Jo Malone Blue Berries and Blossoms

Hello Angels

My new love this Summer...

I hit Jo Malone counter to get myself their Tuberose Intense. But after being introduced to their latest Blue Berries and Blossoms range, i was battling to decide between Sakura Cherry and Osmanthus Blossom. Sakura won, but am definitely going back for latter too. The collection is limited edition, so i really don't want to take a chance. 

Needless to say Jo Malone does a fab job every time. They get it right always. Classy, beautiful packaging, everything just adds up and you are left wanting more. 

Sakura is fresh, lightly citrussy with notes of cherry and rose. Staying power is not incredible. But then again i experience that with most JM scents. Packing is different from their regular collection. Labels are colorful with beautiful matching ribbon bow on top.

Gift it to someone and you earn a perfect 100.

Price 100ml AED620/USD125

Have you tried their new collection yet?

Love

Roberto Cavalli Eau De Parfum

Hello Angels

Long time no see? Yup. I was caught up in some vigorous training sessions at work and found it too hard to multitask...

Well am back now with a real good recommendation on perfume front. I am a perfume freak. Perhaps an item where i tend to get sooo carried away that i end up spending a lot of money. My current absolute favorite is this baby from Roberto Cavalli. 

The scent carries the right intensity, nothing too over powering. Floral and mildly sweet. Uber feminine and delicious. I've been wearing it for a week now and my girl friends love it (FYI, my husband loves it too...)

The perfume was launched back in 2012 and is called just Roberto Cavalli. Not too expensive. Lingers for a decent amount of time (meaning 3 hours... is that decent?)

Have you tried this perfume before? Take a sniff and let me know...

Love

Peter Thomas Roth Masks | Review

Hello Angels

Peter Thomas Roth products is becoming the Real Deal lately. I started using their face mask (Cucumber Mask) late November last year. The product leaves your skin fresh and re energized. I somehow never got to using it in full. 

I recently gave their Irish Moor Mud Mask a try. The product is jet black in color with jelly like consistency. It gave me a mild sting on first application. But the result was ah-mazing. My skin felt clean from deep inside and looked brighter. There was no dry or stretched feeling. 

I would absolutely recommend this product a try. It is perhaps the best alternative to Glam Glow masks or even better given the price and quantity. 

USD59 for 5oz. Available at all Sephora Stores. 

Cucumber De-Tox De Puffing Eye Cubes 

There is a little bit of work involved in using this product. Which i guess is the only annoying part. Requires to be frozen for at least 3 hours prior to use. Place it into a small bag (comes with the product) and then massage around eye. Now let me tell you, it feels really really cold on application. Then you get used to it and starts to enjoy.

Leaves your skin feeling light and fresh. Recommended for Dark circles, puffiness etc. 

Given PTR products a try before? Let me know...

Love

Ombre Black Star by By Terry

Hello Angels

Lily pebbles totally enabled this buy. She just went on and on raving about it that i had to plan a visit exclusively to Sephora to check Ombre Black Star Eye shadow pen by By Terry. 

In fact i even had the color decided...Bronze Moon. Now after spending 20minutes at the counter, i walked away with blond Opal in my hands. It's not that Bronze did not excite me, oh yes it did and i am definitely going back for it. 

Blond Opal is a shimmery pearl white shade. My love for highlighter's was the soul reason behind choosing this color. SO SO Gorgeous. The texture is silky smooth and blends like a dream. Now, i tend to use it more on my cheek bones, cupids bow and brow bone and inner corner of my eyes than on eye lids. 

The shimmer is finely tuned into the color. 

All in All a must must have. There is little or no doubt that you won't fall in love...xx

Gucci Makeup | Review

Hello Angels

To a large extend i was successful in keeping myself away from Gucci makeup. I wanted to give ME some time before the splurge (Lol!!!). Eventually it happened. I found it very hard to choose among-st their blush range. They were uber pretty.

What stands out instantly when you try on Gucci blush is the texture. Silky smooth and fine. I went for Pink Camelia 060 (beautiful beautiful light pink. The shade in real is more pinkish than given photo below) and Spicy Petal 050 (peachy pink. A warm toned blush) 

The packaging is Luxe and Chic. The powder does fall out a little during application. But I've experienced the same with most finely milled powders.

Given an opportunity i may end up buying few more of their blushes but keeping it on hold for now. Because they are expensive. Available at Sephora stores. 

Let me know if you have a Gucci favorite.

Love

NARS Sheer Matte Foundation | Review

Hello Angels

Ever since Nars made a re-launch in Dubai, I've been wanting to try their Sheer Glow foundation and concealer. After 5 whole months, came the day i actually went into Sephora to get myself one. 

And as faith may have it, they were Out of Stock on my shade. The only match available was in Sheer Matte foundation. I like dewy finish anytime anyday but given no option plus i reallllyyy wanted to try their foundation, Matte it was. I can always use my highlighters to create a dewy look, right? So that was decided.

Coverage is medium to build-able. The texture strikes a perfect balance between not being too runny and thick however i find blending needs a 'lil work around.  The color though looks too light for me in the bottle was just right after application. Stays put all day and no creasing. 

I like the overall finish the product offers but it is not quite there. I find Dior Star foundation soo much better than this one. Perhaps NARS sheer Glow foundation is more my kind and is next on my list.

Those with oily skin should give it a try though. Not necessarily purchase, sample it out first. In Dubai, Sephora counters don't offer foundation samples. But buy or take with you a small container and ask them to fill. 

Another rather annoying thing about this foundation is it does not come with a pump. WHY? I mean why on earth would they cut out on providing a pump? Making it extremely difficult to take the product out. 

Let me know your thoughts about Sheer Glow foundation? 

Love

MUFE Step 1 Skin Equalizers | Review

Hello Angels

MUFE recently launched their range of Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primers. The colorful range of Primers looks quite appealing and promising and makes you wonder what they offer. 

I got myself the Base Smoothing Primer and Radiant Primer in Yellow. Firstly, i really like the packaging. The colorful tubes make things look a lot more fancier. Primer packaging aren't always the fanciest of all makeup products. So thumbs up to MUFE for taking that extra effort. Also i find the applicator tip just perfect. It gets the right amount of product out. 

Base Smoothing Primer -

My face is relatively pore and blemish free. Smoothing primers can contribute a lot to give a flawless foundation finish. And this one does a pretty good job at it. It fills and evens out skin reducing visibility of pores and blemishes. The texture is satin-y and blend-able. A recommendable base for your foundation for better and lasting finish. 

Radiant Primer-

Also part of the range are 5 shades of radiant primers for different skin tones. Yellow was a match for me. The product is actually yellow in color, intimidating, but on application blends almost colorless. The product is meant to correct, add radiance and lighten skin tone. 

Does it work? To an extent yes, because my skin did appear lighter and brighter after application. The results are not too evident though. 

 I definitely see myself using up the product but cannot promise a repurchase of the Radiant Primer but smoothing primer, Yes. The collection also includes mattifying and hydrating primers. Those with oily skin must try. Additionally Nourishing and redness correcting primers are also available.

Love

Fauve by Chanel

Hello Angel

 

There was a time when Eye Shadows were just not my cup of tea! My collection was limited to basic matte nudes. Literally!

 

Things have changed quite a bit since last 6 months or so. Not only as my collection grown but you can now spot many glitter based colors too! Last week i treated myself with possibly one of the most gorgeous gorgeous color - Fauve (90) by CHANEL. 

Ah...this color makes me want to wear eye makeup every single day. I find the color uber pretty. To those who own tons of eye shadows, this color may seem 'not so' special!! (i hope not tho, else this whole blog post becomes quite pointless!)

 

Here goes my best try at explaining the color - Taupe/purple shade with silver glitter. The color stays put for long without creasing. Texture is smooth allowing effortless blending. Love Love the cute packaging with a convenient sized mirror. Pricey but given the staying power and color, i say it's a keeper!

I was tad bit skeptical about how well the color would translate on application. No disappointment tho. The color looks equally pretty. 'Hypnotizing' by MAC is the closest dupe i could relate Fauve to.

What are your thoughts ladies?

Love



 

Feb discoveries

Hello Angels

February is my month in every sense. Not only did i celebrate my birthday but also discovered some favorites. So here is a quick run through all things am loving this month.

Arabic Tattoo 

Am not a big fan of tattoos. But when they take form of writing, i love love. Last week i came across these extremely cute looking arabic tattoos at Sauce Gifts (Designer Boutique in Dubai). The first one is read as 'Hobb' means Love, which i wore on Valentines Day. The second one means 'Courage'. 

They look uber stylish when coupled with arm candies or by itself. Price AED45 for pack of 3. 

Shades courtesy Zara
Sunglasses adds a LOT to your look. They are capable of making a statement. I got my new pair from Zara (Men's section!). Some may be of the opinion it is too big for my face but i love it and can't get enough. Price AED145

Assam Tea

Any major Tea fans out there? Yes, then listen up. Try Assam Tea by Twinings. Delicious. I am not an expert when it comes to explaining the taste. So kindly give it a sip or two. 

 

 

What's been your favorite find this month?

 

Love

 





Shourouk for Sephora | Review

Hello Angels

Sephora joined forces with Designer Shourouk for their latest spring collection. The same was launched last week (same day as my B'day!!). 

The collection is uber cute and girly. Each product with a touch of jewel. That being said, when it comes to talking about the makeup itself my review is a mix of disappointment and good. 

Makeup Brush - Quality wise the brush is very good, the bristles are decently soft and dense. But i doubt recommending it to anyone for AED 369/USD95! I mean c'mon for that money one can easily opt for Bobbi Brown or MAC brushes. Even Real Techniques powder brush which is of fantastic quality is wayyyyy cheaper. 

Eye Palette - Love Love the packaging. The whole set gives you the feel of opening a bracelet box. The colors are well pigmented. Mostly glitter based color with one matte ash brown shade. The palette costs AED 149. Makes a good looking gift. But then again there are plenty of other eye palettes out there that i would prefer spending on.  

The collection also includes mono eye shadows, nail polishes and blushers. Though they look extremely pretty and girly, but am not thoroughly impressed by the quality and choice of colors. 

Do check them out whilst passing by Sephora and let me know if you think otherwise. 

Love

Contour, Bronze, Highlight, Repeat.... | SmashBox Palette

Hello Angels

It's all about couture, bronze and highlight for many of us. I focus mostly on contour and highlight. My skin is not too pale but have a natural tan to it. So bronzing is limited.

Anastasia contour kit was on my wish list for many many months. But never really got around actually sitting and placing an order. Last week, i slipped into Sephora and what caught my attention was SmashBox Contour Kit. There wasn't much thought process involved to my buy. 

About the product -

Contour (first from left) - I really really love this shade. Not too warm, slightly more on the cooler side with grey shade infused. Very subtle yet build-able. 

Bronzer - The bronzer is lovely too. Though i don't use it much, i love to touch up a little here and there. The color is soft and build-able

Highlighter - Disappointment happens. Now am a massive highlight fan. The color is very sheer. You can hardly make out the presence. I would have preferred it to be slightly more intense. 

For now i have suspended my need for a Anastasia palette. This kit meets my bronzer and contour need. So i recommend you ladies to check this one out too. The packaging is user and travel friendly versus Anastasia.  

Plus you don't really need 6 shades for personal contour kit unless you are a makeup artist. Right?

Let me know your thoughts

Love

ORIBE | O My My!!

Hello Angels

My hair was on Day 3 when i purchased Oribe. Came back home and immediately put it to test. Nope it doesn't do wonders as a dry shampoo. Fine.

The following day tried it on clean styled hair. And then the magic began! Literally. Before i get into the nity gritty of the product. Let me give you a short description of my hair. Shoulder length flat hair, that tends to grease and weigh down by 3rd day.

Firstly this product smells amazing. Does Oribe do Hair Mist? If so i will definitely bag one. Moving on to subject. For AED185/USD43 (8.5oz), your expectation of the product is sky high. I got a rolling eye look from my BFF whilst shopping it. Of course it is expensive. Very

But it delivers. I spray the product onto my crown, focusing more on roots, sides and tips of my hair. Rub it in well and do a 'lil hair dance (not mandatory!). Result - your hair is full of volume and texture. I apply the product after styling my hair i.e giving my hair soft curls at the bottom. This + Oribe does the work for me.

Now i wasn't sure how long the 'look' will last. To my surprise it lasted me 2 whole days + 3rd day was also pretty decent. My hair felt soft and light, which is a major plus.

If you are not sure about how well it would work for you. Purchase the mini bottle (2.2oz) for testing. But do give it a try. I highly recommend. 

Available at Harvey Nicholas stores.

Love

M.A.C LOVE | Highlighter + Eyeliner

Hello Angels

I've been long obsessed with highlighters. Some of my favorites being Mary Lou by The Balm, Nars stick highlighter, Dior Skin Flash, Chanel Le Blanc and now M.A.Cs Prep + Prime. 

The twister pen technique allows controlled application. The color is absolutely gorgeous, not too pearl white not too peachy. The right combination of both. I tend to use it under by eyes area and drag it slightly towards my cheek bone for that perfect glow. On special occasions, there is no stopping me - it goes on my cheekbone, chin, bridge of my nose and forehead. The texture is liquid-y but it hardly greases and sits well even without powder. 

love, love, love and a must try. 

For about 2 months now I've been using black pencil to line my eyes. Eventually reached a stage where i was desperately missing those liquid liners. 

I checked out Makeupforever and Illamasqua but settled finally for MAC. MAC do both rigid and soft brush liquid liners. I went for the rigid one because this gives me more precision and control. It allows you to draw that perfect flick. What more can i ask for?

It hardly hardly budges. Given the fact my eyes get very water-y at times. 

Let me know which are your favorite highlighters

Love

First Aid Beauty | Review

Hello Angels

One of the best things about festive season is almost all brands release gift hampers with some of their best products. I make a good use of this opportunity and gift myself a few!! 

First Aid Beauty is an American cosmetic brand that has been in the limelight for a while. Here are my thoughts on 3 products i received 

Face Cleanser with FAB Antioxidant Booster
Pearl-ish form texture, that helps remove make-up or cleanse face without leaving behind any residue. Initially i used to wipe my face with Bioderma followed by this cleanser. But eventually stuck to using only the cleanser and it did an excellent job. SAVE!

Most cleanser leaves a dry-tight feeling but no such fuss with this one. My face feels clean and normal with no dryness.

The product is infused with botanical antioxidants. However i don't see my skin benefiting a lot from them since the product is ultimately washed away.

Facial Radiance Pads
OK! So this product was much much looked forward to. But am disappointed. Gutted. Almost all beauty Guru's i follow was raving about it and that definitely kept my hopes high!
a) it gave me a mild sting from first use. Second time the same effect.
b) the product is meant to exfoliate, tone and brighten but a normal liquid toner does the same job too minus the sting.
c) the pads are well soaked. Perhaps too soaked. I feel a lot gets wasted because i have a small face!

So all in all, i won't recommend investing in it.

Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

Treatment for dry parched skin. Now my hands specially are definition to 'Parched' skin by all means. I need to constantly apply cream else they look and feel miserable. I've been taking this cream with me to work and applying it every now and then. My hands don't feel extra moisturized or hydrated. So the product basically acts like any other normal cream with no special powers.

I realize this post haven't been very positive except for the cleanser. But fact remains.

Have you tried FAB products? What are your thoughts?

Available at Feelunique.com

Love

Kiehls's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado | Review

Hello Angels

I try and not include Age Defying cosmetics and skincare in my routine. Primarily because i like to age naturally and not mess up normal cycle of life. Now this is my personal view. 

One product i have never included in my routine is an eye cream. a) the effort of introducing another product in my routine and having to make sure i use it - pure laziness! b) most eye creams i came across or that gained 'Hype'  in the market contained Anti Aging ingredients. 

I finally did find the one for me. That fits my needs - Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. Key ingredient being Avocado and key target being Hydration. The texture is smooth and rich. Takes a while to sink in but once done your skin feels hydrated and quenched. I love how the cream very much resembles a 'Real' avocado extract, it gives you the feeling of using something very Natural!

It causes absolute no irritation to eyes and is fragrance free. Bonus for me it excludes active Age Defying ingredients. A little goes a long way. So paying that AED150/USD35 for 0.5oz is OK. 

Result? I don't see any visible reduction in my dark circle. But the skin around my eyes feels well taken care of. The cream is light and very moisturizing. My mum's skin is extremely sensitive and she finds the product extremely comforting and non irritating too. 

Let me know your take on Anti Aging products. Also any good eye creams to look out for?

Love

Pencil it in!

Hello Angels

Happy New Year to all you lovely peeps....

My first post for 2015 is all about some FAB pencil beauty products. These have been a part of my routine

for pretty long time and i absolutely DOT on them. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye/Lip Pencil 

These beauties from Urban Decay are a must have. Color eye liners are not my cup of tea but nevertheless i gave them a go (blogger genes!!). The texture absolutely steals the show - Super smooth, creamy, well pigmented and waterproof!! Ingredients include Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E and Cottonseed Oil to keep your eye moisturized. 

Deviant and Ranson are gorgeous metallic Blue and Purple (Deviant being slightly more favorite). I don't go overboard with them though keeping in mind they can be quite 'Poppin'... So a tad bit on lower waterline does the trick. Available in 10 shades.

The Lip Pencils are equally good but not creamy as above. Which meets the purpose in a way because we don't want a lip liner that moves around. 

Price AED90/USD20

Face shop Catch My Eye Liner

Here is a keeper. Black eye liner from Face Shop is very reasonably priced with absolute no comprise in quality. Smooth and long lasting. The tip allows easy application without having to exert too much pressure. 

and it comes with a blender tip. 

AED20/USD4

Hope you enjoyed this collection of useful pencil products...Let me know your thoughts.

Love