Starting out with my newest budget beauty obsession, I've been completely in love with NYX Doll Eye Long Lash mascara. I mentioned it in my budget beauty haul and ever since it's been my go-to mascara. I love that not only do my lashes look so much longer (as the name suggests) but also how the curl lasts much longer which is amazing for my short and straight lashes, and they look pretty lengthened too. This NYX offering is also the first mascara I've used in ages that I haven't wanted to layer up with others to get my lashes looking good. It works so well at providing everything I look for in a mascara, and it's affordable too.
The app I've been loving for the past month and a half is Sleep Cycle. I hadn't really heard of this before seeing it in a YouTube video and it's been a life saver at waking me up. Basically, you set a half hour time slot in which you want to wake up in then set your phone face down near your bed - the app says a bedside table works best but I put mine on the floor and it's fine. The app then tracks your sleeping pattern so the alarm goes off when you're at the lightest point of sleep in the slot you set the night before. I don't know that I've really explained it that well, but it's so much better waking up to an alarm when you're almost awake, rather than feeling like you've been dragged through a hedge because you're not really ready to wake.
If you've been reading my blog for the past 3 or so months, then you may know that I've been loving the Benefit Cheekathon palette, it's just so convenient and I've been travelling with it this month. A blush I didn't think I'd get much use out of has been my favourite this month, being used basically every day. Coralista is a beautiful coral shade, which I never thought would suit me or have the confidence to wear. I've always been drawn towards more muted blushes, but after trying it out I love it. My cheeks really pop with the brighter shade, making it perfect for summer. It really brightens up my everyday makeup, but is still very wearable.
My book favourite of July has been Mishaps in Millrise by Tilly Tennant. Another of her books was a suggested read on my kindle a while back, and I loved it so of course I made sure to download this ready for a trip involving a day’s worth of train journeys. Mishaps in Millrise is actually made up of four parts, novellas that have been published individually but I opted to get the omnibus edition and I'm so glad I did. I was completely addicted to the characters and the story. If you read my summer book recommendations then you'll know I love me a good bit of chick lit. This fits the bill perfectly, with a whole load of humour and romance thrown in for good measure. The novellas follow Jack and Phoebe as they work out their relationship, fitting in her job, his daughter and their tricky families. Mishaps in Millrise was a seriously addictive read, I highly recommend it.
This next product I treated myself to in Paris at duty free, just can't say no to a bargain! I've been wanting to try out the Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfectors for a while now, and so I was very excited to see that duty free had an exclusive duo set for 24 euros. I got the shades 05 and 06, and it's been love ever since. I've been reaching for 06 a lot, as a nude shade it's perfect to just throw on as you're heading out the door or for keeping in your handbag. The glossiness yet balmy texture is perfect for me as I hate gloopy and sticky glosses, and the spongey applicator allows for a really even finish. My lips look so juicy when I wear this, making it a go to especially when I've been wearing a more minimal makeup.
You can catch up on my blog posts from July here.
What were you loving in July?
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