Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Hello Sunshine!
The weatherman on BBC predicted-Thunder, Lightning, Incessant drizzly rain and blow-me-away winds (lol), well he surely got it right this time! That does not stop me from dreaming up the endless (wardrobe) possibilities for Summery Goodness!
From studded denim to floral whites and blues, the options are plentiful to suit your summer fantasies! Off shoulder, styles are making a cult statement this season and Khaki shirt dresses are a total must to take sassiness up a notch!
Zara has been outstanding with their summer style! I am on a self-imposed restraint (lol) from going to their site, with such amazing pieces I am quite tempted to buy them all!
In this post I am pairing a white off shoulder top with black culottes from Zara.
This polka prints are super cute and the striped top is super summer befitting
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| Just because i love this bag!! |
Denim +Ruffles+Offshoulder ( Like Whoaaah) –Now that quite literally checks all summer check boxes
The newlookBardot is super-money super market.
Off late I becoming quite the culottes-addict, Pair it with a nice blouse and you are ‘office ready’, with a t-shirt and converse and you are ‘weekend ready’- That is effortless chic and makes a convincing argument for the big buy that promises to make a sartorial statement.
Tie-Up Shoes- It’s the greatest shoe
invention( like ever) if you are looking
out for these my recommendation is ASOS, They have some amazing styles like this
Nude Blocked Heels or these 'promised' to be super comfy suede ones.
This Aldo one is a total bargain,its perfect for
both work and the casual outings, My
favourite is probably this one.
 |
| Some classy drama by the Hamleys man! |
Have you
been eyeing any particular summer styles? We would love to hear about your
proudest summer buys!
Until Next
time
Take Care!
PS: Don’t forget
the wayfarers and the sunscreen!
Saturday, 28 May 2016
Morphe Set 699- The Gun Metal Brush Set Review!!
Hello,
I hope everything is awesome that side of the world! We are quite
certainly warming up to summer sun in Qatar! Loving the transition to
flip-flops and the many barbecue weekend affairs!
It’s only been a few days since I've got them and I am absolutely L-O-V-I-N-G IT!! The
quilted metallic pouch is artsy- perfectly sized to be taken on your travels to
far away and exotic locations!!
The Set compromises of seven brushes to hash out all your face and
eye brow needs!
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Foundation/Powder Buffer
brush
Size: 6 1/2"
The foundation brush in amazing and it is dense. It blends the
foundation perfectly onto your skin leaving a clean finish.
Precision Contour/Highlighting brush Size: 6 3/4"
This one is a tapered fluffy brush, perfect for applying highlighter.
Just the right tool to nail the all-important contouring you have been dreaming
up! The highlighting brush surely is an underrated tool and having a good HL
brush opens a whole range of make-up possibilities!
Angled Blush
Brush
Size: 6 3/4"
Angled blush brushes are perfect to apply blush or to smoothen out your bronzer. The smooth bristles and angled head makes blending total magic!
Blending Brush Size: 5 3/4"
With velvety smooth fluffy bristles, this brush is perfect for blending colour, it eliminates all harsh lines, and you can achiveve an effortless dramatic eye look in n time!
Tapered Crease
brush
Size: 5 3/4"
- With a tapered end resembling a pencil this brush makes it super easy to apply the colour onto the crease of your eye.
Concealer/Detail Shadow brush Size: 5 1/2"
Concealer brushes are super important for the final result! It’s smoke and mirrors;) You want to magically erase out the dark spots for the perfect result and hence it’s a super important tool! I used my brush to apply eyeshadow to my lower lash line for that perfect smoky-sultry dark eyes.
Brow/Liner
Brush
Size: 5 1/2"
It’s all about winged eye lining madness with this amazing brush!
I am impressed with the quality of these brushes. For the price it
surely is worth every penny paid. I love the metallic grey handles and the
sturdy make of the brush makes application easy. Each brush lives up to its
name and does a good job.
For a price of 49.95 for the set –it is a great product and at affordable price! These brushes are not numbered and are not sold individually.
You can get directly buy from their website.
Like Batman’s
bat-mobile, Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Saber or like Harry Potter’s 11’ phoenix
cored wand- Every Makeup lover should be powered( or powdered up) with the
right super power!
Until Next
time!
Take care!
Sunday, 22 May 2016
Let’s talk skin care!
Well if you are like me and if you are on a quest to find ultimate
spotless, glowing, acne free, pore -less skin, you must have religiously googled the topic –‘skin care
routine’ but little surprise that you are greeted by the three golden rules
of any skin care regiment being Cleanse, Tone, and Moisturize! The secret to a
beautiful skin does not really end there, for a true ‘Miranda Kerr Like’ glowing skin, introducing
exfoliators and face packs to your routine can work wonders!
I am super psyched to have been
invited to take part in the skin care untangled competition by
FarFetch !
So hold your horses Ladies,We are going to get into the
Nitty-gritties, to mystify the ever so seemingly complex skin care routine! We
bring you our daily staples, hacky ways we have discovered, and with Summer fast approaching the time is ‘Now’ to get on the bandwagon!
Sticking to the Fundamentals:
Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize
I strictly stick to CTM every morning and every night! Being an ardent coffee lover, my day begins with
a much-needed hot cuppa of coffee and then its skin prep-time for the morning.
I have been using Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming
Face Wash- This foaming face wash
is water activated and gently removes all the dirt and impurity from your skin, most importantly leaving your skin smooth and moisturized –its pure magic!
Followed by some toning action, (I do love a good bargain) Clearasil
Toner is a total win-win and is perfect for your daily skin routine.
I have always had recurring stubborn pimples here and there, Kiehl’s
Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution has been a total saviour and I apply
it before I moisturize my skin. Over the last few months, there has been a
visible reduction of dark spots! Do follow with a good sunscreen to avoid
unwarranted suntan!
Say goodbye to all those dreadful pores with the amazing Kiehl’s
Rare Earth Pore Minimizing Lotion! With Amazonian white clay, it
absorbs excess oil and gives you the all-important matte effect! And yes-no
Grease (Wuhoo)!!Always make it a point to moisturize your neck, as it surely
needs some TLC as well!
For my eyes, I have been using the Estee Lauder Double Wear Cream
until I discovered Avene Eluage, It’s a hydrating formula and reduces puffiness, wrinkles
and dark circles.
With scorching summer at arm’s reach, Sunscreen should be a total must in your morning routine! Research suggests that, women who apply regular sunscreen in their 20’s will have lesser skin woes in their 30’s. Ave
ne's Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ has been my go-to product! It is super-light and non-greasy!
Body Love
I do love a Pinita Colada and getting caught in the
rain ;) well, amazing Pinita Colada is now available in a ‘tin able’ form from Body
Shop. Smother this glorious goodness and you’re whisked away to
tropical paradise! With Creamy coconut and juicy pineapple scents, it’s a total
must have this summer season!
If you are bogged down by super dry skin, give E45
a go. It does a good job and you will
see a visible difference in a few weeks’ time!
A good lip balm is a total investment! I love my EOS
Lip Balm , Maybelline Baby Lips( not pictured here) and Bite Beauty agave lip mask! These are great
products and gives you visibly softer lips!
Goodbye Makeup!
Being a makeup addict, I definitely have a bias towards moi eye
shadows and pretty blushes!
Saying Goodbye to make up at the end of the day can
get ugly if you are not powered up with the right products! I use Camomile
Cleansing Oil from BodyShop for my face and Garnier Micellar Water/Biorderma
for removing my eye makeup.
On Lazy days Neutrogena Wipes is a
total savior!
The Nightly Duty!
Even if it is at ‘late-o-clock’ in the evening, I make it a point
to get CTM done before I crash. It is super important especially at night, to
wipe away all the impurities accumulated over the course of the day! I use Clarisonic brush to deep cleanse my
skin. You apply a tiny amount of cleanser onto the brush and it removes all
dirt and grit from your skin.
As for toning, I replace my toner with an exfoliator two to three
times a week! Exfoliation not only removes dead skins, it unclogs pores and
prevents outbreaks of pimples! It’s one of those things that’s easily
overlooked. I use a natural exfoliator of Honey and Sugar! Just blend the two and
rub it all over your face-works wonders!
Followed by a few drops of Face
Oils from Clarins – I must say I had my doubts when it came to night serums and oils, but
seeing the benefits, it totally made me a convert! I have it by my nightstand
and it leaves my skin all supple and replenished! You can follow it up with a good night
moisturizer and I use my Avene eye Cream at night as well!
The lifeline
Like a magicians back pocket card trick – Tea Tree oil is an absolute
must- have item in your cupboard! It’s for the unprecedented nasty outbreak and
with its amazing antiseptic powers it saves you from needless anxiety!
TLC
Face packs are much needed TLC for your skin! It not only
rejuvenates your skin but gives you the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind!
Sheet Packs,Peels,Natural Masks- There are so many options that you are
literally spoiled for choice! Put on some nice tunes and let the pack work its
magic! I try to do two packs a week and off late I have been using (totally
trending at the moment)Coffee Oil Face Pack.
Water Magic!
One cannot undermine the power of H2O. Begin your day with water
and make sure you are hydrated throughout the day! A balanced diet is super
important and include lot of greens and many fruits!
Sleeping beauty(Beauty sleep) is really a thing ;) - a long night's nap gives your skin a chance to replenish and recover!
And don’t forget the sunnies and the floppy hats before you hit the
beach!
So there you go – That’s Skin Care decoded!
Get glowing (Skin) –You so totally have the power!
Until Next time!
Take care!
Monday, 16 May 2016
The (Weekday) Life Saver-Shakshuka Recipe!
It is no secret, that I shamelessly cheat my way when it comes
to weekday cooking. Moreover, in an
effort to make the world a better place I am proudly presenting my latest find –Shakshuka!
The humble egg being the protagonist in this story, with some rich spicy tomato
gravy as a base. It’s so diverse that you can have it for breakfast- brunch or
dinner. You can whip this up in no time what so ever and with ingredients that
are your regular kitchen staples, it avoids the need of you having to go foraging
for exotic ingredients amongst super market isles.
Shakshuka
Cooking time:40 mins max
Serves:3
Ingredients
1 White Onion
1 Red Pepper
1 ½ tsp Cumin Powder
1 tsp Cayenne Powder
3 tbsp Olive Oil
6 Eggs
1 can Plum tomatoes
4 cloves of garlic
½ Cup water
Fresh Coriander Leaves to garnish
Salt to taste
Salt to taste
Chop the onions and red pepper finely.Pour the oil into a skillet or large flat pan that's suitable for oven as well. Once the oil is warm, add the onions, red pepper, and saute until they are smooth and translucent. It would take around 15-20 mins. Preheat the oven at full temperature.
Once they are done, in goes garlic, cumin and Cayenne Powder. It would take a few minutes for the spices to cook. The mix would turn a darker brown ,at this point, add the canned plum tomatoes, wash the can with the water, and pour it into the skillet. Allow the tomatoes to cook and simmer. Add some salt for seasoning.Once the gravy reduces slightly you can take the pan of the flame. Crack open the eggs into the pan and carefully place the pan into the oven, reduce the temperature settings to 200 deg cel and it would take approx. 7-10 mins.
Once done, top it with some freshly chopped coriander leaves and hey
weekday meals would mean eating out of the pan is much forgiven, let’s keep it
rustic ;) Serve it with some crusty bloomer bread to soak up the magnificent
gravy or even some Pita if that is the easily obtainable option!
Now that’s an easy recipe you can resign to after a chaotic day at work or
Tornado of a day with the
younger offspring. Have you tried
Shakshuka before? Do you have a favorite
brunch recipe? Tell us all about your ninja weekday recipes!
Until Next time!
Take Care!
PS:Hit the subscribe button and stay
up-to-date on all the epic posts!
Friday, 13 May 2016
Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation Review-Its magical!!
Aloha!
I hope u guys had an amazing week, With school visits and doctor
visits,there was a brief stint of time
with the younger one falling off the health radar, the week has gone by at
lightning speed! I am so weekend ready,To just put my feet up, catch up on some
MasterChef and Oh yes, I am so ready to miss the treacherous morning alarm!
Today I am featuring the newest addition to my foundation
collection-Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation! From the time the huge
launch announcement was made, like a true beauty nerd I was eagerly awaiting to
get my hands on this product (well no surprise there ;).
The well-established brand, founded by Maureen Kelly, back in 1999
in her one bedroom apartment never fail to surprise me, they have truly grown
in leaps creating amazing make up products that not only bring out red carpet
ready looks but also does wonders to the
way your skin feels! They use good natural ingredients and much research, care and
love goes into each of their product.
Rain Forest of the Sea Collection and the Double Duty Beauty Range
came out in the market at the same time and I went for the Double Duty one, it
was the formula that won me over and I am absolutely happy with the buy. The
Rain Forest Range has received raving reviews, with an algae based formula and
antioxidant properties it truly sounds like the ultimate make lover’s dream!
The hybrid gel foundation is pore-less, full coverage foundation
with a creamy gel texture. It has skin-smoothing hyaluronic acid, claimed to be
oil free, and gives up to 12-hour wear time. Yes, you read that right, Ladies-12
whole hours,long enough to last all the way till the after work party!
They offer a wide range of shades to suit all skin complexions,
being a MAC nc42 and a normal skin type it was easy math to work out the tone, and
I went for the Medium Tan Honey.
The foundation comes in a pretty glass jar with a gold top. I must
confess, I am not a huge fan of pot foundations as its slightly challenging
whilst travelling and there is a lot of wastage when you handle the product. As
you need to use your fingers to pick up the product, there is always the risk
of contamination and it can get super messy.
Of course, tarte came up with a
brilliant work around with the double duty foundation brush and spatula! With
one end as a spatula and the other end being a heavy duty brush –it really
makes it easy to apply.
Grab a small amount of the product with the spatula, dab on to your
face and you can blend the product smoothly using the other end the soft brush,
to achieve a flawless finish.
I love the creamy texture of the foundation, its super smooth that
you are almost lead to believe that you are applying a moisturizer instead and it
leaves your skin all glowy!
It gave a medium coverage when I applied, which was
good enough to cover all my blemishes, spots and tiny imperfections on my skin.
It’s buildable and you can apply than extra coating for those stubborn spots to
achieve a flawless smooth look. With the creamy texture the foundation renders, you can follow with a round of face powder, I used MAC mineralize skin finish
in medium dark to set the foundation.
 |
| without flash |
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| with flash |
Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty of logistics. Ladies, hold
tight-Tarte has finally announced International Delivery (Wuhoo!!)Yes yes, I
know you are doing the victory dance already, so now you can have it delivered
to your doorstep! I had mine delivered to Qatar and if your total purchase exceeds
455 QAR you are eligible for free shipping and they will send the products via
global mail. I was not first time lucky, as my shipment got lost. But tarte was
super sweet and did a full refund and I had to order my products again but went
for DHL express this time, which meant I incurred an additional 132 QAR(duty
and tax on delivery) but the products made their way home safe in less than 10
days.
The Gel foundation is priced at $39USD for 30 ml / 1.0 Fl.oz
And for my final rating , I am giving it 4.8/5. It’s a good
product and If your looking out for a foundation this product is definitely worth considering.
Have you used the Tarte Range? Do you have a go to brand when it
comes to your foundation? We would love to hear about your foundation choices
;)
Until Next time!
Take Care!
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