Hair products for 2015

2015 is now in full in swing and I have decided to let you know my hair products of the year! These are either going in my kit and the last is just for me YAY :)

Aussie Miracle Hairspray Shine + hold - I thing I really hate when I am hair styling is being left smelling like hair spray and it’s a smell so hard to shift! Aussie has come out with this amazing can of flex hold hair spray! This product not only has amazing flex hold but its smells beautiful – wild cherry (MMMmmmmmmmmmmmm)

The formula is not sticky, dry white or dry hairspray it actually took me by surprise, it holds curls just so but the shine the it gives to hair it just unbelievable – when you are styling you want your hair to look and feel great at the same time and this does just that. It also helps control fizzy and dry hair which sometimes can I like my hair to look more polished. I can't stand anything that glues my curls together or gets sticky and flaky, and this hairspray is nothing like that. It's light, it has soft hold, it doesn't look dull or dusty, and it smells wonderful so wonderful. This spray is also great for definition, curls are more defined and controlled! It's really nothing at all like what we usually think of as "hairsprays". Before I found this product used to use TRESemme Styling Hold, which is quite similar. I like the aerosol application of the Aussie spray, though, because it's easier to get a mist all over my head than pumping squirts direct onto the curl or wave. Also, I prefer the scent of Aussie because it's fresh and clean. TRESemme smells like the regular hairsprays out there. I still have TRESemme in my kit for my firm & freeze hold I just prefer this one for my curls and softer locks

 Lee Slafford BIG FAT backcoMber - I am reviewing a comb which I purchased just over a week ago and absolutely in love with. The comb has been created by Lee Stafford whom is a celebrity hair-dresser to the, He also has his own range of hair care items which can be purchased from places such as Boots.

This comb is perfect for back-combing, creating volume and amazing updo’s which will give your hair that oomph and volume you have always wanted to achieve, especially for those with fine and flat hair. As a stylist I usually use a normal looking tail comb which is what most of my other stylist friend's use but I happened to see this product whilst I was in my local boots store and I thought it sounded great and might make my life a little bit easier. The product is a very unique design to any other tail comb out there, it is a clever multi-prong comb that helps to give your locks some volume in no space of time. It's also kinder to your hair as well and it means you'll achieve big volume in fewer strokes that what you would if you were using a normal comb which mean less chance of breakage. The tail of the comb is extra skinny which comes in handy for precision sectioning, putting in rollers, creating partings or styles for updo’s. The comb is anti-static, heat and chemical resistant It can be easily clean in luke warm water with a small amount of conditioner – so great for saving time in the big clean up after. On the back of the packaging it tells you a little about the product and how to use it in order to create some volume, which is great for you back combing first timers or for some expert advice from Lee Slattford himself,

Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil - Now having said all of the above, my hair is the HARDEST in the world to do & if I don’t take care of it I seriously look like a scarecrow! It becomes realllllly dry and brittle and just a super hot mess! My hair is naturally ringlets and I love keeping my hair long its around my lower half of my back, since I got married I haven’t really had time to take care of myself the way I use too and just and found myself literally leaving my conditioner & a good shampoo to do the job of keeping it together – which recently it hasn't been It’s funny, because most people assume people who look good, are genetically blessed with some beauty super magic wand that most of us can only dream of having or need s** loads of money to look good, but the truth is I found through my journey through the beauty world, there’s no such thing!

Not taking care of my hair has made me feel really down because it such a mess to clear up and that I need to seriously fix and I just don't feel comfortable with my self any more! I use to swear by Vo5 hot oils but due to the bad condition of my hair it’s just not doing enough – Soooo I was forced to go out there an look for something new! Yikees!!! I know everyone & everywhere has been going on about this Moroccan - Argan Oil craze! Honestly, I'm not too keen about try fads and crazes most of the time there a pile of poop, so I really researched into what this argan oil business was all about !

Argan oil is often used as a hair treatment, as it is extremely beneficial for hair and scalp, and is commonly used as a conditioner or after treatment. Vitamin E is extremely beneficial for hair and is large natural quantities of this are found in Argan oi, which one of its high quantities. Vitamin E promotes healthy hair growth as it contains lots of natural antioxidants, that help boost new cells and encourage them to produce healthy hair from root to tip – it has even been used for hair regrowth. Argan oil has a number of benefits when used on hair. It can act as a moisturiser for the scalp to fight dandruff and dry scalp. It can also promote the growth of healthy, strong hair as opposed to thin, brittle hair. It can even undo some of the damage done through chemical treatments and dyes, and can be used to treat split ends. Immediate benefits can also be seen in people who use argan oil on their hair. It is an excellent agent for taming frizz and promoting shine and gloss, as well as softer, more manageable hair. Argan oil is non-irritating and actually reverses much of the damage done by artificial chemicals and treatments on hair. It is often used in its pure form for healthy, soft and shiny hair.

The only problem is, you can’t get it everywhere! The reason why I love Argan Oil of Morocco is the texture is the best I have ever felt my hair feel in a looooooong time! much more silkier and soft. Argan oil, sometimes known as Moroccan oil which is a product of the Moroccan argan tree. It is extracted from the kernels of the argan tree and can be used as a moisturiser, conditioner and softener for skin and hair. Often dubbed ‘liquid gold’ as it has amazing qualities, it contains large amounts of beneficial nutrients including vitamin E and fatty acids, that have many positive effects when applied & used correctly. It has proven results that which is why a lot of people are using Argan oil for hair and all areas of the body. It is always best to use certified organic Argan Oil, which means fewer chemicals you are using on yourself.

Although I wear a hijab its still important to keep my hair in good condition not only for feeling good within in myself, but also because if its not taken care of it will cause all different types of problems from dry itchy scalp to loss of hair - issue i could do without, I'm sure you all agree :) 

Stay styled

Asma  

Correct to Conceal

Colour correcting is designed to hide imperfections on the skin,  for anyone with mild to extreme skin discolouration issues or skin issues such vitaligo, malasma or calasma, redness, roseaca, acne, sallowness or just general discolouration.

It is the best technique to camouflage discolouration or uneven pigmentation on the face. Don’t get me wrong you do look like an artist’s palette when first applied and it is a bit daunting when you look in the mirror - however then end product is a flawless complexion (after foundation and setting powders)

Being a make-up artist being able to colour correct is a specialist filed and you need to really understand the anatomy and physiology of skin to be able to understand how to correct imperfections of skin conditions, there is a whole science behind colour correcting & believe me when I say it is not easy to get your head round! – Lucky for me Sarah Artistry teaches & trains this intensely to everyone of her students!


So I have made this super easy for guys and we just going to touch on the basic’s

To balance skin tones you first must look at the different types of skin colours there are to be able to understand how to balance out correctly, If you are of Fair Skin (European -English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Eastern European, Mediterranean) – under tones pinks, reds, general discolouration tones - purple, blue, greens etc Or if you Warmer Skin (Asian (including fair Asian skin tones), Oriental, black & Indian skin tones) – under tones yellow, olives, general discolouration tones - yellow, grey, browns, in really harsh cases black etc To correct or balance following rules should apply using the colour wheel (as below) the colour on the opposite side should be used to correct the under tone before applying foundation - you can apply on top of the foundation if you feel that the colour correction has not work sufficiently, I like to be extra generous in application so usually never have this problem

 So here it s goes, the aim of the game is to cancel out the imperfection colour, by cancelling with the corrective colour. If your under eyes have a purple tone – the correcting colours should be yellow, If you have pink or red discolouration (usually due to ache or roseaca) then the correcting colours should be green as pink is the under tone for fairer skin tones. For warmer skin tones if the under eyes are grey or sallow the correcting colours should be lilac if you are of a warmer skin tone. With brown or darker patches the correcting colour would be orange for both skin tones.

Orange colour correcting will actually correct all colour imperfections – so it is actually a cheat colour so to speak. It is quiet a niche market but there' are as there are not that many different colour correction products out there and the ones that are hardly any of them work or not pigmented enough to do the job – which is why I loooooove my Sarah Artistry colour wheel (as seen below) is has amazing pigmentation to correctly colour correct and don’t just look white once applied like most products actually formulated and produced for make-up artists it does exactly what it says it does! Its a cream pigmented colour wheel consisting of the 4 main correcting colours - pink, green, yellow & lilac.

 Most of the other products out there are the cheat colour orange which will correct all imperfection on all skin tones especially for sallowness around the mouth and under eyes - I do have my fave! which is Illamasqua pigment in Emerge.

However there are now correcting primers coming out on the market which that help colour correct the whole face - Make-Up Forever & Sarah-Artistry being one them and they are amazing for evening out the whole face giving it a even complexion without all the cake & ash!

Love always


Asma

Ssshhhhhhhh Its A Secret!!

So the secret to flawless make up base is actually very simple - good skin! The best way to do this is cleanse, tone and moisturise and yet it is actually something that most of us don't do.

Taking care of your skin is so super important not only for make-up application but also for anti ageing & blemish free skin – so you look and feel good in your own skin but mostly so you feel confident in taking those no make-up selfies (hehehehe)

It’s funny, because most people assume people who look good, are genetically blessed with some beauty super magic genes that most of us can only dream of having or need buckets loads of money to look that impeccably good, but the truth is I found there’s no such thing! We are all blessed in different shapes and sizes & we are all beautiful in our own different ways, but I truly believe, if you take good care of yourself by eating & drinking the right things, you will look better than a person that gifted naturally with flawless skin but not take care of themselves – So if you don’t look after yourself then you can’t expect to look like some super hot chick that does.

To be able to understand cleaning, toning and moisturising products we first must understand  the three 3 main skin types

Oliy : Shinney, which has Papules (raised area of skin) & Pustules (raised pusy skin) also serve oily skin can also have Vitalligo (white area of skin discolouration more common with warmer skin tones) & Condones (black heads)

Dry : Dehydrated flaky skin and sometimes can have has papules (raised area of skin) can be cracked, scaly and sometimes itchy.

Combination: parts of your face are dry or flaky, while the centre part of your face-nose, chin, and forehead (called the T-zone) is oily. Combination skin can also describe conditions where wrinkles and breakouts or roseachea and dry skin are present at the same time.

You must must must at least once a day cleanse, tone & moisturise your skin, cleaning out dirt from your pours & dermis, tone too clear out your epi-dermis & to close any open pours to ensure there kept clear & lastly moisturise to keep you skin soft & subtle & help keeping your skin well hydrated. 

Cleanse, The type of cleanser that you use is based upon your skin type and how you prefer to clean your skin. We should keep in mind that dry and balanced skin will benefit from greasy cleansing creams and products which are low or alcohol free would be the best to help the skin not to dry out. Oily and combination skin types should try cleansers that are alcohol-based that help balance the excess oil in the skin.

Tone, are mainly Alcohol based, As one of the main ingredients of a toner and has a drying effect so those with dry skin should only use mild toners that contain very low levels or no alcohol at all. The same goes for balanced skin types. If your skin type is combination then you can use either a mild or strong toner (try a few to see what works best for you). Just stick to using it only along your T-zone where the skin is greasy. Stronger toners that contain high levels of alcohol should be used by those with greasy skin, this helps to control the excess oils your skin releases.

Moisturise, A good moisturiser will protect your skin from the rigours of the day, UV light and provide nourishment at night. The purpose of a moisturiser is to prevent your skin from losing moisture, rehydrate your skin if it has lost moisture and to plump out the dead skin cells that sit on the surface of your skin. For those reasons alone it’s important that ALL skin types use a moisturiser, If you have a dry skin type, rich moisturisers that contain water and grease will help to combat the dryness. Those with balanced skin can also benefit from the hydration of a rich moisturiser, or use a lighter moisturiser if they prefer. Anyone with greasy or combination skin should stick to a lighter, grease-free moisturiser to avoid causing issues with the skin. Always aim to use a moisturiser with Vitamin D as this helps with keeping good healthy skin & glowing skin.

So this is my regime including products I use......

Cleanse: Apply using light pressure movements towards the lymphatic system around the face to encourage all waste from the skin to excrete (through the nose and ears) remove residue from the cleanser with damp cotton wool, you should cleanse a minimum of two times, once to remove all debris's from the top of the skin (epidermis) and the second to remove any underlining debris's from the epidermis layers. I use Neal’s Yard Nourishing Orange Flower Facial Polish helps to restore my skin’s natural radiance for a healthy looking glow, it does this by removing dead skin cells & debris's from the dermis. It contains wild rose seed and shea nut shell powders to help scrub away all the nasties from my skin, it also contains nourishing neroli, jojoba & honey which is a rich source for moisturiser at the same time. So everything thats natural and good for your skin! it leaves my skin so soft with a radiant complexion and smells absolute divine I cant help but recommend!!! GBP14.80 from Look Fantastic

Toner: Applied using light pressure movements messaging into the skin with damp cotton wool. After cleansing, a skin toner is used to wipe off any final traces of dirt, makeup and cleanser residue that may still be on your skin as well as closing any open pours. I actually use Rose water as a toner One of the main benefits of rose water is that it acts as an anti-inflammatory & anti-bacterial properties, soothing to irritated skin, as a rich source of antioxidants, which can help strengthen your skin cells and regenerate new skin tissue, it is particularly beneficial to all skin types which is an added bonus. I love using rose water the sugars found in rose petals add to rose water's soothing effect and its natural oils trap moisture in the skin, helping it feel and look smoother. Its also help decrease damage to the skin's elastin fibers, helping with preventing wrinkles & fight anti-aging. The healing & rejuvenating effects make rose water a potentially valuable addition to your skin care regime I always recommend it on its own as a toner or moisturiser rather than in creams or lotions and I can certainly say I cannot live without it - I got mine from an Indian wholesaler and was GBP2.49 just make sure you buy one made of real rose and no rose essences. I keep my in this small mist bottle which I got from boots for GBP1.69 and decorated with stick on crystals just for some extra glam which I got from Claire's

Moisturiser: Applied using light movements in an upwards direction towards you lymphatic glands (nose & ears) massage into the skin gently to ensure skin absorbs the product a good, rich moisturiser which should also gives a good base to start make-up application. I use the Liz Earle Repair Moisturiser - I am in looooooooove with this product it is so gentle to the skin, however whilst being gentle its does what it is meant to do! It is rich without feeling heavy and my skin feels moisturised all day even though it is really dry and prone to Eczema. It is one of the few moisturisers I have tried that doesn't make my skin red and itchy, I would recommend for dry and sensitive skin. Naturally active ingredients include borage and avocado oil to intensively moisturise, smooth and protect the skin from day to day rigours of life. GBP26.00 as part of the Liz Earle Try me kit which also comes with the hot muslin cloth face mask which is ammaazinnnnnnng - available from Boots

I also have an extra little step to my beauty regime which is warm Argan oil massaged into my face, neck and lips - applied by 3 drops in the palm of my hand and warming it up by rubbing it in circular motions between both of my palms - you will instantly feel the oil warm up in your hands(it's actually quite a strange feeling) this step I only do in the evening before I go to sleep. I love Argan Oil of Morocco the texture it leaves my skin is the best I have ever felt my skin feel in such a long long time - soft and subtle, almost silk like! It can be used as a moisturiser as well but I like be a bit extra sometimes and use after my Liz Earle application ☺

It is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids that have many positive effects when applied & used correctly. It is always best to use certified organic Argan Oil, which means fewer chemicals you are using on yourself, I use Dr.Organic available from Holland & Barratt at GBP14.99. I also use Argan oil as a hair treatment, as it is extremely beneficial for hair & skin as it contains lots of natural antioxidants, that help boost new cells.
It also encourages the Sebum production in the skin (which is reallllly good basically) this helps in stopping your skin drying out & helps with the prevention of wrinkles. The immediate benefits can also be seen as it leaves the skin insanely soft and glowing - can leave skin looking to shiny when first applied which is why I do this before going to sleep. I wouldn't recommend this for those of you who suffer from medium/severe acne or oily skin types.

I never use look after myself until learnt the anatomy and physiology of skin and how important it is look after yourself to help fight ageing, mild acne, eczema as well as keeping all of these under control will = happy you!

All the product I use a naturally sourced products which is great because it means that your using less chemicals on your skin - All of the above takes me 10 minutes of my day if not less so it doesn’t take you all day to do this for you busy ones out there and there not products that are going to break the bank either - so no excuses!

Look after yourself and it will show - Be good to yourselves and each other of course :)

Until next time

Asma

Eau des Merveilles by Hermès

                                     

If there is anything more I love than make-up is a beautiful fragrance – I am obsessed with long lasting and ‘good’ fragrance that sticks to you all day keeping you smelling just like you in the morning, I love it when people walk past and you get a swift smell of their perfume/cologne leaving in us oar of which fragrance they are wearing – My all time favourite is by Hermes Eau des Merveilles by Hermès and this post will everything about it & why I love it soooooooooooooooo much.

Eau des Merveilles by Hermès It is a lovely fragrance, which starts out with woody notes, which Hermès calls the "The Spirit of Wood", consisting of resins, balsams, woods (cedar and oak) and vetiver. Then comes the heart of the fragrance which Hermès calls "The Memory of the Ocean" consisting of Ambergirs a wonderful material which smells salty, musky and sweet all at the same time! Perfumer Ralf Schwieger, wanted to create a fragrance which centred around this note and I must admit it smells amazingly beautiful! It smells of the sea, with the salty air and also has a musky quality which blends really well on skin, almost like a "second-skin" type of scent. Then for the grand finale the dry-down called "The Sparkle of a Constellation" a sweet pairing of lemon and orange, followed by a spicy mixture of cardamom, black & pink pepper. This is a very unusual ending for a fragrance, but it somehow just like everything Hermès – it works and works magnificently well, you cannot help but be incredibly attracted by the pure beautifulness of this fragrance.

Eau De Marveilles is such an amazing perfume – the name actually means ‘Water of Wonders’ in French which it truly lives up to, I have been wearing this perfume for a few years now and I never get tired of the smell, each time I spray this scent it still marvels me just the same way as when I smelt it for the first time. Now we don’t have smell TV so I am going to try to explain the best way possible - Its smells like very typical French Parisian smell strong body not too sweet, too citric or too orangey although it does have a hint of orange to it, an amazing combination of pretty & refreshing, it has a slight woody and warm aroma to it – which is most likely to be the amber which it contains, but still soft and not to over powering like most Parisian perfumes, I love my perfumes and I can honestly say that this is one of the most unique smells you will come across. I would say that anyone could wear this one, it's a very "happy" fragrance and there is something quite happy and magical about it, like a magic carousel, in a wonderland of aroma all packed into a bottle Unlike most scents this does truly stay with you all day! So if you want to wear it make sure you love it! Lolita Lempicka perfumes have the longest lasting that is know of, but it defiantly does not last all day. I can put it on in the morning and when I'm showering in the evening after a long day, you can still smell the last of the lingering scent. It is defiantly worth every very pretty penny - I usually buy during the holiday period in the gifts sets as it works out more value for money - GBP64.00 for a gift which includes the body cream, shower gel and 50ml bottle off fragrance, on its own often costs GBP69.00, so I always get the best value for money.

Eau des Merveilles by Hermès & Lait des Merveilles 

                                  My collection of Hermès fragrances including Terre D'Hermès (My Husbands)

It's scent also very unisex as there no over powering flowers are involved in the composition of the scent, but it is also quite feminine at the same time! Apparently this was the last fragrance made before Jean-Claude Ellena arrived at Hermès - although he did later make the sequel of products to this scent, including the Eau de Perfume & body cream. I also have the body cream which is tres amazing! The lotion is a true scent not like others with just a slight smell to it and really helps the fragrance to remain much longer throughout the day - I am all for doubling up and caking it on as long as it looks and smells good – why not!! The lotion is silk to the touch and leaves skin feeling incredible smooth, it also has a really nice shimmer to it, little light reflectors in the actual cream which leaves the skin with a beautiful & healthy glow - not too much, not too little- it’s perfectly subdued in balance – Well it is Hermès after all, we wouldn't expect anything less

Au Revoir belle’s

Asma x

WWF Mascara Smackdown!

So if all the mascaras where in the WWF ring which one would win the Smackdown va va va voom??? 

Now mascara is one of those products in life us women cannot live without but it is one we have to get right for ourselves rather than what’s hot on the market, we are all individuals so what may be perfect for me may not be so great for you.......but still most of us even like some guidance in the right way of choosing what’s best for us products around :) 

Having the perfect lashes is one of those things that a look is incomplete without - it’s the icing on the cake! So you want to make sure that you choose the best one that will knock your socks off and ensuring an automatic K.O with every flutter.

I have tried my best to choose the best ethically correct brands and best value for money products available on the market today, but also products do exactly what they say on the tin and work! Which was actually a shockingly difficult combo to find.  Here are my top mascara’s – selection process was actually quite difficult and I tried my best to put together products that actually work – now I’m a really big critic when it come to purchasing products to standards where quiet high! And only the best performers made this epic smackdown!

It’s a knock out with Guerlain Maxi Lash So Volume ♥ it packs a really hard punch! – I love love love looooooove this mascara, this one will really knocks all other mascara's out of the equation! it is my all time favourite mascara!!!This mascara will really run rings around you I don't have the best natural lashes and this bad boy gives me great length, volume, seperation and curls at the same time! My lashes look visibly bigger and it isn't clumpy so lashes are nicely separated and well defined. No spider or dry lashes as the formula is very smooth and looks almost natural. This mascara is definitely a five star luxe experience,a soft buildable formula with no clumping and there's no flaking only super sexy, super lush, long, thick, dense & black sultry lashes, ensuring an automatic K.O with every flutter. I can tell you this product is totally worth every penny, the quality is very high. If your a sucker like me for shiny packaging then this is for you the tube is a small metal gold tube, with a perfect size wand. The most unique aspect of this mascara is it's scented with a beautiful floral perfume which I absolutely looooooooove. No mascara has the same Je ne sais quoi to live up to its standard, it is a variation of the mascara phenomenon by Guerlain, it defiantly delivers incredible instant volume packed in a deep black lashes. From each sweep of the wand, the gentle, creamy and elastic formula creates significantly thicker lashes. the formula has been in Infused with a conditioning action to protect the lashes as well as making them look amazing, it is enriched with adhesive oils that help prevent smudging and also  has ultra-glossy oils for an intense black pigmentation. Its fine elastomer wand weaves in to each lash easily catching and precisely coating lashes one by one, even the shortest cant get away, the technology behind the wand offers sensational curve - lashes are sculpted to absolute perfection. £22.00

And here come the girls....................................

Benefit They’re Real  I am totally in love with this mascara! As well as it creating a lot of volume, it comes with length too! As soon as my second coat for shaping and volumising goes on, you’re defiantly securing a knock out! The only thing is it dry’s real quick so you have to work super quick in setting you're lashes, but I love to apply old mascara and go over with fresh mascara causing a fatal attack! The rubber spiked wand is a specially designed brush wand which curls, volumises, lifts & separates every lash you have, giving you the ultimate false lash look, its wand it fantastic in getting right to the root of the lash line! £18.50

Dior Show Time Blackout It is the ultimate night out mascara to a girls make-up bag – volume, length and the darkest colour I have come across EVER, only down side to this is that it’s so freakin hard to remove – now it has an innovative XXL brush for show-stopping volume so if you’re not use to a thick wand it may take some time getting use too. It has a rich creamy, buildble, customizable formula allows you to achieve the same dramatic lash volume that can be seen on the Dior runway for a glamorous show stopping false-lash effect - Here’s something you didn’t know - This legendary brush was inspired by Dior makeup artists who would use plush toothbrushes to coat models' lashes backstage for volume that a regular mascara wand couldn't create, p.s the toothbrush thing actually reallllllly works great!!! £25.50

Bourjois Volume Clubbing Ultra Black this is the ultimate drug store bad boy! Just one quick coat and my lashes are very black, thick, long and very noticeable. If I put on anymore coats they give me that false eyelashes look, but if you put too much it can be a bit heavy and decrease the curl. This is a thick slightly waxy formula and takes a few minutes longer to dry then other mascaras do - so allow time to let them dry completely and they will look amazing all day. If you get the mascara on your skin it wipes off very easily even without water. This wand honestly contains magic as it as maybe because it has a double sided brush, 1 side separates lashes and the other coats them with a lot of product making is super easy to get that false eyelashes look if you alternate between the two sides. It is such amazing value for money and could honestly pass as a more premium product – well they are owned by Chanel so I wouldn’t expect anything less ;) £7.99

Sublime De Chanel is defo a day mascara, its not great for adding volume but it amazingly adds length, separates lashes and helps curling with its 360 moving head wand, help making them look a lot fuller being able to really reach the water line helping lift and curl at the same time – but not so show stopping like the others but it still really pretty feminine long length lash effect – this pretty lady made it into the ring for the beauty and grace. £24.00

BareMinerals Lash Domination: The plastic it has a exclusive spiral pro twist wand that really helps to define your lashes and gives me va-va-voom volume at the same time. It even has lasting power for all day wear with top up. For a night out on the town, I put on maybe a few more coats to add some extra DRAMA, now I have quiet short, sparse lashes and I really love a dramatic bold look so I'm extremely picky with mascara, but this I love love LOVE! As it gives me bold, volumised darker lashes in just a couple coats, the only thing with this it tends to smudge a lot, however it's nothing I can't handle.£17.00

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara I found this mascara great to apply and it made my lashes stand out, by the end of the day it was smudged under my eyes, so probably good for a night out, as long as you don't stay out too late! I like this mascara as it separates your lashes nicely, adding length and definition and making them look really long which I love as I have short lashes. The wand is also quite small as well going right to the lash line and the corners of the eye where other mascaras can’t get too £7.99

Too Faced Better than sex - if you really desire for lush, intense and fuller lashes I would say this is the one for you. This is a collagen-fueled formula has amazing pigment really helps giving you an amazing lash line. The specially shaped wand helps lift, curl and voulmises those lashes, although it is VERY black but I love that! I realize others may not like such a harsh intensity, but it complements my eyes very well. The formula is creamy and thick and does not clump. The lashes look full, separated, long, and very doll like - but still almost natural looking unless you start layering there’s two things I don’t like about this and it does have a slight tendency to flake but also its the name – call me a prude or whatever you want but I defiantly think there was a better name out there for this a little bit to saucy for me! £22.00

Now I really really really want to try the Tarte Lights Camera Lashe's mascara it looks tres amazing!!! and as soon as I get my hands on it I will be reviewing :)

So there are your smack down hero’s – what do you think?

Here are my top tips 

♥Always curl lashes before application

♥ If you have an old mascara apply the thick dry formula first then apply the fresh mascara on top this will allow the mascara to set the curl of the lash 

♥ When applying to lower lash line and you have a tendency for run then apply extra powder under the lash line this will stop the oils from your skin rubbing against your lashes and causing it to run even waterproof mascaras can’t stop this as its waterproof not oil proof 

♥ Pick up clumpy or bobbly bits with a q-tip or your fingers before they dry on the lash 

    

♥ Seriously the tooth brush thing!!!! (just make sure it is a new unused one thou-any cheapie one will do)

With Love and Mascara Wands 


Asma

Soleil

Soleil Tan De Chanel is a weightless cream and almost a whipped mousse type bronzing product. It blends into skin effortlessly and diffuses easily for a sheer finish with a hint of colour, a slight shimmer and a silk finish all over. Soleil works wonderfully for light contouring as well as all over bronzing. It is defiantly not a heavy or dark in tone, it does warms to the skin so comes across very subtle in giving you a natural bronze-sun kissed tone. It looks a lot more of a deep tone bronze in its packaging, but once it is on the skin, it's very sheer, not muddy/dirty like other bronzers at all, almost milk chocolate in colour. It does make you look naturally bronzed rather than a fake-tan look.

 It applies and blends beautifully, so you can control exactly where you want the colour to go which is why is so wonderful for contouring and the best part is that is never gets cakey or clumpy, it also contains little gold light reflectors which has an amazing way of leaving your skin looking luminous but no overly shinny, the colour is medium but buildable if you wanted a deeper tone. I would recommend Soleil Tan de Chanel is suitable for light to medium skin tones but do think it is a little cool for warmer skin tone and defiantly have to work with it to a build colour. 

Packaging is of the typical chic Chanel style twist open frosted jar with the ever famous interlinking double "C" trademark on the lid but this time in a gorgeous gold - not the usual white and if you’re like me and a complete sucker for packing me you won’t be able to resist and be bedazzled by it.

Bourjois Bronze Primer has a similar texture but a lot more moussey and I think that may well be a good dupe, so if you don't fancying splashing the GBP31.00 price tag of the Chanel version however the colour is a little deeper and more orange based rather than yellow like the Soliel so you may end up with a heavier tone as well as a more of a fake tan look and here a little bit in random information for you Bourjois are actually owned by Chanel so you do often find similar products between the two but there defiantly is a difference in pro-long where.

Soleil Tan de Chanel so amazing to wear, application of just a small amount will definitely take you long way and throughout the day, this wears for close to 8 hours on my combination skin when worn as a contour base.

In this look I went over with NARS Laguna powder bronzer on top to achieve a heavier contoured look for evening kind of look

Well I think I have covered everything with this little bad boy – defiantly a little gem for that make-up bag! Let me know what you think

Big Kisses x

Oh so Chanel!

Chanel's new Vitalumiere Loose Powder foundation is a breath of fresh air on the skin glides on so softly and blending in immaculately into the skin. This product is both foundation and setting powder giving great effect of flawless skin, full coverage and pro long wear! It comes with an amazing mini kabuki which is made of synthetic bristles and feels very dense and soft, but I would say it would take you forever if you were applying to your whole face, so I would use a regular large face kabuki for application. The packaging it classic Chanel and the design is user-friendly as you can press the brush into the mesh to get the powder to avoid the mess or normal powders make. The great thing about this is although it is a powder it covers like foundation without the cakeness or thickness with super amazing coverage. It also contains SPF 15 which is great to help keep those UV rays at bay and keeping skin healthy.

All the reviews where all storming and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it when it was released this month - I'm glad to say that I purchased this product, it is so so so so amazing at GBP55.00 it is steep for a foundation but it is worth every penny it, I justified it as it works as both a foundation and a finishing powder – it is everything I have been waiting for!!! I have combination skin so keeping to a powder works so amazingly with my skin. It helps even out the skin tone giving an amazing flawless complexion.

Vitalumiere foundation applies on so smoothly and is silk to the touch, it leaves the skin feeling and looking incredibly fresh. It is also great for oily skin types taking the edge off the shine. The powder itself is light and feels slightly moist and smells incredible, overall I looooooove this foundation as it gives you a flawless airbrushed look - just like the ladies in the magazines. The vitalumiere comes in 5 amazing beige (yellow based) shades – swatches are as below

I love the way Chanel have an incredible way of when adding a product to their range, making sure it's a product worthwhile, becoming a timeless piece and this is defiantly it! I would highly recommend if you're looking for an all in one for oily or combo skin types, the only part I can fault is the price that comes with but I guess that's all things Chanel 

Until next time – Stay beautiful

Asma x