The Only Lipsticks I've Been Using Lately
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Throughout this whole period of lockdown, I noticed that when wearing makeup, I've really only gravitated towards three lipsticks in my collection. I'm having a moment for bullet, rather than liquid, lipsticks; I'm definitely enjoying something much more hydrating and I know that is going to continue while masks are in full force. They're all very neutral shades, because there's definitely no occasion for a bolder lip right now, so perfect staples in any makeup collection.
Charlotte Tilbury - Very Victoria
Very Victoria has become a staple in my everyday makeup kit, and definitely the lipstick I reach for the most. The shade is just ever so slightly more pink than my own lip colour, so it's very neutral and matches with anything. The reason I love it so much has to be the formula - a lovely non-sticky, but hydrating and moisturising finish. It's from the 'Matte Revolution' range; I wouldn't say it's the most matte lipstick I own, but still it's definitely pigmented and long-lasting enough for me!
MAC - Velvet Teddy
I am almost embarrassed of my photos of my Velvet Teddy because it only has the tiniest stub left - yes, I definitely need a new one! MAC's classic matte lipstick has been one of my favourite lipsticks for years, and probably the only lipstick I will ever be rebuying. It's a lovely, flattering neutral shade, slightly brown toned. It's also very long-lasting and the perfect matte formula, without being drying at all. There are quite a few MAC lipsticks I love, Whirl, Taupe and Honey Love included, but Velvet Teddy is always the one I return to, and the only one I am finding myself constantly using right now.
Tarte - Colada
I bought my Tarte Color Splash lipstick in the shade Colada two years ago now, when I was in America and desperate to get my hands on at least one Tarte product, but somehow it never became one I really used until now. The shade has a gorgeous orange tone to it, which I'm loving this time of year because I weirdly think it makes me look slightly more tanned and glowing. It might be random to mention, but the lipstick itself is such a lovely shape, it makes it so easy that I can apply it without a mirror - don't know why that's handy, but maybe if you're on the go, you know?! It is a 'creamy matte' finish, so it has plenty of colour, but is also designed to hydrate, so it's a super comfortable lip option. I'm now dying for another shade!
What lip products are you loving right now?
EG x
More Shows You Need To Watch
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Today I'm back with more of my favourite tv series I have recently watched, from easygoing sitcoms, to gripping dramas. A couple of months ago I wrote a post including some of my favourite shows to watch on Netflix during lockdown, but today I have expanded into a couple of other streaming platforms to find the best shows online right now.
NETFLIX
Community
Community is my most recent sitcom discovery, with a whole six seasons that are enjoyable from beginning to end. The series centers around a group of students at a community college in Colorado who become a tight-knit study-group. The episodes are very creative, some are more conceptual and inspired by media such as action movies, westerns and mockumentaries. It's a very 'meta' show and the whole ensemble is very lovable together.
New Girl
One of my favourite ever shows, New Girl, has recently been added to Netflix and so I had to give it a mention; if you haven't watched it before, I'd give it a watch now! Ditzy teacher Jess, played by Zooey Dechannel, moves into a loft apartment in Los Angeles with three guys and revolves around their relationships and careers. Every character of this ensemble comedy is absolutely hilarious, it's such an easy-watch, fun show.
Living With Myself
A Netflix original starring Paul Rudd and Aisling Bea, Living With Yourself is about how Rudd's character Miles ends up with an almost identical clone of himself, the difference being the clone is better than him. It has a little bit of a wacky premise but is really easy to get into - consisting of eight 30 minute episodes, it's a fun quick watch. It's dramatic with elements of sitcom; watch this hilarious dance scene and you will be sold.
Space Force
Netflix's latest comedy Space Force has an all-star cast including Steve Carell, who's character Mark Naird is in charge of achieving the POTUS' wish of 'Boots on the Moon'. It has some outstanding comedic moments and great characters. Their space themed antics are very fun; sometimes outlandish, but in today's climate it's not really that unbelieveable. With ten thirty minute episodes, I just wish there were more episodes; highly anticipating a second season!
APPLE TV
The Morning Show
I still cannot get over how blown away I was by The Morning Show. Apple TV's biggest selling-point, the drama series stars Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy, a morning TV presenter who is distraught when her co-anchor, played by Steve Carrell, is fired for sexual misconduct. Aniston is joined by Reece Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson, a journalist whose life is turned around when she's suddenly plucked out of obscurity. You can tell Apple TV had a high budget; the New York setting is gorgeous and the cast are truly sensational. This gripping series gets better and better with every episode, culminating with one of the best season finales I have ever watched - I guarantee you will be amazed too!
Trying
Another Apple TV series I absolutely loved is Trying. The show follows Nikki and Jason, a couple who begin an adoption process after being unable to conceive a child, only to find a whole new set of challenges along the way. The show is set around London, particularly in Camden, which is one of the reasons I loved it so much. The characters are also so likeable; Nikki in particular is just the sweetest! It's the sort of show that just makes me feel so warm and happy, I absolutely loved it.
Defending Jacob
A series with a darker side that I am currently half way through watching is Defending Jacob. After a small Boston town is shocked by a tragic crime, a lawyer finds himself trying his best to defend his son, accused of murder. So far I have really enjoyed this series, which tests the strength of family bonds and considers the pressure of neighbourly judgement. I had high hopes for the cast, including Chris Evans and Jaeden Martell, who after starring as cousins in hit film Knives Out now play father and son in this series, and they certainly haven't disappointed.
ALL 4
This Way Up
A comedy written by and starring Aisling Bea as Aine, an English-as-a-foreign-language teacher in London, This Way Up may only have six short episodes (the joys of British TV) but it is well-worth a watch. After having a nervous breakdown, Aine puts on a brave face for her worrying sister, and forms a bond with a French boy she is tutoring. The series considers mental health and using humour as a defence mechanism in such a poignant way; I wish the show was longer so it could have delved into the back-story of that a bit more, but I have high hopes for a second season!
BBC IPLAYER
Glow Up
My kind of reality series, Glow Up is a makeup competition hosted by Stacey Dooley, where a bunch of aspiring MUAs tackle creative briefs and real world challenges until one is crowned the winner. There's two full series to watch on iPlayer; I enjoyed watching them week by week as they came out every Thursday, but now the whole thing is available to binge-watch at your demand. It's such a fun show and I seriously cannot get over how talented the MUAs are!
Make sure to read my last series round-up here for even more recommendations. What are you currently watching?
EG x
4 Novels Read In June
Wednesday, July 08, 2020
I have been really enjoying having the chance to catch up on some books during lockdown, and update you all about my latest reads. I try to read a variety of both fiction and non-fiction as much as possible, but today I will be sharing four modern novels I read in June. They have all been wonderful reads that I think you will love too.
Half A World Away - Mike Gayle
Warning: this one is an emotional read! I think they could have done with writing that in the blurb, because I really thought this was going to be a nice, easy novel that I wouldn't end up crying at - I was wrong!
Half A World Away follows the perspective of two long-lost siblings, Kerry and Noah, who both live in London, yet belong to different worlds. Noah's fate found him adopted into a caring family, and now living in Primrose Hill supported by a well-paid job, whereas Kerry struggled through the care system and now tries to protect her son from the rough estate they live in.
I really enjoyed how the book was written from the two perspectives. Mike Gayle doesn't reveal everything about the characters at first, but feeds snippets of information so the reader ends up just as misled as the characters. This clever touch provided some great plot twists. The characters are wonderful and the novel oozes love and compassion - just make sure to have tissues handy!
The Switch - Beth O'Leary
Beth O'Leary's first novel, The Flatshare, is one of my favourite
novels, so I was excited to see if The Switch would be just as good. While her writing style is just as enjoyable the second time round, I didn't love it quite as much - maybe almost as much?!
The premise of The Switch is fun and unique; Leena and her grandmother Eileen switch lives, with Leena finding herself stuck in the middle of rural Yorkshire, and Eileen trying to achieve a second chance in London. Who knew all you needed was a change of scenery to learn what you really want from life? While on the surface, this is a story of two women navigating romance, at its heart the novel is about family. It was a really uplifting read with very likeable characters - not just the two main characters, but Leena's London friends and the whole bunch up in the Yorkshire village - Beth O'Leary always does an amazing job at creating a whole cast you will love!
The One Plus One - Jojo Moyes
After reading The Giver of Stars a couple of months ago, I was eager to read another of Jojo Moyes' novels, and came across The One Plus One. While The Giver of Stars is set almost a century ago in a small Kentucky town, this one has a much familiar, modern setting; I'm really impressed that Moyes has such a versatile writing style!
The One Plus One follows a third person narrative, but the chapters focus on the perspective of different characters; including Jess, an optimist worrying about money but simply wanting the best for her children, Tanzie, her incredibly intelligent young daughter, or Ed, who accidentally ends up entangled in their lives while trying to solve another problem. The novel takes you on a crazy journey with its characters (both emotionally and literally), who are all incredibly likeable and make the story a very fun read. This being the second Jojo Moyes novel I have loved, I now embark on a mission to read her entire back-catalogue, because her novels are seriously in a league of their own.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman
Eleanor Oliphant follows the same routine every week; go to work, have a meal deal, come home, repeat. She's fine. But is she?
I absolutely loved the character of Eleanor Oliphant, she's the sort of character you aren't too sure about as you begin to read her narrative, but her quirks become more and more charming as the novel unfolds. Eleanor tells herself she is fine with her loneliness, but through the novel her outsider status is slowly broken down. Through some new acquaintances, she finds there can be more to live than her monotonous routine, and that being supported by others might actually be enjoyable. I find myself rooting for Eleanor throughout, and enjoyed that the twists in the novel were not at all predictable.
Make sure to catch up on the novels I read in April and May here. What have you read in the past month? I would love to hear!
EG x
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