June recommendations 💌

An enemies-to-lovers teen drama, a glowy skin tint and the happiest mug ever.

This is the second instalment of my monthly recommendations—anything from the books I’ve read, podcasts I’ve listened to, things I’ve bought or shows I’ve watched. You can find my May picks here.

Maxton Hall
I may have already tried to convince you to watch this show on Instagram or IRL. Ever watch something and think, this is exactly what I needed? Maxton Hall (Prime Video) was that for me. It’s a German teen drama set in an elite private school, but hear me out. The first episode has its eye-rolly moments with a bunch of rich, entitled kids doing rich kid things and yet I could not tear myself away. It kept getting better and better. I tore through the show in less than two days, which is delivered in six, perfectly binge-worthy episodes. Ruby and James have really good chemistry (when the enemies-to-lovers trope works, it really works!) and I even loved the supporting characters like Ruby’s family and Percy, who is the Beaufort family chauffeur and like a father figure to James. Side note, the subtitles are so much more satisfying than the dub!

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I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
This book is already one of my favourite reads of the year. The plot is juicy: Jolene accidentally gains access to all her co-workers emails and private messages at work after an IT mix-up, and uses them to her advantage in order to save her job. Jolene starts off prickly, until you realize why she acts the way she does. The book is a searing look at corporate culture (your work will never love you back), but it’s also about the childhood traumas that shape us as adults, and the basic human need for love and connection. Even though it’s about all these things, it still manages to be warm, funny and romantic all at the same time.

Gee Beauty Prime Skin
I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter and the similar but more wallet-friendly Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter because I enjoy the ease of makeup-skincare hybrids and the instant glowiness they offer. Recently, I started using Gee Beauty’s Prime Skin, which I would put in the same category as the ones above. I apply it in the morning when I’m in a rush and trying to look semi-presentable, and it does a good job of evening out any blotchiness and breathing some life back into my skin. On my good skin days, I can get away with just using this with a bit of concealer. A summer favourite!

Lisa Eldridge Beauty True Velvet Lip Colour
Lisa Eldridge’s lipsticks have been on my beauty wishlist forever and I knew being in London was the perfect excuse to go test them out in person. One Liberty London trip and a dozen swatches later, I walked out wearing my new favourite lipstick. Not only am I in love with the colour (a pretty pinky-mauve shade called Velvet Rain), I’m also obsessed with the texture, a velvety finish that doesn’t make your lips look or feel dry and prune-y. I almost walked out with the new Skin-Enhancing Tint too after trying it at the counter, and now regret not buying it.

Lipstick swatch session at the Lisa Eldridge Beauty counter in Liberty London.

Ban.Do Book Person Ceramic Mug
I don’t need another mug, but I also don’t not need it? But this bright and cheery little mug made me smile so much that I bought it as a gift for a bookish friend. And then couldn’t stop thinking about it so I went back and bought one for myself, too. Sometimes, a mug is just a mug and sometimes, it’s a serotonin-boosting vessel that also holds your cup of tea.

The Parisian Agency
I’ve watched every real estate reality TV show under the sun and The Parisian Agency, which is currently on its fourth season, is still top tier. I’m becoming tired of the sameness and contrived drama on the shows (which I mean, I know) and this one still manages to feel fresh and different. I love how all the properties have so much character, the Kretz brothers are all so different from one other, and the show is focused on the actual real estate rather than the drama behind the scenes.

❤️ Mishal