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.

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 

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.  

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?