MAKEUP BAG ESSENTIALS

We're going back to the roots of this blog (circa 2015) with a classic beauty products post! Today I want to share my most-loved, everyday, absolutely essential makeup products! These are my tried and tested, ride-or-die products that I can't live without (figuratively speaking, of course), the products I wear on the daily and will take with me everywhere to keep me looking my best!

Beauty Blender Bounce Liquid Whip Foundation

I picked this foundation up on a whim while browsing Sephora a year ago, it was half price and I'd been wanting to try a new foundation for a while so I thought 'why not?', not thinking I'd love it as much as I do! I've tried a bunch of different foundations, but had been loyal to MAC Studio Fix since I was in high school (and it's still #2 for me), and this was the foundation that finally took the crown from MAC as my new favourite! I have combination skin, and I like a medium-to-full coverage that doesn't separate after a few hours or look cakey and gross - this one doesn't do either of those things! It leaves my skin looking flawless and is a great base for other products - j'adore!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

I've been using this bronzer religiously since 2015, and honestly it's amazing. It's a cool-toned matte, but still has enough warmth to give you a beautiful glow. I just have the OG shade, which I find perfect for me even with pale skin, but if you're super pale or if you have dark skin then they've also got light and dark Hoola options! It also lasts forever - I've been using mine since the end of 2015 (yeah, I probably should've replaced it by now but it works perfectly still and no irritation sooo)!

Ofra Pillowtalk Highlighter

As a pale gal who loves anything pink, this highlighter is right up my alley! Ofra highlighters came onto my radar back when they were trending with Beauty Vloggers, and I'm thankful they did because I honestly don't know what I'd be using right now otherwise. Fair warning, these are pretty intense (no matter the shade you pick), but if you're light-handed you can easily use them for everyday, and then when you want your highlighter to really POP - this product has got your back!

Colourpop Flutter By Palette

This is literally my ultimate neutral, everyday eyeshadow palette. It's a cool-toned neutral palette, but not so cool-toned that things look grey or muddy. It's the perfect in-between with cool browns, neutral taupes, and some pink/lavender toned shimmers, along with some deeper chocolates and a shimmery wine shade. The shadows themselves are great quality (as usual with Colourpop, in my experience) and easily comparable to much pricier high-end options. I hope they never discontinue this one, because I haven't seen anything that compares personally!

Lime Crime Plushies Soft Liquid Lipstick 'Milk Tea'

This is literally my perfect nude shade - I've got light/fair, neutral-toned skin, and I've always found it SO difficult to find a truly flattering nude lipstick. Most of the time, they pull orange on me, or if I try something cooler it pulls grey/purple - I've gone through so many lipsticks looking for just a nice, soft cool pinky/brown nude (who knew it would be so hard?!), and when Milk Tea arrived, I finally found it! As well as being the perfect shade, the product itself is really lovely - it's halfway between a regular matte liquid lipstick and a lip blush effect, it's easy to blot and layer to get the look you want, and it doesn't crack or dry out your lips! I'm currently awaiting a delivery with a replacement plus some other colours I'm excited to try out!

Lime Crime Wet Cherry Gloss 'Disco Cherry'

The comeback of lip gloss is something I didn't expect but am absolutely happy about, and Lime Crime's Wet Cherry Gloss' are by far my favourites! I love Disco Cherry in particular because it's the most versatile - I can use it when I'm wearing no makeup or just something minimal, or I can layer it with a lip liner or over a liquid lipstick for some extra shine and sparkle! Plus, I love anything glittery and this gloss definitely delivers on that!

Glow Recipe Lip Pop

This lip balm is my all-time fave - it's a lip balm that doubles as a scrub, tints your lips a pretty, plump pink, is super hydrating, and smells delicious! It comes in two flavours, watermelon and blueberry (both smell delicious and are very similar shades), and I honestly take it with me everywhere. It's great for no-makeup days, applied before bed and in the morning to keep your lifts fresh and smooth, or even a little on top of lipstick that's been on a while and drying out a bit!

Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara

As someone who is too lazy to apply falsies often, and scared to get extensions (sensitive eyes/skin, not to mention the cost), I like to have a good mascara that gives me the biggest, lushest lashes possible. This mascara does just that! I've been using Maybelline mascaras for years and they're definitely some of the best on the market, and while I do change things up occasionally, this is the one I seem to keep coming back to!

xx Chontelle Louise

LONDON STYLE

 

Ahh, London - one of my all-time favourite cities - it holds a special place in my heart!

If you're heading out to explore London, my best bit of advice is to dress comfortably - you're gonna be on your feet (a lot), walking, running between buses and up and down old flights of stairs to catch the tube, and trying your best to zig-zag between massive crowds - especially if you're out on a sunny day or the weekend.

My go-to style was definitely lots of black and denim (trying to keep up with that minimal but cool aesthetic Londoner's seem to do so effortlessly), sneakers and ankle boots, and a good jacket to chuck over any outfit - because the weather can be highly unpredictable!

Items featured:
Oversized faux leather jacket - Princess Polly
Crossbody bag - Peta & Jain
Tie front top - Ally Fashion
Dark denim mom jeans - Zara
LBD - Princess Polly
Wide leg jeans - Thats So Fetch
Ankle boots - Dolls Kill (Current Mood)
Sneakers - Nike

xx Chontelle Louise

A QUICK TRIP TO SYDNEY

  

Back in September I went on a last-minute short trip to Sydney, for a little bit of an escape after a hectic time!

The Phantom of the Opera was playing at The Sydney Opera House, and it's probably the one famous musical I've always wanted to see - and it did not disappoint! The whole production was incredible, and afterwards we went to dinner at Grana - a restaurant I'd heard about through TikTok just a short walk over from Circular Quay. The food was great and the vibe and aesthetic too - great for some Insta shots!

 

 

 

The next day we wandered around beautiful Hyde Park, coffee in hand to keep us warm as underprepared Queenslander's, and visited the St Mary's Cathedral - which is such a stunning building and a must-see on any visit to Sydney!

 

 

 

 

And of course, a return to Circular Quay to get some touristy AF pics - because you can't go to Sydney and NOT get photos with the Harbour Bridge and Opera House (duh)!

 

I'm already looking forward to heading back again, hopefully soon!

I also put together some short vlogs of the trip over on my TikTok - check them out here and here!

xx Chontelle Louise

OCTOBER FAVOURITES

 

It's been a crazy month, and I can't believe we're already nearing the end of 2022 - time, if you'd like to slow down I would really appreciate it!

I've been super busy and haven't had as much time to sit down and write something for this blog this month, but when I was thinking about what to finally write about I kept thinking about all the things I've been loving this month (and in general) and was like, 'wait, that's perfect, I want to share that'!

So here it is - all my favourites from October! I 100% recommend you check all of them out, I'm sure you'll love them as much as I do!

Book - The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

I'd seen this book when browsing the bookshelves and popping up on Instagram a fair bit, and had just finished my Colleen Hoover binge so was looking for something new and different to read. Needless to say, The Midnight Library was just that! 

*trigger warning - mental health and suicide*

I've never read anything like it before. The story follows Nora who - after it all becomes too much and she decides to end her life - enters the midnight library, a kind of purgatory in her own mind between life and death, where she is given the chance to remedy her regrets and live out all of the infiinite possible lives she could be living had she done just one thing differently. At times, I found the story quite sad because I could really relate to her emotions and regrets, but at the same time I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing her characters growth and transformation as she tried alternate life after alternate life. I won't say anything more about the book because I don't want to spoil it, but I will say this - it's an absolute must-read and seriously worth the hype!

Podcast - Do You Fucking Mind? by Alexis Fernandez

I've been listening to this podcast for a few months now, and I seriously recommend checking it out. Whether you're going through a hard time, need some no-bullshit life advice and guidance, feel stuck or need to make some changes, or just need something positive and motivating to get you on track - this podcast has all that, and more! This podcast has been a life-saver for me, helping me with my mindset, self love, confidence and assertiveness, and so much more. Alexis is like the perfect combination of a friend who's not afraid to tell it like it is, and a therapist. I'm already excited for the next episode!

TV - Emily in Paris

I mean, this technically isn't a new one but I did rewatch both seasons this month in anticipation for Season 3 coming at the end of the year, and I still love it just as much as I did before! I feel like this is a show you can rewatch continuously and not get sick of (maybe that's just me, but I rest my case). Emily is living my dream life, I would absolutely love to live and work in Paris - one of my favourite cities - working for a luxury marketing firm, falling in love, going to events, exploring beautiful Paris. Yes, it's romanticised as hell and kinda cheesy at times, but I'm obsessed!

Fragrance - Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheriosa '71 Body Fragrance Mist

This is my ultimate everyday body mist - the scent is super strong and long-lasting, and smells good enough to eat! The scent is described as 'salted caramel, toasted macadamia nut, sea salt, white chocolate, and coconut blossom', which is honestly spot on and smells as luscious as it sounds! It's creamy, nutty, sweet, intense, and I cannot get enough of it! This one is consistently sold out, and for good reason. Trust me, if you don't have this one already, you need it in your life!

Beauty - Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette

I'm a big fan of Huda's eyeshadows, they're some of the best quality, most pigmented shadows I've used! I already own two of her palettes - the New Nude Palette and the Mercury Retrograde Palette, which I love, so when I saw the Rose Gold Palette I knew it would be a winner. This palette's actually been out for a year now, and I hadn't realised it had come out because I haven't been following makeup releases etc for a while (been on a bit of a spending detox), but I spotted it in Sephora recently and decided to treat myself, and I'm so glad I did!

This is a stunning cool-toned rosey/neutral palette, which is perfect for me as those are the colours I love to wear! It does have a little warmth thrown into the top left corner to balance things out, but it's definitely a really wearable everyday palette for me! The shimmers are, as always, stunning - my favourite is Abundance, a deep neutral bronze/lavender shimmer that looks amazing day or night!

Anyway, I highly recommend you check out any and all of these favourites - they might just become some of your new faves too! Until next time,

xx Chontelle Louise

20 THINGS TO DO IN YOUR TWENTIES

Your twenties are full of fun, excitement, big changes (good and bad), new experiences, learning, growing, and so much more. You're making the transition into adulthood and independence. You'll gain new connections, and lose some old ones. Some of the people around you will be settling down, getting married and having kids, while others are partying, travelling and flying solo. Everything just feels chaotic, in every sense of the word.

It's a time of self-growth and self-discovery. All the chaos aside, it's an important and memorable time in your life - and as such, I've put together this list of 20 things you should absolutely do in your twenties!

1. Self-Care.

Putting this one first because you need to put yourself first. Your twenties are a crazy, eventful time, and it can be easy to ignore your own needs when you've got so much going on and 'you're young anyway', but prioritising yourself now will set you up for life. Whether it be simple self-care days, treating yourself, learning to say no when you feel pressured to agree, going to therapy, knowing your limits, getting rid of toxic relationships and situations - the list goes on, but the point is self-care is vital to your current and future well-being - so start now!

2. Travel.

Get out of your hometown, travel the world! Explore different cities, countries, cultures - check off those bucket list locations! Travel with your family, friends, partner, and even solo. Make unforgettable memories while you're young and have a bit more freedom (and vitality) that you'll always have to look back on.

3. Have fun.

You're only young once! Go out, party with your friends til the break of dawn, try new cocktail bars or restaurants, go to the arcade or a theme park, markets, concerts, festivals - have the time of your life!

4. Let go of toxic relationships.

Whether it's a toxic workplace, friends, a partner, even family - if it's bringing nothing but negativity into your life, it's time to reevaluate and cut those connections. Some may be harder to let go of than others, but it needs to be done. Don't let toxic relationships hold you back.

5. Enjoy spending time by yourself.

As we get older, our lives and schedules get busier, we have more commitments and it's harder to make plans with friends and family as often as we used to. Being comfortable spending time by yourself and doing things alone is seriously important, and liberating! Spending a night in reading or watching Netflix, taking yourself out for a coffee or to see a movie you've been anticipating, travelling solo, going shopping - things you'd usually do with someone else can be just as enjoyable (if not more) by yourself! After all, you're your own best company!

6. Read.

Sounds simple enough, but with the busy schedule of adulthood many of us (myself included) don't really make the time to read. Knowledge is power, read a self-help book, learn about something you're interested in! Read for fun, a romanctic novel, a thriller, some poetry even!

7. Learn to cook.

Being able to cook a range of different meals will save you a lot of money, instead of buying takeout when you're out or at work, or ordering UberEats all the time (which we all know adds up, and isn't the healthiest option)! 

8. Find your personal style.

Trends come and go, and they're not all suited to everyone. As Coco Chanel famously said, "Fashion changes, but style endures". Figure out your style - what do you like, what looks good on you, what do you feel the best in? Sure, trends can be fun and by all means if you love something, wear it! But don't just jump on a trend because everyone else is if it's not right for YOU.

9. Invest in quality wardrobe pieces.

Going off the last point, once you know your style, invest in quality items that you love. Timeless classics and staple pieces such as the perfect pair of jeans, a little black dress, a flattering blazer, your go-to designer handbag, comfortable sneakers, etc etc. Then if you want to jump on any trends you really love, you've already got the essentials to pair with them! It'll also save you a lot of money in the long-run, and you'll feel more confident wearing stuff you really love!

10. Don't worry about what others think of you.

It's your life, all that matters is what YOU think of yourself. Always remember that.

11. Do what makes you happy.

Dress the way you want, eat what you want, believe in what you want to - as long as it's not harming anyone, there's no reason you shouldn't be doing what you want to do and what makes you happy!

12. Get outside and explore.

From a trip to the beach or a picnic in a park, to a roadtrip to a local town or an adventure through a hiking trail or rainforest - now's the time to do it! We're so attached to the digital and social world, our jobs and our homes - take a step back and take in the natural beauty of the world outside!

13. Learn how to save and budget.

Being able to budget accordingly is a seriously important skill that unfortunately we're not taught in school. Some of us are good with it, some not so much. But it's seriously important - being able to manage your financials, having savings set aside for emergencies and for long-term goals, being able to afford your day-to-day expenses and being able to treat yourself knowing you won't be put out, is a key life skill that's gonna remove so much stress from your life!

14. Learn how to say NO.

Of course we all know how to say no, but I'm talking to the people pleasers out there (I'm one of them) - learn how to say no to things that don't serve you. Don't feel like going out? Don't want to come in to work on your day off? Don't have the energy to give someone a lift? Not interested in going on a date with the person who just asked you out? It's okay to say no - put your needs first!

15. Develop healthy habits.

A fitness routine, eating healthier, mediating - these things are super important and are going to help you out so much in the long run. There's mixed opinions on how long it takes to form a new habit - with an average of two months to a year. But the sooner you start, the sooner it'll become second nature to you!

16. Spend more time with your loved ones.

As we get older, we realise the importance of spending quality time with those closest to us. We only have one life, and you don't know how long you've got. It sounds morbid, but it's true. Spend time with your family, your pets, your closest friends, your partner - you'll cherish these moments for the rest of your life.

17. Switch off.

From social media, from technology in general. We're living in the digital age, so we can't just completely switch off. But a digital detox every now and then is a great idea. Social media has such a strong influence on our lives and our mental health, getting away from it all for a while can be seriously healing and refreshing. The same goes for technology in general - turn off the TV and read a book, go for a walk or just enjoy one-on-one time with someone you love (without the distractions)!

18. Try new things / get out of your comfort zone.

Reading this, we'll all have something that comes to mind. Maybe it's something small, like there's a food you've always wanted to try, experimenting with a new style or haircut, or joining a gym. Maybe it's something bigger, like moving to a new city, skydiving, changing careers - whatever it is, step out of your comfort zone and do it!

19. Find your passions.

Figure out what you love - it doesn't have to be career-related (though if it is, amazing - do it!) - it could be hobbies and interests you want to pick up, things you want to learn, maybe you want to learn a new language, write a novel, start a podcast, travel the world, have a family. Look inwards and find out what your passions are and make them a reality!

20. Live in the moment.

The present moment is only the present until it's the past. Savour every moment, don't spend all your time dwelling on the past or stressing about the future - enjoy the now to the fullest!

You only get to experience your twenties once, so make the most of it!

xx Chontelle Louise

 

NEW ADULT BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ

I've been an avid reader since I was a kid, there's just something about the way a book can draw you into it's world, make you connect with the characters and their lives and emotions and have you laughing, crying and reeling with every word. While I don't read as often as I used to or would like to, the growing popularity of the 'new adult' genre - which is perfect for people like myself who are in their 20's and not quite ready for classic adult novels, but have outgrown YA - has been refreshing and exciting, and has really caught my attention and made me want to read more again!

I made a resolution to myself earlier this year to start reading more, and while I didn't quite keep that resolution at first, a recent work injury that's had me holed up recovering at home was the perfect opportunity to finally get to all the books I've been wanting to read! And believe me when I tell you, you NEED to check these out (if you haven't already). 

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

While Colleen Hoover has been trending for a while now (and yes, I did end up reading her bestseller 'It Ends With Us'), I'd been umm'ing and ahh'ing about grabbing one of her novels - that is, until I saw Ugly Love. I didn't even check out any reviews or anything, I was drawn to the cover, picked it up to read the blurb, and I was sold. I don't know about you, but I love a brooding, mysterious, sexy male lead, and Miles was definitely all that! The secrecy of Tate and Miles' non-relationship and all the back and forth and indecisiveness was frustrating but exciting, and there were definitely some great saucy scenes thrown in there *wink*. This book was honestly amazing, and it's up their as one of my all-time favourite reads! 

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

I actually read this book maybe a year or two ago now for the first time, and I fell in love. Yeah, it's a little (okay, very) cheesy, but it was such a cute story with so much tension between Lucy and Joshua - which always makes for a great romance novel, in my opinion! The little games they would play, the bickering, the competition, the way they so clearly liked each other despite acting like they hated each other - I'd be constantly thinking to myself 'JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY'! Overall, a great read - and while there's mixed opinions on the movie (and it definitely differs a lot from the book, which was of course better), I'd say it's also worth a watch!

Confess by Colleen Hoover

This was my second Colleen Hoover read (I'd gone to buy It Ends With Us but it was sold out, and I needed another fix - this one stood out)! I feel like this one is super underrated compared to her other novels, because it's honestly one of my favourites! It's got tragedy, romance, drama, mystery - as well as a major element of domestic abuse so be warned if that may trigger you - but it was just such a well-written book with an interesting storyline, loveable main characters, and I loved the ending so much! This one's definitely worth reading, trust me!

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

The bestselling novel that people can't stop talking about - I'll admit, it caught my attention, but I didn't buy into the hype until I'd finished Ugly Love and was like, 'okay, that was amazing, I need more of this author'! And she delivered! While it still doesn't compare to Ugly Love (imho), I can certainly understand the hype! I couldn't put this book down, I was so invested in Lily's story, her past, her and Ryle's relationship, and learning more about Atlas and their story along the way. There's definitely romance in this book but I'd say it's more heavily about domestic violence - so a trigger warning to readers who may not be up for that! I actually had to put the book down after a certain part towards the end as it was too much for me, but I skipped ahead (bad reader habit, I know) and will definitely be sure to finish it before the release of 'It Starts With Us' later this month. While it's an emotional AF read, I definitely recommend checking this one out!

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

An office romance between a well-loved, intelligent assistant and her (beautiful) bastard of a boss? It's a classic storyline, albeit cheesy as hell - but that's why I love it! Chloe and Bennett have that lust/hate, push/pull tension going on from the start, and while there isn't really much going on outside of their office antics and hot hookups, this one's definitely very steamy and x-rated, which is part of what makes it a great guilty pleasure kind of read! Plus, it's just the first in a series of steamy romance novels from the author!

xx Chontelle Louise

TE AMO, BARCELONA

 

Back in May, after being unable to travel for so long due to Covid, I finally got to visit the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. I've done my fair share of travelling, Europe as a whole being my favourite part of the world to explore - which is, of course, why I keep going back for more!

Barcelona is a city my mother has always wanted to visit, and one I've had on my list for some time now too.

If you're visiting Barcelona, there's one place you absolutely must visit - Park Guell. This UNESCO World Heritage Listed park was designed by famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, and honestly, as stunning as it is in photographs, getting to visit and explore it in person was just incredible. 

Another must-see when visiting Barcelona is no doubt La Sagrada Familia. Designed by Gaudi with construction starting back in 1882, this is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic Church (currently set to be completed in 2026), and it was absolutely breathtaking.

We stayed in a lovely hotel in a central location in the heart of the city's Gothic Quarter, Hotel Barcelona Catedral. The staff were lovely, the room was clean and spacious with a great view, the bed was incredibly comfortable, and we got to enjoy some down time in the sun at the rooftop pool. Plus, the hotel has a restaurant and bar downstairs, and while I usually prefer exploring and finding local spots to eat, I can honestly say the tapas here were delicious and had us coming back a fair few times during our stay!

We were in the perfect location for exploring the city, with "The World Begins With Every Kiss" Mural literally right outside our hotel, and the Barcelona Catedral right around the corner! We spent a lot of time wandering the streets and alleyways, and even got to see a Flamenco Show on our last night!

Of course, I can't forget to mention to food. I think I ate more in the short time we were in Barcelona than the majority of the rest of our Euro/Uk trip! Barcelona is filled with Tapas bars, which was perfect because we could always find somewhere to stop and get something tasty to fuel up on and enjoy some Sangria to wash it all down (because when in Barcelona, right)! 

And the bakeries are next-level - I can honestly say that the pastries and sweet treats I tried in Barcelona are the best I've ever had (yes, even better than anything I've tried in Paris)! You've also got to grab a Spanish hot chocolate if you're here!

This visit to Barcelona was short and sweet, but I can already say this city is up there (alongside Rome) as one of my favourite cities I've visited, and I'll definitely be returning one day!

xx Chontelle Louise