable. You only need to tap the brush in the pans or it can have some powder kickback. I would strongly recommend doing your eyes before doing your makeup because it does have some fallout under my eyes. There are just so many looks that can be done with this palette and all the shades go very well together so you can easily mix and match without thinking too much. There’s not one shade that disappointed me. That’s honestly what I look for in an eye shadow palette.

These shadows are long-lasting as well. They last me 8 hours and still look fresh with a base underneath. It’s half the price of the Naked Heat and the colours are definitely in the same family. In fact I think this palette has more variety because of that last row of bronzes and browns. So if you haven’t got your hands on the Heat palette, maybe try this one. If you prefer bright colours then you will be spoilt for choice by this brand. I would recommend the Nubian Palette to everyone. Whether you’re just starting out with makeup or just love warm colours. If you’ve been already eyeing this palette then I have two words for you – GET IT! You won’t need another warm palette to be honest because this has it all.

Next on my list? – The Saharan Palette without a doubt!

Buy it here : Juvia's Place , Beauty Bay 

Happy September, everyone! I can't believe how fast 2017 is moving. So here I am again with another K-beauty product review. After I had a really strange reaction to the last toner I reviewed on the blog (which was actually a long time ago IRL but it took me a while to get the review up), I’ve upgraded to a much better brand and toner since. It is considered as the holy grail of Kbeauty toners by many and the brand itself has a great reputation for creating products with no harmful ingredients and eco-friendly. This is the second brand I have tried after Innisfree that shares the same philosophy of creating products which are gentle to the skin and can be usually used by all skin types. This product has won several beauty awards and you can find this in everyone’s routine who uses Asian beauty. So without further ado, let’s get into the details.

Quantity : 180ml

Price: $25

It is Vegan and Cruelty Free! No Parabens or Artificial Colours either.

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Copper Tripeptide-1

This was such a huge step-up from any other toners I’ve used. I can’t compare it to the previous Nature Republic one which was really bad for me but I think this product even beats certain toners I’ve tried from some of my favourite brands like Vichy or La Roche Posay in the past which are also very popular in the west. This is a hydrating toner. So toners in Asia are not always the kind which strips your skin and for taking off makeup buildup. Those tend to be super watery. This one however is a bit more viscous than a normal toner, it’s somewhere in between a toner and a serum in consistency. I don’t use this on a cotton pad because I think the cotton pad soaks it all up since it is thicker. Instead I just take a few drops on the palm of my hand and then pat it all over my face like I would with a serum and it absorbs instantly without wasting any product.

It is infused with Phyto-Oligo which helps moisturize the skin and Wheat amino acids for reducing inflammation. Hence, I think it is fantastic for sensitive skin or if you have any skin problems like rosacea that can get worse with harsh products, this one will definitely work for you. This toner is to be used after cleansing or double cleansing as per usual and it helps balance the Ph levels but also provides a ton of hydration back into the skin that is stripped by so much cleansing. I believe it can be used by dry, combo and oily skin types because it’s neither drying nor greasy. It sinks right in like a serum so it is perfect for everyone. It is 100% alcohol free which is exactly what I was looking for. It can be used for the 7 Skin method because it is so gentle. It is also a fragrance free formula which is hard to come across in K-beauty because they do like their aromatic products. It has a mild, clinical smell to it – kinda smells like sugar syrup to me I don’t know why. But you get the point, it’s a non-existent smell.

This step has transformed my routine I’m not gonna lie. My skin is looking fantastic ever since I started using this and this is the product that changed my mind about toners. Before discovering Korean hydrating toners, I always assumed toners are  harsh, chemical laden products that always break me out and I never used one religiously before this came along. It’s a holy grail of toners for sure and I don’t know if any other toner I try in the future can come close to this. It will be a real challenge to find something better than this especially without having to go to super luxe brands and shelling out $100 on a product. The quantity is so generous considering I only need 4 drops every time I use it – that is morning and night after cleansing and it has been very kind to my skin without stripping it out or making it overly greasy and has not broken me out. I use it before any serums, facial oils or moisturizers that go on top of it and it prepares a nice base for the rest of my routine.

If you are someone that has never tried K-beauty before then I would highly recommend you get this one product. Just this one product alone can convince you to convert to Asian skincare.

Places to Find it: Wishtrend , Style Korean, Amazon, Althea. You can use my Wishtrend Code :1318350607 to get $5 during checkout.

These days it’s not rare to spot someone with a DSLR camera or an iPhone, snapping away their food, coffee, anything cute and trying to capture a day spent with friends/family or significant other. A few years back, people would have given you funny looks if you spent 5 whole minutes trying to get a picture instead of digging into your delicious meal but these days, it’s more accepted and more often than not people are too busy clicking their own food to notice.

Thanks to social media, it’s bringing out the photographer in everyone while without it a lot of people wouldn’t have even considered having it as a hobby. I like that though. I like that more and more people are getting artistic in their everyday lives and for others, it’s a way to remind them of a nice day. I am no stranger to this phenomenon and I do all of the above. However, I’ve been recently thinking about how much to capture and how much to soak up.

It’s a constant struggle trying to decide whether I want to document a memory that I can enjoy for the rest of my life or do I want to live in the moment and risk not having any pictures to share? I think the question I should be asking is which one of the two makes me happy? When you spend so much time trying to please others – whether it is friends, family or the social media algorithm, I feel like you forget to spend as much time on yourself. Capturing memories shouldn’t only have to be for others, but it can totally be something personal. I can’t help but wonder if I overshare which can take the joy out of it sometimes.

When we usually tell someone about a recent holiday, we immediately reach for our phones and show them pictures. They appreciate them and then move on to the next topic. How about you describe a place that you didn’t capture, share a little experience you had at that spot and leave the rest to their imagination? I feel it’s more engaging and a bit more personal. I want to have more conversations of that kind which inspires someone to travel to that exact place and see what unique experience it brings them. Conversations that leave people wondering about that place long after the catch-up.

Sometimes I just want to feel the breeze on my face, smell the ocean air, listen to the rustling of leaves, watch the sky go bright pink and not feel guilty about not having captured it. I want to wear a very pretty dress and remember how it made me feel instead of how many likes it got. I want to celebrate the little milestones without everyone’s approval because I am proud of myself and sometimes that is enough. I want to cherish these little things and not have anything else on my mind. I’m sure you’re thinking some people can absolutely do both – I have to agree but personally, I’m looking for a slower approach to life. I will still attempt to capture my life - the important and beautiful bits but also let myself be completely involved with experiences instead of thinking ahead all the time.

Here’s to enjoying more ice creams over letting them melt until I’ve got a perfect shot of them and to being spontaneous and recognizing moments that are meant to be just mine.

Innisfree is the first Korean brand I ever tried so it will always have a special place in my heart. This is where the love affair all started. I freaking love their gentle yet effective products that are a treat for anyone with sensitive skin. Most of their products are infused with ingredients from the infamous Jeju Island (which is now on my bucket list, thanks to them) If I could have my entire routine from this brand, I totally would! How often can you say that about an affordable – mid range brand really?  My love for trying new skincare is the only thing that stops that from becoming reality because I’m all about the experimentation from time to time. I have quite a few products from them and I’ve been nothing short of impressed with them.

So Innisfree have so many different skincare ranges where each range is formulated for specific skin types and concerns and each of them have the usual line of Korean products like creams, emulsions, toners, essences etc.

The Green Tea range is my personal favourite and it comes in 4 sets – Green Tea Fresh, Green Tea Balancing and Green Tea Moisture and Green Tea Seed Range.

Green Tea balancing is the range for combination skin! It’s got ingredients like green tea extracts (70%) and plant derived butters that are supposed to balance the oily parts and dry parts of the skin while still protecting it.

Quantity: 50ml

Price: $18

Ingredients: The Green Tea Extract (69.5%), Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Orchid Extract, Cocoa Seed Butter, Camellia Leaf Extract, Prickly Pear Extract, Tangerine Peel Extract, Tangerine Extract, Orange Extract, Grapefruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Extract, Shea Butter, Betaine, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearic Acid, Arachidyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fragrance  

Free from Parabens, Mineral oil, imidazolidinyl Urea, synthetic colorants. This product is Vegan and Cruelty Free!

Where do I even start with this cream? I’m a fangirl really. First up – No parabens, mineral oil, or alcohol denat. Not just in this cream but that’s pretty much the case for most of their products if not all. The alcohols you see in the ingredient list are fatty alcohols that are actually good for the skin. It comes in a cute little green tub with 50 ml of product which I think is fabulous.  The texture of this cream is very light, whipped- like but it is very moisturizing. This cream definitely leaves a dewy finish on the skin but also works beautifully under makeup. If you’re more on the oily side then you’d prefer using this at night and get the lotion version of this for daytime. However, sometimes it’s a real treat to apply it in the morning as well or under a super drying foundation. This cream has the most amazing smell. It has a herbal/fresh/garden/spring like scent to it which makes me feel refreshed every time I use it. I won’t say it’s overpowering at all though.

This makes my skin moisturized from within. It is seriously hydrating but also completely sinks into the skin leaving behind a dewy finish. It keeps my skin hydrated all day and night. When I wake up, my face does look a little too glowy bordering on greasy but it’s just the extra oil that my skin produces and not the actual product. Once I cleanse my face in the morning, my skin looks well hydrated. It also layers with other products pretty well. It is usually the last step in my routine but I do occasionally use the Laneige WaterSleeping mask over this moisturizer and they work well together giving me amazing results.

This cream is so so gentle on my skin! When I had the weird blotchy reaction to a toner I used, this cream calmed my skin down and stopped the itchy feeling right away. It doesn’t aggravate any spots or redness. I love all the ingredients in it and it is genuinely great for combination skin because my dry skin patches are looking much better lately. I have been using this cream every single day since I got it a month ago and I will probably repurchase it when I run out. If not the balancing version, I’d like to try the Green Tea Seed Cream which is very popular as well. It’s crazy that I generously use this stuff every night, sometimes morning as well but it looks like I’ve just started using it. It's safe to say that I'm not parting with this product anytime soon.

Note: Innisfree is a Cruelty Free brand in Korea where this product is made but it sells in China.

Places you can find this : Style Korean, Innisfree , Jolse, Amazon 

I’m a big fan of Rose & Co products and when I discovered their sister brand, Patisserie de Bain was just as cute and delicious I had to give it a try. I picked up two products from their Strawberry Cupcake range – The Hand & Body Lotion and Bath & Shower Crème. I was in the market for a new lotion but I was obviously drawn to their beautiful, vintage inspired packaging. The labels, the colours and illustrations are so adorable. I like having matching lotion and shower products so I’m glad this range does it all. I’m always up for adding more ‘pink’ bath products to my home so I couldn’t resist.

Now, since both the products have the same scent I’ll just talk about it first. It is absolutely divine and delicious just like the name suggests. It’s a light, strawberry frosting scent but definitely without being overpowering or sickly sweet. However, it does not stay on much longer after application. I’m completely fine with that since I’m more about the application and getting ready process and layer on perfume anyway. Both of these products come in 200ml tubes, the Lotion costs £ 4 while the Shower Creme is £ 3.

Hand & Body Lotion:

This is a pale pink lotion in a pretty generously sized tube for the price. I love the hygienic tube packaging because it is not messy or involve dipping my fingers into a jar. It is a very light-weight lotion and definitely something for the hotter months. It goes on white as you rub it in and then it soaks into the skin pretty fast, leaving no residue. You can absolutely put this on without worrying about staining your clothes or anything. I prefer it over other lotions since it dries down completely instead of leaving a greasy, sticky layer on me. I’ve been looking for a product that is dry to the touch but is also a creamy consistency and I haven’t found anything as good as this one yet. It leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized all day. A big fan of this one! I think it’s going to last a long time as well.

Buy the Patisserie de Bain Strawberry Cupcake Hand & Body Lotion here.

Bath & Shower Crème:

This has a pale pink gel consistency which kind of surprised me. I was expecting a milky, cream like product from the name because I prefer something more moisturizing and creamy than clear gels. I find this product doesn’t lather very well in the shower and I have to end up using tons of it. It works much better as a bath product and also the smell lasts much longer. I was a little let down with this one simply because the name was  misleading but I’ll still keep using it because it smells amazing and doesn’t dry out my skin despite being a gel. It is still quite moisturizing. I wish it had the consistency of the ‘Original Source Raspberry & Vanilla Shower Gel’ which is one of my all time favourite products.

Buy the Patisserie de Bain Strawberry Cupcake Bath & Shower Crème here.

Overall, I am in love with this range. They have great value for the sizes and the packaging looks beautiful on my shelf. I am excited to try out their hand cream and a body mist from the same range which I’m sure I’ll like because I loved the lotion so much.  

I’ve received a ton of samples with my Kbeauty orders recently and I also bought a few sets just to try them out. Yes you can buy kbeauty samples for a dollar or two, sometimes more depending on where you buy it but still super inexpensive to try out a product before buying them. Since they’re not all easily accessible and take weeks to actually arrive, I think it’s such a great way to try and test out products. It is also a massive help when your skin hates a product, you can be informed right away and don’t have to deal with a full size product that is of no use to you. It’s pretty much impossible to return them or even pass them onto someone else unless you know a lot of K beauty addicts. So I hope these mini reviews/first impressions can be a nice and quick way to get introduced to some products.

#1 Laneige Water Sleeping Mask: An absolute cult classic product. Everyone who is already into K-beauty has tried it, I’m sure but I know there are a lot of people reading this who haven’t heard of it. This product is something you need to try. It’s a sleeping mask that you put on over your moisturizer at night for added hydration and plumping. It is a pale blue gel cream that showed results from the first use. I went to bed with redness on my cheeks and between my eyebrows which always happens to me because of dryness. I woke up with zero redness and a glowing complexion the next morning. I use a moisturizer every night anyway but this never happens instantly. It takes a week or more to soothe my sensitive skin when it has been irritated. I’ve used it three days straight so you don't need a lot of product to spread it all over your face. Honestly my skin looks so beautiful, I don’t even want to put on foundation. The full size is quite pricey but I’ll have to splurge on this one product.

Full Size:$28 for 70ml

Buy Laneige Water Sleeping Mask here.

#2 Berrisom Timetox Revitalizing Gel Toner: Well I’ve heard of watery toners and serum like toners but this is the first time I’ve ever found a toner that is a gel. Its consistency is exactly like an aloe vera gel, cooling but very sticky. I feel like the stickiness doesn’t completely go away even after you layer a moisturizer on top. I started feeling pretty hot and icky soon and I think it’s not something I’d use at night. Might work much better under makeup and help adhere to makeup because of its sticky texture but I wasn’t a huge fan.

Full Size: $20 for 130 ml

Buy Berrisom Timetox Revitalizing Gel Toner here.

#3 Ogana Cell Peptide Concentrating Amazing Lotion: I was over the moon to receive this sample and you’re probably thinking what’s so special about this little, white sample? Well, the original size of this product retails for $180 - $200. This is a specially formulated lotion/emulsion for sensitive skin by dermatologists and is packed with high content of peptides. It’s a very light lotion with mild to no fragrance. I put it on after my morning toner and this feels so beautiful on the skin. It sinks in after 10 minutes so I let it take it’s time and what’s left behind is beautifully moisturized skin. No stickiness, no oiliness and no stretchiness either. The perfect feeling of moisturization without leaving any residue. This is a fantastic product but I don’t think I’m getting the full size anytime soon unless I win the lottery then I’ll pick one up for sure.

Full Size: $180 for 180ml

Buy Ogana Cell Peptide Concentrating Amazing Lotion here.

#4 Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream: I was excited to try this one out because it’s one of the most hyped up products from the brand Etude House. It is a gel cream texture as well but a lot of dry skinned people swear by it and people even say that it’s their perfect winter cream. So I decided it to test it out at night and although it works fine as a moisturizer, I feel like it sinks in pretty fast and leaving my skin a little dry like I’ve just cleansed it. I don’t find it rich enough to be used as a night cream. I've heard of a "deep cream" variety of this range as well and maybe it will be a little more hydrating. Also it contains alcohol which explains the cooling feeling just after application. I have totally cut out alcohol denat from my skincare so I’ve just been using it as a body lotion and won’t be repurchasing.

Full Size: $16 for 75ml

Buy Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream here.

#5 Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: Another product that is similar to the Laneige water sleeping mask but for your lips. First off this smells like bubblegum so I love, love, love the smell. However the texture of this is like a clear lip gloss and even looks like it on the lips. It has high shine, is kinda sticky and sort of sits on the lips. It does work wonderfully and makes chapped lips look healthy the next morning but the feeling of having something sit on my lips all night is a bit weird to me. I prefer a balm/salve that you rub in and it sinks in completely. Although I’ll use this one up especially during the day because my lips need moisturization all the time but I don't think I'll be repurchasing because I have other lip treatments at the moment.

Full Size: $16 for 20ml

Buy Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask here.

Liquid Lipstick!! Probably everyone’s favourite topic at the moment and I am no exception. I have to admit I’ve been ignoring my regular lipsticks ever since this trend came around. I still have them but they don’t get as much love anymore. I’ve been pretty much wearing these every day because of how easy they are and quite low maintenance once on. It can also make it through coffee, snacks, small meals but do give away with something super greasy like a Pizza but for the most part they stay on and they come in every colour imaginable.

So let’s talk about my favourite nudes, pinky nudes, dusty rose, mauve- that family of colours is what I wear everyday but rotate different shades so they look quite consistent with whatever look I go for. I know sometimes these colours can look very similar in the bottle but I can assure you that each of these colours are different and definitely look even more different on the lips so I’ve definitely not been just collecting the same shade from different brands.

#1 Colourpop Ultra Matte in Chi  –This one’s from the Karrueche’s range which had three liquid lipsticks – Chi, Kae and Rooch and this is the lightest shade from them. 'Chi' is a very grey-nude or ‘Greige’ which is very popular at the moment. A cool toned shade and definitely something that took me a little time getting used to. I hated it in the beginning but it grew on me eventually.  This comes in the Ultra Matte Formula and if I feel like it’s looking too grey/ dead looking, I layer a little moisturizing lipstick on top to warm up the colour as well as keep my lips from feeling super dry. It definitely looks much better on my warm skintone when I mix it in with another shade and I am loving it ever since. Staying power is decent but disappears after a meal and since it’s a fairly light shade doesn’t get messy.

Net Wt: 3.4 g for $6

Buy it: HERE

#2  Limecrime Velvetines in Pumpkin – These liquid lipstick are super pigmented and opaque. They are totally transfer proof and dry down true to the shade in the tube. They do last through meals too and won’t come off easily either even after 12 hour days. I have to seriously scrub it off with an oil cleanser. This stuff once on is going to last you all day. They come in tons of shades but this one in particular is such a unique nude – a warm, brown, with hints of burnt orange. It’s a great fall colour but also good as an everyday shade for warmer skintones. It is definitely something I’ve never owned before, not even in lipstick form. Also, the packaging is super cute with the roses on the cap and an opaque glass bottle. This is a heavy duty lipstick so it can be a little drying sometimes but the staying power is the best out of all. Major love for this one!

Net Wt: 2.6ml for $20 (but you can get them at much lower prices during sales)

Buy it: HERE & HERE.

#3  NYX Liquid Suede in Sandstorm, Soft Spoken –

This is one of my favourite liquid lipstick ranges and has been ever since it came out. I can’t do without these two shades in my collection and will quite possibly repurchase if I ever run out of them but it’s quite impossible to be honest.

Sandstorm looks extremely similar to the colourpop one but it’s actually true to the colour in the tube while the colourpop turns a little darker as it dries so they’re totally different colours on application. It does have the similar greige look but slightly lighter and looks wonderful with darker eye looks or smokey eyes.

Soft Spoken is one of my go-to everyday shades. It is a beautiful dusty rose that suits pretty much everyone. I can see it goes with a lot of complexions and the one that I reach for the most in my collection. These NYX liquid lipsticks have a velvety texture and are actually very comfortable on the lips and don’t dry them out and also disappear without a sign.

Net Wt: 6ml for $7

Buy it: HERE & HERE

#4 Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit in Rebel Rose –

A new addition to my collection because this range from Wet n Wild has taken the beauty world by a storm for being incredibly affordable but comparable to high end brands in quality and staying power. Rebel Rose is a deep, mauvey colour is so so beautiful on the lips and gives a completely matte look that dries down under a minute. I love how it feels on the lips, very comfortable. It isn’t as easy to wear like the nyx ones because you will definitely feel like you have something on your lips but if you wear these long enough, you end up getting used to the feeling. I love the end result and the staying power. Love that the packaging is tiny but you still get the same amount of product as the other ones.

Net Wt: 6g for $4.99

Buy it: HERE

#5 Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matte in Soft Nude –

Essence has since re-packaged and come out with a completely new range of liquid lipsticks but I’m still using this Soft Nude one because there’s a lot of it left. To be honest, I don’t wear it on it’s own because it has a mousse texture that doesn’t dry down. It’s not a true liquid lipstick in that sense but more like NYX Soft lip creams in texture. However, it's fantastic for layering over other liquid lipsticks and this shade is so beautiful with a hint of warm pink in it. I love wearing it over the Colourpop Chi and NYX Sandstorm to warm them up slightly. This range is also incredibly moisturizing and feels like a lip balm on my lips so definitely helps in making extremely dry liquid lipsticks like the 'Ultra Matte' more wearable.

Net wt: 4.5ml for $2.50

Buy it: HERE

#6 MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Laquer in Dash  –

Lastly, this lip laquer from MUA is an old favourite and I’ve featured it in posts before but it’s the ultimate dark lip for me when it comes to a day look. It’s a deep, berry mauve and a nice option if you’re not willing to go full on bright red in the daytime. Also, it smells like grape candy. At least that’s what the smell reminds me of and I do quite enjoy it. It does crack after meals and needs some touchups, reapplication which is why I don’t wear it too often but still it’s too beautiful to let go of. It looks fantastic if you're just out for coffee or small snacks but won't last through a meal.

Net wt: 6ml for  £3

Buy it: HERE & HERE

So what are your favourite liquid lipsticks at the moment? Any new launches  you’re keen to try?