October Favourites

This month's monthly favourites is jam packed! I will also be sharing some of my favourites from my haul as I have had time to use most of the products. I discovered some old favourites and some new ones too this month. Enjoy!

COSMETICS

MAKEUP:

The NYX lip lingerie in the shade Honeymoon made it into my favourites, which is not a surprise because I love this range from NYX. I only got to use it once this month but I really loved the way the colour looked on when I paired it with a full face of makeup, especially for a night time look. For me, I feel like this kind of liquid lipstick requires you to have a full face on to pull it off or else it looks like too much on its own. I purchased this liquid lipstick from Click for R149.95.

I knew this was going to be a favourite when I bought this Wet n Wild megaglo hilghlighter because I was already obsessed with it before I even had it. I love that Wet n Wild's products are so affordable and the makeup is of such good quality, and it's cruelty free! The shade Precious Petals is the most beautiful rose gold highlighter I have ever seen. I purchased this highlighter from Clicks for only R89.95.

SKINCARE:

I think if I had to pick one item that I loved just a little bit more than the rest of my favourites, it would definitely be this Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel-cream moisturiser! I love this stuff so so much and I am honestly so happy that I bought it. Since using it for the entire month my skin has literally transformed, it is still slightly dry but it is not as dry as it was before and to me I can see the difference in the appearance of my skin now compared to how it looked when I started using this cream. I love it because the formulation is so light and sinks in quickly - which would make you think it isn't moisturising enough but it actually is. When I applied this cream and it sank into my skin, it felt neither dry or oily and my skin looked normal (most moisturisers I have used before give you this tacky/oily and shiny residue). When I first started using this cream I had to sometimes apply cream once or twice throughout the day (but bare in mind that my skin was extremely dry). After a week my skin was already starting to feel a lot less dry and after using it for a month my skin was starting to look normal again. I am definitely going to purchase more of this soon. My only problems with this moisturiser is that I would prefer it in a tube or a pump bottle - higher risk of cross contamination when using a tub, and I also wish they sold larger sizes other than only 50ml of cream, but other than that this cream is perfect for me and I will continue to purchase it. It retails at Clicks for R141. I highly recommend this cream if you suffer from dry skin or have sensitive skin, like I do (this cream did not cause my eczema to flare up at all) as it has no irritants in it.

I have been using almond oil as a makeup remover for a while now and I love it because it removes everything properly. Recently I have discovered another use for it, which I found on Pinterest. It is meant to help lighten dark circles under your eyes (mine never used to be bad but they have become darker), you put it on every night before bed and gently rub it in with either your ring finger or pinky, so that you don't apply pressure on to that skin. Over time the dark circles will begin to fade, I have been using this method for about a month now and I can see how much my dark circles have faded- don't expect an overnight miracle, this definitely requires time and patience. I prefer using this as well because it is gentle and natural. This bottle of almond oil retails at Clicks for R28.99.

FRAGRANCES:

I have been loving two fragrances this month, I use them very seldomly as my mother bought them and she allows me to share them with her. I use them interchangeably depending on what I feel for. The Lolita Lempicka perfume is more of a sweet smell and I absolutely adore the bottle. I use the Elizabeth Arden Blue Grass perfume if I feel for a more fresh and clean scent. The Lolita Lempicka perfume retails for R365 for the 30ml bottle on the takealot website. The Blue Grass perfume retails for R359 for 100ml on the takealot website. I don't know if you can still find the Lolita Lempicka perfume in stores but I am pretty sure you will be able to find the Blue Grass perfume in some stores like Edgars or Foschini.

FASHION

JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES:

I have been wearing these two bracelets along with my other jewellery and I really love how they look on, especially when I layer them with my watch and other bracelets. My friend purchased them for me from Lovisa and they were on sale.

I received this bracelet as a gift for my birthday last year and have been wearing it ever since. I love evil eye jewellery and I just think they look so pretty , they are believed to bring you good karma and ward off any bad. This bracelet was made and purchased from Anthea Pappadogiannis, her instagram where you can order her jewellery from, is: @styled_by_anthea. You should defintely check her page out, she as so many beautiful pieces of jewellery available.

I purchased this stunning anklet from the Blue Bird Garage market in Muizenberg (only open on Fridays and Saturdays) for R150. I love wearing anklets but I haven't worn one in so long because I have been trying to find a good quality anklet (all of my others broke or became too small), and when I found this one I was so happy because it was exactly what I was looking for.

I purchased this fanny pack last month from Almost Famous in Claremont for R195, and it was featured in my haul. It quickly became a favourite of mine because it makes carrying all my things so easy, it is also much safer than a regular bag that you just wear on your shoulder and I love the quality of this bag - it is definitely going to last me a long time. I usually wear it across my chest/over my one shoulder or I sometimes thread it through my belt loops and wear it around my waist.

CLOTHING:

I was given this black denim skirt from Factorie as a birthday present from a friend. I have only started wearing it more recently as it wasn't warm enough to wear it when I got it in July. I love it so much, it is so comfortable, the material is stretchy and it goes with almost everything. This is defintely going to be worn all throughout summer. I know Factorie's denim skirts retail between R300-500, mine is in a size 10.

These pants were featured in my haul and it is no surprise that they made it into my monthly favourites. I knew they were going to be one of my favourites when I bought them. I love the way that they fit, the way that they look (I can dress them up for a more formal look or wear them for a more casual look), the material is flowy and comfortable and they are high-waisted. I bought these pants from Mr Price for R169.99 in a size 34.

STATIONERY & BOOKS

I bought these two notepads at the beginning of 2017 and have been using them since to write study notes in and to study in. I love these notepads for two reasons: the covers are so gorgeous and can be cut out and used as a poster and on the inside there is a little storage pocket to put all of your loose papers into. I purchased these from Typo and they were on sale when I bought them. Every year Typo comes out with new amazing notepads and I will continue to buy them, especially when they are on sale (their sales are usually during December and January).

This is the third year in a row that I buy of Typo's calendars. I always buy them in December when they are offered for R100 instead of R150 if you purchase any other item from Typo. These calendars just make organising each month so much easier, they come with cute stickers and once you are done with the calendars you can crop them, flip them over and use them as posters. Every year they come out with so many different designs to choose from.

I purchased this Creative Ideas magazine in the beginning of last year (2017) from an Engen garage. When I picked it up and flicked through it I just had to buy it because I never see many amazing and stunning magazines like this too often. It has so many templates for craft projects and pages you can photocopy and print out to decorate things or use as posters and it is perfect for decorating gifts. It has so many beautiful designs in it that cater to everyone's taste. I have shown a few people this magazine that have gone out and bought it straight after. Unfortunately this specific one is not available anymore, but I am pretty sure the magazine Ideas brings out these Creative magazines at the beginning of each year, so maybe keep an eye out for them if you are looking to get one. I paid R49.99 for this magazine.

FOOD & DRINKS

FOOD:

For the past month or so, I have become obsessed with these Jelly Tots white chocolates, I have always loved them but I have been loving them more since I started buying them again. My favourite is the one with popping candy (which only comes in a slab) and the normal one is also just as good and it comes in a slab and a smaller bar as well - which is what I usually buy. They are really sweet, which is why I love them because I definitely have a sweet tooth and this chocolate always helps take away that craving.

TV SHOWS & MOVIES

TV SHOWS:

I started watching this show as it was recommended to me and I am obsessed. It is about passengers that get onto a plane in 2013 and only land in 2018, the plane is declared missing for five years. When the passengers land they are confused because to them it was a normal flight of only a few hours, not five years. Every episode of this series leaves you wanting the next episode. Season 1 is currently airing, new episodes come out every week and there are only five episodes available to stream. I highly recommend this if you enjoy a good TV show with suspense, mystery and drama.

I have featured Riverdale in my favourites before, and I have to say that season 3 is seriously good and even though it is only a couple of episodes in, I am already loving it. I have enjoyed every season of Riverdale so far and this series never disappoints.

This series is hilarious and I loved it so so much. There are currently two seasons of Atypical and I am hoping that there will be a season 3 soon. The series follows the life of a boy Sam, who has autism and his family. I thought it was an amazing series as it is increasing awareness on autism, and this series had me laughing so much throughout. I definitely recommend this if you have not seen it, it is definitely a show that everyone would love.

I started watching Fear The Walking Dead a few weeks ago when I had found out that it is a prequel show to The Walking Dead, which I already watch and love, so I started watching it and I genuinely enjoyed it so much. There are four seasons available, season five will hopefully be coming out sometime soon (probably beginning of next year). I recommend this if you already watch The Walking Dead, you will enjoy this just as much, or if you are looking for a really great action packed series then this is it, it is quite graphic (blood and guts everywhere at times), but I really appreciate how realistic the show is and how real the walking dead also look.

I binge watched the entire first season of this show in two days, it came out last Friday on Netflix. When I saw the trailer for the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, I literally could not wait for the series to come out. I really thought this series was so so good and it has definitely become another new favourite. It was created by the executive producers of Riverdale and it is also based on the Archie Comic books. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is set in Greendale and follows the life of Sabrina, who on her 16th birthday has to decide whether she wants to remain living her mortal human life, with her friends and boyfriend, or begin living her witch life, like her family, and leave the mortal world behind completely. I most definitely recommend this series if you have not seen it, it is a must watch. I am looking forward to season 2.

MOVIES:

I am a person who enjoys a good crime documentary as much as I enjoy a good crime show or movie. I thought this documentary looked interesting as I wanted to learn more about the death of Kurt Cobain, as I love his music and think he was a great artist, and I never knew the whole story about him or his death. This documentary on his death is super interesting and at the end it leaves you questioning so many things. I thought this was a great documentary and that it was done really well, I highly recommend it if you enjoy crime documentaries or would just like to more details about Kurt Cobain's story.

I have always heard everyone rave about the Harry Potter movies and use terms from the movies, which made me want to watch them again - I had seen them a few times when I was young but I could not remember the story line so well anymore. I am really glad that I decided to rewatch these movies because I can see why everyone loves them so much and I have become obsessed with these movies.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUTUBE:

I discovered Jamie Genevieve, a Scottish Youtuber and makeup artist, quite recently when I saw her videos being featured on YouTube and decided to watch some of them. She has very quickly become a favourite of mine and I love her videos, whether its makeup tutorials or her weekly vlogs. She is so talented as a makeup artist and she has done really well for herself - working with brands like Cult Beauty, MAC, Maybelline, Benefit, NARS, YSL and many more. I think what I enjoy most in her videos is that she is so real and honest and she does not put up a front when she is in front of the camera.

I decided to watch Shane Dawson's documentary series after a few friends had recommended it to me and said that it was really good. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series and I think it shed some light on so many things that people wanted to know. I think it is quite interesting and brave of Shane Dawson as a Youtuber to be doing these kinds of in depth documentaries about controversial figures like: Jefree Star, Tana Mongeau and Jake Paul. I would definitely recommend this series, I will say that at times it is a bit dramatic but other than that I thought it was a brilliant series. Hopefully he will do more of these documentaries.

I have been watching Sayla Dean's makeup tutorials on Instagram (@sayladean) for a while now, and when she announced that she was going to be making a YouTube channel I knew it was going to be good. She is a South African self taught makeup artist and Youtuber. I enjoy her videos so much because she is honest about what she thinks of the products she tries out, most of the products she uses are available in South Africa and she is seriously such an incredibly talented makeup artist.

I very recently started watching Nuzhah Jacobs, another South African Youtuber, makeup artist and content creator. Her makeup tutorials are so stunning and I love that she uses a lot of brands that are available in South Africa, making it easier for you to go out and find them. Her makeup and hair tutorials and reviews are so good and I know that I will continue to watch and enjoy her videos for a long time.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH

At the beginning of this month, on the 2nd of October, I went for my first tattoos. It was such a cool experience and I was able to do this because one of my closest friends had given me a tattoo voucher for my birthday (when I opened it I cried). I got a quote done underneath my collar bone: No regrets, only memories - with a crescent moon next to it, and a semi-colon on my wrist. I highly recommend TenTwo tattoo studio, they are in Rondebosch, for tattoos and piercings as their environment is very sterile, they are so talented and amazing at what they do and they make you feel comfortable when you are there.

My second highlight of the month was First Thursdays at the beginning of this month in town. I had such a great time with my friends and I knew it was also going to be one of the last times I get to go on a night out before final exams started.